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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Essays + The Essays Or Counsels, Civil And Moral, Of Francis Ld. + Verulam Viscount St. Albans + +Author: Francis Bacon + +Release Date: November 25, 2009 [EBook #575] +Last Updated: January 25, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE ESSAYS OR COUNSELS, <br />CIVIL AND MORAL, + </h1> + <h3> + OF FRANCIS Ld. VERULAM VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Francis Bacon + </h2> + <h4> + TO <br /><br /> THE RIGHT HONORABLE <br /><br /> MY VERY GOOD LORD <br /><br /> + THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM <br /><br /> HIS GRACE, LORD <br /><br /> HIGH ADMIRAL + OF ENGLAND <br /><br /> EXCELLENT LORD: + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + SALOMON saies; A good Name is as a precious oyntment; And I assure my + selfe, such wil your Graces Name bee, with Posteritie. For your Fortune, + and Merit both, have been Eminent. And you have planted Things, that are + like to last. I doe now publish my Essayes; which, of all my other workes, + have beene most Currant: For that, as it seemes, they come home, to Mens + Businesse, and Bosomes. I have enlarged them, both in Number, and Weight; + So that they are indeed a New Worke. I thought it therefore agreeable, to + my Affection, and Obligation to your Grace, to prefix your Name before + them, both in English, and in Latine. For I doe conceive, that the Latine + Volume of them, (being in the Universall Language) may last, as long as + Bookes last. My Instauration, I dedicated to the King: My Historie of + Henry the Seventh, (which I have now also translated into Latine) and my + Portions of Naturall History, to the Prince: And these I dedicate to your + Grace; Being of the best Fruits, that by the good Encrease, which God + gives to my Pen and Labours, I could yeeld. God leade your Grace by the + Hand. Your Graces most Obliged and faithfull Servant, + </p> + <p> + FR. ST. ALBAN <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> Of Truth </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> Of Death </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> Of Unity In Religion </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> Of Revenge </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> Of Adversity </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> Of Simulation And Dissimulation </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> Of Parents And Children </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> Of Marriage And Single Life </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> Of Envy </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> Of Love </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> Of Great Place </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> Of Boldness </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> Of Goodness and Goodness Of Nature </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> Of Nobility </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> Of Seditions And Troubles </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> Of Atheism </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> Of Superstition </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> Of Travel </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> Of Empire </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> Of Counsel </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> Of Delays </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> Of Cunning </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> Of Wisdom For A Man's Self </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> Of Innovations </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> Of Dispatch </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> Of Seeming Wise </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> Of Friendship </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> Of Expense </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> Of the True Greatness Of Kingdoms And Estates + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> Of Regiment Of Health </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> Of Suspicion </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> Of Discourse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> Of Plantations </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> Of Riches </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> Of Prophecies </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> Of Ambition </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> Of Masques And Triumphs </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> Of Nature In Men </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> Of Custom And Education </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> Of Fortune </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0041"> Of Usury </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0042"> Of Youth And Age </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0043"> Of Beauty </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0044"> Of Deformity </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0045"> Of Building </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0046"> Of Gardens </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0047"> Of Negotiating </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0048"> Of Followers And Friends </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0049"> Of Suitors </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0050"> Of Studies </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0051"> Of Faction </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0052"> Of Ceremonies, And Respects </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0053"> Of Praise </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0054"> Of Vain-glory </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0055"> Of Honor And Reputation </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0056"> Of Judicature </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0057"> Of Anger </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0058"> Of Vicissitude Of Things </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0059"> Of Fame </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0060"> A Glossary Of Archaic Words And Phrases </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Of Truth + </h2> + <p> + WHAT is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. + Certainly there be, that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to + fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting. And + though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain + certain discoursing wits, which are of the same veins, though there be not + so much blood in them, as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only + the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out of truth, nor + again, that when it is found, it imposeth upon men's thoughts, that doth + bring lies in favor; but a natural, though corrupt love, of the lie + itself. One of the later school of the Grecians, examineth the matter, and + is at a stand, to think what should be in it, that men should love lies; + where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as + with the merchant; but for the lie's sake. But I cannot tell; this same + truth, is a naked, and open day-light, that doth not show the masks, and + mummeries, and triumphs, of the world, half so stately and daintily as + candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that + showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond, or + carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth + ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of + men's minds, vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, + imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds, of + a number of men, poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and + indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves? + </p> + <p> + One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum daemonum, + because it fireth the imagination; and yet, it is but with the shadow of a + lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that + sinketh in, and settleth in it, that doth the hurt; such as we spake of + before. But howsoever these things are thus in men's depraved judgments, + and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the + inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or wooing of it, the knowledge + of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is + the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. The first + creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense; the + last, was the light of reason; and his sabbath work ever since, is the + illumination of his Spirit. First he breathed light, upon the face of the + matter or chaos; then he breathed light, into the face of man; and still + he breatheth and inspireth light, into the face of his chosen. The poet, + that beautified the sect, that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith + yet excellently well: It is a pleasure, to stand upon the shore, and to + see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure, to stand in the window of a + castle, and to see a battle, and the adventures thereof below: but no + pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a + hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), + and to see the errors, and wanderings, and mists, and tempests, in the + vale below; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with + swelling, or pride. Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man's + mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of + truth. + </p> + <p> + To pass from theological, and philosophical truth, to the truth of civil + business; it will be acknowledged, even by those that practise it not, + that clear, and round dealing, is the honor of man's nature; and that + mixture of falsehoods, is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may + make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding, and + crooked courses, are the goings of the serpent; which goeth basely upon + the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice, that doth so cover a + man with shame, as to be found false and perfidious. And therefore + Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason, why the word of the + lie should be such a disgrace, and such an odious charge? Saith he, If it + be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is + brave towards God, and a coward towards men. For a lie faces God, and + shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood, and breach of faith, + cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last + peal, to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men; it being + foretold, that when Christ cometh, he shall not find faith upon the earth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Death + </h2> + <p> + MEN fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural + fear in children, is increased with tales, so is the other. Certainly, the + contemplation of death, as the wages of sin, and passage to another world, + is holy and religious; but the fear of it, as a tribute due unto nature, + is weak. Yet in religious meditations, there is sometimes mixture of + vanity, and of superstition. You shall read, in some of the friars' books + of mortification, that a man should think with himself, what the pain is, + if he have but his finger's end pressed, or tortured, and thereby imagine, + what the pains of death are, when the whole body is corrupted, and + dissolved; when many times death passeth, with less pain than the torture + of a limb; for the most vital parts, are not the quickest of sense. And by + him that spake only as a philosopher, and natural man, it was well said, + Pompa mortis magis terret, quam mors ipsa. Groans, and convulsions, and a + discolored face, and friends weeping, and blacks, and obsequies, and the + like, show death terrible. It is worthy the observing, that there is no + passion in the mind of man, so weak, but it mates, and masters, the fear + of death; and therefore, death is no such terrible enemy, when a man hath + so many attendants about him, that can win the combat of him. Revenge + triumphs over death; love slights it; honor aspireth to it; grief flieth + to it; fear preoccupateth it; nay, we read, after Otho the emperor had + slain himself, pity (which is the tenderest of affections) provoked many + to die, out of mere compassion to their sovereign, and as the truest sort + of followers. Nay, Seneca adds niceness and satiety: Cogita quamdiu eadem + feceris; mori velle, non tantum fortis aut miser, sed etiam fastidiosus + potest. A man would die, though he were neither valiant, nor miserable, + only upon a weariness to do the same thing so oft, over and over. It is no + less worthy, to observe, how little alteration in good spirits, the + approaches of death make; for they appear to be the same men, till the + last instant. Augustus Caesar died in a compliment; Livia, conjugii nostri + memor, vive et vale. Tiberius in dissimulation; as Tacitus saith of him, + Jam Tiberium vires et corpus, non dissimulatio, deserebant. Vespasian in a + jest, sitting upon the stool; Ut puto deus fio. Galba with a sentence; + Feri, si ex re sit populi Romani; holding forth his neck. Septimius + Severus in despatch; Adeste si quid mihi restat agendum. And the like. + Certainly the Stoics bestowed too much cost upon death, and by their great + preparations, made it appear more fearful. Better saith he, qui finem + vitae extremum inter munera ponat naturae. It is as natural to die, as to + be born; and to a little infant, perhaps, the one is as painful, as the + other. He that dies in an earnest pursuit, is like one that is wounded in + hot blood; who, for the time, scarce feels the hurt; and therefore a mind + fixed, and bent upon somewhat that is good, doth avert the dolors of + death. But, above all, believe it, the sweetest canticle is', Nunc + dimittis; when a man hath obtained worthy ends, and expectations. Death + hath this also; that it openeth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth + envy.—Extinctus amabitur idem. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Unity In Religion + </h2> + <p> + RELIGION being the chief band of human society, it is a happy thing, when + itself is well contained within the true band of unity. The quarrels, and + divisions about religion, were evils unknown to the heathen. The reason + was, because the religion of the heathen, consisted rather in rites and + ceremonies, than in any constant belief. For you may imagine, what kind of + faith theirs was, when the chief doctors, and fathers of their church, + were the poets. But the true God hath this attribute, that he is a jealous + God; and therefore, his worship and religion, will endure no mixture, nor + partner. We shall therefore speak a few words, concerning the unity of the + church; what are the fruits thereof; what the bounds; and what the means. + </p> + <p> + The fruits of unity (next unto the well pleasing of God, which is all in + all) are two: the one, towards those that are without the church, the + other, towards those that are within. For the former; it is certain, that + heresies, and schisms, are of all others the greatest scandals; yea, more + than corruption of manners. For as in the natural body, a wound, or + solution of continuity, is worse than a corrupt humor; so in the + spiritual. So that nothing, doth so much keep men out of the church, and + drive men out of the church, as breach of unity. And therefore, whensoever + it cometh to that pass, that one saith, Ecce in deserto, another saith, + Ecce in penetralibus; that is, when some men seek Christ, in the + conventicles of heretics, and others, in an outward face of a church, that + voice had need continually to sound in men's ears, Nolite exire,—Go + not out. The doctor of the Gentiles (the propriety of whose vocation, drew + him to have a special care of those without) saith, if an heathen come in, + and hear you speak with several tongues, will he not say that you are mad? + And certainly it is little better, when atheists, and profane persons, do + hear of so many discordant, and contrary opinions in religion; it doth + avert them from the church, and maketh them, to sit down in the chair of + the scorners. It is but a light thing, to be vouched in so serious a + matter, but yet it expresseth well the deformity. There is a master of + scoffing, that in his catalogue of books of a feigned library, sets down + this title of a book, The Morris-Dance of Heretics. For indeed, every sect + of them, hath a diverse posture, or cringe by themselves, which cannot but + move derision in worldlings, and depraved politics, who are apt to contemn + holy things. + </p> + <p> + As for the fruit towards those that are within; it is peace; which + containeth infinite blessings. It establisheth faith; it kindleth charity; + the outward peace of the church, distilleth into peace of conscience; and + it turneth the labors of writing, and reading of controversies, into + treaties of mortification and devotion. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the bounds of unity; the true placing of them, importeth + exceedingly. There appear to be two extremes. For to certain zealants, all + speech of pacification is odious. Is it peace, Jehu,? What hast thou to do + with peace? turn thee behind me. Peace is not the matter, but following, + and party. Contrariwise, certain Laodiceans, and lukewarm persons, think + they may accommodate points of religion, by middle way, and taking part of + both, and witty reconcilements; as if they would make an arbitrament + between God and man. Both these extremes are to be avoided; which will be + done, if the league of Christians, penned by our Savior himself, were in + two cross clauses thereof, soundly and plainly expounded: He that is not + with us, is against us; and again, He that is not against us, is with us; + that is, if the points fundamental and of substance in religion, were + truly discerned and distinguished, from points not merely of faith, but of + opinion, order, or good intention. This is a thing may seem to many a + matter trivial, and done already. But if it were done less partially, it + would be embraced more generally. + </p> + <p> + Of this I may give only this advice, according to my small model. Men + ought to take heed, of rending God's church, by two kinds of + controversies. The one is, when the matter of the point controverted, is + too small and light, not worth the heat and strife about it, kindled only + by contradiction. For, as it is noted, by one of the fathers, Christ's + coat indeed had no seam, but the church's vesture was of divers colors; + whereupon he saith, In veste varietas sit, scissura non sit; they be two + things, unity and uniformity. The other is, when the matter of the point + controverted, is great, but it is driven to an over-great subtilty, and + obscurity; so that it becometh a thing rather ingenious, than substantial. + A man that is of judgment and understanding, shall sometimes hear ignorant + men differ, and know well within himself, that those which so differ, mean + one thing, and yet they themselves would never agree. And if it come so to + pass, in that distance of judgment, which is between man and man, shall we + not think that God above, that knows the heart, doth not discern that + frail men, in some of their contradictions, intend the same thing; and + accepteth of both? The nature of such controversies is excellently + expressed, by St. Paul, in the warning and precept, that he giveth + concerning the same, Devita profanas vocum novitates, et oppositiones + falsi nominis scientiae. Men create oppositions, which are not; and put + them into new terms, so fixed, as whereas the meaning ought to govern the + term, the term in effect governeth the meaning. There be also two false + peaces, or unities: the one, when the peace is grounded, but upon an + implicit ignorance; for all colors will agree in the dark: the other, when + it is pieced up, upon a direct admission of contraries, in fundamental + points. For truth and falsehood, in such things, are like the iron and + clay, in the toes of Nebuchadnezzar's image; they may cleave, but they + will not incorporate. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the means of procuring unity; men must beware, that in the + procuring, or reuniting, of religious unity, they do not dissolve and + deface the laws of charity, and of human society. There be two swords + amongst Christians, the spiritual and temporal; and both have their due + office and place, in the maintenance of religion. But we may not take up + the third sword, which is Mahomet's sword, or like unto it; that is, to + propagate religion by wars, or by sanguinary persecutions to force + consciences; except it be in cases of overt scandal, blasphemy, or + intermixture of practice against the state; much less to nourish + seditions; to authorize conspiracies and rebellions; to put the sword into + the people's hands; and the like; tending to the subversion of all + government, which is the ordinance of God. For this is but to dash the + first table against the second; and so to consider men as Christians, as + we forget that they are men. Lucretius the poet, when he beheld the act of + Agamemnon, that could endure the sacrificing of his own daughter, + exclaimed: Tantum Religio potuit suadere malorum. + </p> + <p> + What would he have said, if he had known of the massacre in France, or the + powder treason of England? He would have been seven times more Epicure, + and atheist, than he was. For as the temporal sword is to be drawn with + great circumspection in cases of religion; so it is a thing monstrous to + put it into the hands of the common people. Let that be left unto the + Anabaptists, and other furies. It was great blasphemy, when the devil + said, I will ascend, and be like the highest; but it is greater blasphemy, + to personate God, and bring him in saying, I will descend, and be like the + prince of darkness; and what is it better, to make the cause of religion + to descend, to the cruel and execrable actions of murthering princes, + butchery of people, and subversion of states and governments? Surely this + is to bring down the Holy Ghost, instead of the likeness of a dove, in the + shape of a vulture or raven; and set, out of the bark of a Christian + church, a flag of a bark of pirates, and assassins. Therefore it is most + necessary, that the church, by doctrine and decree, princes by their + sword, and all learnings, both Christian and moral, as by their Mercury + rod, do damn and send to hell for ever, those facts and opinions tending + to the support of the same; as hath been already in good part done. Surely + in counsels concerning religion, that counsel of the apostle would be + prefixed, Ira hominis non implet justitiam Dei. And it was a notable + observation of a wise father, and no less ingenuously confessed; that + those which held and persuaded pressure of consciences, were commonly + interested therein, themselves, for their own ends. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Revenge + </h2> + <p> + REVENGE is a kind of wild justice; which the more man's nature runs to, + the more ought law to weed it out. For as for the first wrong, it doth but + offend the law; but the revenge of that wrong, putteth the law out of + office. Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; + but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince's part to + pardon. And Solomon, I am sure, saith, It is the glory of a man, to pass + by an offence. That which is past is gone, and irrevocable; and wise men + have enough to do, with things present and to come; therefore they do but + trifle with themselves, that labor in past matters. There is no man doth a + wrong, for the wrong's sake; but thereby to purchase himself profit, or + pleasure, or honor, or the like. Therefore why should I be angry with a + man, for loving himself better than me? And if any man should do wrong, + merely out of ill-nature, why, yet it is but like the thorn or briar, + which prick and scratch, because they can do no other. The most tolerable + sort of revenge, is for those wrongs which there is no law to remedy; but + then let a man take heed, the revenge be such as there is no law to + punish; else a man's enemy is still before hand, and it is two for one. + Some, when they take revenge, are desirous, the party should know, whence + it cometh. This is the more generous. For the delight seemeth to be, not + so much in doing the hurt, as in making the party repent. But base and + crafty cowards, are like the arrow that flieth in the dark. Cosmus, duke + of Florence, had a desperate saying against perfidious or neglecting + friends, as if those wrongs were unpardonable; You shall read (saith he) + that we are commanded to forgive our enemies; but you never read, that we + are commanded to forgive our friends. But yet the spirit of Job was in a + better tune: Shall we (saith he) take good at God's hands, and not be + content to take evil also? And so of friends in a proportion. This is + certain, that a man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, + which otherwise would heal, and do well. Public revenges are for the most + part fortunate; as that for the death of Caesar; for the death of + Pertinax; for the death of Henry the Third of France; and many more. But + in private revenges, it is not so. Nay rather, vindictive persons live the + life of witches; who, as they are mischievous, so end they infortunate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Adversity + </h2> + <p> + IT WAS an high speech of Seneca (after the manner of the Stoics), that the + good things, which belong to prosperity, are to be wished; but the good + things, that belong to adversity, are to be admired. Bona rerum secundarum + optabilia; adversarum mirabilia. Certainly if miracles be the command over + nature, they appear most in adversity. It is yet a higher speech of his, + than the other (much too high for a heathen), It is true greatness, to + have in one the frailty of a man, and the security of a God. Vere magnum + habere fragilitatem hominis, securitatem Dei. This would have done better + in poesy, where transcendences are more allowed. And the poets indeed have + been busy with it; for it is in effect the thing, which figured in that + strange fiction of the ancient poets, which seemeth not to be without + mystery; nay, and to have some approach to the state of a Christian; that + Hercules, when he went to unbind Prometheus (by whom human nature is + represented), sailed the length of the great ocean, in an earthen pot or + pitcher; lively describing Christian resolution, that saileth in the frail + bark of the flesh, through the waves of the world. But to speak in a mean. + The virtue of prosperity, is temperance; the virtue of adversity, is + fortitude; which in morals is the more heroical virtue. Prosperity is the + blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New; which + carrieth the greater benediction, and the clearer revelation of God's + favor. Yet even in the Old Testament, if you listen to David's harp, you + shall hear as many hearse-like airs as carols; and the pencil of the Holy + Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job, than the + felicities of Solomon. Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; + and adversity is not without comforts and hopes. We see in needle-works + and embroideries, it is more pleasing to have a lively work, upon a sad + and solemn ground, than to have a dark and melancholy work, upon a + lightsome ground: judge therefore of the pleasure of the heart, by the + pleasure of the eye. Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most + fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best + discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Simulation And Dissimulation + </h2> + <p> + DISSIMULATION is but a faint kind of policy, or wisdom; for it asketh a + strong wit, and a strong heart, to know when to tell truth, and to do it. + Therefore it is the weaker sort of politics, that are the great + dissemblers. + </p> + <p> + Tacitus saith, Livia sorted well with the arts of her husband, and + dissimulation of her son; attributing arts or policy to Augustus, and + dissimulation to Tiberius. And again, when Mucianus encourageth Vespasian, + to take arms against Vitellius, he saith, We rise not against the piercing + judgment of Augustus, nor the extreme caution or closeness of Tiberius. + These properties, of arts or policy, and dissimulation or closeness, are + indeed habits and faculties several, and to be distinguished. For if a man + have that penetration of judgment, as he can discern what things are to be + laid open, and what to be secreted, and what to be showed at half lights, + and to whom and when (which indeed are arts of state, and arts of life, as + Tacitus well calleth them), to him, a habit of dissimulation is a + hinderance and a poorness. But if a man cannot obtain to that judgment, + then it is left to him generally, to be close, and a dissembler. For where + a man cannot choose, or vary in particulars, there it is good to take the + safest, and wariest way, in general; like the going softly, by one that + cannot well see. Certainly the ablest men that ever were, have had all an + openness, and frankness, of dealing; and a name of certainty and veracity; + but then they were like horses well managed; for they could tell passing + well, when to stop or turn; and at such times, when they thought the case + indeed required dissimulation, if then they used it, it came to pass that + the former opinion, spread abroad, of their good faith and clearness of + dealing, made them almost invisible. + </p> + <p> + There be three degrees of this hiding and veiling of a man's self. The + first, closeness, reservation, and secrecy; when a man leaveth himself + without observation, or without hold to be taken, what he is. The second, + dissimulation, in the negative; when a man lets fall signs and arguments, + that he is not, that he is. And the third, simulation, in the affirmative; + when a man industriously and expressly feigns and pretends to be, that he + is not. + </p> + <p> + For the first of these, secrecy; it is indeed the virtue of a confessor. + And assuredly, the secret man heareth many confessions. For who will open + himself, to a blab or a babbler? But if a man be thought secret, it + inviteth discovery; as the more close air sucketh in the more open; and as + in confession, the revealing is not for worldly use, but for the ease of a + man's heart, so secret men come to the knowledge of many things in that + kind; while men rather discharge their minds, than impart their minds. In + few words, mysteries are due to secrecy. Besides (to say truth) nakedness + is uncomely, as well in mind as body; and it addeth no small reverence, to + men's manners and actions, if they be not altogether open. As for talkers + and futile persons, they are commonly vain and credulous withal. For he + that talketh what he knoweth, will also talk what he knoweth not. + Therefore set it down, that an habit of secrecy, is both politic and + moral. And in this part, it is good that a man's face give his tongue + leave to speak. For the discovery of a man' s self, by the tracts of his + countenance, is a great weakness and betraying; by how much it is many + times more marked, and believed, than a man's words. + </p> + <p> + For the second, which is dissimulation; it followeth many times upon + secrecy, by a necessity; so that he that will be secret, must be a + dissembler in some degree. For men are too cunning, to suffer a man to + keep an indifferent carriage between both, and to be secret, without + swaying the balance on either side. They will so beset a man with + questions, and draw him on, and pick it out of him, that, without an + absurd silence, he must show an inclination one way; or if he do not, they + will gather as much by his silence, as by his speech. As for + equivocations, or oraculous speeches, they cannot hold out long. So that + no man can be secret, except he give himself a little scope of + dissimulation; which is, as it were, but the skirts or train of secrecy. + </p> + <p> + But for the third degree, which is simulation, and false profession; that + I hold more culpable, and less politic; except it be in great and rare + matters. And therefore a general custom of simulation (which is this last + degree) is a vice, using either of a natural falseness or fearfulness, or + of a mind that hath some main faults, which because a man must needs + disguise, it maketh him practise simulation in other things, lest his hand + should be out of use. + </p> + <p> + The great advantages of simulation and dissimulation are three. First, to + lay asleep opposition, and to surprise. For where a man's intentions are + published, it is an alarum, to call up all that are against them. The + second is, to reserve to a man's self a fair retreat. For if a man engage + himself by a manifest declaration, he must go through or take a fall. The + third is, the better to discover the mind of another. For to him that + opens himself, men will hardly show themselves adverse; but will fair let + him go on, and turn their freedom of speech, to freedom of thought. And + therefore it is a good shrewd proverb of the Spaniard, Tell a lie and find + a troth. As if there were no way of discovery, but by simulation. There be + also three disadvantages, to set it even. The first, that simulation and + dissimulation commonly carry with them a show of fearfulness, which in any + business, doth spoil the feathers, of round flying up to the mark. The + second, that it puzzleth and perplexeth the conceits of many, that perhaps + would otherwise co-operate with him; and makes a man walk almost alone, to + his own ends. The third and greatest is, that it depriveth a man of one of + the most principal instruments for action; which is trust and belief. The + best composition and temperature, is to have openness in fame and opinion; + secrecy in habit; dissimulation in seasonable use; and a power to feign, + if there be no remedy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Parents And Children + </h2> + <p> + THE joys of parents are secret; and so are their griefs and fears. They + cannot utter the one; nor they will not utter the other. Children sweeten + labors; but they make misfortunes more bitter. They increase the cares of + life; but they mitigate the remembrance of death. The perpetuity by + generation is common to beasts; but memory, merit, and noble works, are + proper to men. And surely a man shall see the noblest works and + foundations have proceeded from childless men; which have sought to + express the images of their minds, where those of their bodies have + failed. So the care of posterity is most in them, that have no posterity. + They that are the first raisers of their houses, are most indulgent + towards their children; beholding them as the continuance, not only of + their kind, but of their work; and so both children and creatures. + </p> + <p> + The difference in affection, of parents towards their several children, is + many times unequal; and sometimes unworthy; especially in the mothers; as + Solomon saith, A wise son rejoiceth the father, but an ungracious son + shames the mother. A man shall see, where there is a house full of + children, one or two of the eldest respected, and the youngest made + wantons; but in the midst, some that are as it were forgotten, who many + times, nevertheless, prove the best. The illiberality of parents, in + allowance towards their children, is an harmful error; makes them base; + acquaints them with shifts; makes them sort with mean company; and makes + them surfeit more when they come to plenty. And therefore the proof is + best, when men keep their authority towards the children, but not their + purse. Men have a foolish manner (both parents and schoolmasters and + servants) in creating and breeding an emulation between brothers, during + childhood, which many times sorteth to discord when they are men, and + disturbeth families. The Italians make little difference between children, + and nephews or near kinsfolks; but so they be of the lump, they care not + though they pass not through their own body. And, to say truth, in nature + it is much a like matter; insomuch that we see a nephew sometimes + resembleth an uncle, or a kinsman, more than his own parent; as the blood + happens. Let parents choose betimes, the vocations and courses they mean + their children should take; for then they are most flexible; and let them + not too much apply themselves to the disposition of their children, as + thinking they will take best to that, which they have most mind to. It is + true, that if the affection or aptness of the children be extraordinary, + then it is good not to cross it; but generally the precept is good, + optimum elige, suave et facile illud faciet consuetudo. Younger brothers + are commonly fortunate, but seldom or never where the elder are + disinherited. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Marriage And Single Life + </h2> + <p> + HE THAT hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they + are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. + Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have + proceeded from the unmarried or childless men; which both in affection and + means, have married and endowed the public. Yet it were great reason that + those that have children, should have greatest care of future times; unto + which they know they must transmit their dearest pledges. Some there are, + who though they lead a single life, yet their thoughts do end with + themselves, and account future times impertinences. Nay, there are some + other, that account wife and children, but as bills of charges. Nay more, + there are some foolish rich covetous men, that take a pride, in having no + children, because they may be thought so much the richer. For perhaps they + have heard some talk, Such an one is a great rich man, and another except + to it, Yea, but he hath a great charge of children; as if it were an + abatement to his riches. But the most ordinary cause of a single life, is + liberty, especially in certain self-pleasing and humorous minds, which are + so sensible of every restraint, as they will go near to think their + girdles and garters, to be bonds and shackles. Unmarried men are best + friends, best masters, best servants; but not always best subjects; for + they are light to run away; and almost all fugitives, are of that + condition. A single life doth well with churchmen; for charity will hardly + water the ground, where it must first fill a pool. It is indifferent for + judges and magistrates; for if they be facile and corrupt, you shall have + a servant, five times worse than a wife. For soldiers, I find the generals + commonly in their hortatives, put men in mind of their wives and children; + and I think the despising of marriage amongst the Turks, maketh the vulgar + soldier more base. Certainly wife and children are a kind of discipline of + humanity; and single men, though they may be many times more charitable, + because their means are less exhaust, yet, on the other side, they are + more cruel and hardhearted (good to make severe inquisitors), because + their tenderness is not so oft called upon. Grave natures, led by custom, + and therefore constant, are commonly loving husbands, as was said of + Ulysses, vetulam suam praetulit immortalitati. Chaste women are often + proud and froward, as presuming upon the merit of their chastity. It is + one of the best bonds, both of chastity and obedience, in the wife, if she + think her husband wise; which she will never do, if she find him jealous. + Wives are young men's mistresses; companions for middle age; and old men's + nurses. So as a man may have a quarrel to marry, when he will. But yet he + was reputed one of the wise men, that made answer to the question, when a + man should marry,—A young man not yet, an elder man not at all. It + is often seen that bad husbands, have very good wives; whether it be, that + it raiseth the price of their husband's kindness, when it comes; or that + the wives take a pride in their patience. But this never fails, if the bad + husbands were of their own choosing, against their friends' consent; for + then they will be sure to make good their own folly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Envy + </h2> + <p> + THERE be none of the affections, which have been noted to fascinate or + bewitch, but love and envy. They both have vehement wishes; they frame + themselves readily into imaginations and suggestions; and they come easily + into the eye, especially upon the present of the objects; which are the + points that conduce to fascination, if any such thing there be. We see + likewise, the Scripture calleth envy an evil eye; and the astrologers, + call the evil influences of the stars, evil aspects; so that still there + seemeth to be acknowledged, in the act of envy, an ejaculation or + irradiation of the eye. Nay, some have been so curious, as to note, that + the times when the stroke or percussion of an envious eye doth most hurt, + are when the party envied is beheld in glory or triumph; for that sets an + edge upon envy: and besides, at such times the spirits of the person + envied, do come forth most into the outward parts, and so meet the blow. + </p> + <p> + But leaving these curiosities (though not unworthy to be thought on, in + fit place), we will handle, what persons are apt to envy others; what + persons are most subject to be envied themselves; and what is the + difference between public and private envy. + </p> + <p> + A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others. For + men's minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others' evil; + and who wanteth the one, will prey upon the other; and whoso is out of + hope, to attain to another's virtue, will seek to come at even hand, by + depressing another's fortune. + </p> + <p> + A man that is busy, and inquisitive, is commonly envious. For to know much + of other men's matters, cannot be because all that ado may concern his own + estate; therefore it must needs be, that he taketh a kind of + play-pleasure, in looking upon the fortunes of others. Neither can he, + that mindeth but his own business, find much matter for envy. For envy is + a gadding passion, and walketh the streets, and doth not keep home: Non + est curiosus, quin idem sit malevolus. + </p> + <p> + Men of noble birth, are noted to be envious towards new men, when they + rise. For the distance is altered, and it is like a deceit of the eye, + that when others come on, they think themselves, go back. + </p> + <p> + Deformed persons, and eunuchs, and old men, and bastards, are envious. For + he that cannot possibly mend his own case, will do what he can, to impair + another's; except these defects light upon a very brave, and heroical + nature, which thinketh to make his natural wants part of his honor; in + that it should be said, that an eunuch, or a lame man, did such great + matters; affecting the honor of a miracle; as it was in Narses the eunuch, + and Agesilaus and Tamberlanes, that were lame men. + </p> + <p> + The same is the case of men, that rise after calamities and misfortunes. + For they are as men fallen out with the times; and think other men's + harms, a redemption of their own sufferings. + </p> + <p> + They that desire to excel in too many matters, out of levity and vain + glory, are ever envious. For they cannot want work; it being impossible, + but many, in some one of those things, should surpass them. Which was the + character of Adrian the Emperor; that mortally envied poets, and painters, + and artificers, in works wherein he had a vein to excel. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, near kinsfolks, and fellows in office, and those that have been + bred together, are more apt to envy their equals, when they are raised. + For it doth upbraid unto them their own fortunes, and pointeth at them, + and cometh oftener into their remembrance, and incurreth likewise more + into the note of others; and envy ever redoubleth from speech and fame. + Cain's envy was the more vile and malignant, towards his brother Abel, + because when his sacrifice was better accepted, there was no body to look + on. Thus much for those, that are apt to envy. + </p> + <p> + Concerning those that are more or less subject to envy: First, persons of + eminent virtue, when they are advanced, are less envied. For their fortune + seemeth, but due unto them; and no man envieth the payment of a debt, but + rewards and liberality rather. Again, envy is ever joined with the + comparing of a man's self; and where there is no comparison, no envy; and + therefore kings are not envied, but by kings. Nevertheless it is to be + noted, that unworthy persons are most envied, at their first coming in, + and afterwards overcome it better; whereas contrariwise, persons of worth + and merit are most envied, when their fortune continueth long. For by that + time, though their virtue be the same, yet it hath not the same lustre; + for fresh men grow up that darken it. + </p> + <p> + Persons of noble blood, are less envied in their rising. For it seemeth + but right done to their birth. Besides, there seemeth not much added to + their fortune; and envy is as the sunbeams, that beat hotter upon a bank, + or steep rising ground, than upon a flat. And for the same reason, those + that are advanced by degrees, are less envied than those that are advanced + suddenly and per saltum. + </p> + <p> + Those that have joined with their honor great travels, cares, or perils, + are less subject to envy. For men think that they earn their honors + hardly, and pity them sometimes; and pity ever healeth envy. Wherefore you + shall observe, that the more deep and sober sort of politic persons, in + their greatness, are ever bemoaning themselves, what a life they lead; + chanting a quanta patimur! Not that they feel it so, but only to abate the + edge of envy. But this is to be understood, of business that is laid upon + men, and not such, as they call unto themselves. For nothing increaseth + envy more, than an unnecessary and ambitious engrossing of business. And + nothing doth extinguish envy more, than for a great person to preserve all + other inferior officers, in their full lights and pre-eminences of their + places. For by that means, there be so many screens between him and envy. + </p> + <p> + Above all, those are most subject to envy, which carry the greatness of + their fortunes, in an insolent and proud manner; being never well, but + while they are showing how great they are, either by outward pomp, or by + triumphing over all opposition or competition; whereas wise men will + rather do sacrifice to envy, in suffering themselves sometimes of purpose + to be crossed, and overborne in things that do not much concern them. + Notwithstanding, so much is true, that the carriage of greatness, in a + plain and open manner (so it be without arrogancy and vain glory) doth + draw less envy, than if it be in a more crafty and cunning fashion. For in + that course, a man doth but disavow fortune; and seemeth to be conscious + of his own want in worth; and doth but teach others, to envy him. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, to conclude this part; as we said in the beginning, that the act + of envy had somewhat in it of witchcraft, so there is no other cure of + envy, but the cure of witchcraft; and that is, to remove the lot (as they + call it) and to lay it upon another. For which purpose, the wiser sort of + great persons, bring in ever upon the stage somebody upon whom to derive + the envy, that would come upon themselves; sometimes upon ministers and + servants; sometimes upon colleagues and associates; and the like; and for + that turn there are never wanting, some persons of violent and undertaking + natures, who, so they may have power and business, will take it at any + cost. + </p> + <p> + Now, to speak of public envy. There is yet some good in public envy, + whereas in private, there is none. For public envy, is as an ostracism, + that eclipseth men, when they grow too great. And therefore it is a bridle + also to great ones, to keep them within bounds. + </p> + <p> + This envy, being in the Latin word invidia, goeth in the modern language, + by the name of discontentment; of which we shall speak, in handling + sedition. It is a disease, in a state, like to infection. For as infection + spreadeth upon that which is sound, and tainteth it; so when envy is + gotten once into a state, it traduceth even the best actions thereof, and + turneth them into an ill odor. And therefore there is little won, by + intermingling of plausible actions. For that doth argue but a weakness, + and fear of envy, which hurteth so much the more, as it is likewise usual + in infections; which if you fear them, you call them upon you. + </p> + <p> + This public envy, seemeth to beat chiefly upon principal officers or + ministers, rather than upon kings, and estates themselves. But this is a + sure rule, that if the envy upon the minister be great, when the cause of + it in him is small; or if the envy be general, in a manner upon all the + ministers of an estate; then the envy (though hidden) is truly upon the + state itself. And so much of public envy or discontentment, and the + difference thereof from private envy, which was handled in the first + place. + </p> + <p> + We will add this in general, touching the affection of envy; that of all + other affections, it is the most importune and continual. For of other + affections, there is occasion given, but now and then; and therefore it + was well said, Invidia festos dies non agit: for it is ever working upon + some or other. And it is also noted, that love and envy do make a man + pine, which other affections do not, because they are not so continual. It + is also the vilest affection, and the most depraved; for which cause it is + the proper attribute of the devil, who is called, the envious man, that + soweth tares amongst the wheat by night; as it always cometh to pass, that + envy worketh subtilly, and in the dark, and to the prejudice of good + things, such as is the wheat. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Love + </h2> + <p> + THE stage is more beholding to love, than the life of man. For as to the + stage, love is ever matter of comedies, and now and then of tragedies; but + in life it doth much mischief; sometimes like a siren, sometimes like a + fury. You may observe, that amongst all the great and worthy persons + (whereof the memory remaineth, either ancient or recent) there is not one, + that hath been transported to the mad degree of love: which shows that + great spirits, and great business, do keep out this weak passion. You must + except, nevertheless, Marcus Antonius, the half partner of the empire of + Rome, and Appius Claudius, the decemvir and lawgiver; whereof the former + was indeed a voluptuous man, and inordinate; but the latter was an austere + and wise man: and therefore it seems (though rarely) that love can find + entrance, not only into an open heart, but also into a heart well + fortified, if watch be not well kept. It is a poor saying of Epicurus, + Satis magnum alter alteri theatrum sumus; as if man, made for the + contemplation of heaven, and all noble objects, should do nothing but + kneel before a little idol, and make himself a subject, though not of the + mouth (as beasts are), yet of the eye; which was given him for higher + purposes. It is a strange thing, to note the excess of this passion, and + how it braves the nature, and value of things, by this; that the speaking + in a perpetual hyperbole, is comely in nothing but in love. Neither is it + merely in the phrase; for whereas it hath been well said, that the + arch-flatterer, with whom all the petty flatterers have intelligence, is a + man's self; certainly the lover is more. For there was never proud man + thought so absurdly well of himself, as the lover doth of the person + loved; and therefore it was well said, That it is impossible to love, and + to be wise. Neither doth this weakness appear to others only, and not to + the party loved; but to the loved most of all, except the love be + reciproque. For it is a true rule, that love is ever rewarded, either with + the reciproque, or with an inward and secret contempt. By how much the + more, men ought to beware of this passion, which loseth not only other + things, but itself! As for the other losses, the poet's relation doth well + figure them: that he that preferred Helena, quitted the gifts of Juno and + Pallas. For whosoever esteemeth too much of amorous affection, quitteth + both riches and wisdom. This passion hath his floods, in very times of + weakness; which are great prosperity, and great adversity; though this + latter hath been less observed: both which times kindle love, and make it + more fervent, and therefore show it to be the child of folly. They do + best, who if they cannot but admit love, yet make it keep quarters; and + sever it wholly from their serious affairs, and actions, of life; for if + it check once with business, it troubleth men's fortunes, and maketh men, + that they can no ways be true to their own ends. I know not how, but + martial men are given to love: I think, it is but as they are given to + wine; for perils commonly ask to be paid in pleasures. There is in man's + nature, a secret inclination and motion, towards love of others, which if + it be not spent upon some one or a few, doth naturally spread itself + towards many, and maketh men become humane and charitable; as it is seen + sometime in friars. Nuptial love maketh mankind; friendly love perfecteth + it; but wanton love corrupteth, and embaseth it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Great Place + </h2> + <p> + MEN in great place are thrice servants: servants of the sovereign or + state; servants of fame; and servants of business. So as they have no + freedom; neither in their persons, nor in their actions, nor in their + times. It is a strange desire, to seek power and to lose liberty: or to + seek power over others, and to lose power over a man's self. The rising + unto place is laborious; and by pains, men come to greater pains; and it + is sometimes base; and by indignities, men come to dignities. The standing + is slippery, and the regress is either a downfall, or at least an eclipse, + which is a melancholy thing. Cum non sis qui fueris, non esse cur velis + vivere. Nay, retire men cannot when they would, neither will they, when it + were reason; but are impatient of privateness, even in age and sickness, + which require the shadow; like old townsmen, that will be still sitting at + their street door, though thereby they offer age to scom. Certainly great + persons had need to borrow other men's opinions, to think themselves + happy; for if they judge by their own feeling, they cannot find it; but if + they think with themselves, what other men think of them, and that other + men would fain be, as they are, then they are happy, as it were, by + report; when perhaps they find the contrary within. For they are the + first, that find their own griefs, though they be the last, that find + their own faults. Certainly men in great fortunes are strangers to + themselves, and while they are in the puzzle of business, they have no + time to tend their health, either of body or mind. Illi mors gravis + incubat, qui notus nimis omnibus, ignotus moritur sibi. In place, there is + license to do good, and evil; whereof the latter is a curse: for in evil, + the best condition is not to win; the second, not to can. But power to do + good, is the true and lawful end of aspiring. For good thoughts (though + God accept them) yet, towards men, are little better than good dreams, + except they be put in act; and that cannot be, without power and place, as + the vantage, and commanding ground. Merit and good works, is the end of + man's motion; and conscience of the same is the accomplishment of man's + rest. For if a man can be partaker of God's theatre, he shall likewise be + partaker of God's rest. Et conversus Deus, ut aspiceret opera quae + fecerunt manus suae, vidit quod omnia essent bona nimis; and then the + sabbath. In the discharge of thy place, set before thee the best examples; + for imitation is a globe of precepts. And after a time, set before thee + thine own example; and examine thyself strictly, whether thou didst not + best at first. Neglect not also the examples, of those that have carried + themselves ill, in the same place; not to set off thyself, by taxing their + memory, but to direct thyself, what to avoid. Reform therefore, without + bravery, or scandal of former times and persons; but yet set it down to + thyself, as well to create good precedents, as to follow them. Reduce + things to the first institution, and observe wherein, and how, they have + degenerate; but yet ask counsel of both times; of the ancient time, what + is best; and of the latter time, what is fittest. Seek to make thy course + regular, that men may know beforehand, what they may expect; but be not + too positive and peremptory; and express thyself well, when thou + digressest from thy rule. Preserve the right of thy place; but stir not + questions of jurisdiction; and rather assume thy right, in silence and de + facto, than voice it with claims, and challenges. Preserve likewise the + rights of inferior places; and think it more honor, to direct in chief, + than to be busy in all. Embrace and invite helps, and advices, touching + the execution of thy place; and do not drive away such, as bring thee + information, as meddlers; but accept of them in good part. The vices of + authority are chiefly four: delays, corruption, roughness, and facility. + For delays: give easy access; keep times appointed; go through with that + which is in hand, and interlace not business, but of necessity. For + corruption: do not only bind thine own hands, or thy servants' hands, from + taking, but bind the hands of suitors also, from offering. For integrity + used doth the one; but integrity professed, and with a manifest + detestation of bribery, doth the other. And avoid not only the fault, but + the suspicion. Whosoever is found variable, and changeth manifestly + without manifest cause, giveth suspicion of corruption. Therefore always, + when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, and + declare it, together with the reasons that move thee to change; and do not + think to steal it. A servant or a favorite, if he be inward, and no other + apparent cause of esteem, is commonly thought, but a by-way to close + corruption. For roughness: it is a needless cause of discontent: severity + breedeth fear, but roughness breedeth hate. Even reproofs from authority, + ought to be grave, and not taunting. As for facility: it is worse than + bribery. For bribes come but now and then; but if importunity, or idle + respects, lead a man, he shall never be without. As Solomon saith, To + respect persons is not good; for such a man will transgress for a piece of + bread. It is most true, that was anciently spoken, A place showeth the + man. And it showeth some to the better, and some to the worse. Omnium + consensu capax imperii, nisi imperasset, saith Tacitus of Galba; but of + Vespasian he saith, Solus imperantium, Vespasianus mutatus in melius; + though the one was meant of sufficiency, the other of manners, and + affection. It is an assured sign of a worthy and generous spirit, whom + honor amends. For honor is, or should be, the place of virtue; and as in + nature, things move violently to their place, and calmly in their place, + so virtue in ambition is violent, in authority settled and calm. All + rising to great place is by a winding star; and if there be factions, it + is good to side a man's self, whilst he is in the rising, and to balance + himself when he is placed. Use the memory of thy predecessor, fairly and + tenderly; for if thou dost not, it is a debt will sure be paid when thou + art gone. If thou have colleagues, respect them, and rather call them, + when they look not for it, than exclude them, when they have reason to + look to be called. Be not too sensible, or too remembering, of thy place + in conversation, and private answers to suitors; but let it rather be + said, When he sits in place, he is another man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Boldness + </h2> + <p> + IT IS a trivial grammar-school text, but yet worthy a wise man's + consideration. Question was asked of Demosthenes, what was the chief part + of an orator? he answered, action; what next? action; what next again? + action. He said it, that knew it best, and had, by nature, himself no + advantage in that he commended. A strange thing, that that part of an + orator, which is but superficial, and rather the virtue of a player, + should be placed so high, above those other noble parts, of invention, + elocution, and the rest; nay, almost alone, as if it were all in all. But + the reason is plain. There is in human nature generally, more of the fool + than of the wise; and therefore those faculties, by which the foolish part + of men's minds is taken, are most potent. Wonderful like is the case of + boldness in civil business: what first? boldness; what second and third? + boldness. And yet boldness is a child of ignorance and baseness, far + inferior to other parts. But nevertheless it doth fascinate, and bind hand + and foot, those that are either shallow in judgment, or weak in courage, + which are the greatest part; yea and prevaileth with wise men at weak + times. Therefore we see it hath done wonders, in popular states; but with + senates, and princes less; and more ever upon the first entrance of bold + persons into action, than soon after; for boldness is an ill keeper of + promise. Surely, as there are mountebanks for the natural body, so are + there mountebanks for the politic body; men that undertake great cures, + and perhaps have been lucky, in two or three experiments, but want the + grounds of science, and therefore cannot hold out. Nay, you shall see a + bold fellow many times do Mahomet's miracle. Mahomet made the people + believe that he would call an hill to him, and from the top of it offer up + his prayers, for the observers of his law. The people assembled; Mahomet + called the hill to come to him, again and again; and when the hill stood + still, he was never a whit abashed, but said, If the hill will not come to + Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the hill. So these men, when they have + promised great matters, and failed most shamefully, yet (if they have the + perfection of boldness) they will but slight it over, and make a turn, and + no more ado. Certainly to men of great judgment, bold persons are a sport + to behold; nay, and to the vulgar also, boldness has somewhat of the + ridiculous. For if absurdity be the subject of laughter, doubt you not but + great boldness is seldom without some absurdity. Especially it is a sport + to see, when a bold fellow is out of countenance; for that puts his face + into a most shrunken, and wooden posture; as needs it must; for in + bashfulness, the spirits do a little go and come; but with bold men, upon + like occasion, they stand at a stay; like a stale at chess, where it is no + mate, but yet the game cannot stir. But this last were fitter for a satire + than for a serious observation. This is well to be weighed; that boldness + is ever blind; for it seeth not danger, and inconveniences. Therefore it + is ill in counsel, good in execution; so that the right use of bold + persons is, that they never command in chief, but be seconds, and under + the direction of others. For in counsel, it is good to see dangers; and in + execution, not to see them, except they be very great. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Goodness and Goodness Of Nature + </h2> + <p> + I TAKE goodness in this sense, the affecting of the weal of men, which is + that the Grecians call philanthropia; and the word humanity (as it is + used) is a little too light to express it. Goodness I call the habit, and + goodness of nature, the inclination. This of all virtues, and dignities of + the mind, is the greatest; being the character of the Deity: and without + it, man is a busy, mischievous, wretched thing; no better than a kind of + vermin. Goodness answers to the theological virtue, charity, and admits no + excess, but error. The desire of power in excess, caused the angels to + fall; the desire of knowledge in excess, caused man to fall: but in + charity there is no excess; neither can angel, nor man, come in danger by + it. The inclination to goodness, is imprinted deeply in the nature of man; + insomuch, that if it issue not towards men, it will take unto other living + creatures; as it is seen in the Turks, a cruel people, who nevertheless + are kind to beasts, and give alms, to dogs and birds; insomuch, as + Busbechius reporteth, a Christian boy, in Constantinople, had like to have + been stoned, for gagging in a waggishness a long-billed fowl. Errors + indeed in this virtue of goodness, or charity, may be committed. The + Italians have an ungracious proverb, Tanto buon che val niente: so good, + that he is good for nothing. And one of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas + Machiavel, had the confidence to put in writing, almost in plain terms, + That the Christian faith, had given up good men, in prey to those that are + tyrannical and unjust. Which he spake, because indeed there was never law, + or sect, or opinion, did so much magnify goodness, as the Christian + religion doth. Therefore, to avoid the scandal and the danger both, it is + good, to take knowledge of the errors of an habit so excellent. Seek the + good of other men, but be not in bondage to their faces or fancies; for + that is but facility, or softness; which taketh an honest mind prisoner. + Neither give thou AEsop's cock a gem, who would be better pleased, and + happier, if he had had a barley-corn. The example of God, teacheth the + lesson truly: He sendeth his rain, and maketh his sun to shine, upon the + just and unjust; but he doth not rain wealth, nor shine honor and virtues, + upon men equally. Common benefits, are to be communicate with all; but + peculiar benefits, with choice. And beware how in making the portraiture, + thou breakest the pattern. For divinity, maketh the love of ourselves the + pattern; the love of our neighbors, but the portraiture. Sell all thou + hast, and give it to the poor, and follow me: but, sell not all thou hast, + except thou come and follow me; that is, except thou have a vocation, + wherein thou mayest do as much good, with little means as with great; for + otherwise, in feeding the streams, thou driest the fountain. Neither is + there only a habit of goodness, directed by right reason; but there is in + some men, even in nature, a disposition towards it; as on the other side, + there is a natural malignity. For there be, that in their nature do not + affect the good of others. The lighter sort of malignity, turneth but to a + crassness, or frowardness, or aptness to oppose, or difficulties, or the + like; but the deeper sort, to envy and mere mischief. Such men, in other + men's calamities, are, as it were, in season, and are ever on the loading + part: not so good as the dogs, that licked Lazarus' sores; but like flies, + that are still buzzing upon any thing that is raw; misanthropi, that make + it their practice, to bring men to the bough, and yet never a tree for the + purpose in their gardens, as Timon had. Such dispositions, are the very + errors of human nature; and yet they are the fittest timber, to make great + politics of; like to knee timber, that is good for ships, that are + ordained to be tossed; but not for building houses, that shall stand firm. + The parts and signs of goodness, are many. If a man be gracious and + courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that + his heart is no island, cut off from other lands, but a continent, that + joins to them. If he be compassionate towards the afflictions of others, + it shows that his heart is like the noble tree, that is wounded itself, + when it gives the balm. If he easily pardons, and remits offences, it + shows that his mind is planted above injuries; so that he cannot be shot. + If he be thankful for small benefits, it shows that he weighs men's minds, + and not their trash. But above all, if he have St. Paul's perfection, that + he would wish to be anathema from Christ, for the salvation of his + brethren, it shows much of a divine nature, and a kind of conformity with + Christ himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Nobility + </h2> + <p> + WE WILL speak of nobility, first as a portion of an estate, then as a + condition of particular persons. A monarchy, where there is no nobility at + all, is ever a pure and absolute tyranny; as that of the Turks. For + nobility attempers sovereignty, and draws the eyes of the people, somewhat + aside from the line royal. But for democracies, they need it not; and they + are commonly more quiet, and less subject to sedition, than where there + are stirps of nobles. For men's eyes are upon the business, and not upon + the persons; or if upon the persons, it is for the business' sake, as + fittest, and not for flags and pedigree. We see the Switzers last well, + notwithstanding their diversity of religion, and of cantons. For utility + is their bond, and not respects. The united provinces of the Low + Countries, in their government, excel; for where there is an equality, the + consultations are more indifferent, and the payments and tributes, more + cheerful. A great and potent nobility, addeth majesty to a monarch, but + diminisheth power; and putteth life and spirit into the people, but + presseth their fortune. It is well, when nobles are not too great for + sovereignty nor for justice; and yet maintained in that height, as the + insolency of inferiors may be broken upon them, before it come on too fast + upon the majesty of kings. A numerous nobility causeth poverty, and + inconvenience in a state; for it is a surcharge of expense; and besides, + it being of necessity, that many of the nobility fall, in time, to be weak + in fortune, it maketh a kind of disproportion, between honor and means. + </p> + <p> + As for nobility in particular persons; it is a reverend thing, to see an + ancient castle or building, not in decay; or to see a fair timber tree, + sound and perfect. How much more, to behold an ancient noble family, which + has stood against the waves and weathers of time! For new nobility is but + the act of power, but ancient nobility is the act of time. Those that are + first raised to nobility, are commonly more virtuous, but less innocent, + than their descendants; for there is rarely any rising, but by a + commixture of good and evil arts. But it is reason, the memory of their + virtues remain to their posterity, and their faults die with themselves. + Nobility of birth commonly abateth industry; and he that is not + industrious, envieth him that is. Besides, noble persons cannot go much + higher; and he that standeth at a stay, when others rise, can hardly avoid + motions of envy. On the other side, nobility extinguisheth the passive + envy from others, towards them; because they are in possession of honor. + Certainly, kings that have able men of their nobility, shall find ease in + employing them, and a better slide into their business; for people + naturally bend to them, as born in some sort to command. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Seditions And Troubles + </h2> + <p> + SHEPHERDS of people, had need know the calendars of tempests in state; + which are commonly greatest, when things grow to equality; as natural + tempests are greatest about the Equinoctia. And as there are certain + hollow blasts of wind, and secret swellings of seas before a tempest, so + are there in states: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + —Ille etiam caecos instare tumultus + Saepe monet, fraudesque et operta tunescere bella. +</pre> + <p> + Libels and licentious discourses against the state, when they are frequent + and open; and in like sort, false news often running up and down, to the + disadvantage of the state, and hastily embraced; are amongst the signs of + troubles. Virgil, giving the pedigree of Fame, saith, she was sister to + the Giants: + </p> + <p> + Illam Terra parens, irra irritata deorum, Extremam (ut perhibent) Coeo + Enceladoque sororem Progenuit. + </p> + <p> + As if fames were the relics of seditions past; but they are no less, + indeed, the preludes of seditions to come. Howsoever he noteth it right, + that seditious tumults, and seditious fames, differ no more but as brother + and sister, masculine and feminine; especially if it come to that, that + the best actions of a state, and the most plausible, and which ought to + give greatest contentment, are taken in ill sense, and traduced: for that + shows the envy great, as Tacitus saith; conflata magna invidia, seu bene + seu male gesta premunt. Neither doth it follow, that because these fames + are a sign of troubles, that the suppressing of them with too much + severity, should be a remedy of troubles. For the despising of them, many + times checks them best; and the going about to stop them, doth but make a + wonder long-lived. Also that kind of obedience, which Tacitus speaketh of, + is to be held suspected: Erant in officio, sed tamen qui mallent mandata + imperantium interpretari quam exequi; disputing, excusing, cavilling upon + mandates and directions, is a kind of shaking off the yoke, and assay of + disobedience; especially if in those disputings, they which are for the + direction, speak fearfully and tenderly, and those that are against it, + audaciously. + </p> + <p> + Also, as Machiavel noteth well, when princes, that ought to be common + parents, make themselves as a party, and lean to a side, it is as a boat, + that is overthrown by uneven weight on the one side; as was well seen, in + the time of Henry the Third of France; for first, himself entered league + for the extirpation of the Protestants; and presently after, the same + league was turned upon himself. For when the authority of princes, is made + but an accessory to a cause, and that there be other bands, that tie + faster than the band of sovereignty, kings begin to be put almost out of + possession. + </p> + <p> + Also, when discords, and quarrels, and factions are carried openly and + audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government is lost. For the + motions of the greatest persons in a government, ought to be as the + motions of the planets under primum mobile; according to the old opinion: + which is, that every of them, is carried swiftly by the highest motion, + and softly in their own motion. And therefore, when great ones in their + own particular motion, move violently, and, as Tacitus expresseth it well, + liberius quam ut imperantium meminissent; it is a sign the orbs are out of + frame. For reverence is that, wherewith princes are girt from God; who + threateneth the dissolving thereof; Solvam cingula regum. + </p> + <p> + So when any of the four pillars of government, are mainly shaken, or + weakened (which are religion, justice, counsel, and treasure), men had + need to pray for fair weather. But let us pass from this part of + predictions (concerning which, nevertheless, more light may be taken from + that which followeth); and let us speak first, of the materials of + seditions; then of the motives of them; and thirdly of the remedies. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the materials of seditions. It is a thing well to be + considered; for the surest way to prevent seditions (if the times do bear + it) is to take away the matter of them. For if there be fuel prepared, it + is hard to tell, whence the spark shall come, that shall set it on fire. + The matter of seditions is of two kinds: much poverty, and much + discontentment. It is certain, so many overthrown estates, so many votes + for troubles. Lucan noteth well the state of Rome before the Civil War, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Hinc usura vorax, rapidumque in tempore foenus, + Hinc concussa fides, et multis utile bellum. +</pre> + <p> + This same multis utile bellum, is an assured and infallible sign, of a + state disposed to seditions and troubles. And if this poverty and broken + estate in the better sort, be joined with a want and necessity in the mean + people, the danger is imminent and great. For the rebellions of the belly + are the worst. As for discontentments, they are, in the politic body, like + to humors in the natural, which are apt to gather a preternatural heat, + and to inflame. And let no prince measure the danger of them by this, + whether they be just or unjust: for that were to imagine people, to be too + reasonable; who do often spurn at their own good: nor yet by this, whether + the griefs whereupon they rise, be in fact great or small: for they are + the most dangerous discontentments, where the fear is greater than the + feeling. Dolendi modus, timendi non item. Besides, in great oppressions, + the same things that provoke the patience, do withal mate the courage; but + in fears it is not so. Neither let any prince, or state, be secure + concerning discontentments, because they have been often, or have been + long, and yet no peril hath ensued: for as it is true, that every vapor or + fume doth not turn into a storm; so it is nevertheless true, that storms, + though they blow over divers times, yet may fall at last; and, as the + Spanish proverb noteth well, The cord breaketh at the last by the weakest + pull. + </p> + <p> + The causes and motives of seditions are, innovation in religion; taxes; + alteration of laws and customs; breaking of privileges; general + oppression; advancement of unworthy persons; strangers; dearths; disbanded + soldiers; factions grown desperate; and what soever, in offending people, + joineth and knitteth them in a common cause. + </p> + <p> + For the remedies; there may be some general preservatives, whereof we will + speak: as for the just cure, it must answer to the particular disease; and + so be left to counsel, rather than rule. + </p> + <p> + The first remedy or prevention is to remove, by all means possible, that + material cause of sedition whereof we spake; which is, want and poverty in + the estate. To which purpose serveth the opening, and well-balancing of + trade; the cherishing of manufactures; the banishing of idleness; the + repressing of waste, and excess, by sumptuary laws; the improvement and + husbanding of the soil; the regulating of prices of things vendible; the + moderating of taxes and tributes; and the like. Generally, it is to be + foreseen that the population of a kingdom (especially if it be not mown + down by wars) do not exceed the stock of the kingdom, which should + maintain them. Neither is the population to be reckoned only by number; + for a smaller number, that spend more and earn less, do wear out an estate + sooner, than a greater number that live lower, and gather more. Therefore + the multiplying of nobility, and other degrees of quality, in an over + proportion to the common people, doth speedily bring a state to necessity; + and so doth likewise an overgrown clergy; for they bring nothing to the + stock; and in like manner, when more are bred scholars, than preferments + can take off. + </p> + <p> + It is likewise to be remembered, that forasmuch as the increase of any + estate must be upon the foreigner (for whatsoever is somewhere gotten, is + somewhere lost), there be but three things, which one nation selleth unto + another; the commodity as nature yieldeth it; the manufacture; and the + vecture, or carriage. So that if these three wheels go, wealth will flow + as in a spring tide. And it cometh many times to pass, that materiam + superabit opus; that the work and carriage is more worth than the + material, and enricheth a state more; as is notably seen in the + Low-Countrymen, who have the best mines above ground, in the world. + </p> + <p> + Above all things, good policy is to be used, that the treasure and moneys, + in a state, be not gathered into few hands. For otherwise a state may have + a great stock, and yet starve. And money is like muck, not good except it + be spread. This is done, chiefly by suppressing, or at least keeping a + strait hand, upon the devouring trades of usury, ingrossing great + pasturages, and the like. + </p> + <p> + For removing discontentments, or at least the danger of them; there is in + every state (as we know) two portions of subjects; the noblesse and the + commonalty. When one of these is discontent, the danger is not great; for + common people are of slow motion, if they be not excited by the greater + sort; and the greater sort are of small strength, except the multitude be + apt, and ready to move of themselves. Then is the danger, when the greater + sort, do but wait for the troubling of the waters amongst the meaner, that + then they may declare themselves. The poets feign, that the rest of the + gods would have bound Jupiter; which he hearing of, by the counsel of + Pallas, sent for Briareus, with his hundred hands, to come in to his aid. + An emblem, no doubt, to show how safe it is for monarchs, to make sure of + the good will of common people. To give moderate liberty for griefs and + discontentments to evaporate (so it be without too great insolency or + bravery), is a safe way. For he that turneth the humors back, and maketh + the wound bleed inwards, endangereth malign ulcers, and pernicious + imposthumations. + </p> + <p> + The part of Epimetheus mought well become Prometheus, in the case of + discontentments: for there is not a better provision against them. + Epimetheus, when griefs and evils flew abroad, at last shut the lid, and + kept hope in the bottom of the vessel. Certainly, the politic and + artificial nourishing, and entertaining of hopes, and carrying men from + hopes to hopes, is one of the best antidotes against the poison of + discontentments. And it is a certain sign of a wise government and + proceeding, when it can hold men's hearts by hopes, when it cannot by + satisfaction; and when it can handle things, in such manner, as no evil + shall appear so peremptory, but that it hath some outlet of hope; which is + the less hard to do, because both particular persons and factions, are apt + enough to flatter themselves, or at least to brave that, which they + believe not. + </p> + <p> + Also the foresight and prevention, that there be no likely or fit head, + whereunto discontented persons may resort, and under whom they may join, + is a known, but an excellent point of caution. I understand a fit head, to + be one that hath greatness and reputation; that hath confidence with the + discontented party, and upon whom they turn their eyes; and that is + thought discontented, in his own particular: which kind of persons, are + either to be won, and reconciled to the state, and that in a fast and true + manner; or to be fronted with some other, of the same party, that may + oppose them, and so divide the reputation. Generally, the dividing and + breaking, of all factions and combinations that are adverse to the state, + and setting them at distance, or at least distrust, amongst themselves, is + not one of the worst remedies. For it is a desperate case, if those that + hold with the proceeding of the state, be full of discord and faction, and + those that are against it, be entire and united. + </p> + <p> + I have noted, that some witty and sharp speeches, which have fallen from + princes, have given fire to seditions. Caesar did himself infinite hurt in + that speech, Sylla nescivit literas, non potuit dictare; for it did + utterly cut off that hope, which men had entertained, that he would at one + time or other give over his dictatorship. Galba undid himself by that + speech, legi a se militem, non emi; for it put the soldiers out of hope of + the donative. Probus likewise, by that speech, Si vixero, non opus erit + amplius Romano imperio militibus; a speech of great despair for the + soldiers. And many the like. Surely princes had need, in tender matters + and ticklish times, to beware what they say; especially in these short + speeches, which fly abroad like darts, and are thought to be shot out of + their secret intentions. For as for large discourses, they are flat + things, and not so much noted. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, let princes, against all events, not be without some great person, + one or rather more, of military valor, near unto them, for the repressing + of seditions in their beginnings. For without that, there useth to be more + trepidation in court upon the first breaking out of troubles, than were + fit. And the state runneth the danger of that which Tacitus saith; Atque + is habitus animorum fuit, ut pessimum facinus auderent pauci, plures + vellent, omnes paterentur. But let such military persons be assured, and + well reputed of, rather than factious and popular; holding also good + correspondence with the other great men in the state; or else the remedy, + is worse than the disease. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Atheism + </h2> + <p> + I HAD rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the + Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind. And therefore, + God never wrought miracle, to convince atheism, because his ordinary works + convince it. It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to + atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion. + For while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may + sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain + of them, confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence + and Deity. Nay, even that school which is most accused of atheism doth + most demonstrate religion; that is, the school of Leucippus and Democritus + and Epicurus. For it is a thousand times more credible, that four mutable + elements, and one immutable fifth essence, duly and eternally placed, need + no God, than that an army of infinite small portions, or seeds unplaced, + should have produced this order and beauty, without a divine marshal. The + Scripture saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is + not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by + rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly + believe it, or be persuaded of it. For none deny, there is a God, but + those, for whom it maketh that there were no God. It appeareth in nothing + more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man, than by + this; that atheists will ever be talking of that their opinion, as if they + fainted in it, within themselves, and would be glad to be strengthened, by + the consent of others. Nay more, you shall have atheists strive to get + disciples, as it fareth with other sects. And, which is most of all, you + shall have of them, that will suffer for atheism, and not recant; whereas + if they did truly think, that there were no such thing as God, why should + they trouble themselves? Epicurus is charged, that he did but dissemble + for his credit's sake, when he affirmed there were blessed natures, but + such as enjoyed themselves, without having respect to the government of + the world. Wherein they say he did temporize; though in secret, he thought + there was no God. But certainly he is traduced; for his words are noble + and divine: Non deos vulgi negare profanum; sed vulgi opiniones diis + applicare profanum. Plato could have said no more. And although he had the + confidence, to deny the administration, he had not the power, to deny the + nature. The Indians of the West, have names for their particular gods, + though they have no name for God: as if the heathens should have had the + names Jupiter, Apollo, Mars, etc., but not the word Deus; which shows that + even those barbarous people have the notion, though they have not the + latitude and extent of it. So that against atheists, the very savages take + part, with the very subtlest philosophers. The contemplative atheist is + rare: a Diagoras, a Bion, a Lucian perhaps, and some others; and yet they + seem to be more than they are; for that all that impugn a received + religion, or superstition, are by the adverse part branded with the name + of atheists. But the great atheists, indeed are hypocrites; which are ever + handling holy things, but without feeling; so as they must needs be + cauterized in the end. The causes of atheism are: divisions in religion, + if they be many; for any one main division, addeth zeal to both sides; but + many divisions introduce atheism. Another is, scandal of priests; when it + is come to that which St. Bernard saith, non est jam dicere, ut populus + sic sacerdos; quia nec sic populus ut sacerdos. A third is, custom of + profane scoffing in holy matters; which doth, by little and little, deface + the reverence of religion. And lastly, learned times, specially with peace + and prosperity; for troubles and adversities do more bow men's minds to + religion. They that deny a God, destroy man's nobility; for certainly man + is of kin to the beasts, by his body; and, if he be not of kin to God, by + his spirit, he is a base and ignoble creature. It destroys likewise + magnanimity, and the raising of human nature; for take an example of a + dog, and mark what a generosity and courage he will put on, when he finds + himself maintained by a man; who to him is instead of a God, or melior + natura; which courage is manifestly such, as that creature, without that + confidence of a better nature than his own, could never attain. So man, + when he resteth and assureth himself, upon divine protection and favor, + gathered a force and faith, which human nature in itself could not obtain. + Therefore, as atheism is in all respects hateful, so in this, that it + depriveth human nature of the means to exalt itself, above human frailty. + As it is in particular persons, so it is in nations. Never was there such + a state for magnanimity as Rome. Of this state hear what Cicero saith: + Quam volumus licet, patres conscripti, nos amemus, tamen nec numero + Hispanos, nec robore Gallos, nec calliditate Poenos, nec artibus Graecos, + nec denique hoc ipso hujus gentis et terrae domestico nativoque sensu + Italos ipsos et Latinos; sed pietate, ac religione, atque hac una + sapientia, quod deorum immortalium numine omnia regi gubernarique + perspeximus, omnes gentes nationesque superavimus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Superstition + </h2> + <p> + IT WERE better to have no opinion of God at all, than such an opinion, as + is unworthy of him. For the one is unbelief, the other is contumely; and + certainly superstition is the reproach of the Deity. Plutarch saith well + to that purpose: Surely (saith he) I had rather a great deal, men should + say, there was no such man at all, as Plutarch, than that they should say, + that there was one Plutarch, that would eat his children as soon as they + were born; as the poets speak of Saturn. And as the contumely is greater + towards God, so the danger is greater towards men. Atheism leaves a man to + sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation; all which + may be guides to an outward moral virtue, though religion were not; but + superstition dismounts all these, and erecteth an absolute monarchy, in + the minds of men. Therefore atheism did never perturb states; for it makes + men wary of themselves, as looking no further: and we see the times + inclined to atheism (as the time of Augustus Caesar) were civil times. But + superstition hath been the confusion of many states, and bringeth in a new + primum mobile, that ravisheth all the spheres of government. The master of + superstition, is the people; and in all superstition, wise men follow + fools; and arguments are fitted to practice, in a reversed order. It was + gravely said by some of the prelates in the Council of Trent, where the + doctrine of the Schoolmen bare great sway, that the Schoolmen were like + astronomers, which did feign eccentrics and epicycles, and such engines of + orbs, to save the phenomena; though they knew there were no such things; + and in like manner, that the Schoolmen had framed a number of subtle and + intricate axioms, and theorems, to save the practice of the church. The + causes of superstition are: pleasing and sensual rites and ceremonies; + excess of outward and pharisaical holiness; overgreat reverence of + traditions, which cannot but load the church; the stratagems of prelates, + for their own ambition and lucre; the favoring too much of good + intentions, which openeth the gate to conceits and novelties; the taking + an aim at divine matters, by human, which cannot but breed mixture of + imaginations: and, lastly, barbarous times, especially joined with + calamities and disasters. Superstition, without a veil, is a deformed + thing; for, as it addeth deformity to an ape, to be so like a man, so the + similitude of superstition to religion, makes it the more deformed. And as + wholesome meat corrupteth to little worms, so good forms and orders + corrupt, into a number of petty observances. There is a superstition in + avoiding superstition, when men think to do best, if they go furthest from + the superstition, formerly received; therefore care would be had that (as + it fareth in ill purgings) the good be not taken away with the bad; which + commonly is done, when the people is the reformer. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Travel + </h2> + <p> + TRAVEL, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part + of experience. He that travelleth into a country, before he hath some + entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel. That young + men travel under some tutor, or grave servant, I allow well; so that he be + such a one that hath the language, and hath been in the country before; + whereby he may be able to tell them what things are worthy to be seen, in + the country where they go; what acquaintances they are to seek; what + exercises, or discipline, the place yieldeth. For else, young men shall go + hooded, and look abroad little. It is a strange thing, that in sea + voyages, where there is nothing to be seen, but sky and sea, men should + make diaries; but in land-travel, wherein so much is to be observed, for + the most part they omit it; as if chance were fitter to be registered, + than observation. Let diaries, therefore, be brought in use. The things to + be seen and observed are: the courts of princes, especially when they give + audience to ambassadors; the courts of justice, while they sit and hear + causes; and so of consistories ecclesiastic; the churches and monasteries, + with the monuments which are therein extant; the walls and fortifications + of cities, and towns, and so the heavens and harbors; antiquities and + ruins; libraries; colleges, disputations, and lectures, where any are; + shipping and navies; houses and gardens of state and pleasure, near great + cities; armories; arsenals; magazines; exchanges; burses; warehouses; + exercises of horsemanship, fencing, training of soldiers, and the like; + comedies, such whereunto the better sort of persons do resort; treasuries + of jewels and robes; cabinets and rarities; and, to conclude, whatsoever + is memorable, in the places where they go. After all which, the tutors, or + servants, ought to make diligent inquiry. As for triumphs, masks, feasts, + weddings, funerals, capital executions, and such shows, men need not to be + put in mind of them; yet are they not to be neglected. If you will have a + young man to put his travel into a little room, and in short time to + gather much, this you must do. First, as was said, he must have some + entrance into the language before he goeth. Then he must have such a + servant, or tutor, as knoweth the country, as was likewise said. Let him + carry with him also, some card or book, describing the country where he + travelleth; which will be a good key to his inquiry. Let him keep also a + diary. Let him not stay long, in one city or town; more or less as the + place deserveth, but not long; nay, when he stayeth in one city or town, + let him change his lodging from one end and part of the town, to another; + which is a great adamant of acquaintance. Let him sequester himself, from + the company of his countrymen, and diet in such places, where there is + good company of the nation where he travelleth. Let him, upon his removes + from one place to another, procure recommendation to some person of + quality, residing in the place whither he removeth; that he may use his + favor, in those things he desireth to see or know. Thus he may abridge his + travel, with much profit. As for the acquaintance, which is to be sought + in travel; that which is most of all profitable, is acquaintance with the + secretaries and employed men of ambassadors: for so in travelling in one + country, he shall suck the experience of many. Let him also see, and + visit, eminent persons in all kinds, which are of great name abroad; that + he may be able to tell, how the life agreeth with the fame. For quarrels, + they are with care and discretion to be avoided. They are commonly for + mistresses, healths, place, and words. And let a man beware, how he + keepeth company with choleric and quarrelsome persons; for they will + engage him into their own quarrels. When a traveller returneth home, let + him not leave the countries, where he hath travelled, altogether behind + him; but maintain a correspondence by letters, with those of his + acquaintance, which are of most worth. And let his travel appear rather in + his discourse, than his apparel or gesture; and in his discourse, let him + be rather advised in his answers, than forward to tell stories; and let it + appear that he doth not change his country manners, for those of foreign + parts; but only prick in some flowers, of that he hath learned abroad, + into the customs of his own country. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Empire + </h2> + <p> + IT IS a miserable state of mind, to have few things to desire, and many + things to fear; and yet that commonly is the case of kings; who, being at + the highest, want matter of desire, which makes their minds more + languishing; and have many representations of perils and shadows, which + makes their minds the less clear. And this is one reason also, of that + effect which the Scripture speaketh of, That the king's heart is + inscrutable. For multitude of jealousies, and lack of some predominant + desire, that should marshal and put in order all the rest, maketh any + man's heart, hard to find or sound. Hence it comes likewise, that princes + many times make themselves desires, and set their hearts upon toys; + sometimes upon a building; sometimes upon erecting of an order; sometimes + upon the advancing of a person; sometimes upon obtaining excellency in + some art, or feat of the hand; as Nero for playing on the harp, Domitian + for certainty of the hand with the arrow, Commodus for playing at fence, + Caracalla for driving chariots, and the like. This seemeth incredible, + unto those that know not the principle, that the mind of man, is more + cheered and refreshed by profiting in small things, than by standing at a + stay, in great. We see also that kings that have been fortunate + conquerors, in their first years, it being not possible for them to go + forward infinitely, but that they must have some check, or arrest in their + fortunes, turn in their latter years to be superstitious, and melancholy; + as did Alexander the Great; Diocletian; and in our memory, Charles the + Fifth; and others: for he that is used to go forward, and findeth a stop, + falleth out of his own favor, and is not the thing he was. + </p> + <p> + To speak now of the true temper of empire, it is a thing rare and hard to + keep; for both temper, and distemper, consist of contraries. But it is one + thing, to mingle contraries, another to interchange them. The answer of + Apollonius to Vespasian, is full of excellent instruction. Vespasian asked + him, What was Nero's overthrow? He answered, Nero could touch and tune the + harp well; but in government, sometimes he used to wind the pins too high, + sometimes to let them down too low. And certain it is, that nothing + destroyeth authority so much, as the unequal and untimely interchange of + power pressed too far, and relaxed too much. + </p> + <p> + This is true, that the wisdom of all these latter times, in princes' + affairs, is rather fine deliveries, and shiftings of dangers and + mischiefs, when they are near, than solid and grounded courses to keep + them aloof. But this is but to try masteries with fortune. And let men + beware, how they neglect and suffer matter of trouble to be prepared; for + no man can forbid the spark, nor tell whence it may come. The difficulties + in princes' business are many and great; but the greatest difficulty, is + often in their own mind. For it is common with princes (saith Tacitus) to + will contradictories, Sunt plerumque regum voluntates vehementes, et inter + se contrariae. For it is the solecism of power, to think to command the + end, and yet not to endure the mean. + </p> + <p> + Kings have to deal with their neighbors, their wives, their children, + their prelates or clergy, their nobles, their second-nobles or gentlemen, + their merchants, their commons, and their men of war; and from all these + arise dangers, if care and circumspection be not used. + </p> + <p> + First for their neighbors; there can no general rule be given (for + occasions are so variable), save one, which ever holdeth, which is, that + princes do keep due sentinel, that none of their neighbors do ever grow so + (by increase of territory, by embracing of trade, by approaches, or the + like), as they become more able to annoy them, than they were. And this is + generally the work of standing counsels, to foresee and to hinder it. + During that triumvirate of kings, King Henry the Eighth of England, + Francis the First King of France, and Charles the Fifth Emperor, there was + such a watch kept, that none of the three could win a palm of ground, but + the other two would straightways balance it, either by confederation, or, + if need were, by a war; and would not in any wise take up peace at + interest. And the like was done by that league (which Guicciardini saith + was the security of Italy) made between Ferdinando King of Naples, + Lorenzius Medici, and Ludovicus Sforza, potentates, the one of Florence, + the other of Milan. Neither is the opinion of some of the Schoolmen, to be + received, that a war cannot justly be made, but upon a precedent injury or + provocation. For there is no question, but a just fear of an imminent + danger, though there be no blow given, is a lawful cause of a war. + </p> + <p> + For their wives; there are cruel examples of them. Livia is infamed, for + the poisoning of her husband; Roxalana, Solyman's wife, was the + destruction of that renowned prince, Sultan Mustapha, and otherwise + troubled his house and succession; Edward the Second of England, his + queen, had the principal hand in the deposing and murder of her husband. + This kind of danger, is then to be feared chiefly, when the wives have + plots, for the raising of their own children; or else that they be + advoutresses. + </p> + <p> + For their children; the tragedies likewise of dangers from them, have been + many. And generally, the entering of fathers into suspicion of their + children, hath been ever unfortunate. The destruction of Mustapha (that we + named before) was so fatal to Solyman's line, as the succession of the + Turks, from Solyman until this day, is suspected to be untrue, and of + strange blood; for that Selymus the Second, was thought to be + suppositious. The destruction of Crispus, a young prince of rare + towardness, by Constantinus the Great, his father, was in like manner + fatal to his house; for both Constantinus and Constance, his sons, died + violent deaths; and Constantius, his other son, did little better; who + died indeed of sickness, but after that Julianus had taken arms against + him. The destruction of Demetrius, son to Philip the Second of Macedon, + turned upon the father, who died of repentance. And many like examples + there are; but few or none, where the fathers had good by such distrust; + except it were, where the sons were up in open arms against them; as was + Selymus the First against Bajazet; and the three sons of Henry the Second, + King of England. + </p> + <p> + For their prelates; when they are proud and great, there is also danger + from them; as it was in the times of Anselmus, and Thomas Becket, + Archbishops of Canterbury; who, with their croziers, did almost try it + with the king's sword; and yet they had to deal with stout and haughty + kings, William Rufus, Henry the First, and Henry the Second. The danger is + not from that state, but where it hath a dependence of foreign authority; + or where the churchmen come in and are elected, not by the collation of + the king, or particular patrons, but by the people. + </p> + <p> + For their nobles; to keep them at a distance, it is not amiss; but to + depress them, may make a king more absolute, but less safe; and less able + to perform, any thing that he desires. I have noted it, in my History of + King Henry the Seventh of England, who depressed his nobility; whereupon + it came to pass, that his times were full of difficulties and troubles; + for the nobility, though they continued loyal unto him, yet did they not + co-operate with him in his business. So that in effect, he was fain to do + all things himself. + </p> + <p> + For their second-nobles; there is not much danger from them, being a body + dispersed. They may sometimes discourse high, but that doth little hurt; + besides, they are a counterpoise to the higher nobility, that they grow + not too potent; and, lastly, being the most immediate in authority, with + the common people, they do best temper popular commotions. + </p> + <p> + For their merchants; they are vena porta; and if they flourish not, a + kingdom may have good limbs, but will have empty veins, and nourish + little. Taxes and imposts upon them, do seldom good to the king's revenue; + for that that he wins in the hundred, he leeseth in the shire; the + particular rates being increased, but the total bulk of trading, rather + decreased. + </p> + <p> + For their commons; there is little danger from them, except it be, where + they have great and potent heads; or where you meddle with the point of + religion, or their customs, or means of life. + </p> + <p> + For their men of war; it is a dangerous state, where they live and remain + in a body, and are used to donatives; whereof we see examples in the + janizaries, and pretorian bands of Rome; but trainings of men, and arming + them in several places, and under several commanders, and without + donatives, are things of defence, and no danger. + </p> + <p> + Princes are like to heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil times; and + which have much veneration, but no rest. All precepts concerning kings, + are in effect comprehended in those two remembrances: memento quod es + homo; and memento quod es Deus, or vice Dei; the one bridleth their power, + and the other their will. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Counsel + </h2> + <p> + THE greatest trust, between man and man, is the trust of giving counsel. + For in other confidences, men commit the parts of life; their lands, their + goods, their children, their credit, some particular affair; but to such + as they make their counsellors, they commit the whole: by how much the + more, they are obliged to all faith and integrity. The wisest princes need + not think it any diminution to their greatness, or derogation to their + sufficiency, to rely upon counsel. God himself is not without, but hath + made it one of the great names of his blessed Son: The Counsellor. Solomon + hath pronounced, that in counsel is stability. Things will have their + first, or second agitation: if they be not tossed upon the arguments of + counsel, they will be tossed upon the waves of fortune; and be full of + inconstancy, doing and undoing, like the reeling of a drunken man. + Solomon's son found the force of counsel, as his father saw the necessity + of it. For the beloved kingdom of God, was first rent, and broken, by ill + counsel; upon which counsel, there are set for our instruction, the two + marks whereby bad counsel is for ever best discerned; that it was young + counsel, for the person; and violent counsel, for the matter. + </p> + <p> + The ancient times, do set forth in figure, both the incorporation, and + inseparable conjunction, of counsel with kings, and the wise and politic + use of counsel by kings: the one, in that they say Jupiter did marry + Metis, which signifieth counsel; whereby they intend that Sovereignty, is + married to Counsel: the other in that which followeth, which was thus: + They say, after Jupiter was married to Metis, she conceived by him, and + was with child, but Jupiter suffered her not to stay, till she brought + forth, but eat her up; whereby he became himself with child, and was + delivered of Pallas armed, out of his head. Which monstrous fable + containeth a secret of empire; how kings are to make use of their counsel + of state. That first, they ought to refer matters unto them, which is the + first begetting, or impregnation; but when they are elaborate, moulded, + and shaped in the womb of their counsel, and grow ripe, and ready to be + brought forth, that then they suffer not their counsel to go through with + the resolution and direction, as if it depended on them; but take the + matter back into their own hands, and make it appear to the world, that + the decrees and final directions (which, because they come forth, with + prudence and power, are resembled to Pallas armed) proceeded from + themselves; and not only from their authority, but (the more to add + reputation to themselves) from their head and device. + </p> + <p> + Let us now speak of the inconveniences of counsel, and of the remedies. + The inconveniences that have been noted, in calling and using counsel, are + three. First, the revealing of affairs, whereby they become less secret. + Secondly, the weakening of the authority of princes, as if they were less + of themselves. Thirdly, the danger of being unfaithfully counselled, and + more for the good of them that counsel, than of him that is counselled. + For which inconveniences, the doctrine of Italy, and practice of France, + in some kings' times, hath introduced cabinet counsels; a remedy worse + than the disease. + </p> + <p> + As to secrecy; princes are not bound to communicate all matters, with all + counsellors; but may extract and select. Neither is it necessary, that he + that consulteth what he should do, should declare what he will do. But let + princes beware, that the unsecreting of their affairs, comes not from + themselves. And as for cabinet counsels, it may be their motto, plenus + rimarum sum: one futile person, that maketh it his glory to tell, will do + more hurt than many, that know it their duty to conceal. It is true there + be some affairs, which require extreme secrecy, which will hardly go + beyond one or two persons, besides the king: neither are those counsels + unprosperous; for, besides the secrecy, they commonly go on constantly, + in one spirit of direction, without distraction. But then it must be a + prudent king, such as is able to grind with a handmill; and those inward + counsellors had need also be wise men, and especially true and trusty to + the king's ends; as it was with King Henry the Seventh of England, who, in + his great business, imparted himself to none, except it were to Morton and + Fox. + </p> + <p> + For weakening of authority; the fable showeth the remedy. Nay, the majesty + of kings, is rather exalted than diminished, when they are in the chair of + counsel; neither was there ever prince, bereaved of his dependences, by + his counsel, except where there hath been, either an over-greatness in one + counsellor, or an over-strict combination in divers; which are things soon + found, and holpen. + </p> + <p> + For the last inconvenience, that men will counsel, with an eye to + themselves; certainly, non inveniet fidem super terram is meant, of the + nature of times, and not of all particular persons. There be, that are in + nature faithful, and sincere, and plain, and direct; not crafty and + involved; let princes, above all, draw to themselves such natures. + Besides, counsellors are not commonly so united, but that one counsellor, + keepeth sentinel over another; so that if any do counsel out of faction or + private ends, it commonly comes to the king's ear. But the best remedy is, + if princes know their counsellors, as well as their counsellors know them: + </p> + <p> + Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos. + </p> + <p> + And on the other side, counsellors should not be too speculative into + their sovereign's person. The true composition of a counsellor, is rather + to be skilful in their master's business, than in his nature; for then he + is like to advise him, and not feed his humor. It is of singular use to + princes, if they take the opinions of their counsel, both separately and + together. For private opinion is more free; but opinion before others, is + more reverent. In private, men are more bold in their own humors; and in + consort, men are more obnoxious to others' humors; therefore it is good to + take both; and of the inferior sort, rather in private, to preserve + freedom; of the greater, rather in consort, to preserve respect. It is in + vain for princes, to take counsel concerning matters, if they take no + counsel likewise concerning persons; for all matters are as dead images; + and the life of the execution of affairs, resteth in the good choice of + persons. Neither is it enough, to consult concerning persons secundum + genera, as in an idea, or mathematical description, what the kind and + character of the person should be; for the greatest errors are committed, + and the most judgment is shown, in the choice of individuals. It was truly + said, optimi consiliarii mortui: books will speak plain, when counsellors + blanch. Therefore it is good to be conversant in them, specially the books + of such as themselves have been actors upon the stage. + </p> + <p> + The counsels at this day, in most places, are but familiar meetings, where + matters are rather talked on, than debated. And they run too swift, to the + order, or act, of counsel. It were better that in causes of weight, the + matter were propounded one day, and not spoken to till the next day; in + nocte consilium. So was it done in the Commission of Union, between + England and Scotland; which was a grave and orderly assembly. I commend + set days for petitions; for both it gives the suitors more certainty for + their attendance, and it frees the meetings for matters of estate, that + they may hoc agere. In choice of committees; for ripening business for the + counsel, it is better to choose indifferent persons, than to make an + indifferency, by putting in those, that are strong on both sides. I + commend also standing commissions; as for trade, for treasure, for war, + for suits, for some provinces; for where there be divers particular + counsels, and but one counsel of estate (as it is in Spain), they are, in + effect, no more than standing commissions: save that they have greater + authority. Let such as are to inform counsels, out of their particular + professions (as lawyers, seamen, mintmen, and the like) be first heard + before committees; and then, as occasion serves, before the counsel. And + let them not come in multitudes, or in a tribunitious manner; for that is + to clamor counsels, not to inform them. A long table and a square table, + or seats about the walls, seem things of form, but are things of + substance; for at a long table a few at the upper end, in effect, sway all + the business; but in the other form, there is more use of the counsellors' + opinions, that sit lower. A king, when he presides in counsel, let him + beware how he opens his own inclination too much, in that which he + propoundeth; for else counsellors will but take the wind of him, and + instead of giving free counsel, sing him a song of placebo. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Delays + </h2> + <p> + FORTUNE is like the market; where many times if you can stay a little, the + price will fall. Again, it is sometimes like Sibylla's offer; which at + first, offereth the commodity at full, then consumeth part and part, and + still holdeth up the price. For occasion (as it is in the common verse) + turneth a bald noddle, after she hath presented her locks in front, and no + hold taken; or at least turneth the handle of the bottle, first to be + received, and after the belly, which is hard to clasp. There is surely no + greater wisdom, than well to time the beginnings, and onsets, of things. + Dangers are no more light, if they once seem light; and more dangers have + deceived men, than forced them. Nay, it were better, to meet some dangers + half way, though they come nothing near, than to keep too long a watch + upon their approaches; for if a man watch too long, it is odds he will + fall asleep. On the other side, to be deceived with too long shadows (as + some have been, when the moon was low, and shone on their enemies' back), + and so to shoot off before the time; or to teach dangers to come on, by + over early buckling towards them; is another extreme. The ripeness, or + unripeness, of the occasion (as we said) must ever be well weighed; and + generally it is good, to commit the beginnings of all great actions to + Argus, with his hundred eyes, and the ends to Briareus, with his hundred + hands; first to watch, and then to speed. For the helmet of Pluto, which + maketh the politic man go invisible, is secrecy in the counsel, and + celerity in the execution. For when things are once come to the execution, + there is no secrecy, comparable to celerity; like the motion of a bullet + in the air, which flieth so swift, as it outruns the eye. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Cunning + </h2> + <p> + WE TAKE cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom. And certainly there is a + great difference, between a cunning man, and a wise man; not only in point + of honesty, but in point of ability. There be, that can pack the cards, + and yet cannot play well; so there are some that are good in canvasses and + factions, that are otherwise weak men. Again, it is one thing to + understand persons, and another thing to understand matters; for many are + perfect in men's humors, that are not greatly capable of the real part of + business; which is the constitution of one that hath studied men, more + than books. Such men are fitter for practice, than for counsel; and they + are good, but in their own alley: turn them to new men, and they have lost + their aim; so as the old rule, to know a fool from a wise man, Mitte ambos + nudos ad ignotos, et videbis, doth scarce hold for them. And because these + cunning men, are like haberdashers of small wares, it is not amiss to set + forth their shop. + </p> + <p> + It is a point of cunning, to wait upon him with whom you speak, with your + eye; as the Jesuits give it in precept: for there be many wise men, that + have secret hearts, and transparent countenances. Yet this would be done + with a demure abasing of your eye, sometimes, as the Jesuits also do use. + </p> + <p> + Another is, that when you have anything to obtain, of present despatch, + you entertain and amuse the party, with whom you deal, with some other + discourse; that he be not too much awake to make objections. I knew a + counsellor and secretary, that never came to Queen Elizabeth of England, + with bills to sign, but he would always first put her into some discourse + of estate, that she mought the less mind the bills. + </p> + <p> + The like surprise may be made by moving things, when the party is in + haste, and cannot stay to consider advisedly of that is moved. + </p> + <p> + If a man would cross a business, that he doubts some other would + handsomely and effectually move, let him pretend to wish it well, and move + it himself in such sort as may foil it. + </p> + <p> + The breaking off, in the midst of that one was about to say, as if he took + himself up, breeds a greater appetite in him with whom you confer, to know + more. + </p> + <p> + And because it works better, when anything seemeth to be gotten from you + by question, than if you offer it of yourself, you may lay a bait for a + question, by showing another visage, and countenance, than you are wont; + to the end to give occasion, for the party to ask, what the matter is of + the change? As Nehemias did; And I had not before that time, been sad + before the king. + </p> + <p> + In things that are tender and unpleasing, it is good to break the ice, by + some whose words are of less weight, and to reserve the more weighty + voice, to come in as by chance, so that he may be asked the question upon + the other's speech: as Narcissus did, relating to Claudius the marriage of + Messalina and Silius. + </p> + <p> + In things that a man would not be seen in himself, it is a point of + cunning, to borrow the name of the world; as to say, The world says, or + There is a speech abroad. + </p> + <p> + I knew one that, when he wrote a letter, he would put that, which was most + material, in the postscript, as if it had been a by-matter. + </p> + <p> + I knew another that, when he came to have speech, he would pass over that, + that he intended most; and go forth, and come back again, and speak of it + as of a thing, that he had almost forgot. + </p> + <p> + Some procure themselves, to be surprised, at such times as it is like the + party that they work upon, will suddenly come upon them; and to be found + with a letter in their hand, or doing somewhat which they are not + accustomed; to the end, they may be apposed of those things, which of + themselves they are desirous to utter. + </p> + <p> + It is a point of cunning, to let fall those words in a man's own name, + which he would have another man learn, and use, and thereupon take + advantage. I knew two, that were competitors for the secretary's place in + Queen Elizabeth's time, and yet kept good quarter between themselves; and + would confer, one with another, upon the business; and the one of them + said, That to be a secretary, in the declination of a monarchy, was a + ticklish thing, and that he did not affect it: the other straight caught + up those words, and discoursed with divers of his friends, that he had no + reason to desire to be secretary, in the declination of a monarchy. The + first man took hold of it, and found means it was told the Queen; who, + hearing of a declination of a monarchy, took it so ill, as she would never + after hear of the other's suit. + </p> + <p> + There is a cunning, which we in England call, the turning of the cat in + the pan; which is, when that which a man says to another, he lays it as if + another had said it to him. And to say truth, it is not easy, when such a + matter passed between two, to make it appear from which of them it first + moved and began. + </p> + <p> + It is a way that some men have, to glance and dart at others, by + justifying themselves by negatives; as to say, This I do not; as + Tigellinus did towards Burrhus, Se non diversas spes, sed incolumitatem + imperatoris simpliciter spectare. + </p> + <p> + Some have in readiness so many tales and stories, as there is nothing they + would insinuate, but they can wrap it into a tale; which serveth both to + keep themselves more in guard, and to make others carry it with more + pleasure. It is a good point of cunning, for a man to shape the answer he + would have, in his own words and propositions; for it makes the other + party stick the less. + </p> + <p> + It is strange how long some men will lie in wait to speak somewhat they + desire to say; and how far about they will fetch; and how many other + matters they will beat over, to come near it. It is a thing of great + patience, but yet of much use. + </p> + <p> + A sudden, bold, and unexpected question doth many times surprise a man, + and lay him open. Like to him that, having changed his name, and walking + in Paul's, another suddenly came behind him, and called him by his true + name, whereat straightways he looked back. + </p> + <p> + But these small wares, and petty points, of cunning, are infinite; and it + were a good deed to make a list of them; for that nothing doth more hurt + in a state, than that cunning men pass for wise. + </p> + <p> + But certainly some there are that know the resorts and falls of business, + that cannot sink into the main of it; like a house that hath convenient + stairs and entries, but never a fair room. Therefore, you shall see them + find out pretty looses in the conclusion, but are no ways able to examine + or debate matters. And yet commonly they take advantage of their + inability, and would be thought wits of direction. Some build rather upon + the abusing of others, and (as we now say) putting tricks upon them, than + upon soundness of their own proceedings. But Solomon saith, Prudens + advertit ad gressus suos; stultus divertit ad dolos. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Wisdom For A Man's Self + </h2> + <p> + AN ANT is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing, in an + orchard or garden. And certainly, men that are great lovers of themselves, + waste the public. Divide with reason; between self-love and society; and be + so true to thyself, as thou be not false to others; specially to thy king + and country. It is a poor centre of a man's actions, himself. It is right + earth. For that only stands fast upon his own centre; whereas all things, + that have affinity with the heavens, move upon the centre of another, + which they benefit. The referring of all to a man's self, is more + tolerable in a sovereign prince; because themselves are not only + themselves, but their good and evil is at the peril of the public fortune. + But it is a desperate evil, in a servant to a prince, or a citizen in a + republic. For whatsoever affairs pass such a man's hands, he crooketh them + to his own ends; which must needs be often eccentric to the ends of his + master, or state. Therefore, let princes, or states, choose such servants, + as have not this mark; except they mean their service should be made but + the accessory. That which maketh the effect more pernicious, is that all + proportion is lost. It were disproportion enough, for the servant's good + to be preferred before the master's; but yet it is a greater extreme, when + a little good of the servant, shall carry things against a great good of + the master's. And yet that is the case of bad officers, treasurers, + ambassadors, generals, and other false and corrupt servants; which set a + bias upon their bowl, of their own petty ends and envies, to the overthrow + of their master's great and important affairs. And for the most part, the + good such servants receive, is after the model of their own fortune; but + the hurt they sell for that good, is after the model of their master's + fortune. And certainly it is the nature of extreme self-lovers, as they + will set an house on fire, and it were but to roast their eggs; and yet + these men many times hold credit with their masters, because their study + is but to please them, and profit themselves; and for either respect, they + will abandon the good of their affairs. + </p> + <p> + Wisdom for a man's self is, in many branches thereof, a depraved thing. It + is the wisdom of rats, that will be sure to leave a house, somewhat before + it fall. It is the wisdom of the fox, that thrusts out the badger, who + digged and made room for him. It is the wisdom of crocodiles, that shed + tears when they would devour. But that which is specially to be noted is, + that those which (as Cicero says of Pompey) are sui amantes, sine rivali, + are many times unfortunate. And whereas they have, all their times, + sacrificed to themselves, they become in the end, themselves sacrifices to + the inconstancy of fortune, whose wings they thought, by their + self-wisdom, to have pinioned. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Innovations + </h2> + <p> + AS THE births of living creatures, at first are ill-shapen, so are all + innovations, which are the births of time. Yet notwithstanding, as those + that first bring honor into their family, are commonly more worthy than + most that succeed, so the first precedent (if it be good) is seldom + attained by imitation. For ill, to man's nature, as it stands perverted, + hath a natural motion, strongest in continuance; but good, as a forced + motion, strongest at first. Surely every medicine is an innovation; and he + that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evils; for time is the + greatest innovator; and if time of course alter things to the worse, and + wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the better, what shall be the + end? It is true, that what is settled by custom, though it be not good, + yet at least it is fit; and those things which have long gone together, + are, as it were, confederate within themselves; whereas new things piece + not so well; but though they help by their utility, yet they trouble by + their inconformity. Besides, they are like strangers; more admired, and + less favored. All this is true, if time stood still; which contrariwise + moveth so round, that a froward retention of custom, is as turbulent a + thing as an innovation; and they that reverence too much old times, are + but a scorn to the new. It were good, therefore, that men in their + innovations would follow the example of time itself; which indeed + innovateth greatly, but quietly, by degrees scarce to be perceived. For + otherwise, whatsoever is new is unlooked for; and ever it mends some, and + pairs others; and he that is holpen, takes it for a fortune, and thanks + the time; and he that is hurt, for a wrong, and imputeth it to the author. + It is good also, not to try experiments in states, except the necessity be + urgent, or the utility evident; and well to beware, that it be the + reformation, that draweth on the change, and not the desire of change, + that pretendeth the reformation. And lastly, that the novelty, though it + be not rejected, yet be held for a suspect; and, as the Scripture saith, + that we make a stand upon the ancient way, and then look about us, and + discover what is the straight and right way, and so to walk in it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Dispatch + </h2> + <p> + AFFECTED dispatch is one of the most dangerous things to business that can + be. It is like that, which the physicians call predigestion, or hasty + digestion; which is sure to fill the body full of crudities, and secret + seeds of diseases. Therefore measure not dispatch, by the times of + sitting, but by the advancement of the business. And as in races it is not + the large stride or high lift that makes the speed; so in business, the + keeping close to the matter, and not taking of it too much at once, + procureth dispatch. It is the care of some, only to come off speedily for + the time; or to contrive some false periods of business, because they may + seem men of dispatch. But it is one thing, to abbreviate by contracting, + another by cutting off. And business so handled, at several sittings or + meetings, goeth commonly backward and forward in an unsteady manner. I + knew a wise man that had it for a byword, when he saw men hasten to a + conclusion, Stay a little, that we may make an end the sooner. + </p> + <p> + On the other side, true dispatch is a rich thing. For time is the measure + of business, as money is of wares; and business is bought at a dear hand, + where there is small dispatch. The Spartans and Spaniards have been noted + to be of small dispatch; Mi venga la muerte de Spagna; Let my death come + from Spain; for then it will be sure to be long in coming. + </p> + <p> + Give good hearing to those, that give the first information in business; + and rather direct them in the beginning, than interrupt them in the + continuance of their speeches; for he that is put out of his own order, + will go forward and backward, and be more tedious, while he waits upon his + memory, than he could have been, if he had gone on in his own course. But + sometimes it is seen, that the moderator is more troublesome, than the + actor. + </p> + <p> + Iterations are commonly loss of time. But there is no such gain of time, + as to iterate often the state of the question; for it chaseth away many a + frivolous speech, as it is coming forth. Long and curious speeches, are as + fit for dispatch, as a robe or mantle, with a long train, is for race. + Prefaces and passages, and excusations, and other speeches of reference to + the person, are great wastes of time; and though they seem to proceed of + modesty, they are bravery. Yet beware of being too material, when there is + any impediment or obstruction in men's wills; for pre-occupation of mind + ever requireth preface of speech; like a fomentation to make the unguent + enter. + </p> + <p> + Above all things, order, and distribution, and singling out of parts, is + the life of dispatch; so as the distribution be not too subtle: for he + that doth not divide, will never enter well into business; and he that + divideth too much, will never come out of it clearly. To choose time, is + to save time; and an unseasonable motion, is but beating the air. There be + three parts of business; the preparation, the debate or examination, and + the perfection. Whereof, if you look for dispatch, let the middle only be + the work of many, and the first and last the work of few. The proceeding + upon somewhat conceived in writing, doth for the most part facilitate + dispatch: for though it should be wholly rejected, yet that negative is + more pregnant of direction, than an indefinite; as ashes are more + generative than dust. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Seeming Wise + </h2> + <p> + IT HATH been an opinion, that the French are wiser than they seem, and the + Spaniards seem wiser than they are. But howsoever it be between nations, + certainly it is so between man and man. For as the Apostle saith of + godliness, Having a show of godliness, but denying the power thereof; so + certainly there are, in point of wisdom and sufficiency, that do nothing + or little very solemnly: magno conatu nugas. It is a ridiculous thing, and + fit for a satire to persons of judgment, to see what shifts these + formalists have, and what prospectives to make superficies to seem body, + that hath depth and bulk. Some are so close and reserved, as they will not + show their wares, but by a dark light; and seem always to keep back + somewhat; and when they know within themselves, they speak of that they do + not well know, would nevertheless seem to others, to know of that which + they may not well speak. Some help themselves with countenance and + gesture, and are wise by signs; as Cicero saith of Piso, that when he + answered him, he fetched one of his brows up to his forehead, and bent the + other down to his chin; Respondes, altero ad frontem sublato, altero ad + mentum depresso supercilio, crudelitatem tibi non placere. Some think to + bear it by speaking a great word, and being peremptory; and go on, and + take by admittance, that which they cannot make good. Some, whatsoever is + beyond their reach, will seem to despise, or make light of it, as + impertinent or curious; and so would have their ignorance seem judgment. + Some are never without a difference, and commonly by amusing men with a + subtilty, blanch the matter; of whom A. Gellius saith, Hominem delirum, + qui verborum minutiis rerum frangit pondera. Of which kind also, Plato, in + his Protagoras, bringeth in Prodicus in scorn, and maketh him make a + speech, that consisteth of distinction from the beginning to the end. + Generally, such men in all deliberations find ease to be of the negative + side, and affect a credit to object and foretell difficulties; for when + propositions are denied, there is an end of them; but if they be allowed, + it requireth a new work; which false point of wisdom is the bane of + business. To conclude, there is no decaying merchant, or inward beggar, + hath so many tricks to uphold the credit of their wealth, as these empty + persons have, to maintain the credit of their sufficiency. Seeming wise + men may make shift to get opinion; but let no man choose them for + employment; for certainly you were better take for business, a man + somewhat absurd, than over-formal. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Friendship + </h2> + <p> + IT HAD been hard for him that spake it to have put more truth and untruth + together in few words, than in that speech, Whatsoever is delighted in + solitude, is either a wild beast or a god. For it is most true, that a + natural and secret hatred, and aversation towards society, in any man, + hath somewhat of the savage beast; but it is most untrue, that it should + have any character at all, of the divine nature; except it proceed, not + out of a pleasure in solitude, but out of a love and desire to sequester a + man's self, for a higher conversation: such as is found to have been + falsely and feignedly in some of the heathen; as Epimenides the Candian, + Numa the Roman, Empedocles the Sicilian, and Apollonius of Tyana; and + truly and really, in divers of the ancient hermits and holy fathers of the + church. But little do men perceive what solitude is, and how far it + extendeth. For a crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of + pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love. The + Latin adage meeteth with it a little: Magna civitas, magna solitudo; + because in a great town friends are scattered; so that there is not that + fellowship, for the most part, which is in less neighborhoods. But we may + go further, and affirm most truly, that it is a mere and miserable + solitude to want true friends; without which the world is but a + wilderness; and even in this sense also of solitude, whosoever in the + frame of his nature and affections, is unfit for friendship, he taketh it + of the beast, and not from humanity. + </p> + <p> + A principal fruit of friendship, is the ease and discharge of the fulness + and swellings of the heart, which passions of all kinds do cause and + induce. We know diseases of stoppings, and suffocations, are the most + dangerous in the body; and it is not much otherwise in the mind; you may + take sarza to open the liver, steel to open the spleen, flowers of sulphur + for the lungs, castoreum for the brain; but no receipt openeth the heart, + but a true friend; to whom you may impart griefs, joys, fears, hopes, + suspicions, counsels, and whatsoever lieth upon the heart to oppress it, + in a kind of civil shrift or confession. + </p> + <p> + It is a strange thing to observe, how high a rate great kings and monarchs + do set upon this fruit of friendship, whereof we speak: so great, as they + purchase it, many times, at the hazard of their own safety and greatness. + For princes, in regard of the distance of their fortune from that of their + subjects and servants, cannot gather this fruit, except (to make + themselves capable thereof) they raise some persons to be, as it were, + companions and almost equals to themselves, which many times sorteth to + inconvenience. The modern languages give unto such persons the name of + favorites, or privadoes; as if it were matter of grace, or conversation. + But the Roman name attaineth the true use and cause thereof, naming them + participes curarum; for it is that which tieth the knot. And we see + plainly that this hath been done, not by weak and passionate princes only, + but by the wisest and most politic that ever reigned; who have oftentimes + joined to themselves some of their servants; whom both themselves have + called friends, and allowed other likewise to call them in the same + manner; using the word which is received between private men. + </p> + <p> + L. Sylla, when he commanded Rome, raised Pompey (after surnamed the Great) + to that height, that Pompey vaunted himself for Sylla's overmatch. For + when he had carried the consulship for a friend of his, against the + pursuit of Sylla, and that Sylla did a little resent thereat, and began to + speak great, Pompey turned upon him again, and in effect bade him be + quiet; for that more men adored the sun rising, than the sun setting. With + Julius Caesar, Decimus Brutus had obtained that interest as he set him + down in his testament, for heir in remainder, after his nephew. And this + was the man that had power with him, to draw him forth to his death. For + when Caesar would have discharged the senate, in regard of some ill + presages, and specially a dream of Calpurnia; this man lifted him gently + by the arm out of his chair, telling him he hoped he would not dismiss the + senate, till his wife had dreamt a better dream. And it seemeth his favor + was so great, as Antonius, in a letter which is recited verbatim in one of + Cicero's Philippics, calleth him venefica, witch; as if he had enchanted + Caesar. Augustus raised Agrippa (though of mean birth) to that height, as + when he consulted with Maecenas, about the marriage of his daughter Julia, + Maecenas took the liberty to tell him, that he must either marry his + daughter to Agrippa, or take away his life; there was no third way, he had + made him so great. With Tiberius Caesar, Sejanus had ascended to that + height, as they two were termed, and reckoned, as a pair of friends. + Tiberius in a letter to him saith, Haec pro amicitia nostra non occultavi; + and the whole senate dedicated an altar to Friendship, as to a goddess, in + respect of the great dearness of friendship, between them two. The like, + or more, was between Septimius Severus and Plautianus. For he forced his + eldest son to marry the daughter of Plautianus; and would often maintain + Plautianus, in doing affronts to his son; and did write also in a letter + to the senate, by these words: I love the man so well, as I wish he may + over-live me. Now if these princes had been as a Trajan, or a Marcus + Aurelius, a man might have thought that this had proceeded of an abundant + goodness of nature; but being men so wise, of such strength and severity + of mind, and so extreme lovers of themselves, as all these were, it + proveth most plainly that they found their own felicity (though as great + as ever happened to mortal men) but as an half piece, except they mought + have a friend, to make it entire; and yet, which is more, they were + princes that had wives, sons, nephews; and yet all these could not supply + the comfort of friendship. + </p> + <p> + It is not to be forgotten, what Comineus observeth of his first master, + Duke Charles the Hardy, namely, that he would communicate his secrets with + none; and least of all, those secrets which troubled him most. Whereupon + he goeth on, and saith that towards his latter time, that closeness did + impair, and a little perish his understanding. Surely Comineus mought have + made the same judgment also, if it had pleased him, of his second master, + Lewis the Eleventh, whose closeness was indeed his tormentor. The parable + of Pythagoras is dark, but true; Cor ne edito; Eat not the heart. + Certainly, if a man would give it a hard phrase, those that want friends, + to open themselves unto, are cannibals of their own hearts. But one thing + is most admirable (wherewith I will conclude this first fruit of + friendship), which is, that this communicating of a man's self to his + friend, works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joys, and cutteth + griefs in halves. For there is no man, that imparteth his joys to his + friend, but he joyeth the more; and no man that imparteth his griefs to + his friend, but he grieveth the less. So that it is in truth, of operation + upon a man's mind, of like virtue as the alchemists use to attribute to + their stone, for man's body; that it worketh all contrary effects, but + still to the good and benefit of nature. But yet without praying in aid of + alchemists, there is a manifest image of this, in the ordinary course of + nature. For in bodies, union strengtheneth and cherisheth any natural + action; and on the other side, weakeneth and dulleth any violent + impression: and even so it is of minds. + </p> + <p> + The second fruit of friendship, is healthful and sovereign for the + understanding, as the first is for the affections. For friendship maketh + indeed a fair day in the affections, from storm and tempests; but it + maketh daylight in the understanding, out of darkness, and confusion of + thoughts. Neither is this to be understood only of faithful counsel, which + a man receiveth from his friend; but before you come to that, certain it + is, that whosoever hath his mind fraught with many thoughts, his wits and + understanding do clarify and break up, in the communicating and + discoursing with another; he tosseth his thoughts more easily; he + marshalleth them more orderly, he seeth how they look when they are turned + into words: finally, he waxeth wiser than himself; and that more by an + hour's discourse, than by a day's meditation. It was well said by + Themistocles, to the king of Persia, That speech was like cloth of Arras, + opened and put abroad; whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas + in thoughts they lie but as in packs. Neither is this second fruit of + friendship, in opening the understanding, restrained only to such friends + as are able to give a man counsel; (they indeed are best;) but even + without that, a man learneth of himself, and bringeth his own thoughts to + light, and whetteth his wits as against a stone, which itself cuts not. In + a word, a man were better relate himself to a statua, or picture, than to + suffer his thoughts to pass in smother. + </p> + <p> + Add now, to make this second fruit of friendship complete, that other + point, which lieth more open, and falleth within vulgar observation; which + is faithful counsel from a friend. Heraclitus saith well in one of his + enigmas, Dry light is ever the best. And certain it is, that the light + that a man receiveth by counsel from another, is drier and purer, than + that which cometh from his own understanding and judgment; which is ever + infused, and drenched, in his affections and customs. So as there is as + much difference between the counsel, that a friend giveth, and that a man + giveth himself, as there is between the counsel of a friend, and of a + flatterer. For there is no such flatterer as is a man's self; and there is + no such remedy against flattery of a man's self, as the liberty of a + friend. Counsel is of two sorts: the one concerning manners, the other + concerning business. For the first, the best preservative to keep the mind + in health, is the faithful admonition of a friend. The calling of a man's + self to a strict account, is a medicine, sometime too piercing and + corrosive. Reading good books of morality, is a little flat and dead. + Observing our faults in others, is sometimes improper for our case. But + the best receipt (best, I say, to work, and best to take) is the + admonition of a friend. It is a strange thing to behold, what gross errors + and extreme absurdities many (especially of the greater sort) do commit, + for want of a friend to tell them of them; to the great damage both of + their fame and fortune: for, as St. James saith, they are as men that look + sometimes into a glass, and presently forget their own shape and favor. As + for business, a man may think, if he win, that two eyes see no more than + one; or that a gamester seeth always more than a looker-on; or that a man + in anger, is as wise as he that hath said over the four and twenty + letters; or that a musket may be shot off as well upon the arm, as upon a + rest; and such other fond and high imaginations, to think himself all in + all. But when all is done, the help of good counsel, is that which setteth + business straight. And if any man think that he will take counsel, but it + shall be by pieces; asking counsel in one business, of one man, and in + another business, of another man; it is well (that is to say, better, + perhaps, than if he asked none at all); but he runneth two dangers: one, + that he shall not be faithfully counselled; for it is a rare thing, except + it be from a perfect and entire friend, to have counsel given, but such as + shall be bowed and crooked to some ends, which he hath, that giveth it. + The other, that he shall have counsel given, hurtful and unsafe (though + with good meaning), and mixed partly of mischief and partly of remedy; + even as if you would call a physician, that is thought good for the cure + of the disease you complain of, but is unacquainted with your body; and + therefore may put you in way for a present cure, but overthroweth your + health in some other kind; and so cure the disease, and kill the patient. + But a friend that is wholly acquainted with a man's estate, will beware, + by furthering any present business, how he dasheth upon other + inconvenience. And therefore rest not upon scattered counsels; they will + rather distract and mislead, than settle and direct. + </p> + <p> + After these two noble fruits of friendship (peace in the affections, and + support of the judgment), followeth the last fruit; which is like the + pomegranate, full of many kernels; I mean aid, and bearing a part, in all + actions and occasions. Here the best way to represent to life the manifold + use of friendship, is to cast and see how many things there are, which a + man cannot do himself; and then it will appear, that it was a sparing + speech of the ancients, to say, that a friend is another himself; for that + a friend is far more than himself. Men have their time, and die many + times, in desire of some things which they principally take to heart; the + bestowing of a child, the finishing of a work, or the like. If a man have + a true friend, he may rest almost secure that the care of those things + will continue after him. So that a man hath, as it were, two lives in his + desires. A man hath a body, and that body is confined to a place; but + where friendship is, all offices of life are as it were granted to him, + and his deputy. For he may exercise them by his friend. How many things + are there which a man cannot, with any face or comeliness, say or do + himself? A man can scarce allege his own merits with modesty, much less + extol them; a man cannot sometimes brook to supplicate or beg; and a + number of the like. But all these things are graceful, in a friend's + mouth, which are blushing in a man's own. So again, a man's person hath + many proper relations, which he cannot put off. A man cannot speak to his + son but as a father; to his wife but as a husband; to his enemy but upon + terms: whereas a friend may speak as the case requires, and not as it + sorteth with the person. But to enumerate these things were endless; I + have given the rule, where a man cannot fitly play his own part; if he + have not a friend, he may quit the stage. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Expense + </h2> + <p> + RICHES are for spending, and spending for honor and good actions. + Therefore extraordinary expense must be limited by the worth of the + occasion; for voluntary undoing, may be as well for a man's country, as + for the kingdom of heaven. But ordinary expense, ought to be limited by a + man's estate; and governed with such regard, as it be within his compass; + and not subject to deceit and abuse of servants; and ordered to the best + show, that the bills may be less than the estimation abroad. Certainly, if + a man will keep but of even hand, his ordinary expenses ought to be but to + the half of his receipts; and if he think to wax rich, but to the third + part. It is no baseness, for the greatest to descend and look into their + own estate. Some forbear it, not upon negligence alone, but doubting to + bring themselves into melancholy, in respect they shall find it broken. + But wounds cannot be cured without searching. He that cannot look into his + own estate at all, had need both choose well those whom he employeth, and + change them often; for new are more timorous and less subtle. He that can + look into his estate but seldom, it behooveth him to turn all to + certainties. A man had need, if he be plentiful in some kind of expense, + to be as saving again in some other. As if he be plentiful in diet, to be + saving in apparel; if he be plentiful in the hall, to be saving in the + stable; and the like. For he that is plentiful in expenses of all kinds, + will hardly be preserved from decay. In clearing of a man's estate, he may + as well hurt himself in being too sudden, as in letting it run on too + long. For hasty selling, is commonly as disadvantageable as interest. + Besides, he that clears at once will relapse; for finding himself out of + straits, he will revert to his custom: but he that cleareth by degrees, + induceth a habit of frugality, and gaineth as well upon his mind, as upon + his estate. Certainly, who hath a state to repair, may not despise small + things; and commonly it is less dishonorable, to abridge petty charges, + than to stoop to petty gettings. A man ought warily to begin charges which + once begun will continue; but in matters that return not, he may be more + magnificent. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of the True Greatness Of Kingdoms And Estates + </h2> + <p> + THE speech of Themistocles the Athenian, which was haughty and arrogant, + in taking so much to himself, had been a grave and wise observation and + censure, applied at large to others. Desired at a feast to touch a lute, + he said, He could not fiddle, but yet he could make a small town, a great + city. These words (holpen a little with a metaphor) may express two + differing abilities, in those that deal in business of estate. For if a + true survey be taken of counsellors and statesmen, there may be found + (though rarely) those which can make a small state great, and yet cannot + fiddle; as on the other side, there will be found a great many, that can + fiddle very cunningly, but yet are so far from being able to make a small + state great, as their gift lieth the other way; to bring a great and + flourishing estate, to ruin and decay. And certainly whose degenerate arts + and shifts, whereby many counsellors and governors gain both favor with + their masters, and estimation with the vulgar, deserve no better name than + fiddling; being things rather pleasing for the time, and graceful to + themselves only, than tending to the weal and advancement of the state + which they serve. There are also (no doubt) counsellors and governors + which may be held sufficient (negotiis pares), able to manage affairs, and + to keep them from precipices and manifest inconveniences; which + nevertheless are far from the ability to raise and amplify an estate in + power, means, and fortune. But be the workmen what they may be, let us + speak of the work; that is, the true greatness of kingdoms and estates, + and the means thereof. An argument fit for great and mighty princes to + have in their hand; to the end that neither by over-measuring their + forces, they leese themselves in vain enterprises; nor on the other side, + by undervaluing them, they descend to fearful and pusillanimous counsels. + </p> + <p> + The greatness of an estate, in bulk and territory, doth fall under + measure; and the greatness of finances and revenue, doth fall under + computation. The population may appear by musters; and the number and + greatness of cities and towns by cards and maps. But yet there is not any + thing amongst civil affairs more subject to error, than the right + valuation and true judgment concerning the power and forces of an estate. + The kingdom of heaven is compared, not to any great kernel or nut, but to + a grain of mustard-seed: which is one of the least grains, but hath in it + a property and spirit hastily to get up and spread. So are there states, + great in territory, and yet not apt to enlarge or command; and some that + have but a small dimension of stem, and yet apt to be the foundations of + great monarchies. + </p> + <p> + Walled towns, stored arsenals and armories, goodly races of horse, + chariots of war, elephants, ordnance, artillery, and the like; all this is + but a sheep in a lion's skin, except the breed and disposition of the + people, be stout and warlike. Nay, number (itself) in armies importeth not + much, where the people is of weak courage; for (as Virgil saith) It never + troubles a wolf, how many the sheep be. The army of the Persians, in the + plains of Arbela, was such a vast sea of people, as it did somewhat + astonish the commanders in Alexander's army; who came to him therefore, + and wished him to set upon them by night; and he answered, He would not + pilfer the victory. And the defeat was easy. When Tigranes the Armenian, + being encamped upon a hill with four hundred thousand men, discovered the + army of the Romans, being not above fourteen thousand, marching towards + him, he made himself merry with it, and said, Yonder men are too many for + an embassage, and too few for a fight. But before the sun set, he found + them enow to give him the chase with infinite slaughter. Many are the + examples of the great odds, between number and courage; so that a man may + truly make a judgment, that the principal point of greatness in any state, + is to have a race of military men. Neither is money the sinews of war (as + it is trivially said), where the sinews of men's arms, in base and + effeminate people, are failing. For Solon said well to Croesus (when in + ostentation he showed him his gold), Sir, if any other come, that hath + better iron, than you, he will be master of all this gold. Therefore let + any prince or state think solely of his forces, except his militia of + natives be of good and valiant soldiers. And let princes, on the other + side, that have subjects of martial disposition, know their own strength; + unless they be otherwise wanting unto themselves. As for mercenary forces + (which is the help in this case), all examples show, that whatsoever + estate or prince doth rest upon them, he may spread his feathers for a + time, but he will mew them soon after. + </p> + <p> + The blessing of Judah and Issachar will never meet; that the same people, + or nation, should be both the lion's whelp and the ass between burthens; + neither will it be, that a people overlaid with taxes, should ever become + valiant and martial. It is true that taxes levied by consent of the + estate, do abate men's courage less: as it hath been seen notably, in the + excises of the Low Countries; and, in some degree, in the subsidies of + England. For you must note, that we speak now of the heart, and not of the + purse. So that although the same tribute and tax, laid by consent or by + imposing, be all one to the purse, yet it works diversely upon the + courage. So that you may conclude, that no people overcharged with + tribute, is fit for empire. + </p> + <p> + Let states that aim at greatness, take heed how their nobility and + gentlemen do multiply too fast. For that maketh the common subject, grow + to be a peasant and base swain, driven out of heart, and in effect but the + gentleman's laborer. Even as you may see in coppice woods; if you leave + your staddles too thick, you shall never have clean underwood, but shrubs + and bushes. So in countries, if the gentlemen be too many, the commons + will be base; and you will bring it to that, that not the hundred poll, + will be fit for an helmet; especially as to the infantry, which is the + nerve of an army; and so there will be great population, and little + strength. This which I speak of, hath been nowhere better seen, than by + comparing of England and France; whereof England, though far less in + territory and population, hath been (nevertheless) an overmatch; in regard + the middle people of England make good soldiers, which the peasants of + France do not. And herein the device of king Henry the Seventh (whereof I + have spoken largely in the History of his Life) was profound and + admirable; in making farms and houses of husbandry of a standard; that is, + maintained with such a proportion of land unto them, as may breed a + subject to live in convenient plenty and no servile condition; and to keep + the plough in the hands of the owners, and not mere hirelings. And thus + indeed you shall attain to Virgil's character which he gives to ancient + Italy: + </p> + <p> + Terra potens armis atque ubere glebae. + </p> + <p> + Neither is that state (which, for any thing I know, is almost peculiar to + England, and hardly to be found anywhere else, except it be perhaps in + Poland) to be passed over; I mean the state of free servants, and + attendants upon noblemen and gentlemen; which are no ways inferior unto + the yeomanry for arms. And therefore out of all questions, the splendor + and magnificence, and great retinues and hospitality, of noblemen and + gentlemen, received into custom, doth much conduce unto martial greatness. + Whereas, contrariwise, the close and reserved living of noblemen and + gentlemen, causeth a penury of military forces. + </p> + <p> + By all means it is to be procured, that the trunk of Nebuchadnezzar's tree + of monarchy, be great enough to bear the branches and the boughs; that is, + that the natural subjects of the crown or state, bear a sufficient + proportion to the stranger subjects, that they govern. Therefore all + states that are liberal of naturalization towards strangers, are fit for + empire. For to think that an handful of people can, with the greatest + courage and policy in the world, embrace too large extent of dominion, it + may hold for a time, but it will fail suddenly. The Spartans were a nice + people in point of naturalization; whereby, while they kept their compass, + they stood firm; but when they did spread, and their boughs were becomen + too great for their stem, they became a windfall, upon the sudden. Never + any state was in this point so open to receive strangers into their body, + as were the Romans. Therefore it sorted with them accordingly; for they + grew to the greatest monarchy. Their manner was to grant naturalization + (which they called jus civitatis), and to grant it in the highest degree; + that is, not only jus commercii, jus connubii, jus haereditatis; but also + jus suffragii, and jus honorum. And this not to singular persons alone, + but likewise to whole families; yea to cities, and sometimes to nations. + Add to this their custom of plantation of colonies; whereby the Roman + plant was removed into the soil of other nations. And putting both + constitutions together, you will say that it was not the Romans that + spread upon the world, but it was the world that spread upon the Romans; + and that was the sure way of greatness. I have marvelled, sometimes, at + Spain, how they clasp and contain so large dominions, with so few natural + Spaniards; but sure the whole compass of Spain, is a very great body of a + tree; far above Rome and Sparta at the first. And besides, though they + have not had that usage, to naturalize liberally, yet they have that which + is next to it; that is, to employ, almost indifferently, all nations in + their militia of ordinary soldiers; yea, and sometimes in their highest + commands. Nay, it seemeth at this instant they are sensible, of this want + of natives; as by the Pragmatical Sanction, now published, appeareth. + </p> + <p> + It is certain that sedentary, and within-door arts, and delicate + manufactures (that require rather the finger than the arm), have, in their + nature, a contrariety to a military disposition. And generally, all + warlike people are a little idle, and love danger better than travail. + Neither must they be too much broken of it, if they shall be preserved in + vigor. Therefore it was great advantage, in the ancient states of Sparta, + Athens, Rome, and others, that they had the use of slaves, which commonly + did rid those manufactures. But that is abolished, in greatest part, by + the Christian law. That which cometh nearest to it, is to leave those arts + chiefly to strangers (which, for that purpose, are the more easily to be + received), and to contain the principal bulk of the vulgar natives, within + those three kinds,—tillers of the ground; free servants; and + handicraftsmen of strong and manly arts, as smiths, masons, carpenters, + etc.; not reckoning professed soldiers. + </p> + <p> + But above all, for empire and greatness, it importeth most, that a nation + do profess arms, as their principal honor, study, and occupation. For the + things which we formerly have spoken of, are but habilitations towards + arms; and what is habilitation without intention and act? Romulus, after + his death (as they report or feign), sent a present to the Romans, that + above all, they should intend arms; and then they should prove the + greatest empire of the world. The fabric of the state of Sparta was wholly + (though not wisely) framed and composed, to that scope and end. The + Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. The Gauls, Germans, Goths, + Saxons, Normans, and others, had it for a time. The Turks have it at this + day, though in great declination. Of Christian Europe, they that have it + are, in effect, only the Spaniards. But it is so plain, that every man + profiteth in that, he most intendeth, that it needeth not to be stood + upon. It is enough to point at it; that no nation which doth not directly + profess arms, may look to have greatness fall into their mouths. And on + the other side, it is a most certain oracle of time, that those states + that continue long in that profession (as the Romans and Turks principally + have done) do wonders. And those that have professed arms but for an age, + have, notwithstanding, commonly attained that greatness, in that age, + which maintained them long after, when their profession and exercise of + arms hath grown to decay. + </p> + <p> + Incident to this point is, for a state to have those laws or customs, + which may reach forth unto them just occasions (as may be pretended) of + war. For there is that justice, imprinted in the nature of men, that they + enter not upon wars (whereof so many calamities do ensue) but upon some, + at the least specious, grounds and quarrels. The Turk hath at hand, for + cause of war, the propagation of his law or sect; a quarrel that he may + always command. The Romans, though they esteemed the extending the limits + of their empire, to be great honor to their generals, when it was done, + yet they never rested upon that alone, to begin a war. First, therefore, + let nations that pretend to greatness have this; that they be sensible of + wrongs, either upon borderers, merchants, or politic ministers; and that + they sit not too long upon a provocation. Secondly, let them be prest, and + ready to give aids and succors, to their confederates; as it ever was with + the Romans; insomuch, as if the confederate had leagues defensive, with + divers other states, and, upon invasion offered, did implore their aids + severally, yet the Romans would ever be the foremost, and leave it to none + other to have the honor. As for the wars which were anciently made, on the + behalf of a kind of party, or tacit conformity of estate, I do not see how + they may be well justified: as when the Romans made a war, for the liberty + of Grecia; or when the Lacedaemonians and Athenians, made wars to set up + or pull down democracies and oligarchies; or when wars were made by + foreigners, under the pretence of justice or protection, to deliver the + subjects of others, from tyranny and oppression; and the like. Let it + suffice, that no estate expect to be great, that is not awake upon any + just occasion of arming. + </p> + <p> + No body can be healthful without exercise, neither natural body nor + politic; and certainly to a kingdom or estate, a just and honorable war, + is the true exercise. A civil war, indeed, is like the heat of a fever; + but a foreign war is like the heat of exercise, and serveth to keep the + body in health; for in a slothful peace, both courages will effeminate, + and manners corrupt. But howsoever it be for happiness, without all + question, for greatness, it maketh to be still for the most part in arms; + and the strength of a veteran army (though it be a chargeable business) + always on foot, is that which commonly giveth the law, or at least the + reputation, amongst all neighbor states; as may well be seen in Spain, + which hath had, in one part or other, a veteran army almost continually, + now by the space of six score years. + </p> + <p> + To be master of the sea, is an abridgment of a monarchy. Cicero, writing + to Atticus of Pompey his preparation against Caesar, saith, Consilium + Pompeii plane Themistocleum est; putat enim, qui mari potitur, eum rerum + potiri. And, without doubt, Pompey had tired out Caesar, if upon vain + confidence, he had not left that way. We see the great effects of battles + by sea. The battle of Actium, decided the empire of the world. The battle + of Lepanto, arrested the greatness of the Turk. There be many examples, + where sea-fights have been final to the war; but this is when princes or + states have set up their rest, upon the battles. But thus much is certain, + that he that commands the sea, is at great liberty, and may take as much, + and as little, of the war as he will. Whereas those that be strongest by + land, are many times nevertheless in great straits. Surely, at this day, + with us of Europe, the vantage of strength at sea (which is one of the + principal dowries of this kingdom of Great Britain) is great; both because + most of the kingdoms of Europe, are not merely inland, but girt with the + sea most part of their compass; and because the wealth of both Indies + seems in great part, but an accessory to the command of the seas. + </p> + <p> + The wars of latter ages seem to be made in the dark, in respect of the + glory, and honor, which reflected upon men from the wars, in ancient time. + There be now, for martial encouragement, some degrees and orders of + chivalry; which nevertheless are conferred promiscuously, upon soldiers + and no soldiers; and some remembrance perhaps, upon the scutcheon; and + some hospitals for maimed soldiers; and such like things. But in ancient + times, the trophies erected upon the place of the victory; the funeral + laudatives and monuments for those that died in the wars; the crowns and + garlands personal; the style of emperor, which the great kings of the + world after borrowed; the triumphs of the generals, upon their return; the + great donatives and largesses, upon the disbanding of the armies; were + things able to inflame all men's courages. But above all, that of the + triumph, amongst the Romans, was not pageants or gaudery, but one of the + wisest and noblest institutions, that ever was. For it contained three + things: honor to the general; riches to the treasury out of the spoils; + and donatives to the army. But that honor, perhaps were not fit for + monarchies; except it be in the person of the monarch himself, or his + sons; as it came to pass in the times of the Roman emperors, who did + impropriate the actual triumphs to themselves, and their sons, for such + wars as they did achieve in person; and left only, for wars achieved by + subjects, some triumphal garments and ensigns to the general. + </p> + <p> + To conclude: no man can by care taking (as the Scripture saith) add a + cubit to his stature, in this little model of a man's body; but in the + great frame of kingdoms and commonwealths, it is in the power of princes + or estates, to add amplitude and greatness to their kingdoms; for by + introducing such ordinances, constitutions, and customs, as we have now + touched, they may sow greatness to their posterity and succession. But + these things are commonly not observed, but left to take their chance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Regiment Of Health + </h2> + <p> + THERE is a wisdom in this; beyond the rules of physic: a man's own + observation, what he finds good of, and what he finds hurt of, is the best + physic to preserve health. But it is a safer conclusion to say, This + agreeth not well with me, therefore, I will not continue it; than this, I + find no offence of this, therefore I may use it. For strength of nature in + youth, passeth over many excesses, which are owing a man till his age. + Discern of the coming on of years, and think not to do the same things + still; for age will not be defied. Beware of sudden change, in any great + point of diet, and, if necessity enforce it, fit the rest to it. For it is + a secret both in nature and state, that it is safer to change many things, + than one. Examine thy customs of diet, sleep, exercise, apparel, and the + like; and try, in any thing thou shalt judge hurtful, to discontinue it, + by little and little; but so, as if thou dost find any inconvenience by + the change, thou come back to it again: for it is hard to distinguish that + which is generally held good and wholesome, from that which is good + particularly, and fit for thine own body. To be free-minded and cheerfully + disposed, at hours of meat, and of sleep, and of exercise, is one of the + best precepts of long lasting. As for the passions, and studies of the + mind; avoid envy, anxious fears; anger fretting inwards; subtle and knotty + inquisitions; joys and exhilarations in excess; sadness not communicated. + Entertain hopes; mirth rather than joy; variety of delights, rather than + surfeit of them; wonder and admiration, and therefore novelties; studies + that fill the mind with splendid and illustrious objects, as histories, + fables, and contemplations of nature. If you fly physic in health + altogether, it will be too strange for your body, when you shall need it. + If you make it too familiar, it will work no extraordinary effect, when + sickness cometh. I commend rather some diet for certain seasons, than + frequent use of physic, except it be grown into a custom. For those diets + alter the body more, and trouble it less. Despise no new accident in your + body, but ask opinion of it. In sickness, respect health principally; and + in health, action. For those that put their bodies to endure in health, + may in most sicknesses, which are not very sharp, be cured only with diet, + and tendering. Celsus could never have spoken it as a physician, had he + not been a wise man withal, when he giveth it for one of the great + precepts of health and lasting, that a man do vary, and interchange + contraries, but with an inclination to the more benign extreme: use + fasting and full eating, but rather full eating; watching and sleep, but + rather sleep; sitting and exercise, but rather exercise; and the like. So + shall nature be cherished, and yet taught masteries. Physicians are, some + of them, so pleasing and conformable to the humor of the patient, as they + press not the true cure of the disease; and some other are so regular, in + proceeding according to art for the disease, as they respect not + sufficiently the condition of the patient. Take one of a middle temper; or + if it may not be found in one man, combine two of either sort; and forget + not to call as well, the best acquainted with your body, as the best + reputed of for his faculty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Suspicion + </h2> + <p> + SUSPICIONS amongst thoughts, are like bats amongst birds, they ever fly by + twilight. Certainly they are to be repressed, or at least well guarded: + for they cloud the mind; they leese friends; and they check with business, + whereby business cannot go on currently and constantly. They dispose kings + to tyranny, husbands to jealousy, wise men to irresolution and melancholy. + They are defects, not in the heart, but in the brain; for they take place + in the stoutest natures; as in the example of Henry the Seventh of + England. There was not a more suspicious man, nor a more stout. And in + such a composition they do small hurt. For commonly they are not admitted, + but with examination, whether they be likely or no. But in fearful natures + they gain ground too fast. There is nothing makes a man suspect much, more + than to know little; and therefore men should remedy suspicion, by + procuring to know more, and not to keep their suspicions in smother. What + would men have? Do they think, those they employ and deal with, are + saints? Do they not think, they will have their own ends, and be truer to + themselves, than to them? Therefore there is no better way, to moderate + suspicions, than to account upon such suspicions as true, and yet to + bridle them as false. For so far a man ought to make use of suspicions, as + to provide, as if that should be true, that he suspects, yet it may do him + no hurt. Suspicions that the mind of itself gathers, are but buzzes; but + suspicions that are artificially nourished, and put into men's heads, by + the tales and whisperings of others, have stings. Certainly, the best + mean, to clear the way in this same wood of suspicions, is frankly to + communicate them with the party, that he suspects; for thereby he shall be + sure to know more of the truth of them, than he did before; and withal + shall make that party more circumspect, not to give further cause of + suspicion. But this would not be done to men of base natures; for they, if + they find themselves once suspected, will never be true. The Italian says, + Sospetto licentia fede; as if suspicion, did give a passport to faith; but + it ought, rather, to kindle it to discharge itself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Discourse + </h2> + <p> + SOME, in their discourse, desire rather commendation of wit, in being able + to hold all arguments, than of judgment, in discerning what is true; as if + it were a praise, to know what might be said, and not, what should be + thought. Some have certain common places, and themes, wherein they are + good and want variety; which kind of poverty is for the most part tedious, + and when it is once perceived, ridiculous. The honorablest part of talk, + is to give the occasion; and again to moderate, and pass to somewhat else; + for then a man leads the dance. It is good, in discourse and speech of + conversation, to vary and intermingle speech of the present occasion, with + arguments, tales with reasons, asking of questions, with telling of + opinions, and jest with earnest: for it is a dull thing to tire, and, as + we say now, to jade, any thing too far. As for jest, there be certain + things, which ought to be privileged from it; namely, religion, matters of + state, great persons, any man's present business of importance, and any + case that deserveth pity. Yet there be some, that think their wits have + been asleep, except they dart out somewhat that is piquant, and to the + quick. That is a vein which would be bridled: + </p> + <p> + Parce, puer, stimulis, et fortius utere loris. + </p> + <p> + And generally, men ought to find the difference, between saltness and + bitterness. Certainly, he that hath a satirical vein, as he maketh others + afraid of his wit, so he had need be afraid of others' memory. He that + questioneth much, shall learn much, and content much; but especially, if + he apply his questions to the skill of the persons whom he asketh; for he + shall give them occasion, to please themselves in speaking, and himself + shall continually gather knowledge. But let his questions not be + troublesome; for that is fit for a poser. And let him be sure to leave + other men, their turns to speak. Nay, if there be any, that would reign + and take up all the time, let him find means to take them off, and to + bring others on; as musicians use to do, with those that dance too long + galliards. If you dissemble, sometimes, your knowledge of that you are + thought to know, you shall be thought, another time, to know that you know + not. Speech of a man's self ought to be seldom, and well chosen. I knew + one, was wont to say in scorn, He must needs be a wise man, he speaks so + much of himself: and there is but one case, wherein a man may commend + himself with good grace; and that is in commending virtue in another; + especially if it be such a virtue, whereunto himself pretendeth. Speech of + touch towards others, should be sparingly used; for discourse ought to be + as a field, without coming home to any man. I knew two noblemen, of the + west part of England, whereof the one was given to scoff, but kept ever + royal cheer in his house; the other would ask, of those that had been at + the other's table, Tell truly, was there never a flout or dry blow given? + To which the guest would answer, Such and such a thing passed. The lord + would say, I thought, he would mar a good dinner. Discretion of speech, is + more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him, with whom we deal, is + more than to speak in good words, or in good order. A good continued + speech, without a good speech of interlocution, shows slowness: and a good + reply or second speech, without a good settled speech, showeth shallowness + and weakness. As we see in beasts, that those that are weakest in the + course, are yet nimblest in the turn; as it is betwixt the greyhound and + the hare. To use too many circumstances, ere one come to the matter, is + wearisome; to use none at all, is blunt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Plantations + </h2> + <p> + PLANTATIONS are amongst ancient, primitive, and heroical works. When the + world was young, it begat more children; but now it is old, it begets + fewer: for I may justly account new plantations, to be the children of + former kingdoms. I like a plantation in a pure soil; that is, where people + are not displanted, to the end, to plant in others. For else it is rather + an extirpation, than a plantation. Planting of countries, is like planting + of woods; for you must make account to leese almost twenty years' profit, + and expect your recompense in the end. For the principal thing, that hath + been the destruction of most plantations, hath been the base and hasty + drawing of profit, in the first years. It is true, speedy profit is not to + be neglected, as far as may stand with the good of the plantation, but no + further. It is a shameful and unblessed thing, to take the scum of people, + and wicked condemned men, to be the people with whom you plant; and not + only so, but it spoileth the plantation; for they will ever live like + rogues, and not fall to work, but be lazy, and do mischief, and spend + victuals, and be quickly weary, and then certify over to their country, to + the discredit of the plantation. The people wherewith you plant ought to + be gardeners, ploughmen, laborers, smiths, carpenters, joiners, fishermen, + fowlers, with some few apothecaries, surgeons, cooks, and bakers. In a + country of plantation, first look about, what kind of victual the country + yields of itself to hand; as chestnuts, walnuts, pineapples, olives, + dates, plums, cherries, wild honey, and the like; and make use of them. + Then consider what victual or esculent things there are, which grow + speedily, and within the year; as parsnips, carrots, turnips, onions, + radish, artichokes of Hierusalem, maize, and the like. For wheat, barley, + and oats, they ask too much labor; but with pease and beans you may begin, + both because they ask less labor, and because they serve for meat, as well + as for bread. And of rice, likewise cometh a great increase, and it is a + kind of meat. Above all, there ought to be brought store of biscuit, + oat-meal, flour, meal, and the like, in the beginning, till bread may be + had. For beasts, or birds, take chiefly such as are least subject to + diseases, and multiply fastest; as swine, goats, cocks, hens, turkeys, + geese, house-doves, and the like. The victual in plantations, ought to be + expended almost as in a besieged town; that is, with certain allowance. + And let the main part of the ground, employed to gardens or corn, be to a + common stock; and to be laid in, and stored up, and then delivered out in + proportion; besides some spots of ground, that any particular person will + manure for his own private. Consider likewise what commodities, the soil + where the plantation is, doth naturally yield, that they may some way help + to defray the charge of the plantation (so it be not, as was said, to the + untimely prejudice of the main business), as it hath fared with tobacco in + Virginia. Wood commonly aboundeth but too much; and therefore timber is + fit to be one. If there be iron ore, and streams whereupon to set the + mills, iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth. Making of bay-salt, + if the climate be proper for it, would be put in experience. Growing silk + likewise, if any be, is a likely commodity. Pitch and tar, where store of + firs and pines are, will not fail. So drugs and sweet woods, where they + are, cannot but yield great profit. Soap-ashes likewise, and other things + that may be thought of. But moil not too much under ground; for the hope + of mines is very uncertain, and useth to make the planters lazy, in other + things. For government; let it be in the hands of one, assisted with some + counsel; and let them have commission to exercise martial laws, with some + limitation. And above all, let men make that profit, of being in the + wilderness, as they have God always, and his service, before their eyes. + Let not the government of the plantation, depend upon too many + counsellors, and undertakers, in the country that planteth, but upon a + temperate number; and let those be rather noblemen and gentlemen, than + merchants; for they look ever to the present gain. Let there be freedom + from custom, till the plantation be of strength; and not only freedom from + custom, but freedom to carry their commodities, where they may make their + best of them, except there be some special cause of caution. Cram not in + people, by sending too fast company after company; but rather harken how + they waste, and send supplies proportionably; but so, as the number may + live well in the plantation, and not by surcharge be in penury. It hath + been a great endangering to the health of some plantations, that they have + built along the sea and rivers, in marish and unwholesome grounds. + Therefore, though you begin there, to avoid carriage and like + discommodities, yet build still rather upwards from the streams, than + along. It concerneth likewise the health of the plantation, that they have + good store of salt with them, that they may use it in their victuals, when + it shall be necessary. If you plant where savages are, do not only + entertain them, with trifles and gingles, but use them justly and + graciously, with sufficient guard nevertheless; and do not win their + favor, by helping them to invade their enemies, but for their defence it + is not amiss; and send oft of them, over to the country that plants, that + they may see a better condition than their own, and commend it when they + return. When the plantation grows to strength, then it is time to plant + with women, as well as with men; that the plantation may spread into + generations, and not be ever pieced from without. It is the sinfullest + thing in the world, to forsake or destitute a plantation once in + forwardness; for besides the dishonor, it is the guiltiness of blood of + many commiserable persons. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Riches + </h2> + <p> + I CANNOT call riches better than the baggage of virtue. The Roman word is + better, impedimenta. For as the baggage is to an army, so is riches to + virtue. It cannot be spared, nor left behind, but it hindereth the march; + yea, and the care of it, sometimes loseth or disturbeth the victory. Of + great riches there is no real use, except it be in the distribution; the + rest is but conceit. So saith Solomon, Where much is, there are many to + consume it; and what hath the owner, but the sight of it with his eyes? + The personal fruition in any man, cannot reach to feel great riches: there + is a custody of them; or a power of dole, and donative of them; or a fame + of them; but no solid use to the owner. Do you not see what feigned + prices, are set upon little stones and rarities? and what works of + ostentation are undertaken, because there might seem to be some use of + great riches? But then you will say, they may be of use, to buy men out of + dangers or troubles. As Solomon saith, Riches are as a strong hold, in the + imagination of the rich man. But this is excellently expressed, that it is + in imagination, and not always in fact. For certainly great riches, have + sold more men, than they have bought out. Seek not proud riches, but such + as thou mayest get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and leave + contentedly. Yet have no abstract nor friarly contempt of them. But + distinguish, as Cicero saith well of Rabirius Posthumus, In studio rei + amplificandae apparebat, non avaritiae praedam, sed instrumentum bonitati + quaeri. Harken also to Solomon, and beware of hasty gathering of riches; + Qui festinat ad divitias, non erit insons. The poets feign, that when + Plutus (which is Riches) is sent from Jupiter, he limps and goes slowly; + but when he is sent from Pluto, he runs, and is swift of foot. Meaning + that riches gotten by good means, and just labor, pace slowly; but when + they come by the death of others (as by the course of inheritance, + testaments, and the like), they come tumbling upon a man. But it mought be + applied likewise to Pluto, taking him for the devil. For when riches come + from the devil (as by fraud and oppression, and unjust means), they come + upon speed. The ways to enrich are many, and most of them foul. Parsimony + is one of the best, and yet is not innocent; for it withholdeth men from + works of liberality and charity. The improvement of the ground, is the + most natural obtaining of riches; for it is our great mother's blessing, + the earth's; but it is slow. And yet where men of great wealth do stoop to + husbandry, it multiplieth riches exceedingly. I knew a nobleman in + England, that had the greatest audits of any man in my time; a great + grazier, a great sheep-master, a great timber man, a great collier, a + great corn-master, a great lead-man, and so of iron, and a number of the + like points of husbandry. So as the earth seemed a sea to him, in respect + of the perpetual importation. It was truly observed by one, that himself + came very hardly, to a little riches, and very easily, to great riches. + For when a man's stock is come to that, that he can expect the prime of + markets, and overcome those bargains, which for their greatness are few + men's money, and be partner in the industries of younger men, he cannot + but increase mainly. The gains of ordinary trades and vocations are + honest; and furthered by two things chiefly: by diligence, and by a good + name, for good and fair dealing. But the gains of bargains, are of a more + doubtful nature; when men shall wait upon others' necessity, broke by + servants and instruments to draw them on, put off others cunningly, that + would be better chapmen, and the like practices, which are crafty and + naught. As for the chopping of bargains, when a man buys not to hold but + to sell over again, that commonly grindeth double, both upon the seller, + and upon the buyer. Sharings do greatly enrich, if the hands be well + chosen, that are trusted. Usury is the certainest means of gain, though + one of the worst; as that whereby a man doth eat his bread, in sudore + vultus alieni; and besides, doth plough upon Sundays. But yet certain + though it be, it hath flaws; for that the scriveners and brokers do value + unsound men, to serve their own turn. The fortune in being the first, in + an invention or in a privilege, doth cause sometimes a wonderful + overgrowth in riches; as it was with the first sugar man, in the Canaries. + Therefore if a man can play the true logician, to have as well judgment, + as invention, he may do great matters; especially if the times be fit. He + that resteth upon gains certain, shall hardly grow to great riches; and he + that puts all upon adventures, doth oftentimes break and come to poverty: + it is good, therefore, to guard adventures with certainties, that may + uphold losses. Monopolies, and coemption of wares for re-sale, where they + are not restrained, are great means to enrich; especially if the party + have intelligence, what things are like to come into request, and so store + himself beforehand. Riches gotten by service, though it be of the best + rise, yet when they are gotten by flattery, feeding humors, and other + servile conditions, they may be placed amongst the worst. As for fishing + for testaments and executorships (as Tacitus saith of Seneca, testamenta + et orbos tamquam indagine capi), it is yet worse; by how much men submit + themselves to meaner persons, than in service. Believe not much, them that + seem to despise riches; for they despise them, that despair of them; and + none worse, when they come to them. Be not penny-wise; riches have wings, + and sometimes they fly away of themselves, sometimes they must be set + flying, to bring in more. Men leave their riches, either to their kindred, + or to the public; and moderate portions, prosper best in both. A great + state left to an heir, is as a lure to all the birds of prey round about, + to seize on him, if he be not the better stablished in years and judgment. + Likewise glorious gifts and foundations, are like sacrifices without salt; + and but the painted sepulchres of alms, which soon will putrefy, and + corrupt inwardly. Therefore measure not thine advancements, by quantity, + but frame them by measure: and defer not charities till death; for, + certainly, if a man weigh it rightly, he that doth so, is rather liberal + of another man's, than of his own. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Prophecies + </h2> + <p> + I MEAN not to speak of divine prophecies; nor of heathen oracles; nor of + natural predictions; but only of prophecies that have been of certain + memory, and from hidden causes. Saith the Pythonissa to Saul, To-morrow + thou and thy son shall be with me. Homer hath these verses: + </p> + <p> + At domus AEneae cunctis dominabitur oris, Et nati natorum, et qui + nascentur ab illis. + </p> + <p> + A prophecy, as it seems, of the Roman empire. Seneca the tragedian hath + these verses: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + —Venient annis + Saecula seris, quibus Oceanus + Vincula rerum laxet, et ingens + Pateat Tellus, Tiphysque novos + Detegat orbes; nec sit terris + Ultima Thule: +</pre> + <p> + a prophecy of the discovery of America. The daughter of Polycrates, + dreamed that Jupiter bathed her father, and Apollo anointed him; and it + came to pass, that he was crucified in an open place, where the sun made + his body run with sweat, and the rain washed it. Philip of Macedon + dreamed, he sealed up his wife's belly; whereby he did expound it, that + his wife should be barren; but Aristander the soothsayer, told him his + wife was with child, because men do not use to seal vessels, that are + empty. A phantasm that appeared to M. Brutus, in his tent, said to him, + Philippis iterum me videbis. Tiberius said to Galba, Tu quoque, Galba, + degustabis imperium. In Vespasian's time, there went a prophecy in the + East, that those that should come forth of Judea, should reign over the + world: which though it may be was meant of our Savior; yet Tacitus + expounds it of Vespasian. Domitian dreamed, the night before he was slain, + that a golden head was growing, out of the nape of his neck: and indeed, + the succession that followed him for many years, made golden times. Henry + the Sixth of England, said of Henry the Seventh, when he was a lad, and + gave him water, This is the lad that shall enjoy the crown, for which we + strive. When I was in France, I heard from one Dr. Pena, that the Queen + Mother, who was given to curious arts, caused the King her husband's + nativity to be calculated, under a false name; and the astrologer gave a + judgment, that he should be killed in a duel; at which the Queen laughed, + thinking her husband to be above challenges and duels: but he was slain + upon a course at tilt, the splinters of the staff of Montgomery going in + at his beaver. The trivial prophecy, which I heard when I was a child, and + Queen Elizabeth was in the flower of her years, was, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When hempe is spun + + England's done: +</pre> + <p> + whereby it was generally conceived, that after the princes had reigned, + which had the principal letters of that word hempe (which were Henry, + Edward, Mary, Philip, and Elizabeth), England should come to utter + confusion; which, thanks be to God, is verified only in the change of the + name; for that the King's style, is now no more of England but of Britain. + There was also another prophecy, before the year of '88, which I do not + well understand. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + There shall be seen upon a day, + Between the Baugh and the May, + The black fleet of Norway. + When that that is come and gone, + England build houses of lime and stone, + For after wars shall you have none. +</pre> + <p> + It was generally conceived to be meant, of the Spanish fleet that came in + '88: for that the king of Spain's surname, as they say, is Norway. The + prediction of Regiomontanus, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Octogesimus octavus mirabilis annus, +</pre> + <p> + was thought likewise accomplished in the sending of that great fleet, + being the greatest in strength, though not in number, of all that ever + swam upon the sea. As for Cleon's dream, I think it was a jest. It was, + that he was devoured of a long dragon; and it was expounded of a maker of + sausages, that troubled him exceedingly. There are numbers of the like + kind; especially if you include dreams, and predictions of astrology. But + I have set down these few only, of certain credit, for example. My + judgment is, that they ought all to be despised; and ought to serve but + for winter talk by the fireside. Though when I say despised, I mean it as + for belief; for otherwise, the spreading, or publishing, of them, is in no + sort to be despised. For they have done much mischief; and I see many + severe laws made, to suppress them. That that hath given them grace, and + some credit, consisteth in three things. First, that men mark when they + hit, and never mark when they miss; as they do generally also of dreams. + The second is, that probable conjectures, or obscure traditions, many + times turn themselves into prophecies; while the nature of man, which + coveteth divination, thinks it no peril to foretell that which indeed they + do but collect. As that of Seneca's verse. For so much was then subject to + demonstration, that the globe of the earth had great parts beyond the + Atlantic, which mought be probably conceived not to be all sea: and adding + thereto the tradition in Plato's Timaeus, and his Atlanticus, it mought + encourage one to turn it to a prediction. The third and last (which is the + great one) is, that almost all of them, being infinite in number, have + been impostures, and by idle and crafty brains merely contrived and + feigned, after the event past. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Ambition + </h2> + <p> + AMBITION is like choler; which is an humor that maketh men active, + earnest, full of alacrity, and stirring, if it be not stopped. But if it + be stopped, and cannot have his way, it becometh adust, and thereby malign + and venomous. So ambitious men, if they find the way open for their + rising, and still get forward, they are rather busy than dangerous; but if + they be checked in their desires, they become secretly discontent, and + look upon men and matters with an evil eye, and are best pleased, when + things go backward; which is the worst property in a servant of a prince, + or state. Therefore it is good for princes, if they use ambitious men, to + handle it, so as they be still progressive and not retrograde; which, + because it cannot be without inconvenience, it is good not to use such + natures at all. For if they rise not with their service, they will take + order, to make their service fall with them. But since we have said, it + were good not to use men of ambitious natures, except it be upon + necessity, it is fit we speak, in what cases they are of necessity. Good + commanders in the wars must be taken, be they never so ambitious; for the + use of their service, dispenseth with the rest; and to take a soldier + without ambition, is to pull off his spurs. There is also great use of + ambitious men, in being screens to princes in matters of danger and envy; + for no man will take that part, except he be like a seeled dove, that + mounts and mounts, because he cannot see about him. There is use also of + ambitious men, in pulling down the greatness of any subject that overtops; + as Tiberius used Marco, in the pulling down of Sejanus. Since, therefore, + they must be used in such cases, there resteth to speak, how they are to + be bridled, that they may be less dangerous. There is less danger of them, + if they be of mean birth, than if they be noble; and if they be rather + harsh of nature, than gracious and popular: and if they be rather new + raised, than grown cunning, and fortified, in their greatness. It is + counted by some, a weakness in princes, to have favorites; but it is, of + all others, the best remedy against ambitious great-ones. For when the way + of pleasuring, and displeasuring, lieth by the favorite, it is impossible + any other should be overgreat. Another means to curb them, is to balance + them by others, as proud as they. But then there must be some middle + counsellors, to keep things steady; for without that ballast, the ship + will roll too much. At the least, a prince may animate and inure some + meaner persons, to be as it were scourges, to ambitious men. As for the + having of them obnoxious to ruin; if they be of fearful natures, it may do + well; but if they be stout and daring, it may precipitate their designs, + and prove dangerous. As for the pulling of them down, if the affairs + require it, and that it may not be done with safety suddenly, the only way + is the interchange, continually, of favors and disgraces; whereby they may + not know what to expect, and be, as it were, in a wood. Of ambitions, it + is less harmful, the ambition to prevail in great things, than that other, + to appear in every thing; for that breeds confusion, and mars business. + But yet it is less danger, to have an ambitious man stirring in business, + than great in dependences. He that seeketh to be eminent amongst able men, + hath a great task; but that is ever good for the public. But he, that + plots to be the only figure amongst ciphers, is the decay of a whole age. + Honor hath three things in it: the vantage ground to do good; the approach + to kings and principal persons; and the raising of a man's own fortunes. + He that hath the best of these intentions, when he aspireth, is an honest + man; and that prince, that can discern of these intentions in another that + aspireth, is a wise prince. Generally, let princes and states choose such + ministers, as are more sensible of duty than of using; and such as love + business rather upon conscience, than upon bravery, and let them discern a + busy nature, from a willing mind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Masques And Triumphs + </h2> + <p> + THESE things are but toys, to come amongst such serious observations. But + yet, since princes will have such things, it is better they should be + graced with elegancy, than daubed with cost. Dancing to song, is a thing + of great state and pleasure. I understand it, that the song be in quire, + placed aloft, and accompanied with some broken music; and the ditty fitted + to the device. Acting in song, especially in dialogues, hath an extreme + good grace; I say acting, not dancing (for that is a mean and vulgar + thing); and the voices of the dialogue would be strong and manly (a base + and a tenor; no treble); and the ditty high and tragical; not nice or + dainty. Several quires, placed one over against another, and taking the + voice by catches, anthem-wise, give great pleasure. Turning dances into + figure, is a childish curiosity. And generally let it be noted, that those + things which I here set down, are such as do naturally take the sense, and + not respect petty wonderments. It is true, the alterations of scenes, so + it be quietly and without noise, are things of great beauty and pleasure; + for they feed and relieve the eye, before it be full of the same object. + Let the scenes abound with light, specially colored and varied; and let + the masquers, or any other, that are to come down from the scene, have + some motions upon the scene itself, before their coming down; for it draws + the eye strangely, and makes it, with great pleasure, to desire to see, + that it cannot perfectly discern. Let the songs be loud and cheerful, and + not chirpings or pulings. Let the music likewise be sharp and loud, and + well placed. The colors that show best by candle-light are white, + carnation, and a kind of sea-water-green; and oes, or spangs, as they are + of no great cost, so they are of most glory. As for rich embroidery, it is + lost and not discerned. Let the suits of the masquers be graceful, and + such as become the person, when the vizors are off; not after examples of + known attires; Turke, soldiers, mariners', and the like. Let anti-masques + not be long; they have been commonly of fools, satyrs, baboons, wild-men, + antics, beasts, sprites, witches, Ethiops, pigmies, turquets, nymphs, + rustics, Cupids, statuas moving, and the like. As for angels, it is not + comical enough, to put them in anti-masques; and anything that is hideous, + as devils, giants, is on the other side as unfit. But chiefly, let the + music of them be recreative, and with some strange changes. Some sweet + odors suddenly coming forth, without any drops falling, are, in such a + company as there is steam and heat, things of great pleasure and + refreshment. Double masques, one of men, another of ladies, addeth state + and variety. But all is nothing except the room be kept clear and neat. + </p> + <p> + For justs, and tourneys, and barriers; the glories of them are chiefly in + the chariots, wherein the challengers make their entry; especially if they + be drawn with strange beasts: as lions, bears, camels, and the like; or in + the devices of their entrance; or in the bravery of their liveries; or in + the goodly furniture of their horses and armor. But enough of these toys. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Nature In Men + </h2> + <p> + NATURE is often hidden; sometimes overcome; seldom extinguished. Force, + maketh nature more violent in the return; doctrine and discourse, maketh + nature less importune; but custom only doth alter and subdue nature. He + that seeketh victory over his nature, let him not set himself too great, + nor too small tasks; for the first will make him dejected by often + failings; and the second will make him a small proceeder, though by often + prevailings. And at the first let him practise with helps, as swimmers do + with bladders or rushes; but after a time let him practise with + disadvantages, as dancers do with thick shoes. For it breeds great + perfection, if the practice be harder than the use. Where nature is + mighty, and therefore the victory hard, the degrees had need be, first to + stay and arrest nature in time; like to him that would say over the four + and twenty letters when he was angry; then to go less in quantity; as if + one should, in forbearing wine, come from drinking healths, to a draught + at a meal; and lastly, to discontinue altogether. But if a man have the + fortitude, and resolution, to enfranchise himself at once, that is the + best: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Optimus ille animi vindex laedentia pectus + Vincula qui rupit, dedoluitque semel. +</pre> + <p> + Neither is the ancient rule amiss, to bend nature, as a wand, to a + contrary extreme, whereby to set it right, understanding it, where the + contrary extreme is no vice. Let not a man force a habit upon himself, + with a perpetual continuance, but with some intermission. For both the + pause reinforceth the new onset; and if a man that is not perfect, be ever + in practice, he shall as well practise his errors, as his abilities, and + induce one habit of both; and there is no means to help this, but by + seasonable intermissions. But let not a man trust his victory over his + nature, too far; for nature will lay buried a great time, and yet revive, + upon the occasion or temptation. Like as it was with AEsop's damsel, + turned from a cat to a woman, who sat very demurely at the board's end, + till a mouse ran before her. Therefore, let a man either avoid the + occasion altogether; or put himself often to it, that he may be little + moved with it. A man's nature is best perceived in privateness, for there + is no affectation; in passion, for that putteth a man out of his precepts; + and in a new case or experiment, for there custom leaveth him. They are + happy men, whose natures sort with their vocations; otherwise they may + say, multum incola fuit anima mea; when they converse in those things, + they do not affect. In studies, whatsoever a man commandeth upon himself, + let him set hours for it; but whatsoever is agreeable to his nature, let + him take no care for any set times; for his thoughts will fly to it, of + themselves; so as the spaces of other business, or studies, will suffice. + A man's nature, runs either to herbs or weeds; therefore let him + seasonably water the one, and destroy the other. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Custom And Education + </h2> + <p> + MEN'S thoughts, are much according to their inclination; their discourse + and speeches, according to their learning and infused opinions; but their + deeds, are after as they have been accustomed. And therefore, as Machiavel + well noteth (though in an evil-favored instance), there is no trusting to + the force of nature, nor to the bravery of words, except it be corroborate + by custom. His instance is, that for the achieving of a desperate + conspiracy, a man should not rest upon the fierceness of any man's nature, + or his resolute undertakings; but take such an one, as hath had his hands + formerly in blood. But Machiavel knew not of a Friar Clement, nor a + Ravillac, nor a Jaureguy, nor a Baltazar Gerard; yet his rule holdeth + still, that nature, nor the engagement of words, are not so forcible, as + custom. Only superstition is now so well advanced, that men of the first + blood, are as firm as butchers by occupation; and votary resolution, is + made equipollent to custom, even in matter of blood. In other things, the + predominancy of custom is everywhere visible; insomuch as a man would + wonder, to hear men profess, protest, engage, give great words, and then + do, just as they have done before; as if they were dead images, and + engines moved only by the wheels of custom. We see also the reign or + tyranny of custom, what it is. The Indians (I mean the sect of their wise + men) lay themselves quietly upon a stock of wood, and so sacrifice + themselves by fire. Nay, the wives strive to be burned, with the corpses + of their husbands. The lads of Sparta, of ancient time, were wont to be + scourged upon the altar of Diana, without so much as queching. I remember, + in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's time of England, an Irish rebel + condemned, put up a petition to the deputy, that he might be hanged in a + withe, and not in an halter; because it had been so used, with former + rebels. There be monks in Russia, for penance, that will sit a whole night + in a vessel of water, till they be engaged with hard ice. Many examples + may be put of the force of custom, both upon mind and body. Therefore, + since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, let men by all + means endeavor, to obtain good customs. Certainly custom is most perfect, + when it beginneth in young years: this we call education; which is, in + effect, but an early custom. So we see, in languages, the tongue is more + pliant to all expressions and sounds, the joints are more supple, to all + feats of activity and motions, in youth than afterwards. For it is true, + that late learners cannot so well take the ply; except it be in some + minds, that have not suffered themselves to fix, but have kept themselves + open, and prepared to receive continual amendment, which is exceeding + rare. But if the force of custom simple and separate, be great, the force + of custom copulate and conjoined and collegiate, is far greater. For there + example teacheth, company comforteth, emulation quickeneth, glory raiseth: + so as in such places the force of custom is in his exaltation. Certainly + the great multiplication of virtues upon human nature, resteth upon + societies well ordained and disciplined. For commonwealths, and good + governments, do nourish virtue grown but do not much mend the deeds. But + the misery is, that the most effectual means, are now applied to the ends, + least to be desired. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Fortune + </h2> + <p> + IT CANNOT be denied, but outward accidents conduce much to fortune; favor, + opportunity, death of others, occasion fitting virtue. But chiefly, the + mould of a man's fortune is in his own hands. Faber quisque fortunae suae, + saith the poet. And the most frequent of external causes is, that the + folly of one man, is the fortune of another. For no man prospers so + suddenly, as by others' errors. Serpens nisi serpentem comederit non fit + draco. Overt and apparent virtues, bring forth praise; but there be secret + and hidden virtues, that bring forth fortune; certain deliveries of a + man's self, which have no name. The Spanish name, desemboltura, partly + expresseth them; when there be not stonds nor restiveness in a man's + nature; but that the wheels of his mind, keep way with the wheels of his + fortune. For so Livy (after he had described Cato Major in these words, In + illo viro tantum robur corporis et animi fuit, ut quocunque loco natus + esset, fortunam sibi facturus videretur) falleth upon that, that he had + versatile ingenium. Therefore if a man look sharply and attentively, he + shall see Fortune: for though she be blind, yet she is not invisible. The + way of fortune, is like the Milken Way in the sky; which is a meeting or + knot of a number of small stars; not seen asunder, but giving light + together. So are there a number of little, and scarce discerned virtues, + or rather faculties and customs, that make men fortunate. The Italians + note some of them, such as a man would little think. When they speak of + one that cannot do amiss, they will throw in, into his other conditions, + that he hath Poco di matto. And certainly there be not two more fortunate + properties, than to have a little of the fool, and not too much of the + honest. Therefore extreme lovers of their country or masters, were never + fortunate, neither can they be. For when a man placeth his thoughts + without himself, he goeth not his own way. An hasty fortune maketh an + enterpriser and remover (the French hath it better, entreprenant, or + remuant); but the exercised fortune maketh the able man. Fortune is to be + honored and respected, and it be but for her daughters, Confidence and + Reputation. For those two, Felicity breedeth; the first within a man's + self, the latter in others towards him. All wise men, to decline the envy + of their own virtues, use to ascribe them to Providence and Fortune; for + so they may the better assume them: and, besides, it is greatness in a + man, to be the care of the higher powers. So Caesar said to the pilot in + the tempest, Caesarem portas, et fortunam ejus. So Sylla chose the name of + Felix, and not of Magnus. And it hath been noted, that those who ascribe + openly too much to their own wisdom and policy, end infortunate. It is + written that Timotheus the Athenian, after he had, in the account he gave + to the state of his government, often interlaced this speech, and in this, + Fortune had no part, never prospered in anything, he undertook afterwards. + Certainly there be, whose fortunes are like Homer's verses, that have a + slide and easiness more than the verses of other poets; as Plutarch saith + of Timoleon's fortune, in respect of that of Agesilaus or Epaminondas. And + that this should be, no doubt it is much, in a man's self. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Usury + </h2> + <p> + MANY have made witty invectives against usury. They say that it is a pity, + the devil should have God's part, which is the tithe. That the usurer is + the greatest Sabbath-breaker, because his plough goeth every Sunday. That + the usurer is the drone, that Virgil speaketh of; + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ignavum fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent. +</pre> + <p> + That the usurer breaketh the first law, that was made for mankind after + the fall, which was, in sudore vultus tui comedes panem tuum; not, in + sudore vultus alieni. That usurers should have orange-tawny bonnets, + because they do judaize. That it is against nature for money to beget + money; and the like. I say this only, that usury is a concessum propter + duritiem cordis; for since there must be borrowing and lending, and men + are so hard of heart, as they will not lend freely, usury must be + permitted. Some others, have made suspicious and cunning propositions of + banks, discovery of men's estates, and other inventions. But few have + spoken of usury usefully. It is good to set before us, the incommodities + and commodities of usury, that the good, may be either weighed out or + culled out; and warily to provide, that while we make forth to that which + is better, we meet not with that which is worse. + </p> + <p> + The discommodities of usury are, First, that it makes fewer merchants. For + were it not for this lazy trade of usury, money would not be still, but + would in great part be employed upon merchandizing; which is the vena + porta of wealth in a state. The second, that it makes poor merchants. For, + as a farmer cannot husband his ground so well, if he sit at a great rent; + so the merchant cannot drive his trade so well, if he sit at great usury. + The third is incident to the other two; and that is the decay of customs + of kings or states, which ebb or flow, with merchandizing. The fourth, + that it bringeth the treasure of a realm, or state, into a few hands. For + the usurer being at certainties, and others at uncertainties, at the end + of the game, most of the money will be in the box; and ever a state + flourisheth, when wealth is more equally spread. The fifth, that it beats + down the price of land; for the employment of money, is chiefly either + merchandizing or purchasing; and usury waylays both. The sixth, that it + doth dull and damp all industries, improvements, and new inventions, + wherein money would be stirring, if it were not for this slug. The last, + that it is the canker and ruin of many men's estates; which, in process of + time, breeds a public poverty. + </p> + <p> + On the other side, the commodities of usury are, first, that howsoever + usury in some respect hindereth merchandizing, yet in some other it + advanceth it; for it is certain that the greatest part of trade is driven + by young merchants, upon borrowing at interest; so as if the usurer either + call in, or keep back, his money, there will ensue, presently, a great + stand of trade. The second is, that were it not for this easy borrowing + upon interest, men's necessities would draw upon them a most sudden + undoing; in that they would be forced to sell their means (be it lands or + goods) far under foot; and so, whereas usury doth but gnaw upon them, bad + markets would swallow them quite up. As for mortgaging or pawning, it will + little mend the matter: for either men will not take pawns without use; or + if they do, they will look precisely for the forfeiture. I remember a + cruel moneyed man in the country, that would say, The devil take this + usury, it keeps us from forfeitures, of mortgages and bonds. The third and + last is, that it is a vanity to conceive, that there would be ordinary + borrowing without profit; and it is impossible to conceive, the number of + inconveniences that will ensue, if borrowing be cramped. Therefore to + speak of the abolishing of usury is idle. All states have ever had it, in + one kind or rate, or other. So as that opinion must be sent to Utopia. + </p> + <p> + To speak now of the reformation, and reiglement, of usury; how the + discommodities of it may be best avoided, and the commodities retained. It + appears, by the balance of commodities and discommodities of usury, two + things are to be reconciled. The one, that the tooth of usury be grinded, + that it bite not too much; the other, that there be left open a means, to + invite moneyed men to lend to the merchants, for the continuing and + quickening of trade. This cannot be done, except you introduce two several + sorts of usury, a less and a greater. For if you reduce usury to one low + rate, it will ease the common borrower, but the merchant will be to seek + for money. And it is to be noted, that the trade of merchandize, being the + most lucrative, may bear usury at a good rate; other contracts not so. + </p> + <p> + To serve both intentions, the way would be briefly thus. That there be two + rates of usury: the one free, and general for all; the other under license + only, to certain persons, and in certain places of merchandizing. First, + therefore, let usury in general, be reduced to five in the hundred; and + let that rate be proclaimed, to be free and current; and let the state + shut itself out, to take any penalty for the same. This will preserve + borrowing, from any general stop or dryness. This will ease infinite + borrowers in the country. This will, in good part, raise the price of + land, because land purchased at sixteen years' purchase will yield six in + the hundred, and somewhat more; whereas this rate of interest, yields but + five. This by like reason will encourage, and edge, industrious and + profitable improvements; because many will rather venture in that kind, + than take five in the hundred, especially having been used to greater + profit. Secondly, let there be certain persons licensed, to lend to known + merchants, upon usury at a higher rate; and let it be with the cautions + following. Let the rate be, even with the merchant himself, somewhat more + easy than that he used formerly to pay; for by that means, all borrowers, + shall have some ease by this reformation, be he merchant, or whosoever. + Let it be no bank or common stock, but every man be master of his own + money. Not that I altogether mislike banks, but they will hardly be + brooked, in regard of certain suspicions. Let the state be answered some + small matter for the license, and the rest left to the lender; for if the + abatement be but small, it will no whit discourage the lender. For he, for + example, that took before ten or nine in the hundred, will sooner descend + to eight in the hundred than give over his trade of usury, and go from + certain gains, to gains of hazard. Let these licensed lenders be in number + indefinite, but restrained to certain principal cities and towns of + merchandizing; for then they will be hardly able to color other men's + moneys in the country: so as the license of nine will not suck away the + current rate of five; for no man will send his moneys far off, nor put + them into unknown hands. + </p> + <p> + If it be objected that this doth in a sort authorize usury, which before, + was in some places but permissive; the answer is, that it is better to + mitigate usury, by declaration, than to suffer it to rage, by connivance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Youth And Age + </h2> + <p> + A MAN that is young in years, may be old in hours, if he have lost no + time. But that happeneth rarely. Generally, youth is like the first + cogitations, not so wise as the second. For there is a youth in thoughts, + as well as in ages. And yet the invention of young men, is more lively + than that of old; and imaginations stream into their minds better, and, as + it were, more divinely. Natures that have much heat, and great and violent + desires and perturbations, are not ripe for action, till they have passed + the meridian of their years; as it was with Julius Caesar and Septimius + Severus. Of the latter, of whom it is said, Juventutem egit erroribus, imo + furoribus, plenam. And yet he was the ablest emperor, almost, of all the + list. But reposed natures may do well in youth. As it is seen in Augustus + Caesar, Cosmus Duke of Florence, Gaston de Foix, and others. On the other + side, heat and vivacity in age, is an excellent composition for business. + Young men are fitter to invent, than to judge; fitter for execution, than + for counsel; and fitter for new projects, than for settled business. For + the experience of age, in things that fall within the compass of it, + directeth them; but in new things, abuseth them. + </p> + <p> + The errors of young men, are the ruin of business; but the errors of aged + men, amount but to this, that more might have been done, or sooner. Young + men, in the conduct and manage of actions, embrace more than they can + hold; stir more than they can quiet; fly to the end, without consideration + of the means and degrees; pursue some few principles, which they have + chanced upon absurdly; care not to innovate, which draws unknown + inconveniences; use extreme remedies at first; and, that which doubleth + all errors, will not acknowledge or retract them; like an unready horse, + that will neither stop nor turn. Men of age object too much, consult too + long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business + home to the full period, but content themselves with a mediocrity of + success. Certainly it is good to compound employments of both; for that + will be good for the present, because the virtues of either age, may + correct the defects of both; and good for succession, that young men may + be learners, while men in age are actors; and, lastly, good for extern + accidents, because authority followeth old men, and favor and popularity, + youth. But for the moral part, perhaps youth will have the pre-eminence, + as age hath for the politic. A certain rabbin, upon the text, Your young + men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams, inferreth that + young men, are admitted nearer to God than old, because vision, is a + clearer revelation, than a dream. And certainly, the more a man drinketh + of the world, the more it intoxicateth; and age doth profit rather in the + powers of understanding, than in the virtues of the will and affections. + There be some, have an over-early ripeness in their years, which fadeth + betimes. These are, first, such as have brittle wits, the edge whereof is + soon turned; such as was Hermogenes the rhetorician, whose books are + exceeding subtle; who afterwards waxed stupid. A second sort, is of those + that have some natural dispositions which have better grace in youth, than + in age; such as is a fluent and luxuriant speech; which becomes youth + well, but not age: so Tully saith of Hortensius, Idem manebat, neque idem + decebat. The third is of such, as take too high a strain at the first, and + are magnanimous, more than tract of years can uphold. As was Scipio + Africanus, of whom Livy saith in effect, Ultima primis cedebant. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Beauty + </h2> + <p> + VIRTUE is like a rich stone, best plain set; and surely virtue is best, in + a body that is comely, though not of delicate features; and that hath + rather dignity of presence, than beauty of aspect. Neither is it almost + seen, that very beautiful persons are otherwise of great virtue; as if + nature were rather busy, not to err, than in labor to produce excellency. + And therefore they prove accomplished, but not of great spirit; and study + rather behavior, than virtue. But this holds not always: for Augustus + Caesar, Titus Vespasianus, Philip le Belle of France, Edward the Fourth of + England, Alcibiades of Athens, Ismael the Sophy of Persia, were all high + and great spirits; and yet the most beautiful men of their times. In + beauty, that of favor, is more than that of color; and that of decent and + gracious motion, more than that of favor. That is the best part of beauty, + which a picture cannot express; no, nor the first sight of the life. There + is no excellent beauty, that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. + A man cannot tell whether Apelles, or Albert Durer, were the more trifler; + whereof the one, would make a personage by geometrical proportions; the + other, by taking the best parts out of divers faces, to make one + excellent. Such personages, I think, would please nobody, but the painter + that made them. Not but I think a painter may make a better face than ever + was; but he must do it by a kind of felicity (as a musician that maketh an + excellent air in music), and not by rule. A man shall see faces, that if + you examine them part by part, you shall find never a good; and yet + altogether do well. If it be true that the principal part of beauty is in + decent motion, certainly it is no marvel, though persons in years seem + many times more amiable; pulchrorum autumnus pulcher; for no youth can be + comely but by pardon, and considering the youth, as to make up the + comeliness. Beauty is as summer fruits, which are easy to corrupt, and + cannot last; and for the most part it makes a dissolute youth, and an age + a little out of countenance; but yet certainly again, if it light well, it + maketh virtue shine, and vices blush. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Deformity + </h2> + <p> + DEFORMED persons are commonly even with nature; for as nature hath done + ill by them, so do they by nature; being for the most part (as the + Scripture saith) void of natural affection; and so they have their revenge + of nature. Certainly there is a consent, between the body and the mind; + and where nature erreth in the one, she ventureth in the other. Ubi peccat + in uno, periclitatur in altero. But because there is, in man, an election + touching the frame of his mind, and a necessity in the frame of his body, + the stars of natural inclination are sometimes obscured, by the sun of + discipline and virtue. Therefore it is good to consider of deformity, not + as a sign, which is more deceivable; but as a cause, which seldom faileth + of the effect. Whosoever hath anything fixed in his person, that doth + induce contempt, hath also a perpetual spur in himself, to rescue and + deliver himself from scorn. Therefore all deformed persons, are extreme + bold. First, as in their own defence, as being exposed to scorn; but in + process of time, by a general habit. Also it stirreth in them industry, + and especially of this kind, to watch and observe the weakness of others, + that they may have somewhat to repay. Again, in their superiors, it + quencheth jealousy towards them, as persons that they think they may, at + pleasure, despise: and it layeth their competitors and emulators asleep; + as never believing they should be in possibility of advancement, till they + see them in possession. So that upon the matter, in a great wit, deformity + is an advantage to rising. Kings in ancient times (and at this present in + some countries) were wont to put great trust in eunuchs; because they that + are envious towards all are more obnoxious and officious, towards one. But + yet their trust towards them, hath rather been as to good spials, and good + whisperers, than good magistrates and officers. And much like is the + reason of deformed persons. Still the ground is, they will, if they be of + spirit, seek to free themselves from scorn; which must be either by virtue + or malice; and therefore let it not be marvelled, if sometimes they prove + excellent persons; as was Agesilaus, Zanger the son of Solyman, AEsop, + Gasca, President of Peru; and Socrates may go likewise amongst them; with + others. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Building + </h2> + <p> + HOUSES are built to live in, and not to look on; therefore let use be + preferred before uniformity, except where both may be had. Leave the + goodly fabrics of houses, for beauty only, to the enchanted palaces of the + poets; who build them with small cost. He that builds a fair house, upon + an ill seat, committeth himself to prison. Neither do I reckon it an ill + seat, only where the air is unwholesome; but likewise where the air is + unequal; as you shall see many fine seats set upon a knap of ground, + environed with higher hills round about it; whereby the heat of the sun is + pent in, and the wind gathereth as in troughs; so as you shall have, and + that suddenly, as great diversity of heat and cold as if you dwelt in + several places. Neither is it ill air only that maketh an ill seat, but + ill ways, ill markets; and, if you will consult with Momus, ill neighbors. + I speak not of many more; want of water; want of wood, shade, and shelter; + want of fruitfulness, and mixture of grounds of several natures; want of + prospect; want of level grounds; want of places at some near distance for + sports of hunting, hawking, and races; too near the sea, too remote; + having the commodity of navigable rivers, or the discommodity of their + overflowing; too far off from great cities, which may hinder business, or + too near them, which lurcheth all provisions, and maketh everything dear; + where a man hath a great living laid together, and where he is scanted: + all which, as it is impossible perhaps to find together, so it is good to + know them, and think of them, that a man may take as many as he can; and + if he have several dwellings, that he sort them so that what he wanteth in + the one, he may find in the other. Lucullus answered Pompey well; who, + when he saw his stately galleries, and rooms so large and lightsome, in + one of his houses, said, Surely an excellent place for summer, but how do + you in winter? Lucullus answered, Why, do you not think me as wise as some + fowl are, that ever change their abode towards the winter? + </p> + <p> + To pass from the seat, to the house itself; we will do as Cicero doth in + the orator's art; who writes books De Oratore, and a book he entitles + Orator; whereof the former, delivers the precepts of the art, and the + latter, the perfection. We will therefore describe a princely palace, + making a brief model thereof. For it is strange to see, now in Europe, + such huge buildings as the Vatican and Escurial and some others be, and + yet scarce a very fair room in them. + </p> + <p> + First, therefore, I say you cannot have a perfect palace except you have + two several sides; a side for the banquet, as it is spoken of in the book + of Hester, and a side for the household; the one for feasts and triumphs, + and the other for dwelling. I understand both these sides to be not only + returns, but parts of the front; and to be uniform without, though + severally partitioned within; and to be on both sides of a great and + stately tower, in the midst of the front, that, as it were, joineth them + together on either hand. I would have on the side of the banquet, in + front, one only goodly room above stairs, of some forty foot high; and + under it a room for a dressing, or preparing place, at times of triumphs. + On the other side, which is the household side, I wish it divided at the + first, into a hall and a chapel (with a partition between); both of good + state and bigness; and those not to go all the length, but to have at the + further end, a winter and a summer parlor, both fair. And under these + rooms, a fair and large cellar, sunk under ground; and likewise some privy + kitchens, with butteries and pantries, and the like. As for the tower, I + would have it two stories, of eighteen foot high apiece, above the two + wings; and a goodly leads upon the top, railed with statuas interposed; + and the same tower to be divided into rooms, as shall be thought fit. The + stairs likewise to the upper rooms, let them be upon a fair open newel, + and finely railed in, with images of wood, cast into a brass color; and a + very fair landing-place at the top. But this to be, if you do not point + any of the lower rooms, for a dining place of servants. For otherwise, you + shall have the servants' dinner after your own: for the steam of it, will + come up as in a tunnel. And so much for the front. Only I understand the + height of the first stairs to be sixteen foot, which is the height of the + lower room. + </p> + <p> + Beyond this front, is there to be a fair court, but three sides of it, of + a far lower building than the front. And in all the four corners of that + court, fair staircases, cast into turrets, on the outside, and not within + the row of buildings themselves. But those towers, are not to be of the + height of the front, but rather proportionable to the lower building. Let + the court not be paved, for that striketh up a great heat in summer, and + much cold in winter. But only some side alleys, with a cross, and the + quarters to graze, being kept shorn, but not too near shorn. The row of + return on the banquet side, let it be all stately galleries: in which + galleries let there be three, or five, fine cupolas in the length of it, + placed at equal distance; and fine colored windows of several works. On + the household side, chambers of presence and ordinary entertainments, with + some bed-chambers; and let all three sides be a double house, without + thorough lights on the sides, that you may have rooms from the sun, both + for forenoon and afternoon. Cast it also, that you may have rooms, both + for summer and winter; shady for summer, and warm for winter. You shall + have sometimes fair houses so full of glass, that one cannot tell where to + become, to be out of the sun or cold. For inbowed windows, I hold them of + good use (in cities, indeed, upright do better, in respect of the + uniformity towards the street); for they be pretty retiring places for + conference; and besides, they keep both the wind and sun off; for that + which would strike almost through the room, doth scarce pass the window. + But let them be but few, four in the court, on the sides only. + </p> + <p> + Beyond this court, let there be an inward court, of the same square and + height; which is to be environed with the garden on all sides; and in the + inside, cloistered on all sides, upon decent and beautiful arches, as high + as the first story. On the under story, towards the garden, let it be + turned to a grotto, or a place of shade, or estivation. And only have + opening and windows towards the garden; and be level upon the floor, no + whit sunken under ground, to avoid all dampishness. And let there be a + fountain, or some fair work of statuas, in the midst of this court; and to + be paved as the other court was. These buildings to be for privy lodgings + on both sides; and the end for privy galleries. Whereof you must foresee + that one of them be for an infirmary, if the prince or any special person + should be sick, with chambers, bed-chamber, antecamera, and recamera + joining to it. This upon the second story. Upon the ground story, a fair + gallery, open, upon pillars; and upon the third story likewise, an open + gallery, upon pillars, to take the prospect and freshness of the garden. + At both corners of the further side, by way of return, let there be two + delicate or rich cabinets, daintily paved, richly hanged, glazed with + crystalline glass, and a rich cupola in the midst; and all other elegancy + that may be thought upon. In the upper gallery too, I wish that there may + be, if the place will yield it, some fountains running in divers places + from the wall, with some fine avoidances. And thus much for the model of + the palace; save that you must have, before you come to the front, three + courts. A green court plain, with a wall about it; a second court of the + same, but more garnished, with little turrets, or rather embellishments, + upon the wall; and a third court, to make a square with the front, but not + to be built, nor yet enclosed with a naked wall, but enclosed with + terraces, leaded aloft, and fairly garnished, on the three sides; and + cloistered on the inside, with pillars, and not with arches below. As for + offices, let them stand at distance, with some low galleries, to pass from + them to the palace itself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Gardens + </h2> + <p> + GOD Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed it is the purest of human + pleasures. It is the greatest refreshment to the spirits of man; without + which, buildings and palaces are but gross handiworks; and a man shall + ever see, that when ages grow to civility and elegancy, men come to build + stately sooner than to garden finely; as if gardening were the greater + perfection. I do hold it, in the royal ordering of gardens, there ought to + be gardens, for all the months in the year; in which severally things of + beauty may be then in season. For December, and January, and the latter + part of November, you must take such things as are green all winter: + holly; ivy; bays; juniper; cypress-trees; yew; pine-apple-trees; + fir-trees; rosemary; lavender; periwinkle, the white, the purple, and the + blue; germander; flags; orange-trees; lemon-trees; and myrtles, if they be + stoved; and sweet marjoram, warm set. There followeth, for the latter part + of January and February, the mezereon-tree, which then blossoms; crocus + vernus, both the yellow and the grey; primroses, anemones; the early + tulippa; hyacinthus orientalis; chamairis; fritellaria. For March, there + come violets, specially the single blue, which are the earliest; the + yellow daffodil; the daisy; the almond-tree in blossom; the peach-tree in + blossom; the cornelian-tree in blossom; sweet-briar. In April follow the + double white violet; the wallflower; the stock-gilliflower; the cowslip; + flowerdelices, and lilies of all natures; rosemary-flowers; the tulippa; + the double peony; the pale daffodil; the French honeysuckle; the + cherry-tree in blossom; the damson and plum-trees in blossom; the white + thorn in leaf; the lilac-tree. In May and June come pinks of all sorts, + specially the blushpink; roses of all kinds, except the musk, which comes + later; honeysuckles; strawberries; bugloss; columbine; the French + marigold, flos Africanus; cherry-tree in fruit; ribes; figs in fruit; + rasps; vineflowers; lavender in flowers; the sweet satyrian, with the + white flower; herba muscaria; lilium convallium; the apple-tree in + blossom. In July come gilliflowers of all varieties; musk-roses; the + lime-tree in blossom; early pears and plums in fruit; jennetings, codlins. + In August come plums of all sorts in fruit; pears; apricocks; berberries; + filberds; musk-melons; monks-hoods, of all colors. In September come + grapes; apples; poppies of all colors; peaches; melocotones; nectarines; + cornelians; wardens; quinces. In October and the beginning of November + come services; medlars; bullaces; roses cut or removed to come late; + hollyhocks; and such like. These particulars are for the climate of + London; but my meaning is perceived, that you may have ver perpetuum, as + the place affords. + </p> + <p> + And because the breath of flowers is far sweeter in the air (where it + comes and goes like the warbling of music) than in the hand, therefore + nothing is more fit for that delight, than to know what be the flowers and + plants that do best perfume the air. Roses, damask and red, are fast + flowers of their smells; so that you may walk by a whole row of them, and + find nothing of their sweetness; yea though it be in a morning's dew. Bays + likewise yield no smell as they grow. Rosemary little; nor sweet marjoram. + That which above all others yields the sweetest smell in the air is the + violet, specially the white double violet, which comes twice a year; about + the middle of April, and about Bartholomew-tide. Next to that is the + musk-rose. Then the strawberry-leaves dying, which yield a most excellent + cordial smell. Then the flower of vines; it is a little dust, like the + dust of a bent, which grows upon the cluster in the first coming forth. + Then sweet-briar. Then wall-flowers, which are very delightful to be set + under a parlor or lower chamber window. Then pinks and gilliflowers, + especially the matted pink and clove gilliflower. Then the flowers of the + lime-tree. Then the honeysuckles, so they be somewhat afar off. Of + beanflowers I speak not, because they are field flowers. But those which + perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, but being + trodden upon and crushed, are three; that is, burnet, wildthyme, and + watermints. Therefore you are to set whole alleys of them, to have the + pleasure when you walk or tread. + </p> + <p> + For gardens (speaking of those which are indeed princelike, as we have + done of buildings), the contents ought not well to be under thirty acres + of ground; and to be divided into three parts; a green in the entrance; a + heath or desert in the going forth; and the main garden in the midst; + besides alleys on both sides. And I like well that four acres of ground be + assigned to the green; six to the heath; four and four to either side; and + twelve to the main garden. The green hath two pleasures: the one, because + nothing is more pleasant to the eye than green grass kept finely shorn; + the other, because it will give you a fair alley in the midst, by which + you may go in front upon a stately hedge, which is to enclose the garden. + But because the alley will be long, and, in great heat of the year or day, + you ought not to buy the shade in the garden, by going in the sun through + the green, therefore you are, of either side the green, to plant a covert + alley upon carpenter's work, about twelve foot in height, by which you may + go in shade into the garden. As for the making of knots or figures, with + divers colored earths, that they may lie under the windows of the house on + that side which the garden stands, they be but toys; you may see as good + sights, many times, in tarts. The garden is best to be square, encompassed + on all the four sides with a stately arched hedge. The arches to be upon + pillars of carpenter's work, of some ten foot high, and six foot broad; + and the spaces between of the same dimension with the breadth of the arch. + Over the arches let there be an entire hedge of some four foot high, + framed also upon carpenter's work; and upon the upper hedge, over every + arch, a little turret, with a belly, enough to receive a cage of birds: + and over every space between the arches some other little figure, with + broad plates of round colored glass gilt, for the sun to play upon. But + this hedge I intend to be raised upon a bank, not steep, but gently slope, + of some six foot, set all with flowers. Also I understand, that this + square of the garden, should not be the whole breadth of the ground, but + to leave on either side, ground enough for diversity of side alleys; unto + which the two covert alleys of the green, may deliver you. But there must + be no alleys with hedges, at either end of this great enclosure; not at + the hither end, for letting your prospect upon this fair hedge from the + green; nor at the further end, for letting your prospect from the hedge, + through the arches upon the heath. + </p> + <p> + For the ordering of the ground, within the great hedge, I leave it to + variety of device; advising nevertheless, that whatsoever form you cast it + into, first, it be not too busy, or full of work. Wherein I, for my part, + do not like images cut out in juniper or other garden stuff; they be for + children. Little low hedges, round, like welts, with some pretty pyramids, + I like well; and in some places, fair columns upon frames of carpenter's + work. I would also have the alleys, spacious and fair. You may have closer + alleys, upon the side grounds, but none in the main garden. I wish also, + in the very middle, a fair mount, with three ascents, and alleys, enough + for four to walk abreast; which I would have to be perfect circles, + without any bulwarks or embossments; and the whole mount to be thirty foot + high; and some fine banqueting-house, with some chimneys neatly cast, and + without too much glass. + </p> + <p> + For fountains, they are a great beauty and refreshment; but pools mar all, + and make the garden unwholesome, and full of flies and frogs. Fountains I + intend to be of two natures: the one that sprinkleth or spouteth water; + the other a fair receipt of water, of some thirty or forty foot square, + but without fish, or slime, or mud. For the first, the ornaments of images + gilt, or of marble, which are in use, do well: but the main matter is so + to convey the water, as it never stay, either in the bowls or in the + cistern; that the water be never by rest discolored, green or red or the + like; or gather any mossiness or putrefaction. Besides that, it is to be + cleansed every day by the hand. Also some steps up to it, and some fine + pavement about it, doth well. As for the other kind of fountain, which we + may call a bathing pool, it may admit much curiosity and beauty; wherewith + we will not trouble ourselves: as, that the bottom be finely paved, and + with images; the sides likewise; and withal embellished with colored + glass, and such things of lustre; encompassed also with fine rails of low + statuas. But the main point is the same which we mentioned in the former + kind of fountain; which is, that the water be in perpetual motion, fed by + a water higher than the pool, and delivered into it by fair spouts, and + then discharged away under ground, by some equality of bores, that it stay + little. And for fine devices, of arching water without spilling, and + making it rise in several forms (of feathers, drinking glasses, canopies, + and the like), they be pretty things to look on, but nothing to health and + sweetness. + </p> + <p> + For the heath, which was the third part of our plot, I wish it to be + framed, as much as may be, to a natural wildness. Trees I would have none + in it, but some thickets made only of sweet-briar and honeysuckle, and + some wild vine amongst; and the ground set with violets, strawberries, and + primroses. For these are sweet, and prosper in the shade. And these to be + in the heath, here and there, not in any order. I like also little heaps, + in the nature of mole-hills (such as are in wild heaths), to be set, some + with wild thyme; some with pinks; some with germander, that gives a good + flower to the eye; some with periwinkle; some with violets; some with + strawberries; some with cowslips; some with daisies; some with red roses; + some with lilium convallium; some with sweet-williams red; some with + bear's-foot: and the like low flowers, being withal sweet and sightly. + Part of which heaps, are to be with standards of little bushes pricked + upon their top, and part without. The standards to be roses; juniper; + holly; berberries (but here and there, because of the smell of their + blossoms); red currants; gooseberries; rosemary; bays; sweetbriar; and + such like. But these standards to be kept with cutting, that they grow not + out of course. + </p> + <p> + For the side grounds, you are to fill them with variety of alleys, + private, to give a full shade, some of them, wheresoever the sun be. You + are to frame some of them, likewise, for shelter, that when the wind blows + sharp you may walk as in a gallery. And those alleys must be likewise + hedged at both ends, to keep out the wind; and these closer alleys must be + ever finely gravelled, and no grass, because of going wet. In many of + these alleys, likewise, you are to set fruit-trees of all sorts; as well + upon the walls, as in ranges. And this would be generally observed, that + the borders wherein you plant your fruit-trees, be fair and large, and + low, and not steep; and set with fine flowers, but thin and sparingly, + lest they deceive the trees. At the end of both the side grounds, I would + have a mount of some pretty height, leaving the wall of the enclosure + breast high, to look abroad into the fields. + </p> + <p> + For the main garden, I do not deny, but there should be some fair alleys + ranged on both sides, with fruit-trees; and some pretty tufts of + fruit-trees, and arbors with seats, set in some decent order; but these to + be by no means set too thick; but to leave the main garden so as it be not + close, but the air open and free. For as for shade, I would have you rest + upon the alleys of the side grounds, there to walk, if you be disposed, in + the heat of the year or day; but to make account, that the main garden is + for the more temperate parts of the year; and in the heat of summer, for + the morning and the evening, or overcast days. + </p> + <p> + For aviaries, I like them not, except they be of that largeness as they + may be turfed, and have living plants and bushes set in them; that the + birds may have more scope, and natural nesting, and that no foulness + appear in the floor of the aviary. So I have made a platform of a princely + garden, partly by precept, partly by drawing, not a model, but some + general lines of it; and in this I have spared for no cost. But it is + nothing for great princes, that for the most part taking advice with + workmen, with no less cost set their things together; and sometimes add + statuas and such things for state and magnificence, but nothing to the + true pleasure of a garden. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Negotiating + </h2> + <p> + IT IS generally better to deal by speech than by letter; and by the + mediation of a third than by a man's self. Letters are good, when a man + would draw an answer by letter back again; or when it may serve for a + man's justification afterwards to produce his own letter; or where it may + be danger to be interrupted, or heard by pieces. To deal in person is + good, when a man's face breedeth regard, as commonly with inferiors; or in + tender cases, where a man's eye, upon the countenance of him with whom he + speaketh, may give him a direction how far to go; and generally, where a + man will reserve to himself liberty, either to disavow or to expound. In + choice of instruments, it is better to choose men of a plainer sort, that + are like to do that, that is committed to them, and to report back again + faithfully the success, than those that are cunning, to contrive, out of + other men's business, somewhat to grace themselves, and will help the + matter in report for satisfaction's sake. Use also such persons as affect + the business, wherein they are employed; for that quickeneth much; and + such, as are fit for the matter; as bold men for expostulation, + fair-spoken men for persuasion, crafty men for inquiry and observation, + froward, and absurd men, for business that doth not well bear out itself. + Use also such as have been lucky, and prevailed before, in things wherein + you have employed them; for that breeds confidence, and they will strive + to maintain their prescription. It is better to sound a person, with whom + one deals afar off, than to fall upon the point at first; except you mean + to surprise him by some short question. It is better dealing with men in + appetite, than with those that are where they would be. If a man deal with + another upon conditions, the start or first performance is all; which a + man cannot reasonably demand, except either the nature of the thing be + such, which must go before; or else a man can persuade the other party, + that he shall still need him in some other thing; or else that he be + counted the honester man. All practice is to discover, or to work. Men + discover themselves in trust, in passion, at unawares, and of necessity, + when they would have somewhat done, and cannot find an apt pretext. If you + would work any man, you must either know his nature and fashions, and so + lead him; or his ends, and so persuade him; or his weakness and + disadvantages, and so awe him; or those that have interest in him, and so + govern him. In dealing with cunning persons, we must ever consider their + ends, to interpret their speeches; and it is good to say little to them, + and that which they least look for. In all negotiations of difficulty, a + man may not look to sow and reap at once; but must prepare business, and + so ripen it by degrees. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Followers And Friends + </h2> + <p> + COSTLY followers are not to be liked; lest while a man maketh his train + longer, he make his wings shorter. I reckon to be costly, not them alone + which charge the purse, but which are wearisome, and importune in suits. + Ordinary followers ought to challenge no higher conditions, than + countenance, recommendation, and protection from wrongs. Factious + followers are worse to be liked, which follow not upon affection to him, + with whom they range themselves, but upon discontentment conceived against + some other; whereupon commonly ensueth that ill intelligence, that we many + times see between great personages. Likewise glorious followers, who make + themselves as trumpets of the commendation of those they follow, are full + of inconvenience; for they taint business through want of secrecy; and + they export honor from a man, and make him a return in envy. There is a + kind of followers likewise, which are dangerous, being indeed espials; + which inquire the secrets of the house, and bear tales of them, to others. + Yet such men, many times, are in great favor; for they are officious, and + commonly exchange tales. The following by certain estates of men, + answerable to that, which a great person himself professeth (as of + soldiers, to him that hath been employed in the wars, and the like), hath + ever been a thing civil, and well taken, even in monarchies; so it be + without too much pomp or popularity. But the most honorable kind of + following, is to be followed as one, that apprehendeth to advance virtue, + and desert, in all sorts of persons. And yet, where there is no eminent + odds in sufficiency, it is better to take with the more passable, than + with the more able. And besides, to speak truth, in base times, active men + are of more use than virtuous. It is true that in government, it is good + to use men of one rank equally: for to countenance some extraordinarily, + is to make them insolent, and the rest discontent; because they may claim + a due. But contrariwise, in favor, to use men with much difference and + election is good; for it maketh the persons preferred more thankful, and + the rest more officious: because all is of favor. It is good discretion, + not to make too much of any man at the first; because one cannot hold out + that proportion. To be governed (as we call it) by one is not safe; for it + shows softness, and gives a freedom, to scandal and disreputation; for + those, that would not censure or speak ill of a man immediately, will talk + more boldly of those that are so great with them, and thereby wound their + honor. Yet to be distracted with many is worse; for it makes men to be of + the last impression, and full of change. To take advice of some few + friends, is ever honorable; for lookers-on many times see more than + gamesters; and the vale best discovereth the hill. There is little + friendship in the world, and least of all between equals, which was wont + to be magnified. That that is, is between superior and inferior, whose + fortunes may comprehend the one the other. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0049" id="link2H_4_0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Suitors + </h2> + <p> + MANY ill matters and projects are undertaken; and private suits do putrefy + the public good. Many good matters, are undertaken with bad minds; I mean + not only corrupt minds, but crafty minds, that intend not performance. + Some embrace suits, which never mean to deal effectually in them; but if + they see there may be life in the matter, by some other mean, they will be + content to win a thank, or take a second reward, or at least to make use, + in the meantime, of the suitor's hopes. Some take hold of suits, only for + an occasion to cross some other; or to make an information, whereof they + could not otherwise have apt pretext; without care what become of the + suit, when that turn is served; or, generally, to make other men's + business a kind of entertainment, to bring in their own. Nay, some + undertake suits, with a full purpose to let them fall; to the end to + gratify the adverse party, or competitor. Surely there is in some sort a + right in every suit; either a right of equity, if it be a suit of + controversy; or a right of desert, if it be a suit of petition. If + affection lead a man to favor the wrong side in justice, let him rather + use his countenance to compound the matter, than to carry it. If affection + lead a man to favor the less worthy in desert, let him do it, without + depraving or disabling the better deserver. In suits which a man doth not + well understand, it is good to refer them to some friend of trust and + judgment, that may report, whether he may deal in them with honor: but let + him choose well his referendaries, for else he may be led by the nose. + Suitors are so distasted with delays and abuses, that plain dealing, in + denying to deal in suits at first, and reporting the success barely, and + in challenging no more thanks than one hath deserved, is grown not only + honorable, but also gracious. In suits of favor, the first coming ought to + take little place: so far forth, consideration may be had of his trust, + that if intelligence of the matter could not otherwise have been had, but + by him, advantage be not taken of the note, but the party left to his + other means; and in some sort recompensed, for his discovery. To be + ignorant of the value of a suit, is simplicity; as well as to be ignorant + of the right thereof, is want of conscience. Secrecy in suits, is a great + mean of obtaining; for voicing them to be in forwardness, may discourage + some kind of suitors, but doth quicken and awake others. But timing of the + suit is the principal. Timing, I say, not only in respect of the person + that should grant it, but in respect of those, which are like to cross it. + Let a man, in the choice of his mean, rather choose the fittest mean, than + the greatest mean; and rather them that deal in certain things, than those + that are general. The reparation of a denial, is sometimes equal to the + first grant; if a man show himself neither dejected nor discontented. + Iniquum petas ut aequum feras is a good rule, where a man hath strength of + favor: but otherwise, a man were better rise in his suit; for he, that + would have ventured at first to have lost the suitor, will not in the + conclusion lose both the suitor, and his own former favor. Nothing is + thought so easy a request to a great person, as his letter; and yet, if it + be not in a good cause, it is so much out of his reputation. There are no + worse instruments, than these general contrivers of suits; for they are + but a kind of poison, and infection, to public proceedings. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0050" id="link2H_4_0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Studies + </h2> + <p> + STUDIES serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use + for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in + discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment, and disposition of + business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, + one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of + affairs, come best, from those that are learned. To spend too much time in + studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to + make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They + perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are + like natural plants, that need proyning, by study; and studies themselves, + do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by + experience. Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise + men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom + without them, and above them, won by observation. Read not to contradict + and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and + discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others + to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some + books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; + and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some + books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but + that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of + books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy + things. Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an + exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great + memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he + read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know, that he doth + not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtile; + natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. + Abeunt studia in mores. Nay, there is no stond or impediment in the wit, + but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body, may + have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; + shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding + for the head; and the like. So if a man's wit be wandering, let him study + the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so + little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find + differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini sectores. If + he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and + illustrate another, let him study the lawyers' cases. So every defect + of the mind, may have a special receipt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Faction + </h2> + <p> + MANY have an opinion not wise, that for a prince to govern his estate, or + for a great person to govern his proceedings, according to the respect of + factions, is a principal part of policy; whereas contrariwise, the + chiefest wisdom, is either in ordering those things which are general, and + wherein men of several factions do nevertheless agree; or in dealing with + correspondence to particular persons, one by one. But I say not that the + considerations of factions, is to be neglected. Mean men, in their rising, + must adhere; but great men, that have strength in themselves, were better + to maintain themselves indifferent, and neutral. Yet even in beginners, to + adhere so moderately, as he be a man of the one faction, which is most + passable with the other, commonly giveth best way. The lower and weaker + faction, is the firmer in conjunction; and it is often seen, that a few + that are stiff, do tire out a greater number, that are more moderate. When + one of the factions is extinguished, the remaining subdivideth; as the + faction between Lucullus, and the rest of the nobles of the senate (which + they called Optimates) held out awhile, against the faction of Pompey and + Caesar; but when the senate's authority was pulled down, Caesar and Pompey + soon after brake. The faction or party of Antonius and Octavianus Caesar, + against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a time; but when Brutus + and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after, Antonius and Octavianus + brake and subdivided. These examples are of wars, but the same holdeth in + private factions. And therefore, those that are seconds in factions, do + many times, when the faction subdivideth, prove principals; but many times + also, they prove ciphers and cashiered; for many a man's strength is in + opposition; and when that faileth, he groweth out of use. It is commonly + seen, that men, once placed, take in with the contrary faction, to that by + which they enter: thinking belike, that they have the first sure, and now + are ready for a new purchase. The traitor in faction, lightly goeth away + with it; for when matters have stuck long in balancing, the winning of + some one man casteth them, and he getteth all the thanks. The even + carriage between two factions, proceedeth not always of moderation, but of + a trueness to a man's self, with end to make use of both. Certainly in + Italy, they hold it a little suspect in popes, when they have often in + their mouth Padre commune: and take it to be a sign of one, that meaneth + to refer all to the greatness of his own house. Kings had need beware, how + they side themselves, and make themselves as of a faction or party; for + leagues within the state, are ever pernicious to monarchies: for they + raise an obligation, paramount to obligation of sovereignty, and make the + king tanquam unus ex nobis; as was to be seen in the League of France. + When factions are carried too high and too violently, it is a sign of + weakness in princes; and much to the prejudice, both of their authority + and business. The motions of factions under kings ought to be, like the + motions (as the astronomers speak) of the inferior orbs, which may have + their proper motions, but yet still are quietly carried, by the higher + motion of primum mobile. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Ceremonies, And Respects + </h2> + <p> + HE THAT is only real, had need have exceeding great parts of virtue; as + the stone had need to be rich, that is set without foil. But if a man mark + it well, it is, in praise and commendation of men, as it is in gettings + and gains: for the proverb is true, That light gains make heavy purses; + for light gains come thick, whereas great, come but now and then. So it is + true, that small matters win great commendation, because they are + continually in use and in note: whereas the occasion of any great virtue, + cometh but on festivals. Therefore it doth much add to a man's reputation, + and is (as Queen Isabella said) like perpetual letters commendatory, to + have good forms. To attain them, it almost sufficeth not to despise them; + for so shall a man observe them in others; and let him trust himself with + the rest. For if he labor too much to express them, he shall lose their + grace; which is to be natural and unaffected. Some men's behavior is like + a verse, wherein every syllable is measured; how can a man comprehend + great matters, that breaketh his mind too much, to small observations? Not + to use ceremonies at all, is to teach others not to use them again; and so + diminisheth respect to himself; especially they be not to be omitted, to + strangers and formal natures; but the dwelling upon them, and exalting + them above the moon, is not only tedious, but doth diminish the faith and + credit of him that speaks. And certainly, there is a kind of conveying, of + effectual and imprinting passages amongst compliments, which is of + singular use, if a man can hit upon it. Amongst a man's peers, a man shall + be sure of familiarity; and therefore it is good, a little to keep state. + Amongst a man's inferiors one shall be sure of reverence; and therefore it + is good, a little to be familiar. He that is too much in anything, so that + he giveth another occasion of satiety, maketh himself cheap. To apply + one's self to others, is good; so it be with demonstration, that a man + doth it upon regard, and not upon facility. It is a good precept + generally, in seconding another, yet to add somewhat of one's own: as if + you will grant his opinion, let it be with some distinction; if you will + follow his motion, let it be with condition; if you allow his counsel, let + it be with alleging further reason. Men had need beware, how they be too + perfect in compliments; for be they never so sufficient otherwise, their + enviers will be sure to give them that attribute, to the disadvantage of + their greater virtues. It is loss also in business, to be too full of + respects, or to be curious, in observing times and opportunities. Solomon + saith, He that considereth the wind, shall not sow, and he that looketh to + the clouds, shall not reap. A wise man will make more opportunities, than + he finds. Men's behavior should be, like their apparel, not too strait or + point device, but free for exercise or motion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Praise + </h2> + <p> + PRAISE is the reflection of virtue; but it is as the glass or body, which + giveth the reflection. If it be from the common people, it is commonly + false and naught; and rather followeth vain persons, than virtuous. For + the common people understand not many excellent virtues. The lowest + virtues draw praise from them; the middle virtues work in them + astonishment or admiration; but of the highest virtues, they have no sense + of perceiving at all. But shows, and species virtutibus similes, serve + best with them. Certainly fame is like a river, that beareth up things + light and swoln, and drowns things weighty and solid. But if persons of + quality and judgment concur, then it is (as the Scripture saith) nomen + bonum instar unguenti fragrantis. It fireth all round about, and will not + easily away. For the odors of ointments are more durable, than those of + flowers. There be so many false points of praise, that a man may justly + hold it a suspect. Some praises proceed merely of flattery; and if he be + an ordinary flatterer, he will have certain common attributes, which may + serve every man; if he be a cunning flatterer, he will follow the + archflatterer, which is a man's self; and wherein a man thinketh best of + himself, therein the flatterer will uphold him most: but if he be an + impudent flatterer, look wherein a man is conscious to himself, that he is + most defective, and is most out of countenance in himself, that will the + flatterer entitle him to perforce, spreta conscientia. Some praises come + of good wishes and respects, which is a form due, in civility, to kings + and great persons, laudando praecipere, when by telling men what they are, + they represent to them, what they should be. Some men are praised + maliciously, to their hurt, thereby to stir envy and jealousy towards + them: pessimum genus inimicorum laudantium; insomuch as it was a proverb, + amongst the Grecians, that he that was praised to his hurt, should have a + push rise upon his nose; as we say, that a blister will rise upon one's + tongue, that tells a lie. Certainly moderate praise, used with + opportunity, and not vulgar, is that which doth the good. Solomon saith, + He that praiseth his friend aloud, rising early, it shall be to him no + better than a curse. Too much magnifying of man or matter, doth irritate + contradiction, and procure envy and scorn. To praise a man's self, cannot + be decent, except it be in rare cases; but to praise a man's office or + profession, he may do it with good grace, and with a kind of magnanimity. + The cardinals of Rome, which are theologues, and friars, and Schoolmen, + have a phrase of notable contempt and scorn towards civil business: for + they call all temporal business of wars, embassages, judicature, and other + employments, sbirrerie, which is under-sheriffries; as if they were but + matters, for under-sheriffs and catchpoles: though many times those + under-sheriffries do more good, than their high speculations. St. Paul, + when he boasts of himself, he doth oft interlace, I speak like a fool; but + speaking of his calling, he saith, magnificabo apostolatum meum. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0054" id="link2H_4_0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Vain-glory + </h2> + <p> + IT WAS prettily devised of AEsop, The fly sat upon the axle-tree of the + chariot wheel, and said, What a dust do I raise! So are there some vain + persons, that whatsoever goeth alone, or moveth upon greater means, if + they have never so little hand in it, they think it is they that carry it. + They that are glorious, must needs be factious; for all bravery stands + upon comparisons. They must needs be violent, to make good their own + vaunts. Neither can they be secret, and therefore not effectual; but + according to the French proverb, Beaucoup de bruit, peu de fruit; Much + bruit little fruit. Yet certainly, there is use of this quality in civil + affairs. Where there is an opinion and fame to be created, either of + virtue or greatness, these men are good trumpeters. Again, as Titus Livius + noteth, in the case of Antiochus and the AEtolians, There are sometimes + great effects, of cross lies; as if a man, that negotiates between two + princes, to draw them to join in a war against the third, doth extol the + forces of either of them, above measure, the one to the other: and + sometimes he that deals between man and man, raiseth his own credit with + both, by pretending greater interest than he hath in either. And in these + and the like kinds, it often falls out, that somewhat is produced of + nothing; for lies are sufficient to breed opinion, and opinion brings on + substance. In militar commanders and soldiers, vain-glory is an essential + point; for as iron sharpens iron, so by glory, one courage sharpeneth + another. In cases of great enterprise upon charge and adventure, a + composition of glorious natures, doth put life into business; and those + that are of solid and sober natures, have more of the ballast, than of the + sail. In fame of learning, the flight will be slow without some feathers + of ostentation. Qui de contemnenda gloria libros scribunt, nomen, suum + inscribunt. Socrates, Aristotle, Galen, were men full of ostentation. + Certainly vain-glory helpeth to perpetuate a man's memory; and virtue was + never so beholding to human nature, as it received his due at the second + hand. Neither had the fame of Cicero, Seneca, Plinius Secundus, borne her + age so well, if it had not been joined with some vanity in themselves; + like unto varnish, that makes ceilings not only shine but last. But all + this while, when I speak of vain-glory, I mean not of that property, that + Tacitus doth attribute to Mucianus; Omnium quae dixerat feceratque arte + quadam ostentator: for that proceeds not of vanity, but of natural + magnanimity and discretion; and in some persons, is not only comely, but + gracious. For excusations, cessions, modesty itself well governed, are but + arts of ostentation. And amongst those arts, there is none better than + that which Plinius Secundus speaketh of, which is to be liberal of praise + and commendation to others, in that, wherein a man's self hath any + perfection. For saith Pliny, very wittily, In commending another, you do + yourself right; for he that you commend, is either superior to you in that + you commend, or inferior. If he be inferior, if he be to be commended, you + much more; if he be superior, if he be not to be commended, you much less. + Glorious men are the scorn of wise men, the admiration of fools, the idols + of parasites, and the slaves of their own vaunts. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0055" id="link2H_4_0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Honor And Reputation + </h2> + <p> + THE winning of honor, is but the revealing of a man's virtue and worth, + without disadvantage. For some in their actions, do woo and effect honor + and reputation, which sort of men, are commonly much talked of, but + inwardly little admired. And some, contrariwise, darken their virtue in + the show of it; so as they be undervalued in opinion. If a man perform + that, which hath not been attempted before; or attempted and given over; + or hath been achieved, but not with so good circumstance; he shall + purchase more honor, than by effecting a matter of greater difficulty or + virtue, wherein he is but a follower. If a man so temper his actions, as + in some one of them he doth content every faction, or combination of + people, the music will be the fuller. A man is an ill husband of his + honor, that entereth into any action, the failing wherein may disgrace + him, more than the carrying of it through, can honor him. Honor that is + gained and broken upon another, hath the quickest reflection, like + diamonds cut with facets. And therefore, let a man contend to excel any + competitors of his in honor, in outshooting them, if he can, in their own + bow. Discreet followers and servants, help much to reputation. Omnis fama + a domesticis emanat. Envy, which is the canker of honor, is best + extinguished by declaring a man's self in his ends, rather to seek merit + than fame; and by attributing a man's successes, rather to divine + Providence and felicity, than to his own virtue or policy. + </p> + <p> + The true marshalling of the degrees of sovereign honor, are these: In the + first place are conditores imperiorum, founders of states and + commonwealths; such as were Romulus, Cyrus, Caesar, Ottoman, Ismael. In + the second place are legislatores, lawgivers; which are also called second + founders, or perpetui principes, because they govern by their ordinances + after they are gone; such were Lycurgus, Solon, Justinian, Eadgar, + Alphonsus of Castile, the Wise, that made the Siete Partidas. In the third + place are liberatores, or salvatores, such as compound the long miseries + of civil wars, or deliver their countries from servitude of strangers or + tyrants; as Augustus Caesar, Vespasianus, Aurelianus, Theodoricus, King + Henry the Seventh of England, King Henry the Fourth of France. In the + fourth place are propagatores or propugnatores imperii; such as in + honorable wars enlarge their territories, or make noble defence against + invaders. And in the last place are patres patriae; which reign justly, + and make the times good wherein they live. Both which last kinds need no + examples, they are in such number. Degrees of honor, in subjects, are, + first participes curarum, those upon whom, princes do discharge the + greatest weight of their affairs; their right hands, as we call them. The + next are duces belli, great leaders in war; such as are princes' + lieutenants, and do them notable services in the wars. The third are + gratiosi, favorites; such as exceed not this scantling, to be solace to + the sovereign, and harmless to the people. And the fourth, negotiis pares; + such as have great places under princes, and execute their places, with + sufficiency. There is an honor, likewise, which may be ranked amongst the + greatest, which happeneth rarely; that is, of such as sacrifice themselves + to death or danger for the good of their country; as was M. Regulus, and + the two Decii. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0056" id="link2H_4_0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Judicature + </h2> + <p> + JUDGES ought to remember, that their office is jus dicere, and not jus + dare; to interpret law, and not to make law, or give law. Else will it be + like the authority, claimed by the Church of Rome, which under pretext of + exposition of Scripture, doth not stick to add and alter; and to pronounce + that which they do not find; and by show of antiquity, to introduce + novelty. Judges ought to be more learned, than witty, more reverend, than + plausible, and more advised, than confident. Above all things, integrity + is their portion and proper virtue. Cursed (saith the law) is he that + removeth the landmark. The mislayer of a mere-stone is to blame. But it is + the unjust judge, that is the capital remover of landmarks, when he + defineth amiss, of lands and property. One foul sentence doth more hurt, + than many foul examples. For these do but corrupt the stream, the other + corrupteth the fountain. So with Solomon, Fons turbatus, et vena corrupta, + est justus cadens in causa sua coram adversario. The office of judges may + have reference unto the parties that use, unto the advocates that plead, + unto the clerks and ministers of justice underneath them, and to the + sovereign or state above them. + </p> + <p> + First, for the causes or parties that sue. There be (saith the Scripture) + that turn judgment, into wormwood; and surely there be also, that turn it + into vinegar; for injustice maketh it bitter, and delays make it sour. The + principal duty of a judge, is to suppress force and fraud; whereof force + is the more pernicious, when it is open, and fraud, when it is close and + disguised. Add thereto contentious suits, which ought to be spewed out, as + the surfeit of courts. A judge ought to prepare his way to a just + sentence, as God useth to prepare his way, by raising valleys and taking + down hills: so when there appeareth on either side an high hand, violent + prosecution, cunning advantages taken, combination, power, great counsel, + then is the virtue of a judge seen, to make inequality equal; that he may + plant his judgment as upon an even ground. Qui fortiter emungit, elicit + sanguinem; and where the wine-press is hard wrought, it yields a harsh + wine, that tastes of the grape-stone. Judges must beware of hard + constructions, and strained inferences; for there is no worse torture, + than the torture of laws. Specially in case of laws penal, they ought to + have care, that that which was meant for terror, be not turned into rigor; + and that they bring not upon the people, that shower whereof the Scripture + speaketh, Pluet super eos laqueos; for penal laws pressed, are a shower of + snares upon the people. Therefore let penal laws, if they have been + sleepers of long, or if they be grown unfit for the present time, be by + wise judges confined in the execution: Judicis officium est, ut res, ita + tempora rerum, etc. In causes of life and death, judges ought (as far as + the law permitteth) in justice to remember mercy; and to cast a severe eye + upon the example, but a merciful eye upon the person. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, for the advocates and counsel that plead. Patience and gravity + of hearing, is an essential part of justice; and an overspeaking judge is + no well-tuned cymbal. It is no grace to a judge, first to find that, which + he might have heard in due time from the bar; or to show quickness of + conceit, in cutting off evidence or counsel too short; or to prevent + information by questions, though pertinent. The parts of a judge in + hearing, are four: to direct the evidence; to moderate length, repetition, + or impertinency of speech; to recapitulate, select, and collate the + material points, of that which hath been said; and to give the rule or + sentence. Whatsoever is above these is too much; and proceedeth either of + glory, and willingness to speak, or of impatience to hear, or of shortness + of memory, or of want of a staid and equal attention. It is a strange + thing to see, that the boldness of advocates should prevail with judges; + whereas they should imitate God, in whose seat they sit; who represseth + the presumptuous, and giveth grace to the modest. But it is more strange, + that judges should have noted favorites; which cannot but cause + multiplication of fees, and suspicion of by-ways. There is due from the + judge to the advocate, some commendation and gracing, where causes are + well handled and fair pleaded; especially towards the side which obtaineth + not; for that upholds in the client, the reputation of his counsel, and + beats down in him the conceit of his cause. There is likewise due to the + public, a civil reprehension of advocates, where there appeareth cunning + counsel, gross neglect, slight information, indiscreet pressing, or an + overbold defence. And let not the counsel at the bar, chop with the judge, + nor wind himself into the handling of the cause anew, after the judge hath + declared his sentence; but, on the other side, let not the judge meet the + cause half way, nor give occasion to the party, to say his counsel or + proofs were not heard. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, for that that concerns clerks and ministers. The place of justice + is an hallowed place; and therefore not only the bench, but the + foot-place; and precincts and purprise thereof, ought to be preserved + without scandal and corruption. For certainly grapes (as the Scripture + saith) will not be gathered of thorns or thistles; neither can justice + yield her fruit with sweetness, amongst the briars and brambles of + catching and polling clerks, and ministers. The attendance of courts, is + subject to four bad instruments. First, certain persons that are sowers of + suits; which make the court swell, and the country pine. The second sort + is of those, that engage courts in quarrels of jurisdiction, and are not + truly amici curiae, but parasiti curiae, in puffing a court up beyond her + bounds, for their own scraps and advantage. The third sort, is of those + that may be accounted the left hands of courts; persons that are full of + nimble and sinister tricks and shifts, whereby they pervert the plain and + direct courses of courts, and bring justice into oblique lines and + labyrinths. And the fourth, is the poller and exacter of fees; which + justifies the common resemblance of the courts of justice, to the bush + whereunto, while the sheep flies for defence in weather, he is sure to + lose part of his fleece. On the other side, an ancient clerk, skilful in + precedents, wary in proceeding, and understanding in the business of the + court, is an excellent finger of a court; and doth many times point the + way to the judge himself. + </p> + <p> + Fourthly, for that which may concern the sovereign and estate. Judges + ought above all to remember the conclusion of the Roman Twelve Tables; + Salus populi suprema lex; and to know that laws, except they be in order + to that end, are but things captious, and oracles not well inspired. + Therefore it is an happy thing in a state, when kings and states do often + consult with judges; and again, when judges do often consult with the king + and state: the one, when there is matter of law, intervenient in business + of state; the other, when there is some consideration of state, + intervenient in matter of law. For many times the things deduced to + judgment may be meum and tuum, when the reason and consequence thereof may + trench to point of estate: I call matter of estate, not only the parts of + sovereignty, but whatsoever introduceth any great alteration, or dangerous + precedent; or concerneth manifestly any great portion of people. And let + no man weakly conceive, that just laws and true policy have any antipathy; + for they are like the spirits and sinews, that one moves with the other. + Let judges also remember, that Solomon's throne was supported by lions on + both sides: let them be lions, but yet lions under the throne; being + circumspect that they do not check or oppose any points of sovereignty. + Let not judges also be ignorant of their own right, as to think there is + not left to them, as a principal part of their office, a wise use and + application of laws. For they may remember, what the apostle saith of a + greater law than theirs; Nos scimus quia lex bona est, modo quis ea utatur + legitime. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0057" id="link2H_4_0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Anger + </h2> + <p> + TO SEEK to extinguish anger utterly, is but a bravery of the Stoics. We + have better oracles: Be angry, but sin not. Let not the sun go down upon + your anger. Anger must be limited and confined, both in race and in time. + We will first speak how the natural inclination and habit to be angry, may + be attempted and calmed. Secondly, how the particular motions of anger may + be repressed, or at least refrained from doing mischief. Thirdly, how to + raise anger, or appease anger in another. + </p> + <p> + For the first; there is no other way but to meditate, and ruminate well + upon the effects of anger, how it troubles man's life. And the best time + to do this, is to look back upon anger, when the fit is thoroughly over. + Seneca saith well, That anger is like ruin, which breaks itself upon that + it falls. The Scripture exhorteth us to possess our souls in patience. + Whosoever is out of patience, is out of possession of his soul. Men must + not turn bees; + </p> + <p> + ... animasque in vulnere ponunt. + </p> + <p> + Anger is certainly a kind of baseness; as it appears well in the weakness + of those subjects in whom it reigns; children, women, old folks, sick + folks. Only men must beware, that they carry their anger rather with + scorn, than with fear; so that they may seem rather to be above the + injury, than below it; which is a thing easily done, if a man will give + law to himself in it. + </p> + <p> + For the second point; the causes and motives of anger, are chiefly three. + First, to be too sensible of hurt; for no man is angry, that feels not + himself hurt; and therefore tender and delicate persons must needs be oft + angry; they have so many things to trouble them, which more robust natures + have little sense of. The next is, the apprehension and construction of + the injury offered, to be, in the circumstances thereof, full of contempt: + for contempt is that, which putteth an edge upon anger, as much or more + than the hurt itself. And therefore, when men are ingenious in picking out + circumstances of contempt, they do kindle their anger much. Lastly, + opinion of the touch of a man's reputation, doth multiply and sharpen + anger. Wherein the remedy is, that a man should have, as Consalvo was wont + to say, telam honoris crassiorem. But in all refrainings of anger, it is + the best remedy to win time; and to make a man's self believe, that the + opportunity of his revenge is not yet come, but that he foresees a time + for it; and so to still himself in the meantime, and reserve it. + </p> + <p> + To contain anger from mischief, though it take hold of a man, there be two + things, whereof you must have special caution. The one, of extreme + bitterness of words, especially if they be aculeate and proper; for + cummunia maledicta are nothing so much; and again, that in anger a man + reveal no secrets; for that, makes him not fit for society. The other, + that you do not peremptorily break off, in any business, in a fit of + anger; but howsoever you show bitterness, do not act anything, that is not + revocable. + </p> + <p> + For raising and appeasing anger in another; it is done chiefly by choosing + of times, when men are frowardest and worst disposed, to incense them. + Again, by gathering (as was touched before) all that you can find out, to + aggravate the contempt. And the two remedies are by the contraries. The + former to take good times, when first to relate to a man an angry + business; for the first impression is much; and the other is, to sever, as + much as may be, the construction of the injury from the point of contempt; + imputing it to misunderstanding, fear, passion, or what you will. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0058" id="link2H_4_0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Vicissitude Of Things + </h2> + <p> + SOLOMON saith, There is no new thing upon the earth. So that as Plato had + an imagination, That all knowledge was but remembrance; so Solomon giveth + his sentence, That all novelty is but oblivion. Whereby you may see, that + the river of Lethe runneth as well above ground as below. There is an + abstruse astrologer that saith, If it were not for two things that are + constant (the one is, that the fixed stars ever stand a like distance one + from another, and never come nearer together, nor go further asunder; the + other, that the diurnal motion perpetually keepeth time), no individual + would last one moment. Certain it is, that the matter is in a perpetual + flux, and never at a stay. The great winding-sheets, that bury all things + in oblivion, are two; deluges and earthquakes. As for conflagrations and + great droughts, they do not merely dispeople and destroy. Phaeton's car + went but a day. And the three years' drought in the time of Elias, was but + particular, and left people alive. As for the great burnings by + lightnings, which are often in the West Indies, they are but narrow. But + in the other two destructions, by deluge and earthquake, it is further to + be noted, that the remnant of people which hap to be reserved, are + commonly ignorant and mountainous people, that can give no account of the + time past; so that the oblivion is all one, as if none had been left. If + you consider well of the people of the West Indies, it is very probable + that they are a newer or a younger people, than the people of the Old + World. And it is much more likely, that the destruction that hath + heretofore been there, was not by earthquakes (as the Egyptian priest told + Solon concerning the island of Atlantis, that it was swallowed by an + earthquake), but rather that it was desolated by a particular deluge. For + earthquakes are seldom in those parts. But on the other side, they have + such pouring rivers, as the rivers of Asia and Africk and Europe, are but + brooks to them. Their Andes, likewise, or mountains, are far higher than + those with us; whereby it seems, that the remnants of generation of men, + were in such a particular deluge saved. As for the observation that + Machiavel hath, that the jealousy of sects, doth much extinguish the + memory of things; traducing Gregory the Great, that he did what in him + lay, to extinguish all heathen antiquities; I do not find that those zeals + do any great effects, nor last long; as it appeared in the succession of + Sabinian, who did revive the former antiquities. + </p> + <p> + The vicissitude of mutations in the superior globe, are no fit matter for + this present argument. It may be, Plato's great year, if the world should + last so long, would have some effect; not in renewing the state of like + individuals (for that is the fume of those, that conceive the celestial + bodies have more accurate influences upon these things below, than indeed + they have), but in gross. Comets, out of question, have likewise power and + effect, over the gross and mass of things; but they are rather gazed upon, + and waited upon in their journey, than wisely observed in their effects; + specially in, their respective effects; that is, what kind of comet, for + magnitude, color, version of the beams, placing in the reign of heaven, or + lasting, produceth what kind of effects. + </p> + <p> + There is a toy which I have heard, and I would not have it given over, but + waited upon a little. They say it is observed in the Low Countries (I know + not in what part) that every five and thirty years, the same kind and suit + of years and weathers come about again; as great frosts, great wet, great + droughts, warm winters, summers with little heat, and the like; and they + call it the Prime. It is a thing I do the rather mention, because, + computing backwards, I have found some concurrence. + </p> + <p> + But to leave these points of nature, and to come to men. The greatest + vicissitude of things amongst men, is the vicissitude of sects and + religions. For those orbs rule in men's minds most. The true religion is + built upon the rock; the rest are tossed, upon the waves of time. To + speak, therefore, of the causes of new sects; and to give some counsel + concerning them, as far as the weakness of human judgment can give stay, + to so great revolutions. When the religion formerly received, is rent by + discords; and when the holiness of the professors of religion, is decayed + and full of scandal; and withal the times be stupid, ignorant, and + barbarous; you may doubt the springing up of a new sect; if then also, + there should arise any extravagant and strange spirit, to make himself + author thereof. All which points held, when Mahomet published his law. If + a new sect have not two properties, fear it not; for it will not spread. + The one is the supplanting, or the opposing, of authority established; for + nothing is more popular than that. The other is the giving license to + pleasures, and a voluptuous life. For as for speculative heresies (such as + were in ancient times the Arians, and now the Arminians), though they work + mightily upon men's wits, yet they do not produce any great alterations in + states; except it be by the help of civil occasions. There be three manner + of plantations of new sects. By the power of signs and miracles; by the + eloquence, and wisdom, of speech and persuasion; and by the sword. For + martyrdoms, I reckon them amongst miracles; because they seem to exceed + the strength of human nature: and I may do the like, of superlative and + admirable holiness of life. Surely there is no better way, to stop the + rising of new sects and schisms, than to reform abuses; to compound the + smaller differences; to proceed mildly, and not with sanguinary + persecutions; and rather to take off the principal authors by winning and + advancing them, than to enrage them by violence and bitterness. + </p> + <p> + The changes and vicissitude in wars are many; but chiefly in three things; + in the seats or stages of the war; in the weapons; and in the manner of + the conduct. Wars, in ancient time, seemed more to move from east to west; + for the Persians, Assyrians, Arabians, Tartars (which were the invaders) + were all eastern people. It is true, the Gauls were western; but we read + but of two incursions of theirs: the one to Gallo-Grecia, the other to + Rome. But east and west have no certain points of heaven; and no more have + the wars, either from the east or west, any certainty of observation. But + north and south are fixed; and it hath seldom or never been seen that the + far southern people have invaded the northern, but contrariwise. Whereby + it is manifest that the northern tract of the world, is in nature the more + martial region: be it in respect of the stars of that hemisphere; or of + the great continents that are upon the north, whereas the south part, for + aught that is known, is almost all sea; or (which is most apparent) of the + cold of the northern parts, which is that which, without aid of + discipline, doth make the bodies hardest, and the courages warmest. + </p> + <p> + Upon the breaking and shivering of a great state and empire, you may be + sure to have wars. For great empires, while they stand, do enervate and + destroy the forces of the natives which they have subdued, resting upon + their own protecting forces; and then when they fail also, all goes to + ruin, and they become a prey. So was it in the decay of the Roman empire; + and likewise in the empire of Almaigne, after Charles the Great, every + bird taking a feather; and were not unlike to befall to Spain, if it + should break. The great accessions and unions of kingdoms, do likewise + stir up wars; for when a state grows to an over-power, it is like a great + flood, that will be sure to overflow. As it hath been seen in the states + of Rome, Turkey, Spain, and others. Look when the world hath fewest + barbarous peoples, but such as commonly will not marry or generate, except + they know means to live (as it is almost everywhere at this day, except + Tartary), there is no danger of inundations of people; but when there be + great shoals of people, which go on to populate, without foreseeing means + of life and sustentation, it is of necessity that once in an age or two, + they discharge a portion of their people upon other nations; which the + ancient northern people were wont to do by lot; casting lots what part + should stay at home, and what should seek their fortunes. When a warlike + state grows soft and effeminate, they may be sure of a war. For commonly + such states are grown rich in the time of their degenerating; and so the + prey inviteth, and their decay in valor, encourageth a war. + </p> + <p> + As for the weapons, it hardly falleth under rule and observation: yet we + see even they, have returns and vicissitudes. For certain it is, that + ordnance was known in the city of the Oxidrakes in India; and was that, + which the Macedonians called thunder and lightning, and magic. And it is + well known that the use of ordnance, hath been in China above two thousand + years. The conditions of weapons, and their improvement, are; First, the + fetching afar off; for that outruns the danger; as it is seen in ordnance + and muskets. Secondly, the strength of the percussion; wherein likewise + ordnance do exceed all arietations and ancient inventions. The third is, + the commodious use of them; as that they may serve in all weathers; that + the carriage may be light and manageable; and the like. + </p> + <p> + For the conduct of the war: at the first, men rested extremely upon + number: they did put the wars likewise upon main force and valor; pointing + days for pitched fields, and so trying it out upon an even match and they + were more ignorant in ranging and arraying their battles. After, they grew + to rest upon number rather competent, than vast; they grew to advantages + of place, cunning diversions, and the like: and they grew more skilful in + the ordering of their battles. + </p> + <p> + In the youth of a state, arms do flourish; in the middle age of a state, + learning; and then both of them together for a time; in the declining age + of a state, mechanical arts and merchandize. Learning hath his infancy, + when it is but beginning and almost childish; then his youth, when it is + luxuriant and juvenile; then his strength of years, when it is solid and + reduced; and lastly, his old age, when it waxeth dry and exhaust. But it + is not good to look too long upon these turning wheels of vicissitude, + lest we become giddy. As for the philology of them, that is but a circle + of tales, and therefore not fit for this writing. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0059" id="link2H_4_0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Of Fame + </h2> + <p> + THE poets make Fame a monster. They describe her in part finely and + elegantly, and in part gravely and sententiously. They say, look how many + feathers she hath, so many eyes she hath underneath; so many tongues; so + many voices; she pricks up so many ears. + </p> + <p> + This is a flourish. There follow excellent parables; as that, she + gathereth strength in going; that she goeth upon the ground, and yet + hideth her head in the clouds; that in the daytime she sitteth in a watch + tower, and flieth most by night; that she mingleth things done, with + things not done; and that she is a terror to great cities. But that which + passeth all the rest is: They do recount that the Earth, mother of the + giants that made war against Jupiter, and were by him destroyed, thereupon + in an anger brought forth Fame. For certain it is, that rebels, figured by + the giants, and seditious fames and libels, are but brothers and sisters, + masculine and feminine. But now, if a man can tame this monster, and bring + her to feed at the hand, and govern her, and with her fly other ravening + fowl and kill them, it is somewhat worth. But we are infected with the + style of the poets. To speak now in a sad and serious manner: There is + not, in all the politics, a place less handled and more worthy to be + handled, than this of fame. We will therefore speak of these points: What + are false fames; and what are true fames; and how they may be best + discerned; how fames may be sown, and raised; how they may be spread, and + multiplied; and how they may be checked, and laid dead. And other things + concerning the nature of fame. Fame is of that force, as there is scarcely + any great action, wherein it hath not a great part; especially in the war. + Mucianus undid Vitellius, by a fame that he scattered, that Vitellius had + in purpose to remove the legions of Syria into Germany, and the legions of + Germany into Syria; whereupon the legions of Syria were infinitely + inflamed. Julius Caesar took Pompey unprovided, and laid asleep his + industry and preparations, by a fame that he cunningly gave out: Caesar's + own soldiers loved him not, and being wearied with the wars, and laden + with the spoils of Gaul, would forsake him, as soon as he came into Italy. + Livia settled all things for the succession of her son Tiberius, by + continual giving out, that her husband Augustus was upon recovery and + amendment, and it is an usual thing with the pashas, to conceal the death + of the Great Turk from the janizaries and men of war, to save the sacking + of Constantinople and other towns, as their manner is. Themistocles made + Xerxes, king of Persia, post apace out of Grecia, by giving out, that the + Grecians had a purpose to break his bridge of ships, which he had made + athwart Hellespont. There be a thousand such like examples; and the more + they are, the less they need to be repeated; because a man meeteth with + them everywhere. Therefore let all wise governors have as great a watch + and care over fames, as they have of the actions and designs themselves. + </p> + <p> + [This essay was not finished] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0060" id="link2H_4_0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A Glossary Of Archaic Words And Phrases + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Abridgment: miniature + Absurd: stupid, unpolished + Abuse: cheat, deceive + Aculeate: stinging + Adamant: loadstone + Adust: scorched + Advoutress: adulteress + Affect: like, desire + Antic: clown + Appose: question + Arietation: battering-ram + Audit: revenue + Avoidance: secret outlet + Battle: battalion + Bestow: settle in life + Blanch: flatter, evade + Brave: boastful + Bravery: boast, ostentation + Broke: deal in brokerage + Broken: shine by comparison + Broken music: part music + Cabinet: secret + Calendar: weather forecast + Card: chart, map + Care not to: are reckless + Cast: plan + Cat: cate, cake + Charge and adventure: cost and + risk + Check with: interfere + Chop: bandy words + Civil: peaceful + Close: secret, secretive + Collect: infer + Compound: compromise + Consent: agreement + Curious: elaborate + Custom: import duties + Deceive: rob + Derive: divert + Difficileness: moroseness + Discover: reveal + Donative: money gift + Doubt: fear + Equipollent: equally powerful + Espial: spy + Estate: state + Facility: of easy persuasion + Fair: rather + Fame: rumor + Favor: feature + Flashy: insipid + Foot-pace: lobby + Foreseen: guarded against + Froward: stubborn + Futile: babbling + Globe: complete body + Glorious: showy, boastful + Humorous: capricious + Hundred poll: hundredth head + Impertinent: irrelevant + Implicit: entangled + In a mean: in moderation + In smother: suppressed + Indifferent: impartial + Intend: attend to + Knap: knoll + Leese: lose + Let: hinder + Loose: shot + Lot: spell + Lurch: intercept + Make: profit, get + Manage: train + Mate: conquer + Material: business-like + Mere-stone: boundary stone + Muniting: fortifying + Nerve: sinew + Obnoxious: subservient, liable + Oes: round spangles + Pair: impair + Pardon: allowance + Passable: mediocre + Pine-apple-tree: pine + Plantation: colony + Platform: plan + Plausible: praiseworthy + Point device: excessively precise + Politic: politician + Poll: extort + Poser: examiner + Practice: plotting + Preoccupate: anticipate + Prest: prepared + Prick: plant + Proper: personal + Prospective: stereoscope + Proyne: prune + Purprise: enclosure + Push: pimple + Quarrel: pretext + Quech: flinch + Reason: principle + Recamera: retiring-room + Return: reaction + Return: wing running back + Rise: dignity + Round: straight + Save: account for + Scantling: measure + Seel: blind + Shrewd: mischievous + Sort: associate + Spial: spy + Staddle: sapling + Steal: do secretly + Stirp: family + Stond: stop, stand + Stoved: hot-housed + Style: title + Success: outcome + Sumptuary law: law against + extravagance + Superior globe: the heavens + Temper: proportion + Tendering: nursing + Tract: line, trait + Travel: travail, labor + Treaties: treatises + Trench to: touch + Trivial: common + Turquet: Turkish dwarf + Under foot: below value + Unready: untrained + Usury: interest + Value: certify + Virtuous: able + Votary: vowed + Wanton: spoiled + Wood: maze + Work: manage, utilize +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Essays, by Francis Bacon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 575-h.htm or 575-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/7/575/ + +Produced by Judith Boss, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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