Of the advancement and proficience of learning; or, The partitions of sciences· Nine books. Written in Latin by the most eminent, illustrious, and famous Lord Francis Bacon Baron of Verulam, Vicount St. Alban, Councellor of Estate, and Lord Chancellor of England. Interpreted by Gilbert Watts.

About this Item

Title
Of the advancement and proficience of learning; or, The partitions of sciences· Nine books. Written in Latin by the most eminent, illustrious, and famous Lord Francis Bacon Baron of Verulam, Vicount St. Alban, Councellor of Estate, and Lord Chancellor of England. Interpreted by Gilbert Watts.
Author
Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626.
Publication
Oxford :: printed by Leon Lichfield printer to the University, for Robert Young and Edward Forrest,
1640.
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Subject terms
Science -- Methodology -- Early works to 1800.
Logic -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A72146.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Of the advancement and proficience of learning; or, The partitions of sciences· Nine books. Written in Latin by the most eminent, illustrious, and famous Lord Francis Bacon Baron of Verulam, Vicount St. Alban, Councellor of Estate, and Lord Chancellor of England. Interpreted by Gilbert Watts." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A72146.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2024.

Pages

Page 383

THE PARABLE. XV. A Foole utters all his minde;* 1.1 but a wise-man reserves somewhat for hereafter.
THE EXPLICATION.

THe Parable (it seemes) especially corrects; not the Fu∣tility of vaine Persons, which easily utter, as well what may be spoken, as what should be secreted: not the bold roveing language of such as without all discretion and judgement flie upon all men and matters: Not Garruli∣ty, whereby they fill others even to a surfet: but another vice, more close and retired; namely the Government of speech, of all adventures the least prudent and politique, which is, when a man so manages his speech in private conference, as what∣soever is in his mind, which he conceives any way pertinent to the purpose and matter in hand, out it must, at once, as it were, in one breath, and in a set continued discourse: this is that which doth much prejudice Businesse. For first, a discontinued speech, broken off by interlocutions, and instill'd by parts, penetrates deeper, than a settled continued speech; because that in a continued Discourse, the weight of Matters is not precisely and distinctly taken, nor by some convenient rests sufferd to fixe; but Reason drives out Reason before it be fully settled in the Comprehension of the Hearers. Se∣condly there is no man of so powerfull and happy a Delive∣ry of himselfe, as at the first onset & encountre of his speech, he is able so to strike him dumbe and speechlesse, with whom he discourseth; but that the other will make some interchangeable reply, and peradventure object something: and then it may fall out, that what should have been reserv'd for refutation & replication, by this unadvised anticipation beeing disclosed and tasted before-hand, looseth its strength and grace. Thirdly if a man discharge not all at once what might be said, but deliver himselfe by Parcells, now one thing, anon casting in an other, he shall gather from the

Page 384

lookes and answers of him with whom he discourses, how every particular Passage affectes him, and in what sort they find acceptation; soe as what is yet remaining to be spoken, he may with greater Caution either select, or silence.

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