The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

184 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. BOOK II.
testable; or of Ulysses,'; qui vetulam preetulit im- things continue as they have been: but so will that
mortalitati," being a figure of those which prefer also continue whereupon learning hath ever relied,
custom and habit before all excellency; or of a and which faileth not: "Justificata est sapientia
number of the like popular judgments. For these a filiis suis."
THE SECOND BOOK
OF
FRANCIS BACON,
OF THE
PROFICIENCE AND ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING,
DIVINE AND HUMAN.
TO THE KING.
IT might seem to have moreconvenience, though undertaken and performed by kings and others
it come often otherwise to pass, excellent king, for the increase and advancement of learning:
that those which are fruitful in their generations, wherein I purpose to speak actively without diand have in themselves the foresight of immor- gressing or dilating.
tality in their descendants, should likewise be Let this ground therefore be laid, that all works
more careful of the good estate of future times, are overcome by amplitude of reward, by soundunto which they know they must transmit and ness of direction, and by the conjunction of
commend over their dearest pledges. Queen labours. The first multiplieth endeavour, the
Elizabeth was a sojourner in the world, in respect second preventeth error, and the third supplieth
of her unmarried life, and was a blessing to her the frailty of man: but the principal of these is
own times: and yet so as the impression of her direction: for "- claudus in via antevertit cursorem
good government, besides her happy memory, is extra viam;" and Solomon excellently setteth it
not without some effect which doth survive her. down, "If the iron be not sharp, it requireth
But to your majesty, whom God hath already more strength; but wisdom is that which prevailblessed with so much royal issue, worthy to con- eth;" signifying that the invention or election of
tinue and represent you forever; and whose the mean is more effectual than any enforcement
youthful and fruitful bed doth yet promise many or accumulation of endeavours. This I am inof the like renovations; it is proper and agree- duced to speak, for that (not derogating from the
able to be conversant, not only in the transitory noble intention of any that have been deserves
parts of good government, but in those acts also towards the state of learning) I do observe, nevernwhich are in their nature permanent and perpetual: theless, that their works and acts are rather matamongst the which, if affection do not transport ters of magnificence and memory, than of proIne, there is not any more worthy than the further gression and proficience; and tend rather to augrendowment of the world with sound and fruitful ment the mass of learning in the multitude of
knowledge. For why should a few received learned men, than to rectify or raise the sciences
authors stand up like Hercules's columns, beyond themselves.
which there should be no sailing or discovering, The works or acts of merit towards learning
since we have so bright and benign a star as your are conversant about three objects: the places of
majesty to conduct and prosper us l To return learning, the books of learning, and the persons
therefore where we left, it remaineth to consider of the learned. For as water, whether it be the
of what kind those acts are, which have been dew of heaven, or the springs of the earth, doth