The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

230 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. BOOK II.
courses the unfittest; for a man leaveth things at stultus meestitia est matri suee." Here is distinworst, and depriveth himself of means to make guished, that fathers have most comfort of the
them better. good proof of their sons; but mothers have most
"6 Erat civitas parva, et pauci in ea viri: venit discomfort of their ill proof, because women have
contra eam rex magnus, et vadavit eam, intrux- little discerning of virtue, but of fortune.
itque munitiones per gyrum, et perfecta est obsi- 1 "Qui celat delictum, quwerit amicitiam; sed qui
dio: inventusque est in ea vir pauper et sapiens, altero sermone repetit, separat fcederatos." Here
et liberavit eam per sapientiam suam; et nullus caution is given, that reconcilement is better mandeinceps recordatus est hominis illius pauperis." aged by an amnesty, and passing over that which
Here the corruption of states is set forth, that es- is past, than by apologies and excusations.
teem not virtue or merit longer than they have "In omni opere bono erit abundantia; ubi auuse of it. tem verba sunt plurima, ibi frequenter egestas."
" Mollis responsio frangit iram." Here is noted Here is noted, that words and discourse abound
that silence or rough answer exasperateth; but an most where there is idleness and want.
answer present and temperate pacifieth. "Primus in sua causa justus; sed venit altera
"Iter pigrorum, quasi sepes spinarum." Here pars, et inquirit in eum." Here is observed, that
is lively represented how laborious sloth proveth in all causes the first tale possesseth much; in
in the end; for when things are deferred till the such sort, that the prejudice thereby wrought will
last instant, and nothing prepared beforehand, be hardly removed, except some abuse or falsity
every step findeth a brier or an impediment, in the information be detected.
which catcheth or stoppeth. " Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa per"Melior est finis orationis quam principium." veniunt ad interiora ventris." Here is distinHere is taxed the vanity of formal speakers, that guished, that flattery and insinuation, which
study more about prefaces and inducements, than seemeth set and artificial, sinketh not far; but
upon the conclusions and issues of speech. that entereth deep which hath show of nature,
", Qui cognoscit in judicio faciem, non bene facit; liberty, and simplicity.
iste et pro bucella panis deseret veritatem." Here " Qui erudit derisorem, ipse sibi injuriam facit;
is noted, that a judge were better be a briber than a et qui arguit impium, sibi maculam generat."
respecter of persons; for a corrupt judge offend- Here caution is given how we tender reprehension
eth not so highly as a facile. to arrogant and scornful natures, whose manner
"Vir pauper calumnians pauperes similis est im- is to esteem it for contumely, and accordingly to
bri vehementi, in quo paratur fames." Here is return it.
expressed the extremity of necessitous extortions, ", Da sapienti occasionem, et addetur ei sapienfigured in the ancient fable of the filll and hungry tia." Here is distinguished the wisdom brought
horse-leech. into habit, and that which is but verbal, and
"c Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, estjus- swimming only in conceit; for the one upon octus cadens coramimpio." Here is noted, that one casion presented is quickened and redoubled, the
judicial and exemplar iniquity in the face of the other is amazed and confused.
world, doth trouble the fountains of justice more Quomodo in aquis resplendent vultus prospithan many particular injuries passed over by con- cientium, sic corda hominum manifesta sunt prunivance. dentibus." Here the mind of a wise man is com"- Qui subtrahit aliquid a patre et a matre, et pared to a glass, wherein the images of all diverdicit hoc non esse peccatum, particeps est ho- sity of natures and customs are represented; from
micidii." Here is noted that whereas men in which representation proceedeth that application,
wronging their best friends use to extenuate,' Qui sapit, innumeris moribus aptus erit.'
their fault, as if they might presume or be bold
upon them, it doth contrariwise indeed aggravate Thus have I stayed somewhat longer upon these
their fault, and turneth it from injury to impiety. sentences politic of Solomon than is agreeable to
1" Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, nec ambu- the proportion of an example; led with a desire
lato cum homine furioso." Here caution is to give authority to this part of knowledge, which
given, that in the election of our friends we do I noted as deficient, by so excellent a precedent;
principally avoid those which are impatient, as and have also attended them with brief observathose that will espouse us to many factions and tions, such as to my understanding offer no vioquarrels. lence to the sense, though I know they may be
"- Qui conturbat domum suam, possidebit ven- applied to a more divine use: but it is allowed,
tum." Here is noted, that in domestical separa- even in divinity, that some interpretations, yea
lions and breaches, men do promise to themselves and some writings, have more of the eagle than
quieting of their mind and contentment; but still others; but taking them as instructions for life,
they are deceived of their expectation, and it turn- they might have received large discourse, if'
eth to wind. would have broken them and illustrated thenm by, Filius sapiens laetificat patremn: filius vero deducements and examples.