The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

44 ESSAYS CIVIL AND MORAL.
rhe second is, that probable conjectures, or oh- the best remedy against ambitious great ones: for
scure traditions, many times turn themselves into when the way of pleasuring and displeasuring
prophecies; while the nature of man, which covet- lieth by the favourite, it is impossible any other
eth divination, thinks it no peril to foretell that should be over great. Another means to curb
which indeed they do but collect; as that of Se- them is, to balance them by others as proud as
neca's verse; for so much was then subject to they: but then there must be some middle coundemonstration, that the globe of the earth had sellors, to keep things steady; for without that
great parts beyond the Atlantic, which might be ballast the ship will roll too much. At the least,
probably conceived not to be all sea: and adding a prince may animate and inure some meaner perthereto the tradition in Plato's Timeus, and his sons to be, as it were, scourges to ambitious men.
Atlanticus, it might encourage one to turn it to a As for the having of them obnoxious to ruin, if
prediction. The third and last (which is the great they be of fearful natures, it may do well; but
one) is, that almost all of them, being infinite in if they be stout and daring, it may precipitate their
number, have been impostures, and by idle and designs, and prove dangerous. As for the pulling
crafty brains merely contrived and feigned after of them down, if the affairs require it, and that it
the event past. may not be done with safety suddenly, the only
way, is the interchange continually of favours and
XXXVI. OF AMBITION. disgraces, whereby they may not know what to
expect, and be, as it wrere, in a wood. Of amAMBITION is like choler, which is an humour that bitions, it is less harmful the ambition to prevail
maketh men active, earnest, full of alacrity, and to great things, than that other to appear in every
stirring, if it be not stopped: but if it be stopped, thinw; for that breeds confusion, arind mars busiand cannot have its way, it becometh a dust, and ness; but yet, it is less danger to have an ambithereby malign and venomous: so ambitious men, tious man stirring in business, than great in deif they find the way open for their rising, and still pendences. He that seeketh to be eminent
get forward, they are rather busy than dangerous; amongst able men, hath a great task; but that is
but if they be checked in their desires, they become ever good for the public: but he that plots to be
secretly discontent, and look upon men and mat- the only figure amongst ciphers, is the decay of a
ters with an evil eye, and are best pleased when whole age. Honour hath three things in it; the
things go backward; which is the worst property vantage ground to do good; the approach to kings
in a servant of a prince or state: therefore it is good and principal persons; and the raising of a man's
for princes, if they use ambitious men, to handle own fortunes. He that hath the best of these init so, as they be still progressive, and not retro- tentions, when he aspireth, is an honest man; and
grade, which, because it cannot be without incon- that prince that can discern of these intentions in
venience, it is good not to use such natures atall: another that aspireth, is awise prince. Generally,
for if they rise not with their service, they will take let princes and states choose such ministers as are
order to make their service fall with them. But more sensible of duty than of rising, and such as
since we have said, it were good not to use men love business rather upon conscience than upon
of ambitious natures, except it be upon necessity, bravery; and let them discern abusy nature, from
it is fit we speak in what cases they are of neces- a willing mind.
sity. Good commanders in the wars must be taken,
be they never so ambitious; for the use of their XXXVII. OF MASQUES AND TRIUMPHS.
service dispenseth with the rest; and to take a
soldier without ambition, is to pull off his spurs. THESE things are buttoys to come amongst such
There is also great use of ambitious men in be- serious observations; but yet, since princes will
ing screens to princes in matters of danger and have such things, it is better they should be graced
envy; for no man will take that part except he be with elegancy, than daubed with cost. Dancing
like a seeled dove, that mounts and mounts, be- to song, is a thing of great state and pleasure. I
cause hecannotseeabouthim. There isuse also understand it that the song be in quire, placed
of ambitious men in pulling down the greatness aloft, and accompanied by some broken music;
of any subject that overtops; as Tiberius used and the ditty fitted to the device. Acting in song,
Macro in the pulling down of Sejanus. Since, especially in dialogues, hath an extreme good
therefore, they must be used in such cases, there grace; I say acting, not dancing, (for that is a
resteth to speak how they are to be bridled, that mean and vulgar thing;) and the voices of the diathey may be less dangerous; there is less danger logue would be strong and manly, (a base and a
of them if they be of mean birth, than if they be tenor, no treble,) and the ditty high and tragical,
noble; and if they be rather harsh of nature, than not nice or dainty. Several quires placed one
gracious and popular: and if they be rather new over against another, and taking the voice by
raised, than grown cunning and fortified in their catches anthem-wise, give great pleasure. Turngreatness. It is counted by some a weakness in ing dances into figure is a childish curiosity; and
pinces to have ftavourites; but it is, of all others, generally let it be noted, that those things which