The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

NOTES TO ESSAYS CIVIL AND MORAL. 65
state of free servants and attendants upon noblemen and selfe is not good often, and there is but one case, wherein a
gentlemen; of which sort even they of inferior condition, do man may commend himselfe with good grace, and that is in
not ways yield unto the yeomanry, for infantry. And there- commending vertue in another, especially if it be such a verfore olt of all question the magnificence and that hospitable tue, as wherevnto himselfe pretendeth. Discretion of speech
splendour, the household servants, and great retinues of is more than eloquence, and to speake agreeably to him, with
noblemen and gentlemen, received into custom in England, whom we deale is more than to speake in good words or in
doth much conduce unto martial greatness; whereas on the good order. A good continued speech without a good speech
other side, the close, reserved and contracted living of noble- of interlocution sheweth slownesse: and a good reply or
men, causeth a penury of military forces." second speech without a good set speech sheweth shallowIle is silent upon this subject in the Advancement of ness and weaknesse, as we see in beasts, that those that are
Learning, for a reason thus stated. "Considering that I weakest in the course are yet nimblest in the turne. To vse
write to a king that is master of this science, and is so well too many circumstances ere one come to the matter is weaassisted, I thiiik it decent to pass over this part in silence, as risome, to vse none at al is blunt.
willing to obtain tihe certificate which one of the ancient
philosophers aspired unto; who being silent, when others OF CEREMONIES AND RESPECTS.
contended to make demonstration of their abilities by speech, He that is onely reall had neede haue exceeding great parts
desired it might be certified for his part,' that there was one of vertue, as the stone had neede be rich that is set without
that knew how to hold his peace.'"1 But see the Essays foyle. But commonly it is in praise as it is in gaine. For as
upon the "True Greatness of Kingdoms and States." the prouerbe is true, "That light gaines make heauy purses,"
See Goldsmith's Deserted Village. because they come thick, wheras great come but now and
" A bnld peasantry, their ceuntry's pride, then, so it is as true that smal matters win great commendaWhea once destroyed can never be supplied," c. tion: because they are continually in vse and in note,
NOTE I. whereas the occasion of anye great vertue commeth but on
holie dales. To attaine good formes, it sufficeth not to dispise
Referring to page 24. them, for so shal a man observe them in others, and let him
See, in this volume, page 70. trust himselfe with the rest, for if he care to expresse them
See also in the preface, ante, p. 6, under observations upon hee shall leese their grace, which is to be natural and vnafMeditationes Sacrie. fected. Some mens behaviour is like a verse wherin euery
sillable is measured. How can a man comprehend great
NOTE K matters that breaketh his mind too much to small obseruaReferring to the letter prefized, page 62. tions? Not to vse Ceremonies at all, is to teach others not
"Sir-Finding during parliament a willingness in you to to vse them againe, and so diminish his respect, especially
conferre with me in this great service concerning the Union, ot b ie an a s ure s
I doe now take hold thereof to excuse my boldness to desire ngt s a mt s e se o ama
that now which you offred then for both the tyme as to lea- and therefore it is a good title to keep state: among a mans
th at now which you offred athen for both th i mre yas to lea- inferiors one shal be sure of reuerence, and therefore it is
ure is more lierall and as to the service itself is more urgent good a ittle to e familiar. He that is too much n any ting,
whether it will like you to come to me to Graies In or to o attle to bie amr that is too much in anything,
appoynt me whear to meete with you I am indifferent and that he give another occasion of satiety, maketh himt elfe
leave it to your choise and accordingly desire to hear from cheape. To apply ones selfe to others is good, so it be with
you, so I remain yr very loving friend, F BACON. demonstration that a man doth it vpon regard, and not upon
Grates ne this 8th of Sept. 1604. facility. It is a good precept generally in seconding another:
"ri T no nth Sir Robert Cotton." yet to add somewhat of ones own, as if you will graunt his
opinion, let it be with some distinction. If you will follow
NOTE L his motion: let it be with condition: if you allow his counsell, let it be with alleadging further reason.
Referringf to preface, page 2.
OF STUDIES. OF FOLLOWERS AND FRIENDS.
Studies serue for pastimes, for ornaments, and for abilities. Costly followers are not to be liked, least while a man
Their chiefe vse for pastime is in priuatenesse and retyring: maketh his trayne longer, he make his wings shorter: 1
for ornament is in discourse, and for ability is in iudgement. reckon to be costly not them alone which charge the purse,
For expert men can execute, but learned men are fittest to but which are wearisome and importune in sutes. Ordinary
iiidge or censure. following ought to challenge no higher conditions then counTo spend too much time in them is sloth, to vse them too tenance, recommendation and protection from wrong.
much for ornament is affectation: to make iudgement wholly Factious followers are worse to be liked, which follow not
by their rules, is the humor of a Scholler. They perfect vpon affection to himwith whom theyrange themselues, but
Nature, and are perfected by experience. Crafty men con- vpon discontentment conceiued against some other, whertemne them, simple men admire them, and wise-men vse vpon commonly insueth that ill intelligence that wee many
them; for they teach not their owne vse, but that is a wise- times see between great personages. The following by cerdome without them: and aboue them wonne by observation. tain States answerable to that which a great person himself
Read not to contradict, nor to bele:eue, but to weigh and con- professeth, as of souldiers to him that hath been etnploied in
sider. Somrne books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, the wars, and the like hath euer beene a thing ciuil and wel
and some few to be chewed and disgested. That is, some taken euen in Monarchies, so it bee without too much pompe
bookes are to be read only in parts: others to be read but or popularity. But the most honorable kind of following is
cursorily, and some fewe to be read wholy and with dilligence to be followed, as one that apprehendeth to aduance vertue
and atention. Reading maketh a futl man, conference a ready and desert in all sorts of persons, and yet wher there is no
man, and writing an exact man. And therfore if a man write eminent oddes in sufficiency, it is better to take with the
little, he had need haue a great memory: if he confer little, more passable then with the more able. In gouernment it is
baue a present wit, and if he read little, hee had need haue good to vse men of one rancke equally, for to countenance
much cunning, to seeme to know that he doth not. Histories some extraordinarily, is to make them insolent, and the rest
make men wise, Poets witty, the Mathematiks subtill, natu- discontent, because they may claime a due. But in faniours
ral philosophy deep, Morall graue, Logick and Rhetoricke, to vse men with much difference and election is good, for it
able to contend. maketh the persons preferred more thankful, and the rest
more officious, because all is of fauour. It is good not to
OF DISCOURSE. make too much of any man at first because. one cannot hold
Some in their discourse desire rather commendation of wit out that proportion. To be gouerned by one is not good, and
in being able to hold all arguments, then ofi udgement in dis- to be distracted with many is worse: but to take aduice of
cerning what is true, as if it were a praise to know what friends is ever honorable: "For lookers on many times see
might be said, and not what shold be thought. Some haue more then gamesters, and the vale best discouereth the hill."
certain common-places and Theames wherein they are good, There is little friendship in the world, and least of al between
and want variety, which kind of pouerty is for the most part equals, which was wont to bee magnified. That that is, is
tedioss, and now and then ridiculous. The honorablest part between superior and inferiour, whose fortunes may comnt.
of talke is to glue the occasion, and againe to moderate and prehend the one the other.
passe to somewhat else. It is good to vary and mixe speech
of the present occasion with argument, tales with reasons, OF SUTORS.
asking of questions, with telling of opinions, and lest with Many ill matters are vndertaken, and manye good matters
earnest. But some things are priuiledged from hest, namely with ill mindes. Some embrace Sutes which neuer meane
religion, matters of state, great persons, any mans present todeale effectually in them. But if they see there may he
businesse of importance, and any case that deserueth pitty. life in the matter by some other meane, they will be content
He that questioneth much shall learne much, and content to win a thanke, or take a second reward. Some take hold
much, specially if he apply his questions to the skill of the of sutes onlyfor an occasion to crosse some other, or to make
person of whom he asketh, for he shal glue them occasion to an information, whereof they could not otherwise haue an
please themselues in speaking, and himselfe shall continually apt pretext, without care what become of the sute, when
gather knowledge. If you dissemble sometimes your know- that turn is serued. Nay some vndertake suites with a ful
ledg of that you are thought to know, you shall bee thought purpose to let them fal, to the end to gratifie the adverse
nother time to know that vomm know not. Speech of a mans party or competitor. Surely there is in sort a right in eucr?
VOL. I.-9 F
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