The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

APOPHTHEGMS. 113
other that heard him, " And I were as you, I would philosophers." He answered, Because they think
never come at sea."," Why," saith he,,, where themselves may sooner come to be poor, than to
did your great-grandfather, and grandfather, and be philosophers."
father die!" He answered; " Where but in their 95. Alexander used to say of his two friends,
beds l" Saith the other, " And I were as you, I Craterus and Hephwestion; that Hephaestion loved
would never come in bed." Alexander, and Craterus loved the king.
86. Aristippus was earnest suitor to Dionysius 96. It fell out so, that as Livia went abroad in
for somewhat, who would give no ear to his suit. Rome, there met her naked young men that were
Aristippus fell at his feet, and then Dionysius sporting in the streets, which Augustus was about
granted it. One that stood by said afterwards to severely to punish in them; but Livia spake for.
Aristippus, ", You a philosopher, and to be so them, and said, " It was no more to chaste women
base as to throw yourself at the tyrant's feet to than so many statues."
get a suit." Aristippus answered, ", The fault is 97. Alonso of Arragon was wont to say in comnot mine, but the fault is in Dionysius, that car- mendation of age, ", That age appeared to be best
ries his ears in his feet." in four things: old wood best to burn; old wine
87. There was a young man in Rome, that was to drink; old friends to trust; and old authors to
very like Augustus Ceasar; Augustus took know- read."
ledge of it, and sent for the man, and asked him, 98. It was said of Augustus, and afterward the'" Was your mother never at Rome!" He an- like was said of Septimius Severus, both which did
swered, ", No, sir, but my father was." infinite mischief in their beginnings, and infinite
88. A physician advised his patient that had sore good toward their ends, " that they should either
eyes, that he should abstain from wine; but the have never been born or never died."
patient said, "I think, rather, sir, from wine and 99. Queen Isabella of Spain used to say
water; for I have often marked it in blear eyes, ", Whosoever hath a good presence, and a good
and I have seen water come forth, but never fashion, carries letters of recommendation.
wine." 100. Trajan would say of the vain jealousy of
89. When Sir Thomas More was lord chancel- princes, that seek to make away those that aspire
lor, he did use, at mass, to sit in the chancel: to their succession; "That there was never king
and his lady in a pew. And because the pew that did put to death his successor."
stood out of sight, his gentleman-usher ever after 101. When it was represented to Alexander, tc
service, came to the lady's pew, and said, I"Madam, the advantage of Antipater, who was a stern and
my lord is gone." So when the chancellor's imperious man, that he only of all his lieutenants
place was taken from him, the next time they wore no purple, but kept the Macedonian habit of
went to church, Sir Thomas himself came to black; Alexander said, "Yea, but Antipater is
his lady's pew, and said; "Madam, my lord is all purple within."
gone." 102. Constantine the Great, in a kind of envy,;
90. At an act of the commencement, the an- himself being a great builder, as Trajan likewise.
swerer gave for his question, that an aristocracy was, would call Trajan " Parietaria:" wall-flower;
was better than a monarchy. The replier, who because his name was upon so many walls.
was a dissolute fellow, did tax him, that being a 103. Philip of Macedon was wished to banish
private bred man, he would give a question of one for speaking ill of him. But Philip answered;
state. The answerer said, that the replier did ", Better he speak where we are both known, than
much wrong the privilege of scholars, who would where we are both unknown."
be much straitened if they should give questions 104. A Grecian captain advising the confedeof nothing but such things wherein they are prac- rates that were united against the Lacedaemonians,
tised: and added, ", We have heard yourself dis- touching their enterprise, gave opinion, that they
pute of virtue, which no man will say you put much should go directly upon Sparta, saying; ", That
in practice." the state of Sparta was like rivers; strong when
91. There was a dispute, whether great heads they had run a great way, and weak towards their
or little heads had the better wit.' And one said, head.",, It must needs be the little; for that it is a maxim, 105. Alonso of Arragon was wont to say of
Omne majus continet in se minus." himself, "That he was a great necromancer, for
92. Solon when he wept for his son's death, and that he used to ask counsel of the dead:" meanone said to him, "Weeping will not help;" answer- ing books.
ed,, Alas, therefore I weep, because weeping will 106. Lucullus entertained Pompey in one of
not help." his magnificent houses: Pompey said, ", This is a
93. Solon being asked, whether he had given marvellous fair and stately house for the summer:
the Athenians the best laws, answered, ", Yes, the but methinks it should be very cold for winter."
best of those that they would have received." Lucullus answered,,"Do you not think me as
94. One said to Aristippus,'" It is a strange thing wise as divers fowls are, to change my habitation
why men should rather give unto the poor, than to in the winter season!"
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