The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

BooK II. ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 229
intg of the discretion of behaviour is a great thief son, or of a purchase or bargain, or of an accusaof meditation. Again, such as are accomplished tion, and every other occasion incident to man's
in that form of urbanity please themselves in it, life. So as there is a wisdom of counsel and
and seldom aspire to higher virtue; whereas those advice even in private causes, arising out of an
that have defect in it do seek comeliness by repu- universal insight into the affairs of the world;
tation: for where reputation is, almost every which is used indeed upon particular causes prothing becometh; but where that is not, it must pounded, but is gathered by general observation
be supplied by punctilios and compliments. of causes of like nature. For so we see in the
Again, there is no greater impediment of action book which Q. Cicero writeth to his brother,
than an over-curious observance of decency, and, De petitione consulatus," (being the only book
the guide of decency, which is time and season. of business, that I know, written by the ancients,)
For as Solomon saith, " Qui respicit ad ventos, although it concerned a particular action then on
non seminat; et qui respicit ad nubes, non me- foot, yet the substance thereof consisteth of many
tet:" a man must make his opportunity, as oft as wise and politic axioms, which contain not a
find it. To conclude: behaviour seemeth to me temporary, but a perpetual direction in the case
as a garment of the mind, and to have the condi- of popular elections. But chiefly we may see in
tions of a garment. For it ought to be made in those aphorisms which have place among divine
fashion; it ought not to be too curious-; it ought writings, composed by Solomon the king, (of
to be shaped so as to set forth any good making whom the Scriptures testify that his heart was as
of the mind, and hide any deformity; and above the sands of the sea, encompassing the world
all, it ought not to be too strait, or restrained for and all worldly matters,) we see, I say, not a
exercise or motion. But this part of civil know- few profound and excellent cautions, precepts,
ledge hath been elegantly handled, and therefore positions, extending to much variety of occasions;
I cannot report it for deficient. whereupon we will stay awhile, offering to conThe wisdom touching Negotiation or Business sideration some number of examples.
hath not been hitherto collected into writing, to " Sed et cunctis sermonibus qui dicuntur ne
the great derogation of learning, and the professors accommodes aurem tuam, ne forte audias servum
of learning. For from this root springeth chiefly tuum maledicentum tibi." Here is concluded the
that note or opinion, which by us is expressed in provident stay of inquiry of that which we would
adage to this effect, "6 that there is no great con- be loath to find: as it was judged great wisdom
currence between learning and wisdom." For of in Pompeius Magnus that he burned Sertorius's
the three wisdoms which we have set down to papers unperused.
pertain to civil life, for wisdom of behaviour, it is " Vir sapiens, si cum stulto contenderit, sive
by learped men for the most part despised, as an irascatur, sive rideat, non inveniet requiem."
inferior to virtue, and an enemy to meditation; Here is described the great disadvantage which a
for wisdom of government, they acquit themselves wise man hath in undertaking a lighter person
well when they are called to it, but that happeneth than himself; which is such an engagement as,
to few; but for the wisdom of business, wherein whether a man turn the matter to jest, or turn it to
man's life is most conversant, there be no books heat, or howsoever he change copy, he can noof it, except some few scattered advertisements, ways quit himself well of it.
that have no proportion to the magnitude of this "' Qui delicate a pueritia nutrit servum suum,
subject. For if books were written of this, as the postea sentiet eum contumacem." Here is signiother, I doubt not but learned men with mean ex- fled, that if a man begin too high a pitch in his
perience, would far excel men of long experience favours, it doth commonly end in unkindness and
without learning, and outshoot them in their own unthankfulness.
bow. "Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo t coram
Neither needeth it at all to be doubted, that this regibus stabit, nec erit inter ignobiles." Here is
knowledge should be so variable as it falleth not observed, that of all virtues for rising to honour,
under precept; for it is much less infinite than quickness of despatch is the best; for superiors
science of government, which, we see, is laboured many times love not to have those they employ
and in some part reduced. Of this wisdom, it too deep or too sufficient, but ready and diligent.
seemeth some of the ancient Romans, in the,"Vidi cunctos viventes qui ambulant sub sole,
sagest and wisest times, were professors; for cum adolescente secundo qui consurgit pro eo."
Cicero reporteth, that it was then in use for sena- Here is expressed that which was noted by Sylla
tors that had name and opinion for general wise first, and after him by Tiberius: 1" Plures adorant
men, as Coruncanius, Curius, Laelius, and many solem orientem quam occidentem vel meridiaothers, to walk at certain hours in the place, and num."
to give audience to those that would use their ad- ", Si spiritus potestatem habentis ascenderit suvice; and that the particular citizens would re- per te, locum tuum ne dimiseris; quia curatio;ort unto them, and consult with them of the faciet cessare peccata maxima." Here caution is
marriage of a daugbter, or of the employing of a given, that upon displeasure, retiring is of'tl.
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