The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

234 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. BooK II.
his parts and inclination; being such, neverthe- of a few. But if it be carried with decency and
less, as a man cannot tell well whether they were government, as with a natural, pleasant, and inworse for a prince or for a priest. genious fashion; or at times when it is mixed
Thirdly, to consider how they sort with those with some peril and unsafety, as in military perwhom they are like to have competitors and con- sons; or at times when others are most envied;
currents; and to take that course wherein there is or with easy and careless passage to it and from
most solitude, and themselves like to be most it, without dwelling too long, or being too serieminent: as Julius Caesar did, who at first was ous; or with an equal freedom of taxing a man's
an orator or pleader; but when he saw the excel- self, as well as gracing himself; or by occasion
lency of Cicero, Hortensius, Catulus, and others, of repelling or putting down others' injury or infor eloquence, and saw there was no man of repu- solence; it doth greatly add to reputation: and
tation for the wars but Pompeius, upon whom the surely not a few solid natures, that want this venstate was forced to rely, he forsook his course tosity, and -cannot sail in the height of the winds,
begun toward a civil and popular greatness, and are not without some prejudice and disadvantage
transferred his designs to a martial greatness. by their moderation.
Fourthly, in the choice of their friends and de- But for these flourishes and enhancements of
pendences, to proceed according to the composi- virtue, as they are not perchance unnecessary, so
tion of their own nature: as we may see in Cae- it is at least necessary that virtue be not disvalued
sar; all whose friends and followers were men and embased under the just price; which is done
active and effectual, but not solemn, or of reputa- in three manners: by offering and obtruding a
tion. man's self; wherein men think he is rewarded,
Fifthly, to take special heed how they guide when he is accepted; by doing too much, which
themselves by examples, in thinking they can do will not give that which is well done leave to
as they see others do; whereas perhaps their na- settle, and in the end induceth satiety; and by
tures and carriages are far differing. In which finding too soon the fruit of a man's virtue, in
error it seemeth Pompey was, of whom Cicero commendation, applause, honour, favour; wheresaith, that he was wont often to say,," Sylla po- in if a man be pleased with a little, let him hear
tuit, ego non potero t" Wherein he was much what is truly said; 1" Cave ne insuetus rebus maabused, the natures and proceedings of himself joribus videaris, si haec te res parva sicuti magna
and his example being theunlikest in the world; delectat."
the one being fierce, violent, and pressing the fact; But the covering of defects is of no less imthe other solemn, and full of majesty and circum- portance than the valuing of good parts; which
stance, and therefore the less effectual. may be done likewise in three manners, by cauBut this precept touching the politic knowledge tion, by colour, and by confidence. Caution is
of ourselves, hath many other branches, whereupon when men do ingeniously and discreetly avoid to
we cannot insist. be put into those things for which they are not
Next to the well understanding and discerning proper: whereas, contrariwise, bold and unquiet
of a man's self, there followeth the well opening spirits will thrust themselves into matters without
and revealing a man's self; wherein we see no- difference, and so publish and proclaim all their
thing more usual than for the more able men to wants. Colour is, when men make a way for
make the less show. For there is a great advan- themselves, to have a construction made of their
tage in the well setting forth of a man's virtues, faults and wants, as proceeding from a better
fortunes, merits; and again, in the artificial cover- cause, or intended for some other purpose: for of
ing of a man's weaknesses, defects, disgraces; the one it is well said, " Siepe latet vitium proxistaying upon the one, sliding from the other; mitate boni," and therefore whatsoever want a
cherishing the one by circumstances, gracing the man hath, he must see that he pretend the virtue
other by exposition, and the like: wherein we see that shadoweth it; as if he be dull, he must afwhat Tacitus saith of Mutianus, who was the feet gravity; if a coward, mildness; and so the
greatest politician of his time,, Omnium quae rest: for the second, a man must frame some prodixerat feceratque arte quadam ostentator:" which bable cause why he should not do his best, and
requireth indeed some art, lest it turn tedious and why he should dissemble his abilities; and for
arrogant; but yet so as ostentation, though it be that purpose must use to dissemble those abilities
to the first degree of vanity, seemeth to me rather which are notorious in him, to give colour that his
a vice in manners than in policy: for as it is said, true wants are but industries and dissimulations.,, Audacter, calumniate, semper aliquid haeret:" For confidence, it is the last but surest remedy;
so, except it be in a ridiculous degree of deform- namely, to depress and seem to despise whatsoity,,"Audacter te vendita, semper aliquid haeret." ever a man cannot attain;* observing the good
For it will stick with the more ignorant and infe- principle of the merchants, who endeavour to
rior sort of men, though men of wisdom and rank raise the price of their own commodities, and to
do smile at it, and despise it; and yet the autho- beat down the price of others. But there is a
rity won with many doth countervail the disdain confidence that passeth this other; which is, te