1

2

His

that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts 2 made of them by others; but that would be 3 only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books; else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full man; conference, a ready man; and writing, an exact man. And, therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit; and if he read little, he had need have much cunning to seem to know that he doth not. tories make men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtle; natural philosophy, deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores.5 Nay, there is no stond 6 or impediment in the wit, but may be wrought out by fit studies: like as diseases of the body may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting, for the lungs and breast; gentle walking, for the stomach; riding, for the head; and the like. So, if a man's wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics, for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again; if his wit be not apt to distinguish or find difference, let him study the School

1 Curiously] With minute attention.

2 Extracts] Abstracts. Lat. compendia.

8 Would be] Ought to be. See p. 135, note 3.

And writing an exact man]

lectio, perlecta in animo imprimit,

Lat. Scriptio autem, et notarum colet altius figit.

5 Abeunt studia in mores] Ovid, Heroid. xv. 83. Studies pass into (tend to form) manners or habits. This is also referred to in the Ad

vancement, I.

6 Stond] Obstacle, or resistance. The word has occurred before, in the 40th Essay.

Wrought out] Gradually removed. Lat. Emendari et edolari.

men,' for they are Cymini sectores; 2 if he be not apt to beat over matters,3 and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study the lawyer's cases: So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt.

LI. OF FACTION.

4

Many have an opinion not wise, that for a Prince to govern his Estate, or for a great person to govern his proceedings, according to the respect of factions, is a principal part of policy; whereas, contrariwise, the chiefest wisdom is either in ordering those things which are general, and wherein men of several factions do nevertheless agree, or in dealing with correspondence to particular persons, one by one. But I say not that the consideration of factions is to be neglected. Mean men, in their rising, must adhere; 5 but great men, that have strength in themselves, were better 6 to maintain themselves indifferent and neutral. Yet even in beginners, to adhere so moderately, as 7 he be a man of the one faction which is most passable

The Schoolmen] See p. 69, note 7.

2 Cymini sectores] Splitters of cummin-seeds: splitters of hairs or straws, as we now say. The name was applied by Dion Cassius to Antoninus Pius, of whom Bacon, in the Advancement, I., says, 'He was called Cymini sector (a carver or divider of cummin), which is one of the least seeds; such a patience he had, and settled spirit, to enter into the least and most exact differences of causes.'

3 To beat over matters] To beat about amongst matters; to ransack them.

• Ordering] Regulating.

5 Must adhere] Must take a side; must attach themselves to some party.

6 Were better] See p. 196, note 9.

As] That.

Which is most passable] Who is least offensive.

with the other, commonly giveth best way. The lower and weaker faction is the firmer in conjunction, and it is often seen that a few that are stiff do tire out a greater number that are more moderate. When one of the factions is extinguished, the remaining subdivideth; as the faction between Lucullus and the rest of the nobles of the senate (which they called optimates) held out awhile against the faction of Pompey and Cæsar: but when the senate's authority was pulled down, Cæsar and Pompey soon after brake. The faction or party of Antonius and Octavianus Cæsar, against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a time but when Brutus and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after Antonius and Octavianus brake and subdivided. These examples are of wars; but the same holdeth in private factions. And therefore those that are seconds in factions do many times, when the faction subdivideth, prove principals: but many times also they prove ciphers and cashiered; for many a man's strength is in opposition, and when that faileth,' he groweth out of use. It is commonly seen that men once placed take in with the contrary faction to that by which they enter: thinking, belike, that they have the first sure; and now are ready for a new purchase. The traitor in faction lightly goeth away with it; 2 for when matters have stuck long in balancing, the winning of some one man casteth them, and he getteth all the thanks. The even carriage

3

1 Faileth] Ceases.

2 Lightly goeth away with it] Generally carries it, or prevails; usually attains his object. Lat. Plerumque rem obtinet. Lightly was often used for commonly. Thus, in Ben Jonson's Discoveries, The great thieves of a state are lightly the officers of the crown;' and in, his Cynthia's Revels, 'He is not lightly within to his mercer;' and in Shaksp. Rich. III. iii. 1, 'Short summers lightly have a forward spring.'

8 The winning] The gaining over.

between two factions' proceedeth not always of moderation, but of a trueness to a man's self, with end to make use of both. Certainly, in Italy, they hold it a little suspect in Popes, when they have often in their mouth Padre commune,2 and take it to be a sign of one that meaneth to refer all to the greatness of his own house. Kings had need beware how they side themselves, and make themselves as of a faction or party; for leagues within the State are ever pernicious to Monarchies; for they raise an obligation paramount to obligation of Sovereignty, and make the King tanquam unus ex nobis; 3 as was to be seen in the league of France. When factions are carried too high and too violently, it is a sign of weakness in Princes, and much to the prejudice both of their authority and business. The motions of factions under Kings ought to be like the motions (as the astronomers speak) of the inferior orbs, which may have their proper motions, but yet still are quietly carried by the higher motion of primum mobile."

5

LII. OF CEREMONIES AND RESPECTS.

He that is only real had need have exceeding great parts of virtue; as the stone had need to be rich that is set without foil. But if a man mark it well, it is in praise and commendation of men, as it is in gettings and gains. For the proverb is true, that light gains make heavy purses;

1 The even carriage, &c.] Lat. Indifferens illa inter partes processio, neutri inclinando.

2 Padre commune] Common father.

8 Tanquam unus ex nobis] As was to be seen, &c.]

P. 55.

As one of us.

Compare what is said in the 15th Essay,

5 Their proper motions] Their own particular motions. • Still] Always.

"Primum mobile] See p. 56, note I.

for light gains come thick, whereas great come but now and then. So it is true, that small matters win great commendation, because they are continually in use and in note; whereas the occasion of any great virtue cometh but on festivals. Therefore it doth much add to a man's reputation, and is (as Queen Isabella 2 said) like perpetual letters commendatory, to have good forms. To attain them, it almost sufficeth not to despise them; for so shall a man observe them in others; and let him trust himself with the rest. For if he labour too much to express them, he shall lose their grace, which is, to be natural and unaffected. Some men's behaviour is like a verse, wherein every syllable is measured: how can a man comprehend 3 great matters that breaketh his mind too much to small observations ?4 Not to use ceremonies at all is to teach others not to use them again; and so diminish respect to himself: especially they be not to be omitted to strangers and formal natures: but the dwelling upon them, and exalting them above the moon,5 is not only tedious, but doth diminish the faith and credit of him that speaks. And certainly, there is a kind of conveying of effectual and imprinting passages amongst compliments, which is of singular use, if a man can hit upon it. Amongst a man's peers, a man shall be sure of familiarity; and therefore it is good a little to keep state: 6 amongst a man's inferiors, one shall be sure of reverence; and therefore it is good a little to

In note] In notice or observation.

2 Isabella] Wife of Ferdinand of Arragon. She died in 1504. 3 Comprehend] Embrace.

• Observations] Observances.

5 Exalting them, &c.] So in North's Plutarch (Coriolanus) 'Whose valiantness he commended beyond the moon ;' and in Spenser, F. Q. II. iii. 38, Endeavouring my dreaded name to raise above the

moon.'

State] Dignity.