Discoveries and Some Poems | Page 3

misspend the
better part of life in! in scattering compliments, tendering visits,
gathering and venting news, following feasts and plays, making a little
winter-love in a dark corner.

Hypocrita.--Puritanus Hypocrita est Haereticus, quem opinio propriae
perspicaciae, qua sibi videtur, cum paucis in Ecclesia dogmatibus
errores quosdam animadvertisse, de statu mentis deturbavit: unde sacro
furore percitus, phrenetice pugnat contra magistratus, sic ratus
obedientiam praestare Deo. {14}
Mutua auxilia.--Learning needs rest: sovereignty gives it. Sovereignty
needs counsel: learning affords it. There is such a consociation of
offices between the prince and whom his favour breeds, that they may
help to sustain his power as he their knowledge. It is the greatest part of
his liberality, his favour; and from whom doth he hear discipline more
willingly, or the arts discoursed more gladly, than from those whom his
own bounty and benefits have made able and faithful?
Cognit. univers.--In being able to counsel others, a man must be
furnished with a universal store in himself, to the knowledge of all
nature--that is, the matter and seed-plot: there are the seats of all
argument and invention. But especially you must be cunning in the
nature of man: there is the variety of things which are as the elements
and letters, which his art and wisdom must rank and order to the
present occasion. For we see not all letters in single words, nor all
places in particular discourses. That cause seldom happens wherein a
man will use all arguments.
Consiliarii adjunct. Probitas, Sapientia.--The two chief things that give
a man reputation in counsel are the opinion of his honesty and the
opinion of his wisdom: the authority of those two will persuade when
the same counsels uttered by other persons less qualified are of no
efficacy or working.
Vita recta.--Wisdom without honesty is mere craft and cozenage. And
therefore the reputation of honesty must first be gotten, which cannot
be but by living well. A good life is a main argument.
Obsequentia.--Humanitas.--Solicitudo.--Next a good life, to beget love
in the persons we counsel, by dissembling our knowledge of ability in
ourselves, and avoiding all suspicion of arrogance, ascribing all to their
instruction, as an ambassador to his master, or a subject to his
sovereign; seasoning all with humanity and sweetness, only expressing
care and solicitude. And not to counsel rashly, or on the sudden, but
with advice and meditation. (Dat nox consilium. {17a}) For many
foolish things fall from wise men, if they speak in haste or be

extemporal. It therefore behoves the giver of counsel to be circumspect;
especially to beware of those with whom he is not thoroughly
acquainted, lest any spice of rashness, folly, or self-love appear, which
will be marked by new persons and men of experience in affairs.
Modestia.--Parrhesia.--And to the prince, or his superior, to behave
himself modestly and with respect. Yet free from flattery or empire.
Not with insolence or precept; but as the prince were already furnished
with the parts he should have, especially in affairs of state. For in other
things they will more easily suffer themselves to be taught or
reprehended: they will not willingly contend, but hear, with Alexander,
the answer the musician gave him: Absit, o rex, ut tu melius haec scias,
quam ego. {17b}
Perspicuitas.--Elegantia.--A man should so deliver himself to the nature
of the subject whereof he speaks, that his hearer may take knowledge of
his discipline with some delight; and so apparel fair and good matter,
that the studious of elegancy be not defrauded; redeem arts from their
rough and braky seats, where they lay hid and overgrown with thorns,
to a pure, open, and flowery light, where they may take the eye and be
taken by the hand.
Natura non effaeta.--I cannot think Nature is so spent and decayed that
she can bring forth nothing worth her former years. She is always the
same, like herself; and when she collects her strength is abler still. Men
are decayed, and studies: she is not.
Non nimium credendum antiquitati.--I know nothing can conduce more
to letters than to examine the writings of the ancients, and not to rest in
their sole authority, or take all upon trust from them, provided the
plagues of judging and pronouncing against them be away; such as are
envy, bitterness, precipitation, impudence, and scurrilous scoffing. For
to all the observations of the ancients we have our own experience,
which if we will use and apply, we have better means to pronounce. It
is true they opened the gates, and made the way that went before us, but
as guides, not commanders: Non domini nostri, sed duces fuere. {19a}
Truth lies open to all; it is no man's several. Patet omnibus veritas;
nondum est occupata. Multum ex illa, etiam futuris relicta est. {19b}
Dissentire licet, sed cum ratione.--If