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than by itself。 As in conference； the gravity； robe； and fortune of him
who speaks； ofttimes gives reputation to vain arguments and idle words；
it is not to be presumed but that a man； so attended and feared； has not
in him more than ordinary sufficiency； and that he to whom the king has
given so many offices and commissions and charges； he so supercilious and
proud； has not a great deal more in him； than another who salutes him at
so great a distance； and who has no employment at all。 Not only the
words； but the grimaces also of these people； are considered and put into
the account； every one making it his business to give them some fine and
solid interpretation。 If they stoop to the common conference； and that
you offer anything but approbation and reverence； they then knock you
down with the authority of their experience： they have heard； they have
seen； they have done so and so： you are crushed with examples。 I should
willingly tell them； that the fruit of a surgeon's experience； is not the
history of his practice and his remembering that he has cured four people
of the plague and three of the gout； unless he knows how thence to
extract something whereon to form his judgment； and to make us sensible
that he has thence become more skillful in his art。 As in a concert of
instruments； we do not hear a lute； a harpsichord； or a flute alone； but
one entire harmony； the result of all together。 If travel and offices
have improved them； 'tis a product of their understanding to make it
appear。 'Tis not enough to reckon experiences； they must weigh； sort and
distil them； to extract the reasons and conclusions they carry along with
them。 There were never so many historians： it is； indeed； good and of
use to read them； for they furnish us everywhere with excellent and
laudable instructions from the magazine of their memory； which；
doubtless； is of great concern to the help of life； but 'tis not that we
seek for now： we examine whether these relaters and collectors of things
are commendable themselves。
I hate all sorts of tyranny； both in word and deed。 I am very ready to
oppose myself against those vain circumstances that delude our judgments
by the senses； and keeping my eye close upon those extraordinary
greatnesses； I find that at best they are men； as others are：
〃Rarus enim ferme sensus communis in illa
Fortuna。〃
＇〃For in those high fortunes； common sense is generally rare。〃
Juvenal； viii。 73。＇
Peradventure； we esteem and look upon them for less than they are； by
reason they undertake more； and more expose themselves； they do not
answer to the charge they have undertaken。 There must be more vigour and
strength in the bearer than in the burden； he who has not lifted as much
as he can； leaves you to guess that he has still a strength beyond that；
and that he has not been tried to the utmost of what he is able to do； he
who sinks under his load； makes a discovery of his best； and the weakness
of his shoulders。 This is the reason that we see so many silly souls
amongst the learned； and more than those of the better sort： they would
have made good husbandmen； good merchants； and good artisans： their
natural vigour was cut out to that proportion。 Knowledge is a thing of
great weight； they faint under it： their understanding has neither vigour
nor dexterity enough to set forth and distribute； to employ or make use
of this rich and powerful matter； it has no prevailing virtue but in a
strong nature； and such natures are very rareand the weak ones； says
Socrates； corrupt the dignity of philosophy in the handling； it appears
useless and vicious； when lodged in an ill…contrived mind。 They spoil
and make fools of themselves：
〃Humani qualis simulator simius oris；
Quern puer arridens pretioso stamine serum
Velavit； nudasque nates ac terga reliquit；
Ludibrium mensis。〃
＇〃Just like an ape； simulator of the human face； whom a wanton boy
has dizened up in rich silks above； but left the lower parts bare；
for a laughing…stock for the tables。〃
Claudian； in Eutrop。； i 303。＇
Neither is it enough for those who govern and command us； and have all
the world in their hands； to have a common understanding； and to be able
to do the same that we can； they are very much below us； if they be not
infinitely above us： as they promise more； so they are to perform more。
And yet silence is to them； not only a countenance of respect and
gravity； but very often of good advantage too： for Megabyzus； going 'to
see Apelles in his painting…room； stood a great while without speaking a
word； and at last began to talk of his paintings； for which he received
this rude reproof： 〃Whilst thou wast silent； thou seemedst to be some
great thing； by reason of thy chains and rich habit； but now that we have
heard thee speak； there is not the meanest boy in my workshop that does
not despise thee。〃 Those princely ornaments； that mighty state； did not
permit him to be ignorant with a common ignorance； and to speak
impertinently of painting； he ought to have kept this external and
presumptive knowledge by silence。 To how many foolish fellows of my time
has a sullen and silent mien procured the credit of prudence and
capacity！
Dignities and offices are of necessity conferred more by fortune than
upon the account of merit； and we are often to blame； to condemn kings
when these are misplaced： on the contrary； 'tis a wonder they should have
so good luck； where there is so little skill：
〃Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos；〃
＇〃'Tis the chief virtue of a prince to know his people。〃
Martial； viii。 15。＇
for nature has not given them a sight that can extend to so many people；
to discern which excels the rest； nor to penetrate into our bosoms； where
the knowledge of our wills and best value lies they must choose us by
conjecture and by groping； by the family； wealth； learning； and the voice
of the people； which are all very feeble arguments。 Whoever could find
out a way by which they might judge by justice； and choose men by reason；
would； in this one thing； establish a perfect form of government。
〃Ay； but he brought that great affair to a very good pass。〃 This is；
indeed； to say something； but not to say enough： for this sentence is
justly received； 〃That we are not to judge of counsels by events。〃
The Carthaginians punished the ill counsels of their captains； though
they were rectified by a successful issue； and the Roman people often
denied a triumph for great and very advantageous victories because the
conduct of their general was not answerable to his good fortune。
We ordinarily see； in the actions of the world； that Fortune； to shew
us her power in all things； and who takes a pride in abating our
presumption； seeing she could not make fools wise； has made them
fortunate in emulation of virtue； and most favours those operations the
web of which is most purely her own； whence it is that the simplest
amongst us bring to pass great business； both public and private； and；
as Seiramnes； the Persian； answered th