i 68 Bacon 



than their books. It is reasonable therefore that we pro 

 pound it in the more particularity, both for the worthiness, 

 and because we may acquit ourselves for reporting it 

 deficient; which seemeth almost incredible, and is other 

 wise conceived and presupposed by those themselves that 

 have written. We will therefore enumerate some heads or 

 points thereof, that it may appear the better what it is, and 

 whether it be extant. 



First, therefore, in this, as in all things which are practical, 

 we ought to cast up our account, what is in our power, and 

 what not ; for the one may be dealt with by way of altera 

 tion, but the other by way of application only. The 

 husbandman cannot command neither the nature of the 

 earth nor the seasons of the weather; no more can the 

 physician the constitution of the patient, nor the variety of 

 accidents. So in the culture and cure of the mind of man, 

 two things are without our command; points of nature, 

 and points of fortune. For to the basis of the one, and the 

 conditions of the other, our work is limited and tied. In 

 these things therefore it is left unto us to proceed by 

 application ; 



Vincenda est omnis fortuna ferendo: 1 



and so likewise, 



Vincenda est omnis Natura ferendo. 



But when that we speak of suffering, we do not speak of a 

 dull and neglected suffering, but of a wise and industrious 

 suffering, which draweth and contriveth use and advantage 

 out of that which seemeth adverse and contrary; which 

 is that property which we call accommodating or applying. 

 Now the wisdom of application resteth principally in the 

 exact and distinct knowledge of the precedent state or 

 disposition, unto which we do apply: for we cannot fit a 

 garment, except we first take measure of the body. 



So then the first article of this knowledge is to set down 

 sound and true distributions and descriptions of the 

 several characters and tempers of men s natures and dis 

 positions; especially having regard to those differences 

 which are most radical in being the fountains and causes 

 of the rest, or most frequent in concurrence or commixture; 



1 Virg. sn. v. 710. &quot; Superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est.&quot; 



