Advancement of Learning 173 



cute all ; and therefore we do resume custom and habit to 

 speak of. 



The opinion of Aristotle seemeth to me a negligent 

 opinion, that of those things which consist by nature 

 nothing can be changed by custom ; using for example, that 

 if a stone be thrown ten thousand times up, it will not learn 

 to ascend ; 1 and that by often seeing or hearing, we do not 

 learn to see or hear the better. For though this principle 

 be true in things wherein nature is peremptory (the reason 

 whereof we cannot now stand to discuss), yet it is otherwise 

 in things wherein nature admitteth a latitude. For he 

 might see that a strait glove will come more easily on with 

 use; and that a wand will by use bend otherwise than it 

 grew; and that by use of the voice we speak louder and 

 stronger; and that by use of enduring heat or cold, we 

 endure it the better, and the like: which latter sort have 

 a nearer resemblance unto that subject of manners he 

 handleth, than those instances which he allegeth. But 

 allowing his conclusion, that virtues and vices consist in 

 habit, he ought so much the more to have taught the 

 manner of superinducing that habit: for there be many 

 precepts of the wise ordering the exercises of the mind, as 

 there is of ordering the exercises of the body; whereof we 

 will recite a few. 



The first shall be, that we beware we take not at the first 

 either too high a strain, or too weak: for if too high, in a 

 diffident nature you discourage, in a confident nature you 

 breed an opinion of facility, and so a sloth; and in all 

 natures you breed a farther expectation than can hold out, 

 and so an insatisf action in the end : if too weak on the other 

 side, you may not look to perform and overcome any great 

 task. 



Another precept is, to practise all things chiefly at two 

 several times, the one when the mind is best disposed, the 

 other when it is worst disposed ; that by the one you may 

 gain a great step, by the other you may work out the knots 

 and stonds of the mind, and make the middle times the 

 more easy 2 and pleasant. 



1 Eth. Nic. ii. i, 2. 



2 Edition 1605 has easily Latin, &quot; facile et placide delabentur &quot; 

 from which Mr. Spedding suggests that Bacon may have originally 

 written &quot; run more easily.&quot; 



