200 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [XXI. 8. 
wherein I should have said as much, if it had been written 
a thousand years since. Neither am I moved with certain 
courtly decencies, which esteem it flattery to praise in 
presence. No, it is flattery to praise in absence; that is, 
when either the virtue is absent, or the occasion is ab- 
sent; and so the praise is not natural, but forced, either in 
truth or in time. But let Cicero be read in his oration 
pro Marcello, which is nothing but an excellent table of 
Ceesar’s virtue, and made to his face; besides the example 
of many other excellent persons, wiser a great deal than 
such observers ; and we will never doubt, upon a full 
occasion, to give just praises to present or absent. 
g. But to return: there belongeth further to the hand- 
ling of this part, touching the duties of professions and 
vocations, a relative or opposite, touching the frauds, 
cautels, impostures, and vices of every profession, which 
hath been likewise handled: but how? rather in a satire 
and cynically, than seriously and wisely: for men have 
rather sought by wit to deride and traduce much of that 
which is good in professions, than with judgement to 
discover and sever that which is corrupt. For, as Salomon 
saith, he that cometh to seek after knowledge with a 
mind to scorn and censure, shall be sure to find matter 
for his humour,-but no matter for his instruction: Que- 
rentt derisort scitentam ipsa se abscondit; -sed 
De cautelis j 2 : 
ages) ize studioso fit obviam. But the managing of 
artibus. this argument with integrity and truth, which 
I note as deficient, seemeth to me to be one of the best 
fortifications for honesty and virtue that can be planted. 
For, as the fable goeth of the basilisk, that if he see you 
first, you die for it; but if you see him first, he dieth: so is 
it with deceits and evil arts; which, if they be first espied 
they leese their life ; but if they prevent, they endanger. So 
ve 
