204 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. ([XxI1. 2. 
some heads or points thereof, that it may appear the 
better what it is, and whether it be extant. 
3. 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 alteration, 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: 
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 indus- 
trious suffering, which draweth and contriveth use and ad- 
vantage out of that which seemeth adverse and contrary; 
which is that properly 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 mea- 
sure of the body. 
4. 50 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; specially having regard to those differences 
which are most radical in being the fountains and causes 
