ay 
s 
240 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [ XXIII. 34._ 
strength to over-hard or extreme points; but choose in 
their actions that which is most passable: for this will 
preserve men from foil, not occupy them too much about 
one matter, win opinion of moderation, please the most, 
and make a show of a perpetual felicity in all they under- 
take; which cannot but mightily increase reputation. 
35. Another part of this knowledge seemeth to have 
some repugnancy with the former two, but not as I 
understand it; and it is that which Demosthenes uttereth 
in high terms; £7 guemadmodum receptum est, ul exercitum 
ducal imperator, sic e¢ a cordatis virts res ipse ducend@ ; 
ut que ipsts videntur, ea gerantur, et non ipst eventus per- 
segut coganiur. For if we observe we shall find two 
differing kinds of sufficiency in managing of business: 
some can make use of occasions aptly and dexterously, 
but plot little ; some can urge and pursue their own plots 
well, but cannot accommodate nor take in; either of 
which is very unperfect without the other. - 
36. Another part of this knowledge is the observing a 
good mediocrity in the declaring, or not declaring a man’s 
self: for although depth of secrecy, and making way 
(gualis est via navis in mart, which the French calleth 
sourdes menées, when men set things in work without 
opening themselves at all), be sometimes both prosperous 
and admirable; yet many times dssimulatio errores parit, 
gui dissimulatorem ipsum illaqueant. And therefore we 
see the greatest politiques have in a natural and free 
manner professed their desires, rather than been reserved 
and disguised in them. For so we see that Lucius Sylla 
made a kind of profession, shat he wished all men happy or 
unhappy, as they stood his friends or enemies. So Cesar, 
when he went first into Gaul, made no scruple to profess 
That he had rather be first in a village than second at Rome. 
