172 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING [XVII. 5. 



that is, enigmatical and disclosed. The pretence whereof 

 is, to remove the vulgar capacities from being admitted 

 to the secrets of knowledges, and to reserve them to 

 selected auditors, or wits of such sharpness as can pierce 

 the veil. 



6. Another diversity of method, whereof the conse 

 quence is great, is the delivery of knowledge in aphor 

 isms, or in methods ; wherein we may observe that it 

 hath been too much taken into custom, out of a few 

 axioms or observations upon any subject, to make a 

 solemn and formal art, filling it with some discourses, 

 and illustrating it with examples, and digesting it into 

 a sensible method. But the writing in aphorisms hath 

 many excellent virtues, whereto the writing in method 

 doth not approach. 



7. For first, it trieth the writer, whether he be superficial 

 or solid : for aphorisms, except they should be ridiculous, 

 cannot be made but of the pith and heart of sciences; 

 for discourse of illustration is cut off ; recitals of exam 

 ples are cut off; discourse of connexion and order is 

 cut off; descriptions of practice are cut off. So there 

 remaineth nothing to fill the aphorisms but some good 

 quantity of observation : and therefore no man can suffice, 

 nor in reason will attempt, to write aphorisms, but he that 

 is sound and grounded. But in methods, 



Tantum series juncturaque pollet, 

 Tantum de medio sumptis accedit honoris, 



as a man shall make a great show of an art, which, if it 

 were disjointed, would come to little. Secondly, methods 

 are more fit to win consent or belief, but less fit to 

 point to action ; for they carry a kind of demonstration 

 in orb or circle, one part illuminating another, and there 

 fore satisfy. But particulars being dispersed do best 



