212 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [XXII. 13. 



by representing her in state and majesty, and popular 

 opinions against virtue in their parasites coats fit to be 

 scorned and derided), are of so little effect towards honesty 

 of life, because they are not read and revolved by men in 

 their mature and settled years, but confined almost to 

 boys and beginners ? But is it not true also, that much 

 less young men are fit auditors of matters of policy, 

 till they have been throughly seasoned in religion and 

 morality; lest their judgements be corrupted, and made 

 apt to think that there are no true differences of things, 

 but according to utility and fortune, as the verse de 

 scribes it, Prosper urn et felix scelus virtus vocatur; and 

 again, Ilk crucem prelium seder is tulit, hie diadema : which 

 the poets do speak satirically, and in indignation on 

 virtue s behalf; but books of policy do speak it seriously 

 and positively; for so it pleaseth Machiavel to say, Thai 

 if CcBsar had been overthrown, he would have been more 

 odious than ever was Catiline; as if there had been no 

 difference, but in fortune, between a very fury of lust and 

 blood, and the most excellent spirit (his ambition reserved) 

 of the world? Again, is there not a caution likewise to 

 be given of the doctrines of moralities themselves (some 

 kinds of them), lest they make men too precise, arrogant, 

 incompatible ; as Cicero saith of Cato, In Marco Catone 

 hcBc bona qua videmus divina et egregia, ipsius scitote esse 

 propria; qua nonnunquam requirimus, ea sunt omnia non 

 a natura, sed a magktro? Many other axioms and advices 

 there are touching those proprieties and effects, which 

 studies do infuse and instil into manners. And so like 

 wise is there touching the use of all those other points, 

 of company, fame, laws, and the rest, which we recited in 

 the beginning in the doctrine of morality. 



14. But there is a kind of culture of the mind that 



