OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [XXIII. 30. 



30. Next to the well understanding and discerning of 

 a man s self, there followeth the well opening and re 

 vealing a man s self; wherein we see nothing more 

 usual than for the more able man to make the less 

 show. For there is a great advantage in the well set 

 ting forth of a man s virtues, fortunes, merits; and 

 again, in the artificial covering of a man s weaknesses, 

 defects, disgraces; staying upon the one, sliding from 

 the other ; cherishing the one by circumstances, gracing 

 the other by exposition, and the like. Wherein we see 

 what Tacitus saith of Mutianus, who was the greatest 

 politique of his time, Omnium qua dixerat feceratque arte 

 quadam ostentator : which requireth indeed some art, lest 

 it turn tedious and arrogant ; but yet so, as ostentation 

 (though it be to the first degree of vanity) seemeth to me 

 rather a vice in manners than in policy : for as it is said* 

 Audacter calumniare, semper aliquid h&ret : so, except it 

 be in a ridiculous degree of deformity, Audacter te vendita, 

 semper aliquid hceret. For it will stick with the more 

 ignorant and inferior sort of men, though men of wisdom 

 and rank do smile at it and despise it ; and yet the 

 authority won with many doth countervail the disdain 

 of a few. But if it be carried with decency and govern 

 ment, as with a natural, pleasant, and ingenious fashion ; 

 or at times when it is mixed with some peril and unsafety 

 (as in military persons) ; or at times when others are most 

 envied ; or with easy and careless passage to it and from 

 it, without dwelling too long, or being too serious; or 

 with an equal freedom of taxing a man s self, as well 

 as gracing himself; or by occasion of repelling or put 

 ting down others injury or insolency; it doth greatly 

 add to reputation: and surely not a few solid natures, 

 that want this ventosity and cannot sail in the height 



