340 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 ; Et quemadmodum receptum est, ut exercitum 

 ducat imperator, sic et a cordatis viris res ipsce ducendce ; 

 ut qua ipsis videntur, ea gerantur, et non ipsi eventus per- 

 sequi 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 

 (qualis est via navis in mari, which the French calleth 

 sourdes mentis, when men set things in work without 

 opening themselves at all), be sometimes both prosperous 

 and admirable ; yet many times dissimulatio error es parit, 

 qui 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, that he wished all men happy or 

 unhappy , as they stood his friends or enemies. So Caesar, 

 when he went first into Gaul, made no scruple to profess 

 That he had rather be first in a village than second at Rome* 



