ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. CXXV 



it is but justice to the author to remember, both the time 

 when it was written and the persons for whom it was 

 composed, &quot; length and ornament of speech being fit for 

 persuasion of multitudes, although not for information of 

 kings.&quot; 



The work is divided into two books : the first con- Division, 

 sisting of his dedication to the King; of his statement of 

 the objections to learning, by divines, by politicians, and 

 from the errors of learned men ; and of some of the advan 

 tages of knowledge. 



If, in compliance with the custom of the times, (c) or Dedica- 

 from an opinion that wisdom, although it ought not to 

 stoop to persons, should submit to occasions, (a) or from a 

 morbid anxiety to accelerate the advancement (b) of know- 



(r) See the last note in the work. 



(a) &quot; Not that I can tax or condemn the morigeration or application of 

 learned men to men in fortune. For the answer was good that Diogenes 

 made to one that asked him in mockery, How it came to pass that philo 

 sophers were the followers of rich men, and not rich men of philosophers ? 

 He answered soberly, and yet sharply, Because the one sort knew what 

 they had need of, and the other did not. And of the like nature was the 

 answer which Aristippus made, when having a petition to Dionysius, and 

 no ear given to him, he fell down at his feet; whereupon Dionysius staid, 

 and gave him the hearing, and granted it: and afterward some person, 

 tender on the behalf of philosophy, reproved Aristippus, that he would 

 offer the profession of philosophy such an indignity, as for a private suit to 

 fall at a tyrant s feet : but he answered, It was not his fault, but it was the 

 fault of Dionysius, that he had his ears in his feet. Neither was it accounted 

 weakness, but discretion in him that would not dispute his best with 

 Adrianus Caesar; excusing himself/ That it was reason to yield to him that 

 commanded thirty legions. These and the like applications, and stooping 

 to points of necessity and convenience, cannot be disallowed; for, though 

 they may have some outward baseness, yet in a judgment truly made, they 

 are to be accounted submissions to the occasion, and not to the person.&quot; 



(6) It is so difficult to love and be wise, that Bacon was constantly over 

 anxious to accelerate the progress of knowledge : &quot; I have held up a light,&quot; 

 he says, &quot;in the obscurity of philosophy, which will be seen centuries after 



