830 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



A fourth precept may be founded on this sure principle; 

 that the mind is easier, and more agreeably drawn on to 

 those things which are not principally intended by the oper 

 ator, but conquered or obtained without premeditated de 

 sign, because our nature is such, as in a manner hates to be 

 commanded. There are many other useful precepts for the 

 regulating of custom; and if custom be prudently and skil 

 fully introduced, it really becomes a second nature; but if 

 unskilfully and casually treated, it will be but the ape of 

 nature, and imitate nothing to the life, or awkwardly, and 

 with deformity. 



So with regard to books, studies, and influence over our 

 manners, there are numerous useful rules and directions. 

 One of the fathers, in great severity, called poetry the 

 devil s wine; as indeed it begets many temptations, de 

 sires, and vain opinions. And it is a very prudent saying 

 of Aristotle, deserving to be well considered, that &quot;young 

 men are improper hearers of moral philosophy,&quot; 18 because 

 the heat of their passions is not yet allayed and tempered by 

 time and experience. And to say the truth, the reason why 

 the excellent writings and moral discourses of the ancients 

 have so little effect upon our lives and manners, seems to 

 be, that they are not usually read by men of ripe age and 

 judgment, but wholly left to inexperienced youths and 

 children. And are not young men much less fit for poli 

 tics than for ethics, before they are well seasoned with 

 religion, and the doctrines of morality and civility ? For 

 being, perhaps, depraved and corrupted in their judgment, 

 they are apt to think that moral differences are not real and 

 solid; but that all things are to be measured by utility and 

 success. Thus the poet said, &quot;Successful villany is called 

 virtue&quot; &quot;Prosperum et felix scelus, virtus vocatur. &quot; J9 

 And again, &quot;Ille crucem pretium sceleris tulit, hie dia- 

 dema.&quot; ao The poets, indeed, speak in this manner satiri 

 cally, and through indignation; but some books of politics 



18 Nic. Eth. i. 15. 19 Seneca, Here. Fur. v. 251. 80 Juv. Sat. xiii. 105. 



