ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 355 



XXIII. He who respects persons in judgment does ill, and will forsake the 

 truth for a piece of bread 32 



This aphorism wisely observes, that facility of temper is 

 more pernicious in a judge than bribery; for bribes are not 

 offered by all, but there is no cause wherein something may 

 not be found to sway the mind of the judge, if he be a re 

 specter of persons. Thus, one shall be respected for his 

 country, another for his riches, another for being recom 

 mended by a friend, etc. So that iniquity must abound 

 where respect of persons prevails, and judgment be cor 

 rupted for a very trifling thing, as it were for a morsel of 

 bread. 



XXIV. A poor man, that by extortion oppresses the poor, is like a land-flood 

 that causes famine 33 



This parable was anciently painted by the fable of the 

 leech, full and empty; for the oppression of a poor and 

 hungry wretch is much more grievous than the oppression 

 of one who is rich and full; as he searches into all the cor 

 ners and arts of exactions and ways of raising contributions. 

 The thing has been also usually resembled to a sponge, 

 which sucks strongly when dry, but less when moist. And 

 it contains a useful admonition to princes, that they commit 

 not the government of provinces or places of power to indi 

 gent men, or such as are in debt; and again to the people, 

 that they permit not their kings to struggle with want. 



XX Y. A just man falling before the wicked, is a troubled fountain and 

 a corrupted spring 34 



This is a caution to states, that they should have a capi 

 tal regard to the passing an unjust or infamous sentence in 

 any great and weighty cause, where not only the guilty is 

 acquitted, but the innocent condemned. To countenance 

 private injuries, indeed, disturbs and pollutes the clear 

 streams of justice, as it were, in the brook; but unjust and 

 great public sentences, which are afterward drawn into prec 

 edents, infect and defile the very fountain of justice. For 

 . s . 



32 Prov. xxviii 31. 33 Prov. xxviii. 3. M Prov. xxv. 29. 



