68 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



there is not any more worthy than the further endow 

 ment of the world with sound and fruitful knowledge. 

 For why should a few received authors stand up like 

 Hercules columns, beyond which there should be no 

 sailing or discovering, since we have so bright and 

 benign a star as your Majesty to conduct and prosper 

 us ? To return therefore where we left, it remaineth 

 to consider of what kind those acts are which have been 

 undertaken and performed by kings and others for the 

 increase and advancement of learning : wherein I pur 

 pose to speak actively without digressing or dilating. 



2. Let this ground therefore be laid, that all worka 

 are overcommen by amplitude of reward, by soundness 

 of direction, and by the conjunction of labours. The 

 first multiplieth endeavour, the second preventeth 

 error, and the third supplieth the frailty of man. But 

 the principal of these is direction : for claudus in via 

 antevertit cursorem extra viam ; and Salomon ex 

 cellently setteth it down, If the iron be not sharp, it 

 requireth more strength ; but wisdom is that which 

 prevaileth ; signifying that the invention or election 

 of the mean is more effectual than any inforcement or 

 accumulation of endeavours. This I am induced to 

 speak, for that (not derogating from the noble inten 

 tion of any that have been deservers towards the state 

 of learning) I do observe nevertheless that their works 

 and acts are rather matters of magnificence and memory, 

 than of progression and proficience, and tend rather 

 to augment the mass of learning in the multitude 

 of learned men, than to rectify or raise the sciences 

 themselves. 



3. The works or acts of merit towards learning are 

 conversant about three objects ; the places of learning, 

 the books of learning, and the persons of the learned. 

 For as water, whether it be the dew of heaven, or the 

 springs of the earth, doth scatter and leese itself in the 

 ground, except it be collected into some receptacle, 

 where it may by union comfort and sustain itself : 

 and for that cause the industry of man hath made and 

 framed spring-heads, conduits, cisterns, and pools, 



