180 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



tion. For if it deserve to be considered, that there 

 are minds which are proportioned to great matters, 

 and others to small (which Aristotle handleth or ought 

 to have handled by the name of magnanimity), doth 

 it not deserve as well to be considered, that there are 

 minds proportioned to intend many matters, and others 

 to few ? So that some can divide themselves : others 

 can perchance do exactly well, but it must be but in 

 few things at once : and so there cometh to be a narrow 

 ness of mind, as well as a pusillanimity. And again, 

 that some minds are proportioned to that which may 

 be dispatched at once, or within a short return of time ; 

 others to that which begins afar off, and is to be won 

 with length of pursuit : 



Jam turn tenditque fovetque. 



So that there may be fitly said to be a longanimity, 

 which is commonly also ascribed to God as a magna 

 nimity. So further deserved it to be considered by 

 Aristotle, That there is a disposition in conversation 

 (supposing it in things which do in no sort touch or 

 concern a man s self) to soothe and please ; and a dis 

 position contrary to contradict and cross : and deserv- 

 eth it not much better to be considered, That there 

 is a disposition, not in conversation or talk, but in 

 matter of more serious nature (and supposing it still 

 in things merely indifferent), to take pleasure in the 

 good of another : and a disposition contrariwise, to take 

 distaste at the good of another ? which is that properly 

 which we call good nature or ill nature, benignity or 

 malignity : and therefore I cannot sufficiently marvel 

 that this part of knowledge, touching the several charac 

 ters of natures and dispositions, should be omitted both 

 in morality and policy ; considering it is of so great 

 ministry and suppeditation to them both. A man 

 shall find in the traditions of astrology some pretty and 

 apt divisions of men s natures, according to the pre 

 dominances of the planets ; lovers of quiet, lovers of 

 action, lovers of victory, lovers of honour, lovers of 

 pleasure, lovers of arts, lovers of change, and so forth. 





