THE SECOND BOOK 183 



handle the nature of light can be said to handle the 

 nature of colours ; for pleasure and pain are to the 

 particular affections, as light is to particular colours. 

 Better travails, I suppose, had the Stoics taken in this 

 argument, as far as I can gather by that which we have 

 at second hand. But yet it is like it was after their 

 manner, rather in subtilty of definitions (which in 

 a subject of this nature are but curiosities), than in 

 active and ample descriptions and observations. So 

 likewise I find some particular writings of an elegant 

 nature, touching some of the affections ; as of anger, 

 of comfort upon adverse accidents, of tenderness of 

 countenance, and other. But the poets and writers 

 of histories are the best doctors of this knowledge ; 

 where we may find painted forth with great life, how 

 affections are kindled and incited ; and how pacified 

 and refrained ; and how again contained from act and 

 further degree ; how they disclose themselves ; how 

 they work ; how they vary ; how they gather and 

 fortify ; how they are enwrapped one within another ; 

 and how they do fight and encounter one with another ; 

 and other the like particularities. Amongst the which 

 this last is of special use in moral and civil matters ; 

 how, I say, to set affection against affection, and to 

 master one by another ; even as we use to hunt beast 

 with beast, and fly bird with bird, which otherwise 

 percase we could not so easily recover ; upon which 

 foundation is erected that excellent use of praemium 

 and poena, whereby civil states consist : employing the 

 predominant affections of fear and hope, for the sup 

 pressing and bridling the rest. For as in the govern 

 ment of states it is sometimes necessary to bridle one 

 faction with another, so it is in the government within. 

 7. Now come we to those points which are within 

 our own command, and have force and operation upon 

 the mind, to affect the will and appetite, and to alter 

 manners : wherein they ought to have handled custom, 

 exercise, habit, education, example, imitation, emu 

 lation, company, friends, praise, reproof, exhortation, 

 fame, laws, books, studies : these as they have deter- 



