206 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



28. Fourthly, in the choice of their friends and de 

 pendencies, to proceed according to the composition of 

 their own nature : as we may see in Caesar, all whose 

 friends and followers were men active and effectual, but 

 not solemn, or of reputation. 



29. Fifthly, to take special heed how they guide 

 themselves by examples, in thinking they can do as 

 they see others do ; whereas perhaps their natures and 

 carriages are far differing. In which error it seemeth 

 Pompey was, of whom Cicero saith, that he was wont 

 often to say, * Sylla potuit, ego non potero ? Wherein 

 he was much abused, the natures and proceedings of 

 himself and his example being the unlikest in the world ; 

 the one being fierce, violent, and pressing the fact ; the 

 other solemn, and full of majesty and circumstance, 

 and therefore the less effectual. 



But this precept touching the politic knowledge of 

 ourselves hath many other branches, whereupon we 

 cannot insist. 



30. Next to the well understanding and discerning of 

 a man s self, there followeth the well opening and reveal 

 ing a man s self ; wherein we see nothing more usual 

 than for the more able man to make the less show. For 

 there is a great advantage in the well setting forth of 

 a man s virtues, fortunes, merits ; and again, in the 

 artificial covering of a man s weaknesses, defects, dis 

 graces ; staying upon the one, sliding from the other ; 

 cherishing the one by circumstances, gracing the other 

 by exposition, and the like. Wherein we see what 

 Tacitus saith of Mutianus, who was the greatest poli- 

 tique of his time, Omnium quae dixerat feceratque 

 arte quadam ostentator : which requireth indeed some 

 art, lest it turn tedious and arrogant ; but yet so, as 

 ostentation (though it be to the first degree of vanity) 

 seemeth to me rather a vice in manners than in policy : 

 for as it is said, Audacter calumniare, semper aliquid 

 haeret : so, except it be in a ridiculous degree of de 

 formity, * Audacter te vendita, semper aliquid haeret. 

 For it will stick with the more ignorant and inferior sort 

 of men, though men of wisdom and rank do smile at it 



