ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [COOK VI, 



in some kinvls or species is more equal, and in others morn 

 unequal. Thus warm climates generally prodilce people of u 

 sharper genius than cold ones ; yet the extraordinary geniuses 

 of cold countries usually excel the extraordinary geniuses of 

 the warmer. So in the case of armies, if the cause were; 

 tried by single combat, the victory might often go on the 

 one side, but if by a pitched battle, on the other; for excel 

 lencies and superiorities are rather accidental things, whilst 

 kinds are governed by nature or discipline. 3. Lastly, many 

 kinds have much refuse, which countervails what they have 

 of excellent; and, therefore, though metal be generally more 

 precious than stone, yet a diamond is more precious than 

 gold. 



VII. What keeps a matter safe and entire, if ffood ; lut icJiat leaves no 

 retreat, is lad : for inability to retire is a kind of impotency, butpoicci 

 is a good. 



Thus ^E.sop feigned that two frogs consulting together in 

 a time of drought what was to be done, the one proposed 

 going down into a deep well, because probably the water 

 would not fail there, but the other answered, &quot;If it should fail 

 there too, how shall we get up again 1 &quot; And the foundation of 

 the colour lies here, that human actions are so uncertain and 

 exposed to danger, that the best condition seems to be that 

 which has most outlets. And this persuasion turns upon 

 such forms as these, You shall engage yourself; You shall 

 not be/your own carver ; You shall keep the matter in your 

 hands, &c. x 



The fallacy of the sophism lies here : 1. Because fortune 

 presses so close upon human affairs, that some resolution is 

 necessary; for not to resolve is to resolve, so that irresolu 

 tion frequently entangles us in necessities more than re 

 solving. And this seems to be a disease of the mind, like to 

 that of covetousness, only transferred from the desire of 

 possessing riches to the desire of free will and power; for 

 ivs the covetous man enjoys no part of his possessions, for 

 fear of lessening, them, so the . unresolved man executes no- 



x Sertorius having so far obstructed Pompey as to burn one of the 

 towns of .his .allies in hi j sight, without experiencing from him the 

 slightest opposition, added, with scorn, &quot; I will teach this young 

 s cholar of Sylla, that it is more necessary for a general to look behind 

 than ixjfore Jiinx j&quot; :a piece of advice, we need hardly say, sinci) the 

 whole of life i* a combat, as applicable to civil as to military warfare. Ed. 



