248 ADVANCEMENT 0* LEARNING. [BOOK VI 



whence, in general, natural things are preferred to artificial, 

 because incapable of imitation ; for whatever is imi table 

 seems common, and in every one s power. 3. The things 

 that proceed from felicity seem free gifts unpurchased by 

 industry, but those acquired by virtue seem bought : whcnco 

 Plutarch said elegantly of the successes of Timoleon (an 

 extremely fortunate man), compared with those of his con 

 temporaries Agesilaus and Epaminondas, &quot; that they were 

 like Homer s verses, and besides their other excellencies, ran 

 peculiarly smooth and natural.&quot; 4. Because what happens 

 unexpectedly is more acceptable, and enters the mind with 

 greater pleasure ; but this effect cannot be had in things 

 procured by our own industry. 



XII. What consists of many divisible parts is greater, and more one than 

 what consists of fewer ; for all things when viewed in their parts seem 

 greater, whence also a plurality of parts shows bulky ; but a plurality 

 of parts has the stronger effect, if tliey lie in no certain order, for thus 

 they resemble infinity and prevent comprehension. 



This sophism appears gross at first sight ; for it is not 

 plurality of parts alone, without majority, that makes the 

 total greater; yet the imagination is often carried away, and 

 the sense deceived with this colour. Thus to the eye the 

 road upon a naked plain may seem shorter, than where there 

 are trees, buildings, or other marks, by which to distinguish 

 and divide the distance. So when a monied man divides his 

 chests and bags, he seems to himself richer than he was ; and 

 therefore a way to amplify anything is to break it into 

 several parts, and examine them separately. And this 

 makes the greater show, if done without order; for confusion 

 shows things more numerous than they are. But matters 

 ranged and set in order appear more confined, and prove 

 that nothing is omitted; whilst such as are represented in 

 confusion not only appear more in number, but leave a sus 

 picion of many more behind. 



This colour deceives, 1. if the mind entertain too great 

 an opinion of anything; for then the breaking of it will 

 destroy that false notion, and show the thing really as it is, 

 without amplification. Thus if a man be sick or in pain, the 

 time seems longer without a clock than with one; for though 

 the irksomeness of pain makes the time seem longer than 

 it is, yet the measuring it corrects the error, and s_hows it 



