310 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [fcOOK Vllt 



depth are held suspected by princes, as inspecting them too 

 close, and being able by their strength of capacity, as by a 

 machine, to turn and wind them against their will and with 

 out their knowledge. Popular men are hated, as standing in 

 the light of kings, and drawing the eyes of the multitude 

 upon themselves. Men of courage are generally esteemed 

 turbulent and too enterprising. Honest and just men are 

 accounted morose, and not compilable enough to the will of 

 their masters. Lastly, there is no virtue but has its shade, 

 wherewith the minds of kings are offended; but despatch 

 alone in executing their commands has nothing displeasing 

 to them. Besides, the motions of the minds of kings are 

 swift and impatient of delay ; for they think themselves able 

 to effect anything, and imagine that nothing more is wanting 

 but to have it done instantly. Whence despatch is to them 

 the most grateful of all things. 



XX. I saw all the living which walk under the sun, with the succeeding 

 young prince that shall rise up in his stead. * 



This aphorism points out the vanity of those who flock 

 about the next successors of princes. The root of this is the 

 folly naturally implanted in the minds of men ; viz. their 

 being too fond of their own hopes : for scarce any one but 

 is more delighted with hope than with enjoyment. Again, 

 novelty is pleasing and greedily coveted by human nature ; 

 and those two things, hope and novelty, meet in the successor 

 of a prince. The aphorism hints the same that was formerly 

 said by Pompey to Sylla, and again by Tiberius of Macro, 

 that the sun has more adorers rising than setting.* 1 Yet 

 rulers in possession are not much affected with this, or esteem 

 it any great matter, as neither Sylla nor Tiberius did ; but 

 rather laugh at the levity of men, and encounter not with 

 dreams ; for hope, as was well said, is but a waking dream. 6 



XXI. There was a little city manned lut by a few, and a mighty Icing 

 drew his army to it, erecting bulwarks against it, and intrenched it 

 round: now there was found within the wa/ls a poor wise man, and he 

 by his wisdom delivered the city; but none remembered the same poor 

 man.* 



This parable describes the corrupt and malevolent nature 

 of men, who, in extremities and difficulties, generally fly to 



c Eccles. iv. 15. Solomon, in his old age, seeing all his courtiers desert 

 him to pay court to his son Kehoboam, uttered this sentiment. Ed. 

 d Tacit. Amiala, vi. e Eccles. xiii. 18. Eccles. ix. 14. 



