140 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [PAGES 



o/" The meaning is, that these three men were all incited by 

 the example of Xenophon. 



Pages 61 to end. Bacon now proceeds to demonstrate the 

 good effects of knowledge upon the character of the indivi 

 dual. Learning refines and softens the character. It produces 

 cautiousness in judgment. It removes the fear of death and 

 poverty. It provides a remedy for all morbid states of mind. 

 It incites men to continual self-improvement. Knowledge and 

 goodness go together. Knowledge, too, is power ; and it is 

 power of the highest kind, for the dignity of power is propo 1 , 

 tionedjQjh& dignity -o-that over- inkich. u is exercised, qnd ti 

 -Denver which is given by knowledge is -.power, over the mi 

 men. , The possession of learning is a means of livelihood ; and 

 as'for pleasure, intellectual pleasures are the highest of all 

 pleasures, for they alone never poll. Lastly, all men are 

 anxious to leave behind some memorials of themselves in the 

 world; and what memorials are more lasting than books? 

 Books, too, are the only memorials which are not barren. It is 

 worthy of notice that even materialistic philosophers have allowed 

 immortality to the mind. Bacon concludes by saying that he is 

 fully conscious that his arguments will not suffice to give to 

 learning the first place in the estimation of the vulgar .* still, 

 notwithstanding popular prejudices, he is certain that the 

 possession of knowledge will always be its own justification. 



1. 12. imperial and military virtue, proficiency in the arts of 

 government and war. 



1. 13. to moral, etc., to consider the influence of learning upon 

 the character and conduct of individuals. 

 1. 24. acquainting, accustoming. 



1. 25. the first offers, the ideas which first present themselves, 

 conceits, ideas. 



1. 26. nothing but examined, nothing but what has been ex 

 amined. It is a Latin idiom. With this passage, cf. Pope's 

 Essay on Criticism, v. 215. 



" A little learning is a dangerous thing ; 

 Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring. 

 There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, 

 And drinking largely sobers us again." 

 1. 29. For, as regards. 



1. 30. wadeth, " to wade" is properly to walk in water. " To 

 wade thoroughly in learning " is " to study deeply." 



1. 32. There is nothing, etc., "There is no new thing under the 

 sun. Ecd. i. 9. Bacon quotes from memory. Neither can, etc., 



