276 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



days, are themselves but meagre. 2. By obscuring: for it 

 is also the nature of excellent things in their kind, though 

 they do not impoverish the substance of what lies near them, 

 yet to overshadow and obscure it; whence the astrologers 

 say, that though in all the planets conjunction is the most 

 perfect amity, yet the sun, though good in aspect, is evil 

 in conjunction. 3. By protecting: for things come together, 

 not only from a similitude of nature, but even what is evil 

 flies to that which is good (especially in civil society) for 

 concealment and protection. Thus hypocrisy draws near to 

 religion for shelter: 



&quot;Saepe latet vitium proximitate boni.&quot; 18 



So sanctuary men, who were commonly malefactors, used to 

 be nearest the priests and prelates; for the majesty of good 

 things is such, that the confines of them are reverend. On 

 the other side, good draws near to evil, not for society, but 

 for conversation and reformation ; and hence physicians visit 

 the sick more than the sound, and hence it was objected to 

 our Saviour, that he conversed with publicans and sinners. 19 



Y. As all parties challenge the first place, that to which the rest unanimously 



give the second seems the best ; each taking the first place out of affection 



to itself, but giving the second where it is really due 



Thus Cicero attempted to prove the Academics to be the 

 best sect; for, saith he, &quot;Ask a Stoic which philosophy is 

 best, and he will prefer his own ; then ask him which is the 

 next best, and he will confess, the Academics. Ask an 

 Epicurean the same question, who can scarce endure the 

 Stoic, and as soon as he hath placed his own sect, he places 

 the Academics next him.&quot; 20 So if a prince separately ex 

 amined several competitors for a place, perhaps the ablest 

 and most deserving man would have most second voices. 



This color deceives in respect of envy; for men are 

 accustomed, next after themselves and their own faction, 

 to prefer those that are softest and most pliable, with intent 



18 Ovid, Ars Amandi, ii. 662. 19 Matt. ix. 



20 Academ. Frag. By Yarro. 



