ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 277 



to exclude such as would obstruct their measures ; whence 

 this color of meliority and pre-eminence becomes a sign 

 of enervation and weakness. 



VI. That is absolutely best the excellence whereof is greatest 



This color has these forms let us not wander in generals, 

 let us compare particular with particular, etc. , and though 

 it seem strong, and rather logical than rhetorical, yet it is 

 sometimes a fallacy : 1. Because many things are exposed 

 to great danger, but if they escape, prove more excellent 

 than others; whence their kind is inferior, as being subject 

 to accident and miscarriage, though more noble in the indi 

 vidual. Thus, to instance, in the blossoms of March, one 

 whereof, according to the French proverb, is, if it escape 

 accidents, worth ten blossoms of May; so that though in 

 general the blossoms of May excel the blossoms of March, 

 yet in individuals the best blossoms of March may be pre 

 ferred to the best of May. 2. Because the nature of things 

 in some kinds or species is more equal, and in others more 

 unequal. Thus warm climates generally produce people of 

 a 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 excellences and superiorities are rather accidental things, 

 while 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, is good; but what leaves no retreat, 

 is bad ; for inability to retire is a kind of impotence, but power ia a good 



Thus ^Esop 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 



