OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [PAGE 



and, "There is a nearer way to Heaven than Homer's chain ; an 

 easy logic may conjoin a heaven and earth in one argument, and, 

 with less than a sorites, resolve all things to God. For though 

 we christen effects by their most sensible and nearest causes, yet 

 is God the true and infallible cause of all,' etc. Religio Medici, 

 18. 



1. 9. let no man, etc. Let no one, under the foolish impression 

 that he is restraining his inquiries within proper limits, or im 

 pelled by a mistaken moderation, etc. 



1. 12. the book of God's word is the Bible : the book of God's 

 works is nature. 



1. 13. divinity or philosophy, theology or science. 

 1. 14. endeavour, attempt. We no longer use the word thus. 

 1. 15. charity, see on p. 6, 1. 33. 



1. 16. swelling, pride. We talk of men being 'puffed up with 

 pride. ' 



1. 17. learnings, studies, or branches of learning. 



Pages 9-16. Bacon now proceeds to refute the objections 

 which have been raised against learning by statesmen. 



Statesmen quote authorities to show that learning enervates : 

 that it induces habits of mind and body which unfit men_ for- 

 business^ : and that the habit of discussion is fatal to the habit 

 of obedience. Bacon in reply says that these three objections 

 are based on exceptional instances which can easily be ex 

 plained. As a matter of fact, learning does not enervate: 

 <. ftifttmy jTT'wiT that the, are me- indimdual may be both n. gnnd 

 2 scholar and a brave and skilful general. History too confirms 

 the natural expectation that the ages, which have been most 

 distinguished for learning, would also be most distinguished for 

 skill in the arts of war and government. As for the second 

 objection, it is absurd to say that learning unfits men for the 

 work of governing. An ignorant statesman is a mere empiric, 

 nn tnnrp. in ha twi.stP.d than a, quack doctor. The most successful 

 governments have been those which have~6een directed by learned 

 men. Learned men may have their weaknesses, but from their 

 knowledge of history they must have learned the_^s^ntial ^rm- 

 ciples of real statesmanship. Learned men are likely iobethe 

 most indefatigable in business, and to be the only ones who will 

 take it up for its own sake. The intervals of business will afford 

 leisure for study. A learned man may occasionally be slothful: 

 but that is not because he is learned. All ignorant men are not 

 active. Lastly. le,arne,d men make the best citizens, because they 

 see the necessity of obedience, and therefore yield it wilUnfl 



