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 

 pood effects of knowledge upon the character of the indivi- 

 duaL J^earning 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. 

 JJ^iricites men to continual, self-improvement. Knowledge and 

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

 power of the highest hind, for the dignity of power is propor 

 tioned to the dignity of that over which it is exercised, . and the 

 power which is given by knowledge is power w#r the <mj<nr1.<t nf 

 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 pall. 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 mp.'m.nrials wMrA arc, 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 



pn*xeiun.fvn. nf l"n.nJpAfjt> tmll ahnaaf* 7)i its mm, 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., 



