184 BACON 



meliority and pre-eminence becomes a sign of enervation and 

 weakness. 



Sophism 6 



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 some- 

 times a fallacy: i. 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 individual. Thus, to 

 instance, in the blossoms of March, one whereof, according to 

 the French proverb, is, if it escape accidents, worth ten blos- 

 soms of May ; so that though in general the blossoms of May 

 excel the blossoms of March, yet in individuals the best blos- 

 soms of March may be preferred to the best of May. 2. Be- 

 cause the nature of things in some kinds or species is more 

 equal, and in others more unequal. Thus warm climates gen- 

 erally 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 excellencies and superiorities are rather accidental 

 things, whilst 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 general- 

 ly more precious than stone, yet a diamond is more precious 

 than gold. 



Sophism 7 



What keeps a matter safe and entire, is good; but what leaves 

 no retreat, is bad: for inability to retire is a kind of impotency, 

 but power is 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, " If it should fail there too, 

 how shall we get up again ?" And the foundation of the color 

 lies here, that human actions are so uncertain and exposed to 

 danger, that the best condition seems to be that which has most 



