216 BACON 



quired of a soldier viz., " Not to weave his honor so fine, as for 

 everything to catch and rend it." 



CHAPTER II 



Division of Individual Good into Active and Passive. That of Passive 

 Good into Conservative and Perfective. Good of the Common- 

 wealth divided into General and Respective 



We divide individual or self-good into active and passive. 

 This difference of good is also found impressed upon the nature 

 of all things, but principally shows itself in two appetites of the 

 creatures; viz., i. That of self-preservation and defence; and 

 2. That of multiplying and propagating. The latter, which is 

 active, seems stronger and more worthy than the former, which 

 is passive ; for throughout the universe the celestial nature is 

 the principal agent, and the terrestrial the patient ; and in the 

 pleasures of animals that of generation is greater than that of 

 feeding ; and the Scripture says, " It is more blessed to give 

 than to receive/'^ And even in common life, no man is so soft 

 and effeminate, as not to prefer the performing and perfecting 

 of anything he had set his mind upon before sensual pleasures. 

 The pre-eminence of active good is also highly exalted from the 

 consideration of the state of mankind, which is mortal and sub- 

 ject to fortune ; for if perpetuity and certainty could be had in 

 human pleasures, this would greatly enhance them ; but as the 

 case now stands, when we count it a happiness to die late, when 

 we cannot boast of to-morrow, when we know not what a day 

 may bring forth, no wonder if we earnestly endeavor after such 

 things as elude the injuries of time ; and these can be no other 

 than our works. Accordingly it is said, " Their works follow 

 them." b 



Another considerable pre-eminence of active good is given it, 

 and supported by that inseparable affection of human nature 

 the love of novelty or variety. But this affection is greatly lim- 

 ited in the pleasures of the senses, which make the greatest part 

 of passive good. To consider how often the same things come 

 over in life as meals, sleep, and diversion it might make not 

 only a resolute, a wretched, or a wise, but even a delicate person 

 wish to die.c But in actions, enterprises, and desires, there is a 

 remarkable variety, which we perceive with great pleasure, 



