240 BACON 



Aphorism 3 



// a wise man contends with a fool, whether he be in anger or 

 in jest, there is no quiet e 



We are frequently admonished to avoid unequal conflicts; 

 that is, not to strive with the stronger : but the admonition of 

 Solomon is no less useful, that we should not strive with the 

 worthless ; for here the match is very unequal, where it is no 

 victory to conquer, and a great disgrace to be conquered. Nor 

 does it signify if, in such a conquest, we should sometimes deal 

 as in jest, and sometimes in the way of disdain and contempt ; 

 for what course soever we take, we are losers, and can never 

 come handsomely off. But the worst case of all is, if our an- 

 tagonist have something of the fool in him, that is, if he be con- 

 fident and headstrong. 



Aphorism 4 



Listen not to all that is spoken, lest thou shouldst hear thy ser- 

 vant curse thee f 



It is scarce credible what uneasiness is created in life by a 

 useless curiosity about the things that concern us ; as when we 

 pry into such secrets, as being discovered, give us distaste, but 

 afford no assistance or relief. For I. there follows vexation 

 and disquiet of mind, as all human things are full of perfidious- 

 ness and ingratitude. So that though we could procure some 

 magic glass, wherein to view the animosities, and all that malice 

 which is any way at work against us, it were better for us to 

 break it directly than to use it. For these things are but as the 

 rustling of leaves, soon over. 2. This curiosity always loads 

 the mind with suspicion, which is a violent enemy to counsels, 

 and renders them unsteady and perplexed. 3. It also frequent- 

 ly fixes the evils themselves, which would otherwise have blown 

 over : for it is a dangerous thing to provoke the consciences of 

 men, who, so long as they think themselves concealed, are 

 easily changed for the better ; but if they once find themselves 

 discovered, drive out one evil with another. It was therefore 

 justly esteemed the utmost prudence in Pompey that he directly 

 burnt all the papers of Sertorius, unperused by himself or oth- 

 ers. 



