252 BACON 



Aphorism 27 



He who conceals a fault seeks friendship, but he who repeats 

 a matter separates friends I 



There are two ways of composing differences and reconciling 

 the minds of men ; the one beginning with oblivion and forgive- 

 ness, the other with a recollection of the injuries, interweaving 

 it with apologies and excuses. I remember it is the opinion 

 of a very wise politician, " That he who treats of peace without 

 repeating the conditions of the difference, rather deceives the 

 mind with the sweetness of reconciliation than equitably makes 

 up the matter." But Solomon, a still wiser man, is of a con- 

 trary opinion, and approves of forgetting, but forbids a repeti- 

 tion of the difference, as being attended with these inconven- 

 iences : i. That it rakes into the old sore ; 2. that it may cause 

 a new difference ; 3. and lastly, that it brings the matter to end 

 in excuses ; whereas both sides had rather seem to forgive the 

 injury than allow of an excuse. 



Aphorism 28 



In every good work is plenty; but where words abound there 

 is commonly a want m 



Solomon here distinguishes the fruit of the labor of the 

 tongue, and that of the labor of the hand, as if from the one came 

 want, and from the other abundance. For it almost constantly 

 happens that they who speak much, boast much, and promise 

 largely, are but barren, and receive no fruit from the things 

 they talk of ; being seldom industrious or diligent in works, but 

 feed and satisfy themselves with discourse alone as with wind ; 

 whilst, as the poet intimates, " he who is conscious to himself 

 that he can really effect," feels the satisfaction inwardly, and 

 keeps silent : 



" Qui silet est firmus :" n 



whereas, he who knows he grasps nothing but empty air, is 

 full of talk and strange stories. 



Aphorism 29 



Open reproof is better than secret affection o 



This aphorism reprehends the indulgence of those who use 

 not the privilege of friendship freely and boldly to admonish 



