70 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



of the race which is before us, than look back to that 

 which is already attained. 



8. First therefore, amongst so many great founda- 

 tions of colleges in Europe, I find strange that they 

 are all dedicated to professions, and none left free to 

 arts and sciences at large. For if men judge that 

 learning should be referred to action, they judge well ; 

 but in this they fall into the error described in the 

 ancient fable, in which the other parts of the body did 

 suppose the stomach had been idle, because it neither 

 performed the office of motion, as the limbs do, nor of 

 sense, as the head doth : but yet notwithstanding it is 

 the stomach that digesteth and distributeth to all the 

 rest. So if any man think philosophy and univers- 

 aUty to be idle studies, he doth not consider that all 

 professions are from thence served and supplied. And 

 this I take to be a great cause that hath hindered the 

 progression of learning, because these fundamental 

 knowledges have been studied but in passage. For if 

 you will have a tree bear more fruit than it hath used 

 to do, it is not anything you can do to the boughs, 

 but it is the stirring of the earth and putting new 

 mould about the roots that must work it. Neither is 

 it to be forgotten, that this dedicating of foundations 

 and dotations to professory learning hath not only had 

 a malign aspect and influence upon the growth of 

 sciences, but hath also been prejudicial to states and 

 governments. For hence it proceedeth that princes 

 find a solitude in regard of able men to serve them in 

 causes of estate, because there is no education collegiate 

 which is free ; where such as were so disposed mought 

 give themselves to histories, modem languages, books 

 of pohcy and civil discourse, and other the like enable- 

 ments unto service of estate. 



9. And because founders of colleges do plant, and 

 founders of lectures do water, it foUoweth well in order 

 to speak of the defect which is in pubhc lectures ; 

 namely, in the smallness and meanness of the salary or 

 reward which in most places is assigned unto them ; 

 whether they be lectures of arts, or of professions. 



