1 86 The Advancement of Learning 



eagle than others; ^ but taking them as instructions for life, 

 they might have received large discourse, if I would have 

 broken them and illustrated them by deducements and 

 examples. 



8. Neither was this in use only with the Hebrews, but it is 

 generally to be found in the wisdom of the more ancient 

 times; that as men found out any observation that they 

 thought was good for life, they would gather it, and express 

 it in parable, or aphorism, or fable. But for fables, they 

 were vicegerents and suppUes where examples failed: now 

 that the times abound with history, the aim is better when 

 the mark is ahve. And therefore the form of writing which 

 of all others is fittest for this variable argument of negotia- 

 tion and occasions is that which Machiavel chose wisely 

 and aptly for government ; namely, discourse upon histories 

 or examples. For knowledge drawn freshly, and in our 

 view, out of particulars, knoweth the way best to particulars 

 again; and it hath much greater Hfe for practice when 

 the discourse attendeth upon the example, than when the 

 example attendeth upon the discourse. For this is no 

 point of order, as it seemeth at first, but of substance : for 

 when the example is the ground, being set down in a his- 

 tory at large, it is set down with all circumstances, which 

 may sometimes control the discourse thereupon made, and 

 sometimes supply it as a very pattern for action ; ^ whereas 

 the examples alleged for the discourse' sake are cited suc- 

 cinctly, and without particularity, and carry a servile aspect 

 towards the discourse which they are brought in to make 

 good. 



9. But this difference is not amiss to be remembered, that as 

 history of Times is the best ground for discourse of govern- 

 ment, such as Machiavel handleth, so history of Lives is 

 the most proper for discourse of business, as ' more con- 

 versant in private actions. Nay, there is a ground of 

 discourse for this purpose fitter than them both, which is 

 discourse upon letters, such as are wise and weighty, as 

 many are of Cicero ad Aiticum, and others. For letters 



* I.e. soar higher than others. 



' Edition 1605 has gaine — Mr. Spedding suggests aim — editions 

 1629, 1633, have action. 



• I have here followed Mr. Spedding's amendment of as for is, 

 which is no doubt correct, and far the best solution of the difficulty 

 of the passage in the original. 



