242 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [bOOK VI. 



in some kinvls or species is more equal, and in others more 

 unequal. Thus warm climates generally produce people of a 

 sharper genius than cold ones ; yet the extraordinary geniuses 

 of cold countries usually excel the extraordinary geniuses of 

 the warmer. So in the case of armies, if the cause were 

 tried by single combat, the victory might often go on the 

 one side, but if by a pitched battle, on the other; for excel- 

 lencies and superiorities are rather accidental things, whilst 

 kinds are governed by nature or discipline. 3. Lastly, many 

 kinds have much refuse, which countervails what they have 

 of excellent ; and, therefore, though metal be generally more 

 precious than stone, yet a diamond is more precious than 

 gold 



"VII. — What Tceep& a matte)'' safe and entire, is fjood ; hut what leaves no 

 retreat, is had : for inahility to retire is a hind of impotency, hutpowci 

 is a good. 



Thus ^sop feigned that two frogs consulting together in 

 a time of drought what was to be done, the one proposed 

 going down into a deep well, because probably the water 

 would not fjiil there, but the other answered, "If it should fail 

 there too, how shall we get up again 1 " And the foundation of 

 the colour lies here, that human actions are so uncertain and 

 exposed to danger, that the best condition seems to be that 

 which has most outlets. And this jiersuasion turns upon 

 such forms as these, — You shall engage yourself ; You shall 

 not be your own carver ; You shall keep the matter in your 

 hands, &c.^ 



The fallacy of the sophism lies here : — 1. Because fortune 

 presses so close upon human affairs, that some resolution is 

 necessary; for not to resolve is to resolve, so that irresolu- 

 tion frequently entangles us in necessities more than re- 

 solving. And this seems to be a disease of the mind, like to 

 that of covetousness, only transferred from the desire of 

 possessing riches to the desire of free will and power; for 

 as the covetous man enjoys no part of his possessions, for 

 fear of lessening them, so the unresolved man executes no- 



* Sertorius having so far obstructed Pompey as to burn one of the 

 towns of his allies in hii sight, without experiencing from him the 

 slightest opposition, added, with scorn, " I will teach this young 

 scholar of Sylla, that it is more necessary for a general to look behind 

 than before hvax ;" — a piece of advice, we need hardly say, sinct) the 

 whole of life in a combat, as applicable to civil as to military warfare. L'd. 



