L I B. Vli. Of the Advancement of Learning. 297 



are by nature inclitid^ fo it be without vice. Like as when we row 

 againft the ftream 5 or when we make a crooked wand ftraight by- 

 bending it the contrary way, 



§ The fourth rreccpt is grounded upon that Axiom which is mojl 

 true. That the mind is brought to any thing with more fweet- 

 nefs and happinefs, if that, whcreunto we pretend ^ be not principal 

 in the intention of the Doer 5 but be overcome, as it were , doing 

 fgmcwhat elfc , becaitfe the injiin& of Nature is fuch a freedom as 

 hates neceffity and compulfive commands. Many Other rules there 

 are which might profitably be prefcribed touching the DireCti' 

 on of Cujiom : for CnJiom , if it be wifely and skilfully in- 

 duced , proves (as it is commonly (aid) another Nature;^ but be- 

 ing conduced abfurdly and by chance, it is only the ^pe of 

 Nature 5 which imitates nothing to the life , but in a foolifli de- 

 formity only. 



§ So ifwefiould fpeak of Books and Studies, and of their power 

 and influence upon Manners ; are there not divers Precepts, and 

 fruitful Direftions appertaining thereunto? Hath not one of the 

 Fathers in great indignation called rocfie, vinum D<emonum ; being 

 indeed it begets many Temptations, Lulls, and vain Opinions ? It is 

 not a wile opinion of Arijiotle, and V/orthy to be regarded ; That 

 young men are no fit auditors of Moral Vhilofophy, becaufe the boy ling Mora], r^i-, 

 ficat of their aff'e&ions, is not yet fetled, nor attemper d with Time and '^°°* *"''''' 

 Experience. And to (peak truth, doth it not hereof come that thole 

 excellent Books and Dilcourfes of ancient Writers (whereby they 

 have perfwaded unto vertue moft effe(3:ually , reprefenting as well 

 her ftately Majefty to the eyes of the world, as expofing to Scorn, 

 popular Opinions in dilgraceof Vertue, attired, as it were, in their 

 Farajite Coats) are of fo little effeft towards honefty of Life, and the 

 reformation of corrupt Manners j becaufe they u(e not to be read and 

 revolv'd by men mature in years and judgement, but are left and 

 confin'd only to Boys and Beginners. But is it not true alfo, that 

 young men are much lefs fit Auditors of Policy than Morality, till they 

 have been throughly fealbn'd with Religion, and the knowledge of 

 Manners and Duties 5 left their judgements be corrupted and made 

 apt to think, that there are no Moral differendes true and folid of 

 things ; but that all is to be valued according to utility and fortune* 

 As the Poet faith , 



Trofperum & fdixfcelus virim vocatnr, Jiiyenal.Sgt. 



And again, 



I^e crucem pretiumfceleris tulit^ hie Diadema. 



But the Poets leem to (peak this Satyrically, and in indignation ; 

 be it fo, yet many Books of Policy do fuppofe the fame ferioufly 

 and pofitively : for fo it pleafed Machiavel to (ay. That if Calar had 

 been overt hr own. h: would have been more odious than ever was Cataline 5 



as 



