34 BACON'S ESSAYS 



by the highest motion, and softly in their own motion. 

 And therefore, when great ones in their own particular 

 motion move violently, and, as Tacitus expresseth it well, 

 liberius quam ut imperantium meminissent, it is a sign the 

 orbs are out of frame. For reverence is that wherewith 

 princes are girt from God ; who threateneth the dissolving 

 thereof; So ham cingula regum. 



So when any of the four pillars of government are 

 mainly shaken or weakened (which are Religion, Justice, 

 Counsel, and Treasure), men had need to pray for fair 

 weather. But let us pass from this part of predictions 

 (concerning which, nevertheless, more light may be taken 

 from that which followeth) ; and let us speak first of the 

 Materials of seditions ; then of the Motives of them ; and 

 thirdly of the Remedies. 



Concerning the Materials of seditions. It is a thing 

 well to be considered ; for the surest way to prevent 

 seditions (if the times do bear it) is to take away the 

 matter of them. For if there be fuel prepared, it is hard 

 to tell whence the spark shall come that shall set it on fire. 

 The matter of seditions is of two kinds ; much poverty 

 and much discontentment. It is certain, so many over- 

 thrown estates, so many votes for troubles. Lucan noteth 

 well the state of Rome before the civil war, 



Hinc usura vorax, rapidumque in tempore foenus, 

 Hinc concussa fides, et mult'is utile be Hum. 



This same multis utile be Hum, is an assured and infallible 

 sign of a state disposed to seditions and troubles. And if 

 this poverty and broken estate in the better sort be joined 

 with a want and necessity in the mean people, the 

 danger is imminent and great. For the rebellions of 

 the belly are the worst. As for discontentments, they are 

 in the politic body like to humours in the natural, which 

 are apt to gather a preternatural heat and to inflame. And 

 let no prince measure the danger of them by this, whether 

 they be just or unjust : for that were to imagine people to 

 be too reasonable ; who do often spurn at their own good : 

 nor yet by this, whether the griefs whereupon they rise be 



