OF CUNNING 57 



fetch ; and how many other matters they will beat over, to 

 come near it. It is a thing of great patience, but yet of 

 much use. 



A sudden, bold, and unexpected question doth many 

 times surprise a man, and lay him open. Like to him that, 

 having changed his name and walking in Paul's, another 

 suddenly came behind him and called him by his true name, 

 whereat straightways he looked back. 



But these small wares and petty points of cunning are 

 infinite ; and it were a good deed to make a list of them ; 

 for that nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning 

 men pass for wise. 



But certainly some there are that know the resorts and 

 falls of business, that cannot sink into the main of it ; like 

 a house that hath convenient stairs and entries, but never a 

 fair room. Therefore you shall see them find out pretty 

 looses in the conclusion, but are no ways able to examine 

 or debate matters. And yet commonly they take advan- 

 tage of their inability, and would be thought wits of 

 direction. Some build rather upon the abusing of others, 

 and (as we now say) putting tricks upon them, than upon 

 soundness of their own proceedings. But Solomon saith 

 Prudens advertit ad gressus suos: stultus diver tit ad dolos. 



XXIII 

 OF WISDOM FOR A MAN'S SELF 



AN ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing 

 in an orchard or garden. And certainly men that are great 

 lovers of themselves waste the public. Divide with reason 

 between self-love and society ; and be so true to thyself, as 

 thou be not false to others; specially to thy king and 

 country. It is a poor centre of a man's actions, himself. 

 It is right earth. For that only stands fast upon his own 

 centre ; whereas all things that have affinity with the 

 heavens, move upon the centre of another, which they 

 benefit. The referring of all to a man's self is more toler- 



