OF TRUE GREATNESS OF KINGDOMS 79 



army. But that honour perhaps were not fit for mon- 

 archies ; except it be in the person of the monarch himself, 

 or his sons, as it came to pass in the times of the Roman 

 emperors, who did impropriate the actual triumphs to 

 themselves and their sons, for such wars as they did achieve 

 in person ; and left only, for wars achieved by subjects, 

 some triumphal garments and ensigns to the general. 



To conclude : no man can c by care taking (as the Scrip- 

 ture saith) add a cubit to his stature,' in this little model of 

 a man's body; but in the great frame of kingdoms and 

 commonwealths, it is in the power of princes or estates to 

 add amplitude and greatness to their kingdoms ; for by 

 introducing such ordinances, constitutions, and customs, as 

 we have now touched, they may sow greatness to their 

 posterity and succession. But these things are commonly 

 not observed, but left to take their chance. 



XXX 

 OF REGIMENT OF HEALTH 



THERE is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic : a 

 man's own observation, what he finds good of, and what he 

 finds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health. But it 

 is a safer conclusion to say, c This agreeth not well with 

 me, therefore I will not continue it '; than this, ' I find no 

 offence of this, therefore I may use it.' For strength of 

 nature in youth passeth over many excesses, which are 

 owing a man till his age. Discern of the coming on of 

 years, and think not to do the same things still ; for age 

 will not be defied. Beware of sudden change in any great 

 point of diet, and if necessity enforce it, fit the rest to it. 

 For it is a secret both in nature and state, that it is safer 

 to change many things than one. Examine thy customs 

 of diet, sleep, exercise, apparel, and the like ; and try, in 

 any thing thou shalt judge hurtful, to discontinue it by little 

 and little ; but so, as if thou dost find any inconvenience 

 by the change, thou come back to it again : for it is hard 



