So BACON'S ESSAYS 



to distinguish that which is generally held good and whole- 

 some, from that which is good particularly, and fit for 

 thine own body. 



To be free-minded and cheerfully disposed at hours of 

 meat and of sleep and of exercise, is one of the best pre- 

 cepts of long lasting. As for the passions and studies of 

 the mind ; avoid envy ; anxious fears ; anger fretting 

 inwards ; subtle and knotty inquisitions ; joys and exhilar- 

 ations in excess ; sadness not communicated. Entertain 

 hopes ; mirth rather than joy ; variety of delights, rather 

 than surfeit of them ; wonder and admiration, and therefore 

 novelties ; studies that fill the mind with splendid and 

 illustrious objects, as histories, fables, and contemplations 

 of nature. If you fly physic in health altogether, it will be 

 too strange for your body when you shall need it. If you 

 make it too familiar, it will work no extraordinary effect 

 when sickness cometh. I commend rather some diet for 

 certain seasons, than frequent use of physic, except it be 

 grown into a custom. For those diets alter the body 

 more, and trouble it less. Despise no new accident in 

 your body, but ask opinion of it. In sickness, respect 

 health principally ; and in health, action. For those that 

 put their bodies to endure in health, may in most sick- 

 nesses, which are not very sharp, be cured only with diet 

 and tendering. Celsus could never have spoken it as a 

 physician, had he not been a wise man withal, when he 

 giveth it for one of the great precepts of health and lasting, 

 that a man do vary and interchange contraries, but with an 

 inclination to the more benign extreme : use fasting and 

 full eating, but rather full eating ; watching and sleep, but 

 rather sleep ; sitting and exercise, but rather exercise ; and 

 the like. So shall nature be cherished, and yet taught 

 masteries. 



Physicians are some of them so pleasing and conform- 

 able to the humour of the patient, as they press not the 

 true cure of the disease ; and some other are so regular in 

 proceeding according to art for the disease, as they respect 

 not sufficiently the condition of the patient. Take one of 

 a middle temper ; or if it may not be found in one man, 



