OF RICHES 89 



unsound men to serve their own turn. The fortune in 

 being the first in an invention or in a privilege, doth cause 

 sometimes a wonderful overgrowth in riches ; as it was 

 with the first sugar man in the Canaries. Therefore if a 

 man can play the true logician, to have as well judgment 

 as invention, he may do great matters ; especially if the 

 times be fit. He that resteth upon gains certain, shall 

 hardly grow to great riches ; and he that puts all upon 

 adventures, doth oftentimes break and come to poverty: 

 it is good therefore to guard adventures with certainties, 

 that may uphold losses. Monopolies, and coemption of 

 wares for re-sale, where they are not restrained, are great 

 means to enrich ; especially if the party have intelligence 

 what things are like to come into request, and so store 

 himself beforehand. Riches gotten by service, though it 

 be of the best rise, yet when they are gotten by flattery, 

 feeding humours, and other servile conditions, they may be 

 placed amongst the worst. As for fishing for testaments 

 and executorships (as Tacitus saith of Seneca, testamenta et 

 orb os tamquam indagine capi^) it is yet worse ; by how much 

 men submit themselves to meaner persons than in service. 



Believe not much them that seem to despise riches ; for 

 they despise them that despair of them ; and none worse 

 when they come to them. Be not penny-wise ; riches have 

 wings, and sometimes they fly away of themselves, some- 

 times they must be set flying to bring in more. Men 

 leave their riches either to their kindred, or to the public ; 

 and moderate portions prosper best in both. A great state 

 left to an heir, is as a lure to all the birds of prey round 

 about to seize on him, if he be not the better stablished in 

 years and judgment. Likewise glorious gifts and founda- 

 tions are like sacrifices without salt ; and but the painted 

 sepulchres of alms, which soon will putrefy and corrupt 

 inwardly. Therefore measure not thine advancements by 

 quantity, but frame them by measure . and defer not 

 charities till death ; for, certainly, if a man weigh it rightly, 

 he that doth so is rather liberal of another man's than of 

 his own. 



