OF CUSTOM AND EDUCATION 99 



a whole night in a vessel of water, till they be engaged 

 with hard ice. Many examples may be put of the 

 force of custom, both upon mind and body. Therefore, 

 since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, 

 let men by all means endeavour to obtain good customs. 

 Certainly custom is most perfect when it beginneth in 

 young years : this we call education ; which is, in effect, 

 but an early custom. So we see, in languages the tongue 

 is more pliant to all expressions and sounds, the joints are 

 more supple to all feats of activity and motions, in youth 

 than afterwards. For it is true that late learners cannot 

 so well take the ply; except it be in some minds that have 

 not suffered themselves to fix, but have kept themselves 

 open and prepared to receive continual amendment, which 

 is exceeding rare. But if the force of custom simple and 

 separate be great, the force of custom copulate and con- 

 joined and collegiate is far greater. For there example 

 teacheth, company comforteth, emulation quickeneth, glory 

 raiseth : so as in such places the force of custom is in his 

 exaltation. Certainly the great multiplication of virtues 

 upon human nature resteth upon societies well ordained 

 and disciplined. For commonwealths and good govern- 

 ments do nourish virtue grown, but do not much mend 

 the seeds. But the misery is, that the most effectual means 

 are now applied to the ends least to be desired. 



XL 

 OF FORTUNE 



IT cannot be denied, but outward accidents conduce much 

 to fortune ; favour, opportunity, death of others, occasion 

 fitting virtue. But chiefly, the mould of a man's fortune 

 is in his own hands. Faber quisque fortunae suae^ saith 

 the poet. And the most frequent of external causes is, 

 that the folly of one man is the fortune of another. For 

 no man prospers so suddenly as by others' errors. Serpens 

 nisi serpentem comederit non fit draco. Overt and apparent 



