102 BACON'S ESSAYS 



that while we make forth to that which is better, we meet 

 not with that which is worse. 



The discommodities of usury are, First, that it makes 

 fewer merchants. For were it not for this lazy trade of 

 usury, money would not lie still, but would in great part 

 be employed upon merchandizing ; which is the vena porta 

 of wealth in a state. The second, that it makes poor 

 merchants. For as a farmer cannot husband his ground 

 so well if he sit at a great rent ; so the merchant cannot 

 drive his trade so well, if he sit at great usury. The 

 third is incident to the other two ; and that is the decay of 

 customs of kings or states, which ebb or flow with 

 merchandizing. The fourth, that it bringeth the treasure 

 of a realm or state into a few hands. For the usurer being 

 at certainties, and others at uncertainties, at the end of the 

 game most of the money will be in the box ; and ever a 

 state flourisheth when wealth is most equally spread. The 

 fifth, that it beats down the price of land ; for the employ- 

 ment of money is chiefly either merchandizing or purchas- 

 ing ; and usury waylays both. The sixth, that it doth dull 

 and damp all industries, improvements, and new inventions, 

 wherein money would be stirring, if it were not for this 

 slug. The last, that it is the canker and ruin of many 

 men's estates ; which in process of time breeds a public 

 poverty. 



On the other side, the commodities of usury are, first, 

 that howsoever usury in some respect hindereth merchandiz- 

 ing, yet in some other it advanceth it ; for it is certain that 

 the greatest part of trade is driven by young merchants, 

 upon borrowing at interest ; so as if the usurer either call 

 in or keep back his money, there will ensue presently a 

 great stand of trade. The second is, that were it not for 

 this easy borrowing upon interest, men's necessities would 

 draw upon them a most sudden undoing ; in that they 

 would be forced to sell their means (be it lands or goods) 

 far under foot ; and so, whereas usury doth but gnaw upon 

 them, bad markets would swallow them quite up. As for 

 mortgaging or pawning, it will little mend the matter : for 

 either men will not take pawns without use ; or if they do, 



