342 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



Is not the opinion of Aristotle worthy to be regarded, 

 wherein he saith that young men are no fit auditors of 

 moral philosophy, because they are not settled from the 

 boiling heat of their affections, nor attempered with time 

 and experience ? And doth it not hereof come, that those 

 excellent books and discourses of the ancient writers 

 (whereby they have persuaded unto virtue most effectu- 

 ally, by representing her in state and majesty, and popular 

 opinions against virtue in their parasites' coats, fit to be 

 scorned and derided,) are of so little effect towards 

 honesty of life, because they are not read and revolved 

 by men in their mature and settled years, but confined 

 almost to boys and beginners? But is it not true also, 

 that much less young men are fit auditors of matters of 

 policy, till they have been throughly seasoned in religion 

 and morality; lest their judgments be corrupted, and 

 made apt to think that there are no true differences of 

 things, but according to utility and fortune ; as the verse 

 describes it, Prosperum et felix see/us virtus vocatur ; and 

 again, Ilk crucem pretium sceleris tulit, hie diadema ; which 

 the poets do speak satirically, and in indignation on virtue's 

 behalf; but books of policy do speak it seriously and 

 positively; for so it pleaseth Machiavel to say, 'that if 

 Caesar had been overthrown he would have been more 

 odious than ever was Catiline ' ; as if there had been no 

 difference but in fortune, between a very fury of lust and 

 blood, and the most excellent spirit (his ambition reserved) 

 of the world ? Again, is there not a caution likewise to 

 be given of the doctrines of moralities themselves (some 

 kinds of them,) lest they make men too precise, arrogant, 

 incompatible; as Cicero saith of Cato, In Marco Catone 

 haec bona quae videmus divina et egregia, ipsius scitote esse 

 propria; quae nonnunquam requirimus, ea sunt omnia non a 

 naturd, sed a magistro ? Many other axioms and advices 

 there are touching those proprieties and effects which 

 studies do infuse and instil into manners. And so like- 

 wise is there touching the use of all those other points, of 

 company, fame, laws, and the rest, which we recited in the 

 beginning in the doctrine of morality. 



