ESSAYS CIVIL AND MORAL ,7 



For integrity used doth the one ; but integrity professed, and with a 

 manifest detestation of bribery, doth the other: and avoid not only the 

 fault, but the suspicion. Whosoever is found variable, and changeth 

 manifestly without manifest cause, givcth suspicion of corruption. 

 Therefore always when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess 

 it plainly, and declare it, together with the reasons that move thce to 

 change ; and do not think to steal it. A servant ora favourite, if he be 

 inward, and no other apparent cause of esteem, is commonly thought 

 but a bye-way to close corruption. For roughness, it is a needless 

 cause of discontent ; severity breecleth fear, but roughness brecdcth 

 hate. Even reproofs from authority ought to be grave, and not taunt 

 ing. As for facility, it is worse than bribery. For bribes come but 

 now and then; but if importunity or idle respects lead a man, he shall 

 never be without. As Solomon saith : &quot; to respect persons is not 

 good ; for such a man will transgress for a piece of bread.&quot; It is mo- 1 

 true that was anciently spoken, &quot; A place showcth the man :&quot; and it 

 showeth some to the better, and some to the worse ; &quot; omnium con- 

 sensu, capax imperii, nisi imperasset,&quot; saith Tacitus of Galba : but of 

 Vespasian he saith, &quot; solus imperantium Vcspasianus mutatus in 

 melius.&quot; Though the one was meant of sufficiency, the other of 

 manners and affection. It is an assured sign of a worthy and generous 

 spirit, whom honour amends: For honour is, or should be, the place 

 of virtue : and as in nature things move violently to (heir place, and 

 calmly in their place ; so virtue in ambition is violent, in authority 

 settled and calm. All rising to great place is by a winding-stair ; 

 and if there be factions, it is good to side a man s self whilst he is in 

 the rising ; and to balance himself when he is placed. Use the memory 

 of thy predecessor fairly and tenderly; for if thou dost not, it is a debt 

 will sure be paid when thou art gone. If thou have colleagues, 

 respect them, and rather call them when they look not for it, than 

 exclude them when they have reason to look to be called. He not too 

 sensible, or too remembering of thy place in conversation, and private 

 answers to suitors: but let it rather be said, When he sits in place he 

 is another man. 



XII. OF UOLDNI.SS. 



It is a trivial grammar-school text, but yet worthy a wise man s 

 consideration. Question was asked of Demosthenes, what was the 

 chief part of an orator? He answered, Action. What next? 

 Action. What next again ? Action. He said it that knew it best; 

 and had by nature himself no advantage in that he commended. A 

 strange thing, that that part of an orator, which is but superficial, 

 and rather the virtue of a player, should be placed so high above those 

 other noble parts of invention, elocution, and the rest : nay, almost 

 alone, as if it were all in all. Hut the reason is plain. There is in 

 human nature, generally, more of the fool than of the wise ; and there 

 fore those faculties by which the foolish part of men s minds is taken, 

 are most potent. Wonderful like is the case of boldness in civil busi 

 ness ; what first? Boldness. What second and third ? Boldness, 



