212 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [Cook 



neglected suffering, but of a wise and industrious suffering which 

 draweth and contrivcth use and advantage out of that which scemeth 

 adverse and contrary, which is that properly which we call accom 

 modating or applying. Now the wisdom of application restcth princi 

 pally in the exact and distinct knowledge of the precedent state or 

 disposition, unto which we do apply ; for we cannot fit a garment, 

 except we first take measure of the body. 



So then the first article of this knowledge is to set down sound and 

 true distributions, and descriptions of the several characters and 

 tempers of men s natures and dispositions, specially having regard to 

 those differences which are most radical, in being the fountains and 

 causes of the rest, or most frequent in concurrence or commixture ; 

 wherein it is not the handling of a few of them in passage, the better 

 to describe the mediocrities of virtues, that can satisfy this intention : 

 for if it deserve to be considered, &quot; that there arc minds which are 

 proportioned to great matters, and others to small,&quot; which Aristotle 

 handleth or ought to have handled by the name of magnanimity, doth 

 it not deserve as well to be considered, &quot; that there are minds pro 

 portioned to intend many matters, and others to few ?&quot; So that some 

 can divide themselves, others can perchance do exactly well, but it 

 must be but in few things at once ; and so there cometh to be a narrow 

 ness of mind, as well as a pusillanimity. And again, &quot; that some 

 minds are proportioned to that which may be despatched at once, or 

 within a short return of time ; others to that which begins afar off, and 

 is to be won with length of pursuit,&quot; 



Jam turn tenditque fovetque. 



So that there may be fitly said to be a longanimity, which is commonly 

 ascribed to God, as a magnanimity. So farther deserved it to be con 

 sidered by Aristotle, &quot; that there is a disposition in conversation, 

 supposing it in things which do in no sort touch or concern a man s 

 self, to sooth and please ; and a disposition contrary to contradict and 

 cross;&quot; and deserveth it not much better to be considered, &quot;that there 

 is a disposition, not in conversation or talk, but in matter of more 

 serious nature, and supposing it still in things merely indifferent, to 

 take pleasure in the good of another, and a disposition contrariwise, to 

 take distaste at the good of another ;&quot; which is that properly which we 

 call good-nature or ill-nature, benignity or malignity. And therefore I 

 cannot sufficiently marvel, that this part of knowledge, touching the 

 several characters of natures and dispositions, should be omitted&quot; both 

 in morality and policy, considering it is of so great ministry and 

 suppcditalion to them both. A man shall find in the traditions of 

 astrology some pretty and apt divisions of men s natures, according to 

 the predominances of the planets ; lovers of quiet, lovers of action, 

 lovers of victory, lovers of honour, lovers of pleasure, lovers of arts, 

 lovers of charge, and so forth. A man shall find in the wisest sort of 

 these relations, which the Italians make touching conclaves, the natures 

 of the several cardinals handsomely and lively painted forth ; a man 

 shall meet with, in every day s conference, the denominations of 



