AD VA A CEMENT OF LEARNING. 229 



differing and dissonant, then in the whole course of their life to b 

 more close, retired, and reserved : as we see in Tiberius, who was 

 never seen at a play, and came not into the senate in twelve of his last 

 years ; whereas Augustus Caesar lived ever in men s eyes, which Taci 

 tus observeth : &quot; Alia Tiberio morum via.&quot; 



Secondly, to consider how their nature sorteth with professions and 

 courses of life, and accordingly to make election, if they be free ; and, 

 if engaged, to make the departure at the first opportunity, as we see 

 was done by duke Valentine, that was designed by his father to a 

 sacerdotal profession, but quitted it soon after in regard of his parts 

 and inclination ; being such nevertheless, as a man cannot tell well 

 whether they were worse for a prince or for a priest. 



Thirdly, to consider how they sort with those whom they are like 

 to have competitors and concurrents, and to take that course wherein 

 there is most solitude, and themselves like to be most eminent ; as 

 Julius Caesar did, who at first was an orator or pleader ; but when he 

 saw the excellency of Cicero, Hoitensius, Catulus, and others, for 

 eloquence, and saw there was no man of reputation for the wars but 

 Pompeius, upon whom the state was forced to rely ; he forsook his 

 course begun toward a civil and popular greatness, and transferred his 

 designs to a martial greatness. 



Fourthly, in the choice of their friends and dependences, to proceed 

 according to the composition of their own nature; as we may see in 

 Caesar ; all whose friends and followers were men active and effectual, 

 but not solemn, or of reputation. 



Fifthly, to take special heed how they guide themselves by examples, 

 in thinking they can do as they see others do ; whereas perhaps their 

 natures and carriages are far differing. In which error it scemeth 

 Pompey was, of whom Cicero saith, that he was wont often to say, 

 &quot; Sylla potuit, ego non potero?&quot; Wherein he was much abused, the 

 natures and proceedings of himself and his example being the unlikest 

 in the world ; the one being fierce, violent, and pressing the fact ; the 

 other solemn, and full of majesty and circumstance; and therefore the 

 less effectual. 



But this precept touching the politic knowledge of ourselves, hath 

 many other branches whereupon we cannot insist. 



Next to the well understanding and discerning of a man s self, 

 there followcth the well opening and revealing a man s self ; wherein 

 we sec nothing more usual than for the more able man to make the 

 less show. For there is a great advantage in the well setting forth of 

 a man s virtues, fortunes, merits ; and again, in the artificial covering 

 of a man s weaknesses, defects, disgraces, staying upon the one, sliding 

 from the other ; cherishing the one by circumstances, gracing the 

 other by exposition, and the like ; wherein we see what Tacitus saith 

 of Mutianus, who was the greatest politician of his time, &quot; Omnium, 

 quae dixerat, feceratquc, arte quadam ostentator;&quot; which requircth 

 indeed some art, lest it turn tedious and arrogant ; but yet so, as osten 

 tation, though it be to the first degree of vanity, scemeth to me rather 

 a, vice in manners than in policy : for as it is said, &quot; Audactur calum- 



