Page 40 - DENG502_PROSE

Prose

Notes and studies themselves, do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by
experience. Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for
they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by
observation. Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find
talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,
and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others
to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.
Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be
only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like
common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and
writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he
confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning,
to seem to know, that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtile;
natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores.
Nay, there is no stond or impediment in the wit, but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as
diseases of the body, may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins;
shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like.
So if a man’s wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be
called away never so little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find
differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini sectores. If he be not apt to beat over
matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study 197 the lawyers’
cases. So every defect of the mind, may have a special receipt.

Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them.

Many have an opinion not wise, that for a prince to govern his estate, or for a great person to
govern his proceedings, according to the respect of factions, is a principal part of policy; whereas
contrariwise, the chiefest wisdom, is either in ordering those things which are general, and wherein
men of several factions do nevertheless agree; or in dealing with correspondence to particular
persons, one by one. But I say not that the considerations of factions, is to be neglected. Mean men,
in their rising, must adhere; but great men, that have strength in themselves, were better to
maintain themselves indifferent, and neutral. Yet even in beginners, to adhere so moderately, as
he be a man of the one faction, which is most passable with the other, commonly giveth best way.
The lower and weaker faction, is the firmer in conjunction; and it is often seen, that a few that are
stiff, do tire out a greater number, that are more moderate. When one of the factions is extinguished,
the remaining subdivideth; as the faction between Lucullus, and the rest of the nobles of the senate
(which they called Optimates) held out awhile, against the faction of Pompey and Caesar; but
when the senate’s authority was pulled down, Caesar and Pompey soon after brake. The faction
or party of Antonius and Octavianus Caesar, against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a
time; but when Brutus and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after, Antonius and Octavianus
brake and subdivided. These examples are of wars, but the same holdeth in private factions. And
therefore, those that are seconds in factions, do many times, when the faction subdivideth, prove
principals; but many times also, they prove ciphers and cashiered; for many a man’s strength is in
opposition; and when that faileth, he groweth out of use. It is commonly seen, that men, once
placed, take in with the contrary faction, to that by which they enter: thinking belike, that they
have the first sure, and now are ready for a new purchase. The traitor in faction, lightly goeth

34 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY