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the advancement of learning-第39部分
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e wisdoms which we have set down to pertain to civil life; for wisdom of behaviour it is by learned men for the most part despised; as an inferior to virtue; and an enemy to meditation; for wisdom of government; they acquit themselves well; when they are called to it; but that happeneth to few; but for the wisdom of business; wherein man's life is most conversant; there be no books of it; except some few scattered advertisements; that have no proportion to the magnitude of this subject。 For if books were written of this; as the other; I doubt not but learned men with mean experience; would far excel men of long experience without learning; and outshoot them in their own bow。
5。 Neither needeth it at all to be doubted; that this knowledge should be so variable as it falleth not under precept; for it is much less infinite than science of government; which; we see; is laboured and in some part reduced。 Of this wisdom; it seemeth some of the ancient Romans in the saddest and wisest times were professors; for Cicero reporteth that it was then in use for senators that had name and opinion for general wise men; as Coruncanius; Curius; Laelius; and many others; to walk at certain hours in the Place; and to give audience to those that would use their advice; and that the particular citizens would resort unto them; and consult with them of the marriage of a daughter; or of the employing of a son; or of a purchase or bargain; or of an accusation; and every other occasion incident to man's life。 So as there is a wisdom of counsel and advice even in private causes; arising out of a universal insight into the affairs of the world; which is used indeed upon particular causes propounded; but is gathered by general observation of cases of like nature。 For so we see in the book which Q。 Cicero writeth to his brother; DE PETITIONE CONSULATUS; (being the only book of business that I know written by the ancients;) although it concerned j a particular action set on foot; yet the substance thereof consisteth of many wise and politic axioms; which contain not a temporary; but a perpetual direction in the case of popular elections。 But chiefly we may see in those aphorisms which have place among divine writings; composed by Salomon the king; (of whom the Scriptures testify that his heart was as the sands of the sea; encompassing the world and all worldly matters;) we see; I say; not a few profound and excellent cautions; precepts; positions; extending to much variety of occasions; whereupon we will stay awhile; offering to consideration some number of examples。
6。 SED ET CUNCTIS SERMONIBUS QUI DICUNTUR NE ACCOMMODES AUREM TUAM; NE FORTE AUDIAS SERVUM TUUM MALEDICENTEM TIBI。 Here is concluded the provident stay of inquiry of that which we would be loth to find: as it was judged great wisdom in Pompeius Magnus that he burned Sertorius' papers unperused。
VIR SAPIENS; SI CUM STULTO CONTENDERIT; SIVE IRASCATUR; SIVE RIDEAT; NON INVENIET REQUIEM。 Here is described the great disadvantage which a wise man hath in undertaking a lighter person than himself; which is such an engagement as; whether a man turn the matter to jest; or turn it to heat; or howsoever he change copy; he can no ways quit himself well of it。
QUI DELICAT?A PUERITI?NUTRIT SERVUM SUUM; POSTEA SENTIET EUM CONTUMACEM。 Here is signified; that if a man begin too high a pitch in his favours; it doth commonly end in unkindness and unthankfulness。
'67' VIDISTI VIRUM VELOCEM IN OPERE SUO ? CORAM REGIBUS STABIT; NEC ERIT INTER IGNOBILES。 Here is observed; that of all virtues for rising to honour; quickness of despatch is the best; for superiors many times love not to have those they employ too deep or too sufficient; but ready and diligent。
VIDI CUNCTOS VIVENTES QUI AMBULANT SUB SOLE; CUM ADOLESCENTE SECUNDO QUI CONSURGIT PRO EO。 Here is expressed that which was noted by Sylla first; and after him by Tiberius; Plures adorant solem orientem quam occidentem vel meridianum。
SI SPIRITUS POTESTATEM HABENTIS ASCENDERIT SUPER TE; LOCUM TUUM NE DEMISERIS; QUIA CURATIO FACIET CESSARE PECCATA MAXIMA。 Here caution is given; that upon displeasure; retiring is of all courses the unfittest; for a man leaveth things at worst; and depriveth himself of means to make them better。
ERAT CIVITAS PARVA; ET PAUCI IN EA VIRI: VENIT CONTRA EAM REX MAGNUS; ET VADAVIT EAM; INSTRUXITQUE MUNITIONES PER GYRUM; ET PERFECTA EST OBSIDIO; INVENTUSQUE EST IN EA VIR PAUPER ET SAPIENS; ET LIBERAVIT EAM PER SAPIENTIAM SUAM; ET NULLUS DEINCEPS RECORDATUS EST HOMINIS ILLIUS PAUPERIS。 Here the corruption of states is set forth; that esteem not virtue or merit longer than they have use of it。
MOLLIS RESPONSIO FRANGIT IRAM。 Here is noted that silence or rough answer exasperateth; but an answer present and temperate pacifieth。
ITER PIGRORUM QUASI SEPES SPINARUM。 Here is lively represented how laborious sloth proveth in the end; for when things are deferred till the last instant; and nothing prepared beforehand; every step findeth a brier or an impediment; which catcheth or stoppeth。
MELIOR EST FINIS ORATIONIS QUAM PRINCIPIUM。 Here is taxed the vanity of formal speakers; that study more about prefaces and inducements; than upon the conclusions and issues of speech。
QUI COGNOSCIT IN JUDICIO FACIEM; NON BENE FACIT; ISTE ET PRO BUCELLA PANIS DESERET VERITATEM。 Here is noted; that a judge were better be a briber than a respecter of persons; for a corrupt judge offendeth not so lightly as a facile。
VIR PAUPER CALUMNIANS PAUPERES SIMILIS EST IMBRI VEHEMENTI; IN QUO PARATUR FAMES。 Here is expressed the extremity of necessitous extortions; figured in the ancient fable of the full and the hungry horseleech。
FONS TURBATUS PEDE; ET VENA CORRUPTA; EST JUSTUS CADENS CORAM IMPIO。 Here is noted; that one judicial and exemplar iniquity in the face of the world; doth trouble the fountains of justice more than many particular injuries passed over by connivance。
QUI SUBTRAHIT ALIQUID A PATRE ET A MATRE; ET DICIT HOC NON ESSE PECCATUM; PARTICEPS EST HOMICIDII。 Here is noted; that whereas men in wronging their best friends use to extenuate their fault; as if they might presume or be bold upon them; it doth contrariwise indeed aggravate their fault; and turneth it from injury to impiety。
NOLI ESSE AMICUS HOMINI IRACUNDO; NEC AMBULATO CUM HOMINE FURIOSO。 Here caution is given; that in the election of our friends we do principally avoid those which are impatient; as those that will espouse us to many factions and quarrels。
QUI CONTURBAT DOMUM SUAM; POSSIDEBIT VENTUM。 Here is noted; that in domestical separations and breaches men do promise to themselves quieting of their mind and contentment; but still they are deceived of their expectation; and it turneth to wind。
FILIUS SAPIENS LAETIFICAT PATREM: FILIUS VERO STULTUS MAESTITIA EST PATRI SUAE。 Here is distinguished; that fathers have most comfort of the good proof of their sons; but mothers have most discomfort of their ill proof; because women have little discerning of virtue; but of fortune。
QUI CELAT DELICTUM; QUAERIT AMICITIAM; SED QUI ALTERO SERMONE REPETIT; SEPARAT FOEDERATOS。 Here caution is given; that reconcilement is better managed by an amnesty; and passing over that which is past; than by apologies and excusations。
IN OMNI OPERE BONO ERIT ABUNDANTIA; UBI AUTEM VERBA SUNT PLURIMA; IBI FREQUENTER EGESTAS。 Here is noted; that words and discourse abound most where there is idleness and want。
PRIMUS IN SUA CAUSA JUSTUS; SED VENIT ALTERA PARS; ET INQUIRET IN EUM。 Here is observed; that in all causes the first tale possesseth much; in sort that the prejudice thereby wrought will be hardly removed; except some abuse or falsity in the information be detected。
VERBA BILINGUIS QUASI SIMPLICIA; ET IPSA PERVENIUNT AD INTERIORA VENTRIS。 Here is distinguished; that flattery and insinuation; which seemeth set and artificial; sinketh not far; but that entereth deep which hath show of nature; liberty; and simplicity。
QUI ERUDIT DERISOREM; IPSE SIBI INJURIAM FACIT; ET QUI ARGUIT IMPIUM; SIBI MACULAM GENERAT。 Here caution is given how we tender reprehension to arrogant and scornful natures; whose manner is to esteem it for contumely; and accordingly to return it。
DA SAPIENTI OCCASIONEM; ET ADDETUR EI SAPIENTIA。 Here is distinguished the wisdom brought into habit; and that which is but verbal; and swimming only in conceit; for the one upon occasion presented is quickened and redoubled; the other is amazed and confused。
QUOMODO IN AQUIS RESPLENDENT VULTUS PROSPICIENTIUM; SIC CORDA HOMINUM MANIFESTA SUNT PRUDENTIBUS。 Here the mind of a wise man is compared to a glass; wherein the images of all diversity of natures and customs are represented; from which representation proceedeth that application;
Qui sapit; innumeris moribus aptus erit。
7。 Thus have I stayed somewhat longer upon these sentences politic of Salomon than is agreeable to the proportion of an example; led with a desire to give authority to this part of knowledge; which I noted as deficient; by so excellent a precedent; and have also attended them with brief observations; such as to my understanding offer no violence to the sense; though I know they may be applied to a more divine use: but it is allowed; even in divinity; that some interpretations; yea; and some writings; have more of the eagle than others; but taking them as instructions for life; they might have received large '68' discourse; if I would have broken them and illustrated them by deducements and examples。
8。 Neither was this in use only with the Hebrews; but it is generally to be found in the wisdom of the more ancient times; that as men found out any observation that they thought was good for life; they would gather it; and express it in parable; or aphorism; or fable。 But for fables; they were vicegerents and supplies where examples failed: now that the times abound with history; the aim is better when the mark is alive。 And therefore the form of writing which of all others is fittest for this variable argument of negotiation and occasions is that which Machiavel chose wisely and aptly for government; namely; discourse upon histories or examples。 For knowledge drawn freshly; and in our view; out of particulars; knoweth the way b
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