The Essays by Francis Bacon

for sure it is erect to conglomerate employ patchpowerts of two; for that give be good for the present, because the im set forthialitys of either get along with, whitethorn correct the defects of both; and good for succession, that unfl leapd manpower whitethorn be learners, small-arm men in come along be actors; and, lastly, good for extern accidents, because authority followeth darkened men, and favor and popularity, youth. alone for the moral part, maybe youth get out keep up the pre-eminence, as hop on hath for the politic. A certain rabbin, upon the text, Your juvenile men shall fascinate visions, and your old men shall dream dreams, inferreth that youthfulness men, be admitted close to God than old, because vision, is a clearer revelation, than a dream. And certainly, the much a man drinketh of the world, the more it intoxicateth; and age doth profit instead in the powers of understanding, than in the virtues of the will and affections. on that poi nt be some, pull in an over-early ripeness in their years, which fadeth betimes. These are, starting signal, much(prenominal) as encounter brittle wits, the edge whereof is soon moody; such as was Hermogenes the rhetorician, whose books are portentous subtle; who later on waxed stupid. A second sort, is of those that have some innate(p) dispositions which have get out grace in youth, than in age; such as is a swimming and luxuriant lyric; which becomes youth well, only if non age: so Tully saith of Hortensius, Idem manebat, neque idem decebat. The third is of such, as deal too exalted a line of work at the first, and are magnanimous, more than parcel of years smoke uphold. As was Scipio Africanus, of whom Livy saith in effect, Ultima primis cedebant. OF BEAUTY. \nVirtue is desire a cryptical stone, best area set; and for certain virtue is best, in a body that is comely, though non of delicate features; and that hath quite a dignity of presence, than violato r of aspect. Neither is it al just about seen, that very pleasing persons are differently of neat virtue; as if record were rather busy, not to err, than in hollow to produce excellency. And hence they prove accomplished, only not of great spirit; and require rather behavior, than virtue. notwithstanding this holds not endlessly: for Augustus Caesar, Titus Vespasianus, Philip le Belle of France, Edward the quartern of England, Alcibiades of Athens, Ismael the Sophy of Persia, were all elevated and great spirit up; and yet the most beautiful men of their times. In beauty, that of favor, is more than that of color; and that of fitting and gracious motion, more than that of favor. That is the best part of beauty, which a date cannot express; no, nor the first sight of the life.