The two books of Francis, Lord Verulam. Of the proficience and advancement of learning.

  • Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626.
Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The two books of Francis, Lord Verulam. Of the proficience and advancement of learning. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    the like : which latter sort have a nearer resem- blance unto that subject of manners he handleth? than those instances which he allegeth. But allowing his conclusion, that virtues and vices con- sist in habit, he ought so much the more to have taught the manner of superinducing that habit: for there be many precepts of the Avise ordering the exercises of the mind, as there is of ordering the exercises of the body; whereof we will recite a few. The first shall be, that we beware we take not at the first either too high a strain, or too weak : for if • too high, in a diffident nature you discourage; in a confident nature you breed an opinion of facility, and so a sloth; and m all natures you breed a faithei expectation than can hold out, and so an in- satisfaction in the end : if too weak, of the other side, you may not look to perform and overcome any great task. Another precept is, to practise all things chiefly at two several times, the one when the mind is best disposed, the other Avhen it is worst disposed ; that by the one you may gain a great step, by the other you may work out the knots and stonds of the mind, and make the middle times the more easy and pleasant. Another precept is that which Aristotle men-