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Of Boldness
by Francis Bacon |
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It is a trivial grammar-school text, but yet worthy a wise man's
consideration. Question was asked of Demosthenes, what was the chief
part of an orator? he answered, action; what next? action; what next
again? action. He said it, that knew it best, and had, by nature,
himself no advantage in that he commended. A strange thing, that
that of an orator, which is but superficial and rather the virtue of a
player, should be placed so high, above those other noble parts, of
invention, elocution, and the rest; nay, almost alone, as if it were
all in all. But the reason is plain. There is in human nature
generally, more of the fool than of the wise; and therefore those
faculties, by which the foolish part of men's minds is taken, are most
potent. Wonderful like is the case of boldness in civil business: what
first? boldness; what second and third? boldness. And yet boldness
is a child of ignorance and baseness, far inferior to other parts. But
nevertheless it doth fascinate, and bind hand and foot, those that are
either shallow in judgment, or weak in courage, which are the greatest
part; yea and prevaileth with wise men at weak times. Therefore we see
it hath done wonders, in popular states; but with senates, and princes
less; and more ever upon the first entrance of bold persons into
action, than soon after; for boldness is an ill keeper of promise.
Surely, as there are mountebanks for the natural body, so are there
mountebanks for the politic body; men that undertake great cures,
and perhaps have been lucky, in two or three experiments, but want the
grounds of science, and therefore cannot hold out. Nay, you shall
see a bold fellow many times do Mahomet's miracle. Mahomet made the
people believe that he would call an hill to him, and from the top
of it offer up his prayers, for the observers of his law. The people
assembled; Mahomet called the hill to come to him, again and again;
and when the hill stood still, he was never a whit abashed, but
said, If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet, will go to the
hill. So these men, when they have promised great matters, and
failed most shamefully, yet (if they have the perfection of
boldness) they will but slight it over, and make a turn, and no more
ado. Certainly to men of great judgment, bold persons are a sport to
behold; nay, and to the vulgar also, boldness has somewhat of the
ridiculous. For if absurdity be the subject of laughter, doubt you not
but great boldness is seldom without some absurdity. Especially it
is a sport to see, when a bold fellow is out of countenance; for
that puts his face into a most shrunken, and wooden posture; as
needs it must; for in bashfulness, the spirits do a little go and
come; but with bold men, upon like occasion, they stand at a stay;
like a stale at chess, where it is no mate, but yet the game cannot
stir. But this last were fitter for a satire than for a serious
observation. This is well to be weighed; that boldness is ever
blind; for it seeth not danger, and inconveniences. Therefore it is
ill in counsel, good in execution; so that the right use of bold
persons is, that they never command in chief, but be seconds, and
under the direction of others. For in counsel, it is good to see
dangers; and in execution, not to see them, except they be very great.
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contact: morgan at [email protected] page last modified: thu jan 12 01:37:48 2006 |
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