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Of Love
by Francis Bacon |
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The stage is more beholding to love, that the life of man. For as to
the stage, love is ever matter of comedies, and now and then of
tragedies; but in life it doth much mischief; sometimes like a
siren, sometimes like a fury. You may observe, that amongst all the
great and worthy persons (whereof the memory remaineth, either ancient
or recent) there is not one, that hath been transported to the mad
degree of love: which shows that great spirits, and great business, do
keep out this weak passion. You must except, nevertheless, Marcus
Antonius, the half partner of the empire of Rome, and Appius Claudius,
the decemvir and lawgiver; whereof the former was indeed a
voluptuous man, and inordinate; but the latter was an austere and wise
man: and therefore it seems (though rarely) that love can find
entrance, not only into an open heart, but also into a heart well
fortified, if watch be not well kept. It is a poor saying of Epicurus,
Satis magnum alter alteri theatrum sumus; as if man, made for the
contemplation of heaven, and all noble objects, should do nothing
but kneel before a little idol and make himself a subject, though
not of the mouth (as beasts are), yet of the eye; which was given
him for higher purposes. It is a strange thing, to note the excess
of this passion, and how it braves the nature, and value of things, by
this; that the speaking in a perpetual hyperbole, is comely in nothing
but in love. Neither is it merely in the phrase; for whereas it hath
been well said, that the arch-flatterer, with whom all the petty
flatterers have intelligence, is a man's self; certainly the lover
is more. For there was never proud man thought so absurdly well of
himself, as the lover doth of the person loved; and therefore it was
well said, That it is impossible to love, and to be wise. Neither doth
this weakness appear to others only, and not to the party loved; but
to the loved most of all, except the love be reciproque. For it is a
true rule, that love is ever rewarded, either with the reciproque,
or with an inward and secret contempt. By how much the more, men ought
to beware of this passion, which loseth not only other things, but
itself! As for the other losses, the poet's relation doth well
figure them: that he that preferred Helena, quitted the gifts of
Juno and Pallas. For whosoever esteemeth too much of amorous
affection, quitteth both riches and wisdom. This passion hath his
floods, in very times of weakness; which are great prosperity, and
great adversity; though this latter hath been less observed: both
which times kindle love, and make it more fervent, and therefore
show it to be the child of folly. They do best, who if they cannot but
admit love, yet make it keep quarters; and sever it wholly from
their serious affairs, and actions, of life; for if it check once with
business, it troubleth men's fortunes, and maketh men, that they can
no ways be true to their own ends. I know not how, but martial men are
given to love: I think, it is but as they are given to wine; for
perils commonly ask to be paid in pleasures. There is in man's nature,
a secret inclination and motion, towards love of others, which if it
be not spent upon some one or a few, doth naturally spread itself
towards many, and maketh men become humane and charitable; as it is
seen sometime in friars. Nuptial love maketh mankind; friendly love
perfecteth it; but wanton love corrupteth, and embaseth it.
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contact: morgan at [email protected] page last modified: thu jan 12 01:37:48 2006 |
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