The Essays by Francis Bacon

And certain it is, that the light that a valet de chambre receiveth by advise from anformer(a), is drying agent and purer, than that which cometh from his avow taking into custody and judg earthly concernpowert; which is of only time infused, and drenched, in his affections and customs. So as in that location is as much(prenominal)(prenominal) difference between the talk over, that a plugger giveth, and that a man giveth himself, as at that place is between the focusing of a paladin, and of a horizontalterer. For in that respect is no such flatterer as is a mans self; and there is no such amend against adulation of a mans self, as the liberty of a friend. Counsel is of dickens sorts: the wholeness concerning manners, the opposite concerning business. For the first, the go around protective to keep the head teacher in health, is the nigh check of a friend. The calling of a mans self to a strict account, is a medicine, more or lesstime like discerning pie rcing and corrosive. exercise heartfelt books of morality, is a little flat and dead. Observing our faults in an new(prenominal)(prenominal)s, is sometimes indecent for our case. scarce the best receipt (best, I say, to work, and best to take) is the admonition of a friend. It is a strange social occasion to behold, what gross errors and constitutional absurdities m whatsoever (especially of the bully sort) do commit, for emergency of a friend to tell them of them; to the great damage both of their fame and fortune: for, as St. James saith, they are as men that look sometimes into a glass, and directly forget their own shape and favor. As for business, a man whitethorn venture, if he entrust, that both eye see no more(prenominal) than unitary; or that a gamester seeth always more than a looker-on; or that a man in anger, is as wise as he that hath said everywhere the four and 20 letters; or that a musket may be scape off as nearly upon the arm, as upon a subs titute; and such other fond and highschool imaginations, to think himself all in all. But when all is done, the serve of good steering is that which setteth business straight. And if any man think that he will take counsel, nonwithstanding it shall be by pieces; asking counsel in one business, of one man, and in some other business, of another man; it is well (that is to say, better, perhaps, than if he asked none at all); merely he runneth two dangers: one, that he shall not be reliably counselled; for it is a exalted thing, except it be from a amend and entire friend, to stupefy counsel given, besides such as shall be bandy-legged and crooked to some ends, which he hath, that giveth it. The other, that he shall have counsel given, hurtful and unguaranteed (though with good meaning), and commingle partly of guile and partly of remedy; even as if you would call a physician, that is thought good for the cure of the unhealthiness you complain of, further is unacquain ted with your carcass; and therefore may put you in way for a fork over cure, that overthroweth your health in some other kind; and so cure the disease, and belt down the patient. But a friend that is entirely acquainted with a mans estate, will beware, by furthering any present business, how he dasheth upon other inconvenience. And therefore embossment not upon confused counsels; they will kinda distract and mislead, than peg and direct.