Bacon's Essays/Of Boldnesse

by Francis Bacon

XII

OF BOLDNESSE

It^[1] is a triviall^[2] Grammar Schoole Text^[3], but yet worthy a wise Man's Consideration. Question was asked of Demosthenes, What was the Chiefe Part^[4] of an Oratour? He answered, Action; what next? Action; what next again? Action. He said it, that knew it best, And had by nature himselfe no Advantage in that he commended. A strange thing, that that Part of an Oratour which is but superficiall, and rather the vertue 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 plaine. There is in Humane Nature gene rally more of the Foole then of the Wise; And therfore those faculties by which the Foolish part of Men's Mindes is taken are most potent. Wonderfull^[5] like is the Case of Boldnesse in Civill Businesse; What first? Boldnesse; What Second, and Third? Boldnesse. And yet Boldnesse is a Childe of Ignorance and Basenesse, farre inferiour to other Parts. But, neverthelesse, it doth fascinate, and binde hand and foot those that are either shallow in Iudgment or weake in Courage, which are the greatest Part; Yea, and prevaileth with wise men at weake times. Therfore, we see it hath done wonders in Popular^[6] States, but with Senates and Princes lesse; And more ever upon the first entrance of Bold Persons into Action then soone after; For Boldnesse is an ill keeper of promise. Surely, as there are Mountebanques for the Naturall Body, So are there Mountebanques for the Politique^[7] Body ; Men that undertake great Cures, And perhaps have been Lucky in two or three Experiments, but want the Grounds^[8] of Science, And therfore cannot hold out. Nay, you shall see a Bold Fellow, many times, doe Mahomet's Miracle. Mahomet made the People beleeve that he would call an Hill to him, And from the Top of it offer up his Praiers for the Observers of his Law. The People assembled; Mahomet cald the Hill to come to him, againe and againe; And when the Hill stood still, he was never a whit abashed, but said, If the Hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet wil go to the Hill. So these Men, when they have promised great Matters, and failed most shamefully, (yet if they have the perfection of Boldnesse) they will but slight it over^[9], and make a turne^[10], and no more adoe. Certainly, to Men of great Judgment, Bold Persons are a Sport to behold; Nay, and to the Vulgar also, Boldnesse hath somewhat of the Ridiculous. For if Absurdity be the Subiect of Laughter, doubt you not but great Boldnesse is seldome 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 Shruncken and woodden Posture; As needes it must; For in Bashfulnesse^[11], the Spirits^[12] doe a little goe and come; but with Bold Men, upon like occasion, they stand at a stay^[13]; Like a Stale at Chesse, where it is no Mate, but yet the Game cannot stirre. But this last were fitter for a Satyre then for a serious Observation. This is well to be weighed, That Boldnesse is ever blinde; For it seeth not dangers and Inconveniences. Therfore, it is ill in Counsell, good in Execution: So that the right Use of Bold persons is, that they never Command in Chiefe, but be Seconds and under the Direction of others. For in Counsell it is good to see dangers, And in Execution not to see them, except they be very great.

 

1. viz. the story which follows
2. well-known
3. quotation
4. qualification
5. wonderfully
6. democratic
7. political
8. are without the principles
9. make light of it
10. take a new tack
11. i.e. in the case of a bashful man
12. the vital spirits
13. thety come to a standstill