LIII. Of Praise.
Praise is the reflexion of virtue. But it is as the glass or body which giveth the reflexion. If it be from the common people, it is commonly false and naught; and rather followeth vain persons than virtuous. For the common people understand not many excellent virtues. The lowest virtues draw praise from them; the middle virtues work in them astonishment or admiration; but of the highest virtues they have no sense of perceiving at all. But shews, and species virtutibus similes,[1] serve best with them. Certainly fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swoln, and drowns things weighty and solid. But if persons of quality and judgment concur, then it is (as the Scripture saith), Nomen bonum inslar unguenti fragrantis.[2] It filleth all round about, and will not easily away.[3] For the odours of ointments are more durable than those of flowers. There be so many false points of praise, that a man may justly hold it a suspect. Some praises proceed merely of flattery; and if he be an ordinary flatterer, he will have certain common attributes, which may serve every man; if he
- ↑ Appearances similar to virtues. "Is Calpurnio genere ortus, ac multa insignesque familias paterna nobilitate complexus, claro apud vulgum rumore erat per virtutem, aut species virtutibus similes." P. Cornelii Taciti Annalium Liber XV. 48.
- ↑ A good name is like unto a fragrant ointment. Bacon has here in mind Ecclesiastes vii. 1, where the proverb is, "A good name is better than precious ointment."
- ↑ Away. Go away. Elliptical use, with verb suppressed, simulating an imperative, or rarely, as here, an infinitive.
"For 'get you gone,' she doth not mean away!"
Shakspere. The Two Gentlemen of Verona. iii. 1.
