The Essays of Francis Bacon/LII Of Ceremonies and Respects

by Francis Bacon

LII. Of Ceremonies and Respects.^[1]

He that is only real, had need have exceeding great parts of virtue; as the stone had need to be rich that is set without foil.^[2] But if a man mark it well, it is in praise and commendation of men as it is in gettings and gains: for the proverb is true, That light gains make heavy purses; for light gains come thick, whereas great come but now and then. So it is true that small matters win great commendation, because they are continually in use and in note: whereas the occasion of any great virtue cometh but on festivals. Therefore it doth much add to a man's reputation, and is (as queen Isabella^[3] said) like perpetual letters commendatory, to have good forms. To attain them it almost sufficeth not to despise them; for so shall a man observe them in others; and let him trust himself with the rest. For if he labour too much to express them, he shall lose their grace; which is to be natural and unaffected. Some men's behaviour is like a verse, wherein every syllable is measured; how can a man comprehend great matters, that breaketh his mind too much to small observations?^[4] Not to use ceremonies at all, is to teach others not to use them again; and so diminisheth respect to himself; especially they be not to be omitted to strangers and formal natures; but the dwelling upon them, and exalting them above the moon, is not only tedious, but doth diminish the faith and credit of him that speaks. And certainly there is a kind of conveying of effectual and imprinting^[5] passages amongst compliments, which is of singular use, if a man can hit upon it. Amongst a man's peers a man shall be sure of familiarity; and therefore it is good a little to keep state. Amongst a man's inferiors one shall be sure of reverence; and therefore it is good a little to be familiar. He that is too much in anything, so that he giveth another occasion of satiety, maketh himself cheap. To apply one's self to others is good; so it be with demonstration that a man doth it upon regard, and not upon facility. It is a good precept generally in seconding another, yet to add somewhat of one's own: as if you will grant his opinion, let it be with some distinction; if you will follow his motion, let it be with condition; if you allow his counsel, let it be with alleging further reason. Men had need beware how they be too perfect in compliments; for be they never so sufficient^[6] otherwise, their enviers will be sure to give them that attribute, to the disadvantage of their greater virtues. It is loss also in business to be too full of respects, or to be curious^[7] in observing times and opportunities. Salomon saith, He that considereth the wind shall not sow, and he that looketh to the clouds shall not reap.^[8] A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Men's behaviour should be like their apparel, not too strait or point device,^[9] but free for exercise or motion.^[10]

1. Respects. Deferential good wishes; complimentary regards.
2. Foil. A piece of gold or silver leaf set behind a gem to give it color or lustre.
3. Isabella I., the Catholic, 1451–1504, daughter and heiress of Juan II. of Castile, and queen of Ferdinand V. (II. of Aragon and III. of Naples). Isabella's enduring title to fame is that she believed in Columbus, and equipped the three little ships, the Santa Maria, the Niña, and the Pinta, with which he set forth from Palos, August 3, 1492, to discover America. "Queen Isabell of Spain used to say: Whosoever hath a good presence and a good fashion, carries letters of recommendation." Bacon. Apophthegmes New and Old. 99 (74).
4. Observations. Observances.
5. Imprinting. That imprints or impresses something on the mind; impressive.
6. Sufficient. Capable; qualified; competent; fit.

   "You 'll never meet a more sufficient man."
   

   Shakspere. Othello. iii. 4.

7. Curious. Minutely accurate; exact; precise.
8. Ecclesiastes xi. 4.
9. Point-device. Precise; nice; scrupulously neat; finical. "Then your hose should be ungarter'd, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbutton'd, your shoe untied, and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation. But you are no such man: you are rather point-device in your accoutrements." Shakspere. As You Like It. iii. 2.
10. For Bacon's own admirable definition of behaviour as the 'garment of the mind,' read the Advancement of Learning, II. xxiii. 3.