The Essays of Francis Bacon/XLIV Of Deformity

by Francis Bacon

XLIV. Of Deformity.^[1]

Deformed persons are commonly even with nature, for as nature hath done ill by them, so do they by nature; being for the most part (as the Scripture saith) void of natural affection;^[2] and so they have their revenge of nature. Certainly there is a consent^[3] between the body and the mind; and where nature erreth in the one, she ventureth in the other. Ubi peccat in uno, periclitatur in altero. But because there is in man an election touching the frame of his mind, and a necessity in the frame of his body, the stars of natural inclination are sometimes obscured by the sun of discipline and virtue. Therefore it is good to consider of deformity, not as a sign, which is more deceivable;^[4] but as a cause, which seldom faileth of the effect. Whosoever hath any thing fixed in his person that doth induce contempt, hath also a perpetual spur in himself to rescue and deliver himself from scorn. Therefore all deformed persons are extreme^[5] bold. First, as in their own defence, as being exposed to scorn; but in process of time by a general habit. Also it stirreth in them industry, and especially of this kind, to watch and observe the weakness of others, that they may have somewhat to repay. Again, in their superiors, it quencheth jealousy towards them, as persons that they think they may at pleasure despise: and it layeth their competitors and emulators asleep; as never believing they should be in possibility of advancement, till they see them in possession. So that upon the matter,^[6] in a great wit, deformity is an advantage to rising. Kings in ancient times (and at this present in some countries) were wont^[7] to put great trust in eunuchs; because they that are envious towards all are more obnoxious^[8] and officious towards one. But yet their trust towards them hath rather been as to good spials^[9] and good whisperers, than good magistrates and officers. And much like is the reason of deformed persons. Still the ground is, they will, if they be of spirit, seek to free themselves from scorn; which must be either by virtue or malice;^[10] and therefore let it not be marvelled^[11] if sometimes they prove excellent persons; as was Agesilaus,^[12] Zanger^[13] the son of Solyman, Æsop, Gasca^[14] President of Peru; and Socrates^[15] may go likewise amongst them; with others.

1. Nicholas Chamberlain wrote to Sir Dudley Carleton, December 17, 1612, "Sir Francis Bacon hath set out new Essays, where in a chapter of Deformity, the world takes notice that he paints out his little cousin [Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury] to the life." Court and Times of James I. I. 214. ed. 1848.
2. "Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful." Romans i. 31.
3. Consent. Agreement. "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent." Zephaniah iii. 9.
4. Deceivable. Deceptive, passive form with active sense.

   "There 's something in 't
   That is deceivable."
   

   Shakspere. Twelfth Night. iv. 3.

5. Extreme. Extremely.
6. Matter. Whole; 'upon the matter' means 'on the whole.'
7. Wont. Accustomed.
8. Obnoxious. Submissive.
9. Spials (espials). Spies.

   "The Prince's 'spials have informed me."
   

   Shakspere. I. King Henry VI. i. 4.

10. Malice. Vice. "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." I. Corinthians v. 8.
11. Marvel. To wonder at. "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." I. John iii. 13.
12. Agesilaus II., King of Sparta from 398 to 361 B.C. He was a man of small stature and lame from his birth, but he developed into a vigorous ruler and great general.
13. Zanger. Jáhangiŕ, Tzihanger, Djangir, Zangir, or Zanger (as the name is variously spelled), 'the Crooked,' was the son of Solyman the Magnificent and Roxalana. Bacon probably read his story in Richard Knolles's Generall Historie of the Turkes, etc. 1603. There it is to the effect that after Solyman, at the instigation of the Sultana Roxalana, had put to death Mustapha, his son by another wife, he bade Zanger go to meet his brother. When Zanger saw his brother lying on the ground strangled, he foresaw his own probable fate, and resolved to anticipate it. He refused to inherit Mustapha's property and position, and committed suicide, much to his father's grief.
14. Pedro de la Gasca, 1485–1561, President of the Royal Audience of Peru, 1546 to 1550, and conqueror of Gonzalo Pizarro, in 1548; for his services in restoring peace and ordered government in Peru, Gasca upon his return to Spain was raised to the bishopric of Palencia, and subsequently to that of Siguenza. Prescott in the Conquest of Peru compares the character of Gasca 'with that of Washington. "Gasca," says Prescott, "was plain in person, and his countenance was far from comely. He was awkward and ill-proportioned; for his limbs were too long for his body,—so that when he rode he appeared to be much shorter than he really was." History of the Conquest of Peru. W. H. Prescott. Book V. Chapter iv.
15. Socrates, 470–399 B.C., a famous Greek philosopher. He is the chief character in the Dialogues of Plato, one of his pupils, and is the subject of the Memorabilia of Xenophon, another pupil. His personal appearance was so odd and ugly that he was caricatured by the comic dramatists of his time.