IV. OF BOLDNESS.

LORD BACON.--1561-1626.

_From_ ESSAYS.

It is a trivial grammar-school text, but yet worthy a wise man's
consideration: question was asked of Demosthenes, what was the chief
part of an orator? He answered, action: what next? action: what next
again? action. He said it that knew it best, and had by nature himself
no advantage in that he commended. A strange thing, that that part of an
orator which is but superficial, and rather the virtue 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 plain. There is in human nature generally more of the
fool than of the wise; and therefore those faculties by which the
foolish part of men's minds is taken, are most potent. Wonderful like is
the case of boldness in civil business; what first? boldness: what
second and third? boldness. And yet boldness is a child of ignorance and
baseness, far inferior to other parts: but, nevertheless, it doth
fascinate, and bind hand and foot those that are either shallow in
judgment or weak in courage, which are the greatest part; yea, and
prevaileth with wise men at weak times; therefore we see it hath done
wonders in popular states, but with senates and princes less; and more,
ever upon the first entrance of bold persons into action, than soon
after; for boldness is an ill keeper of promise. Surely, as there are
mountebanks for the natural body, so are there mountebanks for the
politic body--men that undertake great cures, and perhaps have been
lucky in two or three experiments, but want the grounds of science, and
therefore cannot hold out. Nay, you shall see a bold fellow many times
do Mahomet's miracle. Mahomet made the people believe that he would call
a hill to him, and from the top of it offer up his prayers for the
observers of his law. The people assembled: Mahomet called the hill to
come to him again and again; and when the hill stood still, he was never
a whit abashed, but said, "If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet
will go to the hill." So these men, when they have promised great
matters, and failed most shamefully, yet, if they have the perfection of
boldness, they will but slight it over, and make a turn, and no more
ado. Certainly, to men of great judgment, bold persons are sport to
behold; nay, and to the vulgar also boldness hath somewhat of the
ridiculous: for, if absurdity be