Bacon's Essays/Of Nobilitie

by Francis Bacon

XIV

OF NOBILITY

We will speake of Nobility, first as a Portion of an Estate^[1]; Then as a Condition of Particular Persons^[2]. A Monarchy, where there is no Nobility at all, is ever a pure and absolute Tyranny; As that of the Turkes. For Nobility attempers^[3] Soveraignty, and drawes the Eyes of the People somewhat aside from the Line Royall. But for^[4] Democracies, they need it not; And they are commonly more quiet, and lesse subiect to Sedition then where there are Stirps^[5] of Nobles. For Men s Eyes are upon the Businesse, and not upon the Persons; Or if upon the Persons, it is for the Businesse sake, as fittest, and not for Flags^[6] and Pedegree. Wee see the Switzers last well, notwithstanding their Diversitie of Religion and of Cantons. For Utility is their Bond, and not Respects^[7]. The United Provinces of the Low Countries, in their Government, excell; For where there is an Equality, the Consultations are more indifferent^[8], and the Payments and Tributes more cheerfull. A great and Potent Nobility addeth Maiestie to a Monarch, but diminisheth Power; And putteth Life and Spirit into the People, but presseth^[9] their Fortune. It is well, when Nobles are not too great for Soveraignty, nor for Justice; And yet maintained in that heigth as^[10] the Insolencie of Inferiours may be broken upon them^[11], before it come on too fast^[12] upon the Maiesty of Kings. A Numerous Nobility causeth Poverty and Inconvenience in a State: For it is a Surcharge of Expence^[13]; And besides, it being of Necessity that many of the Nobility fall in time to be weake in Fortune, it maketh a kinde of Disproportion betweene Honour and Meanes.

As for Nobility in particular Persons; It is a Reverend Thing to see an Ancient Castle or Building not in decay, Or to see a faire Timber Tree, sound and perfect: How much more, to behold an Ancient Noble Family, which hath stood against the Waves and weathers of Time. For new Nobility is but the Act of Power, But Ancient Nobility is the Act of Time. Those that arc first raised to Nobility are commonly more Vertuous^[14] but lesse Innocent then their Descendants; For there is rarely any Rising, but by a Commixture of good and evill Arts^[15];. But it is Reason^[16] the Memory of their vertues remaine to their Posterity, And their Faults die with themselves. Nobility of Birth commonly abateth^[17] Industry; And he that is not industrious envieth him that is. Besides, Noble persons cannot goe much higher; And he that standeth at a stay^[18], when others rise, can hardly avoid Motions^[19] of Envy. On the other side, Nobility extinguisheth the passive Envy from others towards them^[20], Because they are in possession of Honour. Certainly Kings, that have Able men of^[21] their Nobility, shall finde ease in imploying them, And a better Slide into their Businesse^[22]; For People naturally bend to them, as born in some sort to Command.

 

1. a state
2. of individuals
3. moderates
4. as regards
5. families
6. insignia, armorial bearings
7. respect for rank
8. impartial
9. depresses
10. at such height that
11. may spend its force upon the nobles
12. close
13. an excessive expense
14. more highly endowed with great qualities
15. practices
16. reasonable that
17. checks
18. remains where he is
19. impulses
20. nobility preserves those who possess it from being envied by others
21. amongst
22. less friction in their affairs