Page:Bacons Essays 1908 West.djvu/89

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ESSAY XXII
OF CUNNING
65

XXII

OF CUNNING

We take Cunning for[1] a Sinister or Crooked Wisedome. And certainly, there is great difference between a Cunning Man and a Wise Man, Not onely in Point of Honesty, but in point of Ability. There be that can packe the Cards,[2] and yet cannot play well; So there are some that are good in Canvasses,[3] and Factions, that are otherwise Weake Men. Againe, it is one thing to understand Persons, and another thing to understand Matters; For many are perfect in Men's Humours that are not greatly Capable of the Reall Part of Businesse;[4] Which is the Constitution of one that hath studied Men more then Bookes. Such Men are fitter for Practise[5] then for Counsell, And they are good but[6] in their own Alley:[7] Turne them to New Men and they have lost their Ayme; So as[8] the old Rule, to know a Foole from a Wise Man, Mitte ambos nudos ad ignotos et videbis,[9] doth scarce hold for them. And because these Cunning Men are like Haberdashers[10] of Small Wares, it is not amisse to set forth their Shop.[11]

It is a point of Cunning, to wait upon[12] him with whom you speake, with your eye. As the lesuites give it in precept; For there be many Wise Men that have Secret Hearts and Transparant Countenances. Yet this would[13] be done with a demure Abasing[14] of your Eye sometimes, as the lesuites also doe use.[15]

Another is, that when you have any thing to obtaine of present dispatch,[16] you entertaine and amuse the party with


  1. We understand by 'cunning'
  2. can secure a good hand by cheating
  3. intrigues
  4. capable of the material part, namely, business
  5. intrigue
  6. only
  7. bowling-alley
  8. so that
  9. Turn them both adrift among strangers, and then you will see the difference
  10. pedlars, small tradespeople
  11. stock-in-trade (of tricks)
  12. closely watch
  13. should
  14. a modest turning-down
  15. are in the habit of doing
  16. of urgent importance
B.
5