both upon the seller and upon the buyer. Sharings do greatly enrich, if the hands be well chosen that are trusted. Usury is the certainest means of gain, though one of the worst; as that whereby a man doth eat his bread in sudore vultûs alieni;[1] and besides, doth plough upon Sundays. But yet certain though it be, it hath flaws; for that the scriveners[2] and brokers do value[3] unsound men to serve their own turn. The fortune in being the first in an invention or in a privilege, doth cause sometimes a wonderful overgrowth in riches; as it was with the first sugar man in the Canaries. Therefore if a man can play the true logician, to have as well judgment as invention, he may do great matters; especially if the times be fit. He that resteth upon gains certain, shall hardly grow to great riches; and he that puts all upon adventures,[4] doth oftentimes break and come to poverty: it is good therefore to guard adventures with certainties, that may uphold losses. Monopolies, and coemption[5] of wares for re-sale, where they are not restrained, are great means to enrich; especially if the party have intelligence what things are like to come into request, and so store himself beforehand. Riches gotten by service, though it be of the best rise,[6]
- ↑ In the sweat of the brow of another.
- ↑ Scrivener. A money-lender.
- ↑ Value. To give out or represent as wealthy, or financially sound.
- ↑ Adventure. A pecuniary risk, a venture, a speculation.
- ↑ Coemption. The act of purchasing the whole quantity of anything, 'cornering the market.'
- ↑ Rise. Value, worth, price. Bacon means to say that riches got by service, though that service may have been of the highest price, is yet often the worst, as when a man grows rich at the sacrifice of his honor or his conscience.
