XLIII. Of Beauty.
Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set; and surely virtue is best in a body that is comely, though not of delicate features; and that hath rather dignity of presence, than beauty of aspect. Neither is it almost[1] seen, that very beautiful persons are otherwise of great virtue; as if nature were rather busy not to err, than in labour to produce excellency.[2] And therefore they prove accomplished, but not of great spirit; and study rather behaviour than virtue. But this holds not always: for Augustus Cæsar, Titus Vespasianus, Philip le Bel[3] of France, Edward the Fourth[4] of England, Alcibiades[5] of Athens, Ismael the Sophy[6] of Persia, were all high and great spirits; and yet the most
- ↑ Almost. For the most part.
- ↑ Excellency. Excellence. "Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds." Psalms lxviii. 34.
- ↑ Philippe le Bel, 'Philip the Fair,' Philippe IV. of the House of Capet, 1268–1314, King of France from 1285 to 1314.
- ↑ Edward IV., 1441–1483, King of England, 1461–1483.
- ↑ Alcibiades, 450(?)–404 B.C., an Athenian politician and general, nephew of Pericles. He was rich, handsome, accomplished, and an admirable orator, but reckless and unsteady in character.
- ↑ Ismail I., Shah (Sophy) of Persia, 1487–1524, founder of the Suffarian dynasty.
T. Livii Patavini Historiarum Ab Urbe Condita Liber XXXVIII. Caput 53. He probably recollected the thought, "in effect," not from Livy, but from Ovid:
"Coepisti melius, quam desinis : ultima primis
Cedunt:"
P. Ovidii Nasonis Heroides. Epistola IX. Deianira Herculi. 23–24.
"Alonso of Arragon was wont to say, in commendation of age, That age appeared to be best in four things: Old wood to burn; old wine to drink; old friends to trust; and old authors to read." Bacon. Apophthegmes New and Old. 97 (75).
