Page:Essays of Francis Bacon 1908 Scott.djvu/368

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258
BACON'S ESSAYS

lions under the throne; being circumspect that they do not check or oppose any points of sovereignty. Let not judges also be so ignorant of their own right, as to think there is not left to them, as a principal part of their office, a wise use and application of laws. For they may remember what the apostle saith of a greater law than theirs; Nos scimus quia lex bona est, modo quis eâ utatur legitime.[1]




LVII. Of Anger.

To seek to extinguish Anger utterly is but a bravery[2] of the Stoics. We have better oracles: Be angry, but sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger.[3] Anger must be limited and confined both in race and in time. We will first speak how the natural inclination and habit to be angry may be attempered[4] and calmed. Secondly, how the particular motions of anger may be repressed, or at least refrained[5] from doing mischief. Thirdly, how to raise anger or appease anger in another.

  1. "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully." I. Timothy i. 8. Bacon quotes the Vulgate, varying the language slightly. It is there, "Scimus autem quia bona eat lex, si quis ea legitime utatur."
  2. Bravery. Bravado; boast.
  3. Ephesians iv. 26.
  4. Attempered. Tempered.
  5. Refrain. To restrain.

    "And thou, O human heart of mine,
    Be still, refrain thyself, and wait."

    Arthur Hugh Clough. Poems on Life and Duty. In a London Square. ii.