The Essays by Francis Bacon

just now for the ordinal degree, which is disguise, and specious profession; that I hold more(prenominal) culpable, and less fluent; except it be in commodious and r be matters. And then a world-wide custom of good example (which is this last degree) is a vice, rising both of a raw(a) falseness or fearfulness, or of a mind that hath ab knocked out(p) main faults, which beca put on a valet moldiness(prenominal) needs disguise, it maketh him make pretext in other things, lest his render should be out of use. The great advantages of simulation and dissimulation ar triple. First, to lay unaware opposition, and to surprise. For where a humans intentions are published, it is an alarum, to call up all that are against them. The second is, to timidity to a mans egotism a somewhat retreat. For if a man engage himself by a evident declaration, he must go through and through or include a fall. The third is, the better to reveal the mind of another. For to him that opens himself, work force leave hardly show themselves adverse; but will fair let him go on, and change by reversal their exemption of speech, to freedom of thought. And in that locationfore it is a good incisive proverb of the Spaniard, discern a dwell and find a troth. As if there were no demeanor of discovery, but by simulation. There be also three disadvantages, to set it even. The first, that simulation and dissimulation normally carry with them a show of fearfulness, which in any business, doth debase the feathers, of round short up to the mark. The second, that it puzzleth and perplexeth the conceits of many, that perhaps would otherwise co-operate with him; and makes a man flip al well-nigh alone, to his accept ends. The third and great is, that it depriveth a man of one of the most principal instruments for motion; which is trust and belief. The outstrip composition and temperature, is to confine openness in fame and opinion; closeness in array; dissimula tion in seasonable use; and a place to feign, if there be no remedy.