THE STORY OF PHILOSOPHY2 The Lives and Opinions

FRANCIS BACON 89
accustomed to the purest and most digestible foods is easily upset when
forgetfulness or necessity diverts him from perfection.) Yet "variety of
delights rather than surfeit of them"; for "strength of nature in youth
passeth over many excesses which are owing a man till his age"; 25 a
man's maturity pays the price of his youth. One royal road to health is a
garden; Bacon agrees with the author of Genesis that "God Almighty first
planted a garden 59
; and with Voltaire that we must cultivate our back
yards.
The moral philosophy of the Essays smacks rather of Machiavelli than
of the Christianity to which Bacon made so many astute obeisances. "We
are beholden to Machiavel, and writers of that kind, who openly and
unmasked declare what men do in fact, and not what they ought to do;
for it is impossible to join the wisdom of the serpent and the innocence of
the dove, without a previous knowledge of the nature of evil; as, without
this, virtue lies exposed and unguarded. 3 ' 26 "The Italians have an un-
gracious proverb, Tanto buon che val niente" so good that he is good
for nothing. 27 Bacon accords his preaching with his practice, and advises
a judicious mixture of dissimulation with honesty, like an alloy that will
make the purer but softer metal capable of longer life. He wants a full
and varied career, giving acquaintance with everything that can broaden,
deepen, strengthen or sharpen the mind. He does not admire the merely
that does not lead to
contemplative life; like Goethe he scorns knowledge
action: "men ought to know that in the theatre of human life it is only
for Gods and angels to be 28
spectators."
His is religion patriotically like the King's. Though he was more than
once accused of atheism, and the whole trend of his philosophy is secular
and rationalistic, he makes an eloquent and apparently sincere disclaimer
of unbelief. "I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the
Talmud and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a
toind. ... A little philosophy inclineth a man's mind to atheism; but
depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion. For while
the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes
rest in them and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them,
confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and
Deity." 29
Religious indifference is due to a multiplicity of factions. "The
causes of atheism are, divisions in religion, if they be many; for any one
division addeth zeal to bodi sides; but many divisions introduce atheism.
. . . And lastly, learned times, especially with peace and prosperity;
for troubles and adversities do more bow men's minds to religion." 80
But Bacon's value lies less in theology and ethics than in psychology.
He is an undeceivable analyst of human nature, and sends his shaft into
every heart. On the stalest subject in the world he is refreshingly original.
"Of Regiment of Health." *Adv. of L., xii,
*Adv. M
of L., vii, i. "Of Atheism." *Ibid.
a. ""Of Goodness.9 '