< Bacon's Essays
​

V

OF ADVERSITIE

It was an high speech[1] of Seneca, (after the manner of the Stoickes,) That the good things, which belong to Prosperity, are to be wished; but the good things, that belong to Adversity, are to be admired. Bona Rerum Secundarum, Optabilia; Adversarum, Mirabilia. Certainly, if Miracles be the Command over Nature, they appeare most in Adversity. It is yet a higher speech of his then the other, (much too high for a Heathen,) It is true greatnesse, to have in one[2] the Frailty of a Man and the Security[3] of a God. Verè magnum habere Fragilitatem Hominis, Securitatem Dei. This would have done better in Poesy, where Transcendences[4] are more allowed. And the Poets indeed have beene busy with it; For it is, in effect[5], the thing which is figured in that Strange Fiction of the Ancient Poets, which seemeth not to be without mystery[6]; Nay, and to have some approach to a proportionate extent ​to the State of a Christian: That Hercules, when hee went to unbinde Prometheus, (by whom Humane Nature is represented) sailed the length of the great Ocean in an Earthen Pot or Pitcher; Lively[7] describing Christian Resolution, that saileth in the fraile Barke of the Flesh thorow the Waves of the World. But to speake in a Meane[8]. The Vertue of Prosperitie is Temperance; The Vertue of Adversity is Fortitude; which in Morals is the more Heroicall Vertue. Prosperity is the Blessing of the Old Testament; Adversity is the Blessing of the New; which carrieth the greater Benediction, and the Clearer Revelation of God's Favour. Yet even in the old Testament, if you Listen to David's Harpe, you shall heare as many Herselike[9] Ayres as Carols[10]; And the Pencill of the holy Ghost hath laboured more in describing the Afflictions of lob then the Felicities of Salomon. Prosperity is not without many Feares and Distastes[11]; And Adversity is not without Comforts and Hopes. Wee see in Needle-workes and Imbroideries, It is more pleasing to have a Lively[12] Worke upon a Sad[13] and Solemne Ground then to have a Darke and Melancholy Worke upon a Lightsome Ground: Iudge, therfore, of the Pleasure of the Heart, by the Pleasure of the Eye. Certainly, Vertue is like pretious Odours, most fragrant, when they are incensed[14], or crushed: For Prosperity doth best discover[15] Vice; but Adversity doth best discover Vertue.

  1. ↑ a proud saying
  2. ↑ at once
  3. ↑ freedom from care
  4. ↑ exaggerations
  5. ↑ in fact
  6. ↑ a hidden meaning
  7. ↑ vividly
  8. ↑ without exaggeration
  9. ↑ funeral
  10. ↑ lively strains
  11. ↑ annoyances
  12. ↑ bright
  13. ↑ dark
  14. ↑ burnt
  15. ↑ bring to light

    This work was published before January 1, 1927, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

     
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