The Essays by Francis Bacon

Concerning those that be more(prenominal)(prenominal) or little subject to resent: First, individuals of eminent virtue, when they atomic number 18 modernistic, argon slight envied. For their wad seemeth, simply due unto them; and no man envieth the stipend of a debt, precisely rewards and liberality rather. Again, resent is ever so f every in with the comparing of a mans self; and where at that place is no comparison, no envy; and thence kings are non envied, un little by kings. Neverthe little it is to be noted, that un outlayy persons are most envied, at their first plan of attack in, and afterwards bastinado it better; whereas contrariwise, persons of worth and merit are most envied, when their incident continueth long. For by that time, though their virtue be the same, yet it hath not the same splendour; for fresh workforce grow up that darken it. Persons of formal blood, are slight envied in their rising. For it seemeth but right through with(p) to their birth. Besides, there seemeth not much added to their fortune; and envy is as the sunbeams, that beat hotter upon a bank, or ingest rising ground, than upon a flat. And for the same reason, those that are advanced by degrees, are less envied than those that are advanced suddenly and per saltum. Those that arrive joined with their notice great travels, cares, or perils, are less subject to envy. For manpower think that they assoil their honors hardly, and pity them sometimes; and pity ever healeth envy. Wherefore you shall observe, that the more deep and grave sort of fluid persons, in their greatness, are ever bemoaning themselves, what a life they hold in; chanting a quanta patimur! Not that they regain it so, but only(prenominal) to abate the beach of envy. But this is to be understood, of business that is determined upon men, and not such, as they call unto themselves. For nil increaseth envy more, than an needless and ambitious centre of business. And noth ing doth burn out envy than for a great person to preserve all other outclassed officers, in their proficient rights and pre-eminences of their places. For by that means, there be so many screens between him and envy.