saith, Hominem delirum, qui verborum minutiis rerum frangit pondera.[1] Of which kind also, Plato[2] in his Protagoras bringeth in Prodicus in scorn, and maketh him make a speech that consisteth of distinctions from the beginning to the end. Generally, such men in all deliberations find ease to be of the negative side, and affect a credit to object and foretell difficulties; for when propositions are denied, there is an end of them; but if they be allowed, it requireth a new work; which false point of wisdom is the bane of business. To conclude, there is no decaying merchant, or inward beggar,[3] hath so many tricks to uphold the credit of their wealth, as these empty persons have to maintain the credit of their sufficiency. Seeming wise men may make shift to get opinion; but let no man choose them for employment; for certainly you were better take for business a man somewhat absurd than over-formal.
- ↑ A foolish man who fritters away weighty matters with niceties of words. Bacon is not quoting Aulus Gellius here, but Quintilian, who says of Seneca: si rerum pondera minutissimis sententiis non fregisset, consensu potius eruditorum quam puerorum amore comprobaretur. If he had not broken the weight of things with the most minute sentences, he would have won the unanimous approval of the learned, rather than the admiration of boys. M. Fabii Quintiliani de Institutione Oratoria Liber X. i. 130.
- ↑ Plato, 429 or 427–347 B.C. His name was originally Aristocles, but he was surnamed Plato (Πλάτων) from his broad shoulders. A famous Greek philosopher, a disciple of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. Plato expounded his philosophy in a series of dialogues, of which the Protagoras is one. There is still no greater exposition of idealism than is contained in Plato's 'Dialogues.'
- ↑ Inward beggar. One who is really bankrupt, though keeping up the appearance of solvency.
