July 23– Essays by Francis Bacon (1597)

 Topical Reference

July 23– Essays by Francis Bacon (1597)

Summary

Commentary: I somehow did today's reading back in June by mistake, so I subbed in today's instead. Same book, different section. 

A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others.

Bacon starts calling people out early. Honestly, a lot of this is still stuff we say today, just paraphrased.

Men of noble birth, are noted to be envious towards new men, when they rise. For the distance is altered, and it is like a deceit of the eye, that when others come on, they think themselves, go back.

Something something... when you're used to priviledge, equality looks like oppression.

For he that cannot possibly mend his own case, will do what he can, to impair another's;

 [...]

 Again, envy is ever joined with the comparing of a man's self; and where there is no comparison, no envy 

Stop worrying about other people and take care of your own stuff.

Now, to speak of public envy. There is yet some good in public envy, whereas in private, there is none. For public envy, is as an ostracism, that eclipseth men, when they grow too great. And therefore it is a bridle also to great ones, to keep them within bounds.

    I'm interested in this, but he never really backs it up. I can see how it might be worth it to say that if you're just jealous of a person (private envy) it's pointless, but if a group wants to take down a douchebag kind, billionaire, whatever it might be good.