Page:Bacons Essays 1908 West.djvu/109

] from Decay. In Clearing of a Man's Estate, he may as well hurt Himselfe in being too sudden as in letting it runne on too long. For hasty Selling is commonly as Disadvantageable as Interest. Besides, he that cleares at once will relapse; For finding himselfe out of Straights, he will revert to his Customes; But hee that cleareth by Degrees, induceth a Habite of Frugalitie, and gaineth as well upon his Minde as upon his Estate. Certainly, who hath a State to repaire may not despise small Things: And commonly, it is lesse dishonourable to abridge pettie Charges then to stoope to pettie Gettings. A Man ought warily to beginne Charges, which once begun will Continue: But in Matters that returne not he may be more Magnificent.   Speech of Themistocles, the Athenian, which was Haughtie and Arrogant in taking so much to Himselfe, had been a Grave and Wise Observation and Censure, applied at large to others. Desired at a Feast to touch a Lute, he said, He could not fiddle, but yet he could make a small Towne a great Citty. These Words (holpen a little with a Metaphore) may expresse two differing Abilities in those that deale in Businesse of Estate. For if a true Survey be taken of Counsellours and Statesmen, there may be found (though rarely) those which can make a Small State Great, and yet cannot Fiddle : As, on the other side, there will be