Page:Bacons Essays 1908 West.djvu/48

Rh patimur. Not that they feele it so, but onely to abate the Edge of Envy. But this is to be understood of Businesse that is laid upon Men, and not such as they call unto themselves. For Nothing increaseth Envy more then an unnecessary and Ambitious Ingrossing of Businesse. And nothing doth extinguish Envy more then for a great Person to preserve all other inferiour Officers in their full Rights and Preheminences of their Places. For by that meanes there be so many Skreenes betweene him and Envy.

Above all, those are most subiect to Envy which carry the Greatnesse of their Fortunes in an insolent and proud Manner; Being never well but while they are shewing how great they are, Either by outward Pompe, or by Triumphing over all Opposition or Competition; whereas Wise men will rather doe sacrifice to Envy, in suffering themselves, sometimes of purpose, to be crost and overborne in things that doe not much concerne them. Notwithstanding, so much is true, That the Carriage of Greatnesse, in a plaine and open manner (so it be without Arrogancy and Vaine glory) doth draw lesse Envy then if it be in a more crafty and cunning fashion. For, in that course, a Man doth but disavow Fortune, And seemeth to be conscious of his owne want in worth, And doth but teach others to Envy him.

Lastly, to conclude this Part; As we said in the beginning that the Act of Envy had somewhat in it of Witchcraft, so there is no other Cure of Envy but the cure of Witchcraft; And that is, to remove the Lot (as they call it) and to lay it upon another. For which purpose, the wiser Sort of great Persons bring in ever upon the Stage somebody upon whom to derive the Envie that would come upon themselves; Sometimes upon Ministers and Servants; Sometimes upon Colleagues and Associates, and the like; And, for that turne, there are never wanting some Persons