Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/91

Rh Mind is so capable of thinking strongly, in the Presence of one whom he fears and reverences, as he is when that Restraint is taken off. And this is to be found, not only in these weightier Matters; but also to give a lighter instance in the Arts of Discourse and Raillery themselves. For we have often seen Men of bold Tempers, that have over-aw'd and govern'd the Wit of most Companies; to have been disturb'd, and dumb, and bashful as Children, when some other Man has been near, who us'd to out-talk them. Such a kind of natural Sovereignty there is in some Men's Minds over others; which must needs be far greater, when it is advanc'd by long Use, and the venerable Name of a Master. I shall only mention one Prejudice more, and that is this; that from this only Teaching, and Learning, there does not only follow a Continuance, but an Increase of the Yoak upon our Reasons: For those who take their Opinions from others Rules, are commonly stricter Imposers upon their Scholars, than their own Authors were on them, or than the first Inventors of Things themselves are upon others. Whatever the Cause of this be: whether the first Men are made meek and gentle by their long Search, and by better understanding all the Difficulties of Knowledge; while those that learn afterwards, only hastily catching Things in small Systems, are soon satisfy'd, before they have broken their Pride, and so become more imperious; or whether it arises from hence, that the same Meanness of Soul, which made them bound their Thoughts by other Precepts, makes them also insolent to their Inferiors; as we always find Cowards the most cruel; or whatever other Cause may be alledg'd, the Observation is certain, that the Successors are usually more positive and tyrannical, than the Beginners of Sects. Rh