Of Seeming Wise
by Francis Bacon
IT hath been an opinion that the French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are. But howsoever it be between nations, certainly it is so between man and man.
Meaning … There is a widely prevalent perception that the French do not show off their wisdom to an outsider. On the contrary, Spaniards pose to be wiser than they are. Such difference between individual citizens also gets reflected in the conduct of their countries at large.
For as the Apostle 1 saith of godliness, Having a show of godliness, but denying the power thereof; so certainly there are in point of wisdom and sufficiency, that do nothing or little very solemnly: magno conatu nugas [with great effort, trifles].
Meaning ..Apostle 1, whose name is Peter, was one of Jessus Christ’s twelve favored disciples. He said that people with a great degree of divinity are seen as godly figures. But, they don’t claim to posses godly power. In fact, they deny the fact that they possess divine power. Such humility points to the fact that these people are wise in the true sense and have a fully developed intellect. They desist from doing anything to project their nobility.
It is ridiculous thing and fit for a satire to persons of judgment, to see what shifts these formalists have, and what prospectives 2 to make superficies [a surface] to seem body that hath depth, and bulk.
Meaning .. Discerning people often wonder why the people with gifted minds and supernatural powers try to hide or underplay their capabilities. It makes the observers mock such humility of people with a rare spiritual aura around them.
Some are so close and reserved, as they will not show their wares but by a dark light; and seem always to keep back somewhat; and when they know within themselves they speak of that they do not well know, would nevertheless seem to others to know of that which they may not well speak.
Meaning …Many of these extraordinary people are shy and introverted in their manners. They are averse to flaunting their power or wisdom in public. In matters of expressing their wise viewpoints, they are conservative and low-keyed. In case they begin to speak on matters with which they are not well-versed, people around them assume that their speaker is giving them wholesome and authentic knowledge.
Some help themselves with countenance and gesture, and are wise by signs; as Cicero saith of Piso, that when he answered him, he fetched one of his brows up to his forehead, and bent the other down to his chin; Respondes, altero ad frontem sublato, altero ad mentum depresso supercilio, crudelitatem tibi non placere [You answer, with one eyebrow lifted to the forehead and the other lowered to the chin, that cruelty does not please you].
Meaning ..Some of these wise people express their views through body language such as waving their hands and grimacing their faces. The Roman politician cum scholar Cicero had such habit. While speaking to Pico on one occasion, Cicero raised one brow high up almost to reach the forehead while lowering the other brow down to the chins. Such aggressive facial expressions repulse the listner.
Some think to bear it 3 by speaking a great word, and being peremptory; and go on, and take by admittance that which they cannot make good. 4 Some, whatsoever is beyond their reach, will seem to despise or make light of it as impertinent 5 or curious; 6 and so would have their ignorance seem judgment.
Meaning .. Some speakers use high-sounding words and in an impromptu manner. They speak non-stop in an elaborate way. Such lack of control in speaking often results in the speaker talking of things they don’t know much about. When questioned, they can’t explain what they included in their speech. There are other type of speakers who, when cornered, tend to make light of the searching questions flung at them through some light talks or comments. Thus, they hide their ignorance and continue to be seen as enlightened individuals.
Some are never without a difference, and commonly by amusing men with a subtility, blanch 7 the matter; of whom A. Gellius saith, Hominem delirum, qui verborum minutiis rerum frangit pondera [A foolish man, that with verbal points and niceties breaks up the mass of matter]. Of which kind also, Plato in his Protagoras bringeth in Prodius in scorn, and maketh him make a speech that consisteth of distinctions from the beginning to the end.
Meaning .. There are some different type of speakers who resort to subtle humor in order to lighten the seriousness of the question. They deflect the question away from them in order to evade it altogether. Such speakers are foolish. In the books of history, we read about the iconic philosopher Plato speaking to Protagoras, his favourite scholar. Plato asked Prodius to give a speech that proved to be replete with contradictions and unsubstantiated arguments. Quite naturally, it invited criticism and sarcasm from Plato.
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.
Meaning … Such praise-hungry people deliberately lace their speeches with complex expressions and intriguing words to project themselves as very learned persons. They desist from speaking in lucid and simple languages. When speaking in difficult and unintelligible words is disallowed, these people fall from grace in public eye. If at all they are called upon to speak again, they rework their styles realizing the hard fact that people don’t like speakers who falsely claim superior wisdom and learning.
To conclude, there is no decaying merchant, or inward 8 beggar, 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 9 than over-formal.
Meaning ..It is quite evident that a merchant running into recurring losses, or a person with empty pockets can use tricks to deceive people and project an image of affluence. No deceptive tactic works in a sustained way. So, their true worth comes out clearly before the public. Wise men are acclaimed for their worth, but people with no such gift usually go out their ways to pose as wise. For recruiting staff in businesses, its prudent to choose an un-assuming, humble and truthful person than choosing a candidate who poses to be sophisticated and educated.
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