Of Boldness

IT IS a trivial grammar-school text, but yet

worthy a wise man's consideration.  Question

was asked of Demosthenes, what was the chief

part of an orator? he answered, action; what next?

action; what next again? action.  He said it, that

knew it best, and had, by nature, himself no ad-

vantage in that he commended.  A strange thing,

that that part of an orator, which is but superficial,

and rather the virtue of a player, should be placed

so high, above those other noble parts, of invention,

elocution, and the rest; nay, almost alone, as if it

were all in all.  But the reason is plain.  There is in

human nature generally, more of the fool than of

the wise; and therefore those faculties, by which

the foolish part of men's minds is taken, are most

potent.  Wonderful like is the case of boldness in

civil business: what first? boldness; what second

and third? boldness.  And yet boldness is a child of

ignorance and baseness, far inferior to other parts.

But nevertheless it doth fascinate, and bind hand

and foot, those that are either shallow in judg-

ment, or weak in courage, which are the greatest

part; yea and prevaileth with wise men at weak

times.  Therefore we see it hath done wonders, in

popular states; but with senates, and princes less;

and more ever upon the first entrance of bold per-

sons into action, than soon after; for boldness is an

ill keeper of promise.  Surely, as there are mounte-

banks for the natural body, so are there mounte-

banks for the politic body; men that undertake

great cures, and perhaps have been lucky, in two

or three experiments, but want the grounds of

science, and therefore cannot hold out.  Nay, you

shall see a bold fellow many times do Mahomet's

miracle.  Mahomet made the people believe that

he would call an hill to him, and from the top of it

offer up his prayers, for the observers of his law.

The people assembled; Mahomet called the hill to

come to him, again and again; and when the hill

stood still, he was never a whit abashed, but said,

If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet

will go to the hill.  So these men, when they have

promised great matters, and failed most shame-

fully, yet (if they have the perfection of boldness)

they will but slight it over, and make a turn, and

no more ado.  Certainly to men of great judgment,

bold persons are a sport to behold; nay, and to the

vulgar also, boldness has somewhat of the ridicu-

lous.  For if absurdity be the subject of laughter,

doubt you not but great boldness is seldom without

some absurdity.  Especially it is a sport to see, when

a bold fellow is out of countenance; for that puts

his face into a most shrunken, and wooden pos-

ture; as needs it must; for in bashfulness, the spirits

do a little go and come; but with bold men, upon

like occasion, they stand at a stay; like a stale at

chess, where it is no mate, but yet the game cannot

stir.  But this last were fitter for a satire than for a

serious observation.  This is well to be weighed;

that boldness is ever blind; for it seeth not danger,

and inconveniences.  Therefore it is ill in counsel,

good in execution; so that the right use of bold per-

sons is, that they never command in chief, but be

seconds, and under the direction of others.  For in

counsel, it is good to see dangers; and in execution,

not to see them, except they be very great.