266                               OF STUDIES.

a man were better rise in his suit; for he that would
have ventured at first to have lost the suitor will not
in the conclusion lose both the suitor and his owii
former favour. Nothing Is thought so easy a
request to a great person as his letter ; and yet, if
it be not In a good cause, it is so much out of his
reputation. There are no worse instruments than
these general contrivers of suits ; for they are but a
kind of poison and infection to public proceedings.
 

L.

OF STUDIES.

Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for
ability. Their chief use for delight is in privateness
and retiring ; for ornament, is in discourse ; and for
ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business.
For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of
particulars, one by one ; but the general counsels,
and the plots, and marshalling of affairs come best
from those that are learned. To spend too much
tim.e in  studies is sloth ;   to use them too much for