For many are wise in their own ways that are weak for government or counsel
 Francis Bacon, The Advancement of Learning (1605). copy citation

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Author Francis Bacon
Source The Advancement of Learning
Topic government
Date 1605
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5500/5500-h/5500-h.htm

Context

“But yet there is another part of this part, which differeth as much from that whereof we have spoken as sapere and sibi sapere, the one moving as it were to the circumference, the other to the centre. For there is a wisdom of counsel, and again there is a wisdom of pressing a man’s own fortune; and they do sometimes meet, and often sever. For many are wise in their own ways that are weak for government or counsel; like ants, which is a wise creature for itself, but very hurtful for the garden. This wisdom the Romans did take much knowledge of: Nam pol sapiens (saith the comical poet) fingit fortunam sibi; and it grew to an adage, Faber quisque fortunæ propriæ;” source