In dealing with cunning persons, we must ever consider their ends to interpret their speeches, and it is good to say little unto them, and that which they least look for.
From Francis Bacon’s tenth essay– the last in the first edition– “Of Negotiating” (1597)
The essays or Counsels, civil and moral of Francis Bacon [first published in 1597, and as he left them newly written and published in 1625] including also his Apophthegms, Elegant sentences and Wisdom of the ancients. (Francis Bacon. Henry Morley, Introduction. Donohue, Henneberry & Co. 1883.)
There are two related essays that come up in the last edition, XXII “Of Cunning” and XXIII “Of Wisdom for a Man’s Self.” From these we learn the differences between cunning and wise men.
Originally published on February 21, 2015 at Bigfoodetc.com
I would say that we should send copies to Congress and to the State Department, but I don’t know that we have either cunning or wise men there. Corrupt and short sighted for sure, but cunning or wise?
Pretty sure the vast majority of them truly believe knowledge is power and France is bacon. So not worth the effort.