CHAPTER VII.

OF THE COLOURS OR COMMON OPINIONS CONCERNING GOOD AND EVIL, COMPARATIVELY.

The _colours_ of _good comparatively_ depend, partly, upon the following definitions of _comparatives_.

1. _More_, is _so much and somewhat besides_.

2. _Less_, is _that, which and somewhat else is so much_.

3. _Greater_ and _more in number_ are said only _comparatively_ to _less_ and _fewer in number_.

4. _Great_ and _little_, _many_ and _few_, are taken _comparatively_ to the _most of the same kind_. So that _great_ and _many_, is that which _exceeds_; _little_ and _few_, is that which is _exceeded by, the most of the same kind_.

Partly, from the precedent definitions of _good absolutely_.

Common opinions concerning _good comparatively_, then are these.

_Greater good_ is many than fewer, or one of those many.

And _greater_ is the kind, in which the greatest is greater than the greatest of another kind. And _greater_ is that good than another good, whose kind is _greater_ than another’s kind. And _greater_ is that from which another good follows, than the good which follows. And of two which exceed a third, _greater_ is that which exceeds it most. And that which _causes_ the greater good. And that which _proceeds from_ a greater good. And _greater_ is that which is chosen for itself, than that which is chosen for somewhat else. And the _end_ greater than that which is _not_ the end. And that which _less_ needs other things, than that which _more_. And that which is _independent_, than that which is _dependent_ of another. And the _beginning_, than _not_ the beginning.

(Seeing the _beginning_ is a greater good or evil, than that which is _not_ the beginning; and the _end_, than that which is _not_ the end; one may argue from this _colour_ both ways: as Leodamas against Chabrias, would have the actor more to blame than the adviser; and against Callistratus, the adviser more than the actor.)

And the _cause_, than _not_ the cause. And that which hath a _greater_ beginning or cause. And the beginning or cause of a _greater good or evil_. And that which is _scarce_, greater than that which is _plentiful_; because harder to get. And that which is _plentiful_, than that which is _scarce_; because oftener in use. And that which is _easy_, than that which is _hard_. And that whose _contrary_ is greater. And that whose _want_ is greater. And _virtue_ than _not_ virtue, a greater good. _Vice_ than _not_ vice, a greater evil. And greater good or evil is that, the _effects_ whereof are more _honourable_ or more _shameful_. And the _effects_ of greater virtues or vices. And the excess whereof is more tolerable, a greater good. And those things which may with more honour be desired. And the desire of better things. And those things whereof the knowledge is better. And the knowledge of better things. And that which wise men prefer. And that which is in better men. And that which better men choose. And that which is more, than that which is less _delightful_. And that which is more, than that which is less _honourable_. And that which we would have for ourselves and friends, a greater good; and the contrary, a greater evil. And that which is _lasting_, than that which is _not_ lasting. And that which is _firm_, than that which is _not_ firm. And what _many_ desire, than what _few_. And what the adversary or judge confesseth to be greater, is greater. And _common_ than _not_ common. And _not_ common than _common_. And what is more laudable. And that which is more honoured, a greater good. And that which is more punished, a greater evil. And both good and evil divided than undivided, _appear_ greater. And compounded than simple, _appear_ greater. And that which is done with opportunity, age, place, time, means disadvantageous, greater than otherwise. And that which is _natural_, than that which is _attained unto_. And the same part of that which is great, than of that which is less. And that which is nearest to the end designed. And that which is good or evil to _one’s self_, than that which is _simply_ so. And _possible_, than _not_ possible. And that which comes toward the end of our life. And that which we do _really_, than that which we do _for show_. And that which we would _be_, rather than what we would _seem_ to be. And that which is good _for more purposes_, is the greater good. And that which serves us in great necessity. And that which is joined with less trouble. And that which is joined with more delight. And of the two, that which added to a third makes the whole the greater. And that which having, we are more sensible of. And in every thing, that which we most esteem.

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