On High Rank
People in high positions are servants three times over: servants of the prince or the state; servants of fame; and servants of their duties. Thus, they are not free—neither in their person, nor in their actions, nor in their time. It is a strange desire that drives one to gain power and lose freedom—specifically, to gain power over others and lose power over oneself. Climbing to a high rank is a torment, and the reward for this torment is often greater suffering, sometimes even dishonor: achieving dignity at the cost of indignities. A high position is slippery, and sliding down is equivalent to a fall, or at least to the loss of power. People cannot withdraw when they wish, and often, they do not want to, even when it would be wise. Even when old or ill, they dread returning to private life.
If judged by their own feelings, happiness is absent from them; however, others would gladly exchange places with them, and so they are only second-hand happy. The super-rich are in fact strangers to themselves, and when faced with burdensome tasks, they do not have time to care for their mental or physical well-being. Whoever holds a high office has the freedom to do both good and evil at their discretion. The true and lawful goal of ambition, however, is to have the power to do good. The aim of elevation should be merit and good deeds, and only with a clear conscience can one truly rest.
In carrying out your duties, let the best examples be before you, and make use of the totality of experience. Do not ignore bad examples either; know what to avoid. Strive to set an example yourself, one that others may follow. Your decisions should be consistent, so that people can know what to expect, and always explain clearly the reasons for any deviations from the rules. Protect the rights that come with your office, and avoid initiating jurisdictional disputes. Rather, live quietly within your rights. Defend the rights of your subordinates, and consider it an honor to manage important matters, not to involve yourself in every issue. Accept help and seek good counsel, and receive those who turn to you with kindness.
The faults of rank are fourfold: procrastination, corruptibility, rudeness, and carelessness. Regarding procrastination: keep your appointments; deal with what is in your hands; do not handle too many matters at once. As for corruption: prevent your own hand and the hands of your servants from being tempted, and likewise, prevent your clients from offering gifts. Beware of suspicion. Regarding rudeness: it unnecessarily breeds dissatisfaction; severity causes fear, while rudeness provokes hatred. Concerning leniency: this is worse than corruptibility. Those who yield to demands or personal interests will never bring matters to a close.
An ancient saying states that a person is known by their high position. A good character and a noble soul are clearly indicated when a high rank makes them even better. Virtue belongs in high places. Treat the memory of your predecessor with fairness, and honor your colleagues. Do not overly emphasize your rank in conversation, and when speaking privately with your clients, let them rather say: "He is a different person in his office." (1597)
Francis Bacon "Esszék", Európa Könyvkiadó, Budapest, 1987