Of Simulation and Dissimulation
by Francis Bacon
(Summary)
The essay Of Simulation and Dissimulation
throws light on the advantages and disadvantages of simulation and
dissimulation. For Bacon, dissimulation is a poor substitute for policy or
wisdom. Only the weaker kind of politicians resort to dissimulation. Telling
the truth demands a strong mind and a strong heart. Weak persons dare not tell
the truth and have therefore to dissemble. Bacon argues that both simulation
and dissimulation are useful but their successful use requires both intelligence
and "a strong heart," that is, confidence. Dissimulation Bacon
defines as "when a man lets fall signs and arguments, which he is not,
that he is." In other words, dissimulation allows others to misunderstand
what he is doing and thinking-- he fails to correct misconceptions about his
behaviour. Simulation, on the other hand, is much more active: a man takes
actions that disguise what he is really thinking and doing. Bacon dwells upon
three kinds of concealments—secrecy, dissimulation and simulation. The first is
secrecy when a man does not give any hint of what is in his mind. The second is
dissimulation when a man pretends not to feel and not to be what he actually
feels or what he actually is. The third is simulation when a man pretends to
feel or to be what he does not feel or what he is not.
Bacon
gives us a sound analysis of human nature by saying that a man confesses his
secrets to unburden his heart and those secrets should certainly be confided to
persons who can keep them. But once again he dilutes morality by suggesting
that a man should not be altogether open-hearted because complete
self-revelation is an undesirable as complete physical nakedness. He describes
the habit of secrecy as both polite and moral and then goes to say that a man
should not betray by the expression on his face what he has tried to hide by
the words of his mouth. Simulation is more blameworthy and less diplomatic than
the other two forms of secrecy. Generally, simulation arises from a natural
tendency to falsehood or from a natural timidity of mind, or from a
consciousness of one’s defects which one must hide.
Bacon
concludes the essay by balancing the three advantages of simulation and dissimulation
against the three disadvantages. As advantages, the first is that one can, by
these means, lull oppositions. The second is that one can reserve for oneself a
fair means of retreat. The third is that one can in this way better discover
the mind of another. As disadvantages, the first is that a man, restoring to
simulation and dissimulation, will have on his face signs of fear, and these
signs of fear are likely to diminish the chances of success in any undertaking.
The second is that the use of simulation and dissimulation by a man will puzzle
others and will therefore lead him to withhold their cooperation from him. The
third is that a man using these methods will no longer be regarded as
trustworthy.
For
Bacon, simulation is less positive and is a vice because it requires active falsehood—that
is, taking actions and saying things that disguise what is really thinking and
doing; it is the sign of a deceptive nature and is not just a way of creating
secrecy so that one can act freely. The essential difference between the two is
that dissimulation is passive ways of letting people think what they may about
a person’s actions, but simulation requires the person to actively deceive,
which, according to Bacon, is a sign of a bad character. In this essay, Bacon
admits that honesty of expression and frankness of manner are the mark of the
great man. The essay is fact of worldly wisdom. It offers practical guidance to
men in their day-to-day life.
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