人，因為他們所擅長的就是溜鬚拍馬、謀求私利，不論是為了討好主人，還是為了謀取私利，他們都會把正義之事的利益拋棄。
自私者的聰明，在許多方面都犯下了罪惡。房屋轟塌前一定要逃生，那是老鼠的機智；把小動物從它們挖好了的棲身之處驅逐出來，鳩佔鵲巢，那是狐狸的狡猾；邊吞食邊落淚，那是鱷魚的陰險。尤其要指出的是，“有己為人”（西塞羅告訴龐培語），往往倒黴。即使耗盡畢生的精力為自己牟利，最終還是要被無常的命運收拾掉；而他們還自忖，以自私者的明智，足以束縛住生命的翅膀呢。
Of Wisdom for a Man’s Self
Francis Bacon
An ant is a wise creature for itself； but it is a shrewd1 thing in an orchard2 or garden。 And certainly men that are great lovers of themselves waste the public。 Divide with reason between self…love and society； and be so true to thyself； as thou be not false to others； specially to thy king and country。 It is a poor centre of a man’s actions； himself。 It is right earth。 For that only stands fast upon his own centre； whereas all things that have affinity with the heavens； move upon the centre of another； which they benefit。 The referring of all to a man’s self is more tolerable3 in a sovereign prince； because themselves are not only themselves； but their good and evil is at the peril of the public fortune。 But it is a desperate evil in a servant to a prince； or a citizen in a republic。 For whatsoever affairs pass such a man’s hands； he crooketh them to his own ends； which must needs to be often eccentric to the ends of his master or state。 Therefore； let princes； or states； choose such servants as have not this mark； except they mean their service should be made but the accessory。 That which maketh the effect more pernicious is that all proportion is lost。 It were disproportion eno