第2章

cepts.Andafteratime,setbeforetheethineownexample;andexaminethyselfstrictly,whetherthoudidstnotbestatfirst.Neglectnotalsotheexamples,ofthosethathavecarriedthemselvesill,inthesameplace;nottosetoffthyself,bytax—

ingtheirmemory,buttodirectthyself,whattoavoid.Reformtherefore,withoutbravery,orscan—

dalofformertimesandpersons;butyetsetitdowntothyself,aswelltocreategoodprecedents,astofollowthem.Reducethingstothefirstinstitution,andobservewherein,andhow,theyhavedegen—

erate;butyetaskcounselofbothtimes;oftheancienttime,whatisbest;andofthelattertime,whatisfittest.Seektomakethycourseregular,thatmenmayknowbeforehand,whattheymayexpect;butbenottoopositiveandperemptory;

andexpressthyselfwell,whenthoudigressestfromthyrule.Preservetherightofthyplace;butstirnotquestionsofjurisdiction;andratheras—

sumethyright,insilenceanddefacto,thanvoiceitwithclaims,andchallenges.Preservelikewisetherightsofinferiorplaces;andthinkitmorehonor,todirectinchief,thantobebusyinall.

Embraceandinvitehelps,andadvices,touchingtheexecutionofthyplace;anddonotdriveawaysuch,asbringtheeinformation,asmeddlers;butacceptofthemingoodpart.Thevicesofauthorityarechieflyfour:delays,corruption,roughness,andfacility.Fordelays:giveeasyaccess;keeptimesappointed;gothroughwiththatwhichisinhand,andinterlacenotbusiness,butofnecessity.

Forcorruption:donotonlybindthineownhands,orthyservants’hands,fromtaking,butbindthehandsofsuitorsalso,fromoffering.Forintegrityuseddoththeone;butintegrityprofessed,andwithamanifestdetestationofbribery,doththeother.Andavoidnotonlythefault,butthesus—

picion.Whosoeverisfoundvariable,andchangethmanifestlywithoutmanifestcause,givethsus—

picionofcorruption.Thereforealways,whenthouchangestthineopinionorcourse,professitplainly,anddeclareit,togetherwiththereasonsthatmovetheetochange;anddonotthinktostealit.A

servantorafavorite,ifhebeinward,andnootherapparentcauseofesteem,iscommonlythought,butaby—waytoclosecorruption.Forroughness:itisaneedlesscauseofdiscontent:

severitybreedethfear,butroughnessbreedethhate.Evenreproofsfromauthority,oughttobegrave,andnottaunting.Asforfacility:itisworsethanbribery.Forbribescomebutnowandthen;

butifimportunity,oridlerespects,leadaman,heshallneverbewithout.AsSolomonsaith,Tore—

spectpersonsisnotgood;forsuchamanwilltransgressforapieceofbread.Itismosttrue,thatwasancientlyspoken,Aplaceshoweththeman.

Anditshowethsometothebetter,andsometotheworse.Omniumconsensucapaximperii,nisiim—

perasset,saithTacitusofGalba;butofVespasianhesaith,Solusimperantium,Vespasianusmutatusinmelius;thoughtheonewasmeantofsufficiency,theotherofmanners,andaffection.Itisanassuredsignofaworthyandgenerousspirit,whomhonoramends.Forhonoris,orshouldbe,theplaceofvirtue;andasinnature,thingsmoveviolentlytotheirplace,andcalmlyintheirplace,sovirtueinambitionisviolent,inauthoritysettledandcalm.

Allrisingtogreatplaceisbyawindingstar;andiftherebefactions,itisgoodtosideaman’sself,whilstheisintherising,andtobalancehimselfwhenheisplaced.Usethememoryofthyprede—

cessor,fairlyandtenderly;forifthoudostnot,itisadebtwillsurebepaidwhenthouartgone.Ifthouhavecolleagues,respectthem,andrathercallthem,whentheylooknotforit,thanexcludethem,whentheyhavereasontolooktobecalled.

Benottoosensible,ortooremembering,ofthyplaceinconversation,andprivateanswerstosuitors;butletitratherbesaid,Whenhesitsinplace,heisanotherman.

OfBoldnessOfBoldnessITISatrivialgrammar—schooltext,butyetworthyawiseman’sconsideration.QuestionwasaskedofDemosthenes,whatwasthechiefpartofanorator?heanswered,action;whatnext?

action;whatnextagain?action.Hesaidit,thatknewitbest,andhad,bynature,himselfnoad—

vantageinthathecommended.Astrangething,thatthatpartofanorator,whichisbutsuperficial,andratherthevirtueofaplayer,shouldbeplacedsohigh,abovethoseothernobleparts,ofinvention,elocution,andtherest;nay,almostalone,asifitwereallinall.Butthereasonisplain.Thereisinhumannaturegenerally,moreofthefoolthanofthewise;andthereforethosefaculties,bywhichthefoolishpartofmen’smindsistaken,aremostpotent.Wonderfullikeisthecaseofboldnessincivilbusiness:whatfirst?boldness;whatsecondandthird?boldness.Andyetboldnessisachildofignoranceandbaseness,farinferiortootherparts.

Butneverthelessitdothfascinate,andbindhandandfoot,thosethatareeithershallowinjudg—

ment,orweakincourage,whicharethegreatestpart;yeaandprevailethwithwisemenatweaktimes.Thereforeweseeithathdonewonders,inpopularstates;butwithsenates,andprincesless;

andmoreeveruponthefirstentranceofboldper—

sonsintoaction,thansoonafter;forboldnessisanillkeeperofpromise.Surely,astherearemounte—

banksforthenaturalbody,soaretheremounte—

banksforthepoliticbody;menthatundertakegreatcures,andperhapshavebeenlucky,intwoorthreeexperiments,butwantthegroundsofscience,andthereforecannotholdout.Nay,youshallseeaboldfellowmanytimesdoMahomet’smiracle.Mahometmadethepeoplebelievethathewouldcallanhilltohim,andfromthetopofitofferuphisprayers,fortheobserversofhislaw.

Thepeopleassembled;Mahometcalledthehilltocometohim,againandagain;andwhenthehillstoodstill,hewasneverawhitabashed,butsaid,IfthehillwillnotcometoMahomet,Mahometwillgotothehill.Sothesemen,whentheyhavepromisedgreatmatters,andfailedmostshame—

fully,yet(iftheyhavetheperfectionofboldness)

theywillbutslightitover,andmakeaturn,andnomoreado.Certainlytomenofgreatjudgment,boldpersonsareasporttobehold;nay,andtothevulgaralso,boldnesshassomewhatoftheridicu—

lous.Forifabsurditybethesubjectoflaughter,doubtyounotbutgreatboldnessisseldomwithoutsomeabsurdity.Especiallyitisasporttosee,whenaboldfellowisoutofcountenance;forthatputshisfaceintoamostshrunken,andwoodenpos—

ture;asneedsitmust;forinbashfulness,thespiritsdoalittlegoandcome;butwithboldmen,uponlikeoccasion,theystandatastay;likeastaleatchess,whereitisnomate,butyetthegamecannotstir.Butthislastwerefitterforasatirethanforaseriousobservation.Thisiswelltobeweighed;

thatboldnessiseverblind;foritseethnotdanger,andinconveniences.Thereforeitisillincounsel,goodinexecution;sothattherightuseofboldper—

sonsis,thattheynevercommandinchief,butbeseconds,andunderthedirectionofothers.Forincounsel,itisgoodtoseedangers;andinexecution,nottoseethem,excepttheybeverygreat.

OfGoodnessandGOODNESSOFNATURE

OfGoodnessandGOODNESSOFNATURE

ITAKEgoodnessinthissense,theaffectingofthewealofmen,whichisthattheGrecianscallphilanthropia;andthewordhumanity(asitisused)isalittletoolighttoexpressit.Good—

nessIcallthehabit,andgoodnessofnature,theinclination.Thisofallvirtues,anddignitiesofthemind,isthegreatest;beingthecharacteroftheDeity:andwithoutit,manisabusy,mischievous,wretchedthing;nobetterthanakindofvermin.

Goodnessanswerstothetheologicalvirtue,char—

ity,andadmitsnoexcess,buterror.Thedesireofpowerinexcess,causedtheangelstofall;thedesireofknowledgeinexcess,causedmantofall:butincharitythereisnoexcess;neithercanangel,norman,comeindangerbyit.Theinclinationtogood—

ness,isimprinteddeeplyinthenatureofman;in—

somuch,thatifitissuenottowardsmen,itwilltakeuntootherlivingcreatures;asitisseenintheTurks,acruelpeople,whoneverthelessarekindtobeasts,andgivealms,todogsandbirds;inso—

much,asBusbechiusreporteth,aChristianboy,inConstantinople,hadliketohavebeenstoned,forgagginginawaggishnessalong—billedfowl.

Errorsindeedinthisvirtueofgoodness,orcharity,maybecommitted.TheItalianshaveanungra—

ciousproverb,Tantobuonchevalniente:sogood,thatheisgoodfornothing.AndoneofthedoctorsofItaly,NicholasMachiavel,hadtheconfidencetoputinwriting,almostinplainterms,ThattheChristianfaith,hadgivenupgoodmen,inpreytothosethataretyrannicalandun—

just.Whichhespake,becauseindeedtherewasneverlaw,orsect,oropinion,didsomuchmag—

nifygoodness,astheChristianreligiondoth.

Therefore,toavoidthescandalandthedangerboth,itisgood,totakeknowledgeoftheerrorsofanhabitsoexcellent.Seekthegoodofothermen,butbenotinbondagetotheirfacesorfancies;forthatisbutfacility,orsoftness;whichtakethanhonestmindprisoner.NeithergivethouAEsop’scockagem,whowouldbebetterpleased,andhap—

pier,ifhehadhadabarley—corn.TheexampleofGod,teacheththelessontruly:Hesendethhisrain,andmakethhissuntoshine,uponthejustandunjust;buthedothnotrainwealth,norshinehonorandvirtues,uponmenequally.Commonbenefits,aretobecommunicatewithall;butpe—

culiarbenefits,withchoice.Andbewarehowinmakingtheportraiture,thoubreakestthepattern.

Fordivinity,makeththeloveofourselvesthepat—

tern;theloveofourneighbors,buttheportraiture.

Sellallthouhast,andgiveittothepoor,andfol—

lowme:but,sellnotallthouhast,exceptthoucomeandfollowme;thatis,exceptthouhaveavocation,whereinthoumayestdoasmuchgood,withlittlemeansaswithgreat;forotherwise,infeedingthestreams,thoudriestthefountain.

Neitheristhereonlyahabitofgoodness,directedbyrightreason;butthereisinsomemen,eveninnature,adispositiontowardsit;asontheotherside,thereisanaturalmalignity.Fortherebe,thatintheirnaturedonotaffectthegoodofothers.

Thelightersortofmalignity,turnethbuttoacrassness,orfrowardness,oraptnesstooppose,ordifficulties,orthelike;butthedeepersort,toenvyandmeremischief.Suchmen,inothermen’sca—

lamities,are,asitwere,inseason,andareeverontheloadingpart:notsogoodasthedogs,thatlickedLazarus’sores;butlikeflies,thatarestillbuzzinguponanythingthatisraw;misanthropi,thatmakeittheirpractice,tobringmentothebough,andyetneveratreeforthepurposeintheirgar—

dens,asTimonhad.Suchdispositions,aretheveryerrorsofhumannature;andyettheyarethefittesttimber,tomakegreatpoliticsof;liketokneetim—

ber,thatisgoodforships,thatareordainedtobetossed;butnotforbuildinghouses,thatshallstandfirm.Thepartsandsignsofgoodness,aremany.Ifamanbegraciousandcourteoustostrangers,itshowsheisacitizenoftheworld,andthathisheartisnoisland,cutofffromotherlands,butaconti—

nent,thatjoinstothem.Ifhebecompassionatetowardstheafflictionsofothers,itshowsthathisheartislikethenobletree,thatiswoundeditself,whenitgivesthebalm.Ifheeasilypardons,andremitsoffences,itshowsthathismindisplantedaboveinjuries;sothathecannotbeshot.Ifhebethankfulforsmallbenefits,itshowsthatheweighsmen’sminds,andnottheirtrash.Butaboveall,ifhehaveSt.Paul’sperfection,thathewouldwishtobeanathemafromChrist,forthesalvationofhisbrethren,itshowsmuchofadivinenature,andakindofconformitywithChristhimself.

OfNobilityOfNobilityWEWILLspeakofnobility,firstasaportionofanestate,thenasaconditionofparticu—

larpersons.Amonarchy,wherethereisnonobil—

ityatall,iseverapureandabsolutetyranny;asthatoftheTurks.Fornobilityattemperssover—

eignty,anddrawstheeyesofthepeople,somewhatasidefromthelineroyal.Butfordemocracies,theyneeditnot;andtheyarecommonlymorequiet,andlesssubjecttosedition,thanwheretherearestirpsofnobles.Formen’seyesareuponthebusiness,andnotuponthepersons;orifuponthepersons,itisforthebusiness’sake,asfittest,andnotforflagsandpedigree.WeseetheSwitzerslastwell,notwithstandingtheirdiversityofreligion,andofcantons.Forutilityistheirbond,andnotrespects.TheunitedprovincesoftheLowCoun—

tries,intheirgovernment,excel;forwherethereisanequality,theconsultationsaremoreindif—

ferent,andthepaymentsandtributes,morecheerful.Agreatandpotentnobility,addethmajestytoamonarch,butdiminishethpower;

andputtethlifeandspiritintothepeople,butpresseththeirfortune.Itiswell,whennoblesarenottoogreatforsovereigntynorforjustice;andyetmaintainedinthatheight,astheinsolencyofinferiorsmaybebrokenuponthem,beforeitcomeontoofastuponthemajestyofkings.Anumerousnobilitycausethpoverty,andinconvenienceinastate;foritisasurchargeofexpense;andbesides,itbeingofnecessity,thatmanyofthenobilityfall,intime,tobeweakinfortune,itmakethakindofdisproportion,betweenhonorandmeans.

Asfornobilityinparticularpersons;itisarev—

erendthing,toseeanancientcastleorbuilding,notindecay;ortoseeafairtimbertree,soundandperfect.Howmuchmore,tobeholdanancientnoblefamily,whichhasstoodagainstthewavesandweathersoftime!Fornewnobilityisbuttheactofpower,butancientnobilityistheactoftime.

Thosethatarefirstraisedtonobility,arecom—

monlymorevirtuous,butlessinnocent,thantheirdescendants;forthereisrarelyanyrising,butbyacommixtureofgoodandevilarts.Butitisreason,thememoryoftheirvirtuesremaintotheirpos—

terity,andtheirfaultsdiewiththemselves.Nobil—

ityofbirthcommonlyabatethindustry;andhethatisnotindustrious,enviethhimthatis.Besides,noblepersonscannotgomuchhigher;andhethatstandethatastay,whenothersrise,canhardlyavoidmotionsofenvy.Ontheotherside,nobil—

ityextinguisheththepassiveenvyfromothers,towardsthem;becausetheyareinpossessionofhonor.Certainly,kingsthathaveablemenoftheirnobility,shallfindeaseinemployingthem,andabetterslideintotheirbusiness;forpeoplenaturallybendtothem,asborninsomesorttocommand.

OfSeditionsANDTROUBLES

OfSeditionsANDTROUBLES

SHEPHERDSofpeople,hadneedknowthecalendarsoftempestsinstate;whicharecom—

monlygreatest,whenthingsgrowtoequality;asnaturaltempestsaregreatestabouttheEquinoc—

tia.Andastherearecertainhollowblastsofwind,andsecretswellingsofseasbeforeatempest,soarethereinstates:

——IlleetiamcaecosinstaretumultusSaepemonet,fraudesqueetopertatunescerebella.

Libelsandlicentiousdiscoursesagainstthestate,whentheyarefrequentandopen;andinlikesort,falsenewsoftenrunningupanddown,tothedis—

advantageofthestate,andhastilyembraced;areamongstthesignsoftroubles.Virgil,givingthepedigreeofFame,saith,shewassistertotheGiants:

IllamTerraparens,irrairritatadeorum,Extremam(utperhibent)CoeoEnceladoquesororemProgenuit.—

Asiffamesweretherelicsofseditionspast;buttheyarenoless,indeed,thepreludesofseditionstocome.Howsoeverhenotethitright,thatseditioustumults,andseditiousfames,differnomorebutasbrotherandsister,masculineandfeminine;es—

peciallyifitcometothat,thatthebestactionsofastate,andthemostplausible,andwhichoughttogivegreatestcontentment,aretakeninillsense,andtraduced:forthatshowstheenvygreat,asTacitussaith;conflatamagnainvidia,seubeneseumalegestapremunt.Neitherdothitfollow,thatbecausethesefamesareasignoftroubles,thatthesuppressingofthemwithtoomuchseverity,shouldbearemedyoftroubles.Forthedespisingofthem,manytimeschecksthembest;andthegoingabouttostopthem,dothbutmakeawonderlong—lived.Alsothatkindofobedience,whichTacitusspeakethof,istobeheldsuspected:Erantinofficio,sedtamenquimallentmandataimpe—

rantiuminterpretariquamexequi;disputing,ex—

cusing,cavillinguponmandatesanddirections,isakindofshakingofftheyoke,andassayofdis—

obedience;especiallyifinthosedisputings,theywhichareforthedirection,speakfearfullyandtenderly,andthosethatareagainstit,audaciously.

Also,asMachiavelnotethwell,whenprinces,thatoughttobecommonparents,makethem—

selvesasaparty,andleantoaside,itisasaboat,thatisoverthrownbyunevenweightontheoneside;aswaswellseen,inthetimeofHenrytheThirdofFrance;forfirst,himselfenteredleaguefortheextirpationoftheProtestants;andpres—

entlyafter,thesameleaguewasturneduponhim—

self.Forwhentheauthorityofprinces,ismadebutanaccessorytoacause,andthattherebeotherbands,thattiefasterthanthebandofsovereignty,kingsbegintobeputalmostoutofpossession.

Also,whendiscords,andquarrels,andfactionsarecarriedopenlyandaudaciously,itisasignthereverenceofgovernmentislost.Forthemotionsofthegreatestpersonsinagovernment,oughttobeasthemotionsoftheplanetsunderprimummobile;accordingtotheoldopinion:whichis,thateveryofthem,iscarriedswiftlybythehighestmotion,andsoftlyintheirownmotion.

Andtherefore,whengreatonesintheirownparticularmotion,moveviolently,and,asTacitusexpressethitwell,liberiusquamutimperan—

tiummeminissent;itisasigntheorbsareoutofframe.Forreverenceisthat,wherewithprincesaregirtfromGod;whothreateneththedissolvingthereof;Solvamcingularegum.

Sowhenanyofthefourpillarsofgovernment,aremainlyshaken,orweakened(whicharerelig—

ion,justice,counsel,andtreasure),menhadneedtoprayforfairweather.Butletuspassfromthispartofpredictions(concerningwhich,neverthe—

less,morelightmaybetakenfromthatwhichfolloweth);andletusspeakfirst,ofthematerialsofseditions;thenofthemotivesofthem;andthirdlyoftheremedies.

Concerningthematerialsofseditions.Itisathingwelltobeconsidered;forthesurestwaytopreventseditions(ifthetimesdobearit)istotakeawaythematterofthem.Foriftherebefuelpre—

pared,itishardtotell,whencethesparkshallcome,thatshallsetitonfire.Thematterofsedi—

tionsisoftwokinds:muchpoverty,andmuchdis—

contentment.Itiscertain,somanyoverthrownestates,somanyvotesfortroubles.LucannotethwellthestateofRomebeforetheCivilWar,Hincusuravorax,rapidumqueintemporefoenus,Hincconcussafides,etmultisutilebellum.

Thissamemultisutilebellum,isanassuredandinfalliblesign,ofastatedisposedtoseditionsandtroubles.Andifthispovertyandbrokenestateinthebettersort,bejoinedwithawantandnecessityinthemeanpeople,thedangerisimminentandgreat.Fortherebellionsofthebellyaretheworst.

Asfordiscontentments,theyare,inthepoliticbody,liketohumorsinthenatural,whichareapttogatherapreternaturalheat,andtoinflame.

Andletnoprincemeasurethedangerofthembythis,whethertheybejustorunjust:forthatweretoimaginepeople,tobetooreasonable;whodooftenspurnattheirowngood:noryetbythis,whetherthegriefswhereupontheyrise,beinfactgreatorsmall:fortheyarethemostdangerousdiscontentments,wherethefearisgreaterthanthefeeling.Dolendimodus,timendinonitem.

Besides,ingreatoppressions,thesamethingsthatprovokethepatience,dowithalmatethecourage;

butinfearsitisnotso.Neitherletanyprince,orstate,besecureconcerningdiscontentments,be—

causetheyhavebeenoften,orhavebeenlong,andyetnoperilhathensued:forasitistrue,thateveryvapororfumedothnotturnintoastorm;soitisneverthelesstrue,thatstorms,thoughtheyblowoverdiverstimes,yetmayfallatlast;and,astheSpanishproverbnotethwell,Thecordbreakethatthelastbytheweakestpull.

Thecausesandmotivesofseditionsare,innova—

tioninreligion;taxes;alterationoflawsandcus—

toms;breakingofprivileges;generaloppression;

advancementofunworthypersons;strangers;

dearths;disbandedsoldiers;factionsgrowndes—

perate;andwhatsoever,inoffendingpeople,joinethandknitteththeminacommoncause.

Fortheremedies;theremaybesomegeneralpreservatives,whereofwewillspeak:asforthejustcure,itmustanswertotheparticulardisease;

andsobelefttocounsel,ratherthanrule.

Thefirstremedyorpreventionistoremove,byallmeanspossible,thatmaterialcauseofseditionwhereofwespake;whichis,wantandpovertyintheestate.Towhichpurposeserveththeopening,andwell—balancingoftrade;thecherishingofmanufactures;thebanishingofidleness;there—

pressingofwaste,andexcess,bysumptuarylaws;

theimprovementandhusbandingofthesoil;theregulatingofpricesofthingsvendible;themoder—

atingoftaxesandtributes;andthelike.Generally,itistobeforeseenthatthepopulationofaking—

dom(especiallyifitbenotmowndownbywars)

donotexceedthestockofthekingdom,whichshouldmaintainthem.Neitheristhepopulationtobereckonedonlybynumber;forasmallernum—

ber,thatspendmoreandearnless,dowearoutanestatesooner,thanagreaternumberthatlivelower,andgathermore.Thereforethemultiply—

ingofnobility,andotherdegreesofquality,inanoverproportiontothecommonpeople,dothspeed—

ilybringastatetonecessity;andsodothlikewiseanovergrownclergy;fortheybringnothingtothestock;andinlikemanner,whenmorearebredscholars,thanprefermentscantakeoff.

Itislikewisetoberemembered,thatforasmuchastheincreaseofanyestatemustbeupontheforeigner(forwhatsoeverissomewheregotten,issomewherelost),therebebutthreethings,whichonenationsellethuntoanother;thecommodityasnatureyieldethit;themanufacture;andthevec—

ture,orcarriage.Sothatifthesethreewheelsgo,wealthwillflowasinaspringtide.Anditcomethmanytimestopass,thatmateriamsuperabitopus;

thattheworkandcarriageismoreworththanthematerial,andenrichethastatemore;asisnotablyseenintheLow—Countrymen,whohavethebestminesaboveground,intheworld.

Aboveallthings,goodpolicyistobeused,thatthetreasureandmoneys,inastate,benotgath—

eredintofewhands.Forotherwiseastatemayhaveagreatstock,andyetstarve.Andmoneyislikemuck,notgoodexceptitbespread.Thisisdone,chieflybysuppressing,oratleastkeepingastraithand,uponthedevouringtradesofusury,ingrossinggreatpasturages,andthelike.

Forremovingdiscontentments,oratleastthedangerofthem;thereisineverystate(asweknow)twoportionsofsubjects;thenoblesseandthecommonalty.Whenoneoftheseisdiscontent,thedangerisnotgreat;forcommonpeopleareofslowmotion,iftheybenotexcitedbythegreatersort;andthegreatersortareofsmallstrength,exceptthemultitudebeapt,andreadytomoveofthemselves.Thenisthedanger,whenthegreatersort,dobutwaitforthetroublingofthewatersamongstthemeaner,thatthentheymaydeclarethemselves.Thepoetsfeign,thattherestofthegodswouldhaveboundJupiter;whichhehearingof,bythecounselofPallas,sentforBriareus,withhishundredhands,tocomeintohisaid.Anem—

blem,nodoubt,toshowhowsafeitisformon—

archs,tomakesureofthegoodwillofcommonpeople.Togivemoderatelibertyforgriefsanddis—

contentmentstoevaporate(soitbewithouttoogreatinsolencyorbravery),isasafeway.Forhethatturneththehumorsback,andmakeththewoundbleedinwards,endangerethmalignulcers,andperniciousimposthumations.

ThepartofEpimetheusmoughtwellbecomePrometheus,inthecaseofdiscontentments:forthereisnotabetterprovisionagainstthem.Epime—

theus,whengriefsandevilsflewabroad,atlastshutthelid,andkepthopeinthebottomofthevessel.Certainly,thepoliticandartificialnourish—

ing,andentertainingofhopes,andcarryingmenfromhopestohopes,isoneofthebestantidotesagainstthepoisonofdiscontentments.Anditisacertainsignofawisegovernmentandproceeding,whenitcanholdmen’sheartsbyhopes,whenitcannotbysatisfaction;andwhenitcanhandlethings,insuchmanner,asnoevilshallappearsoperemptory,butthatithathsomeoutletofhope;

whichisthelesshardtodo,becausebothparticu—

larpersonsandfactions,areaptenoughtoflatterthemselves,oratleasttobravethat,whichtheybelievenot.

Alsotheforesightandprevention,thattherebenolikelyorfithead,whereuntodiscontentedper—

sonsmayresort,andunderwhomtheymayjoin,isaknown,butanexcellentpointofcaution.I

understandafithead,tobeonethathathgreat—

nessandreputation;thathathconfidencewiththediscontentedparty,anduponwhomtheyturntheireyes;andthatisthoughtdiscontented,inhisownparticular:whichkindofpersons,areeithertobewon,andreconciledtothestate,andthatinafastandtruemanner;ortobefrontedwithsomeother,ofthesameparty,thatmayopposethem,andsodividethereputation.Generally,thedivid—

ingandbreaking,ofallfactionsandcombinationsthatareadversetothestate,andsettingthematdistance,oratleastdistrust,amongstthemselves,isnotoneoftheworstremedies.Foritisadesper—

atecase,ifthosethatholdwiththeproceedingofthestate,befullofdiscordandfaction,andthosethatareagainstit,beentireandunited.

Ihavenoted,thatsomewittyandsharpspeeches,whichhavefallenfromprinces,havegivenfiretoseditions.Caesardidhimselfinfinitehurtinthatspeech,Syllanescivitliteras,nonpo—

tuitdictare;foritdidutterlycutoffthathope,whichmenhadentertained,thathewouldatonetimeorothergiveoverhisdictatorship.Galbaun—

didhimselfbythatspeech,legiasemilitem,nonemi;foritputthesoldiersoutofhopeofthedona—

tive.Probuslikewise,bythatspeech,Sivixero,nonopuseritampliusRomanoimperiomilitibus;

aspeechofgreatdespairforthesoldiers.Andmanythelike.Surelyprinceshadneed,intendermattersandticklishtimes,tobewarewhattheysay;especiallyintheseshortspeeches,whichflyabroadlikedarts,andarethoughttobeshotoutoftheirsecretintentions.Forasforlargediscourses,theyareflatthings,andnotsomuchnoted.

Lastly,letprinces,againstallevents,notbewithoutsomegreatperson,oneorrathermore,ofmilitaryvalor,nearuntothem,fortherepressingofseditionsintheirbeginnings.Forwithoutthat,thereusethtobemoretrepidationincourtuponthefirstbreakingoutoftroubles,thanwerefit.

AndthestaterunneththedangerofthatwhichTacitussaith;Atqueishabitusanimorumfuit,utpessimumfacinusauderentpauci,pluresvellent,omnespaterentur.Butletsuchmilitarypersonsbeassured,andwellreputedof,ratherthanfactiousandpopular;holdingalsogoodcorrespondencewiththeothergreatmeninthestate;orelsetheremedy,isworsethanthedisease.

OfAtheismOfAtheismIHADratherbelieveallthefablesintheLeg—

end,andtheTalmud,andtheAlcoran,thanthatthisuniversalframeiswithoutamind.

Andtherefore,Godneverwroughtmiracle,toconvinceatheism,becausehisordinaryworkscon—

vinceit.Itistrue,thatalittlephilosophyinclinethman’smindtoatheism;butdepthinphilosophybringethmen’smindsabouttoreligion.Forwhilethemindofmanlookethuponsecondcausesscat—

tered,itmaysometimesrestinthem,andgonofurther;butwhenitbeholdeththechainofthem,confederateandlinkedtogether,itmustneedsflytoProvidenceandDeity.Nay,eventhatschoolwhichismostaccusedofatheismdothmostdem—

onstratereligion;thatis,theschoolofLeucippusandDemocritusandEpicurus.Foritisathousandtimesmorecredible,thatfourmutableelements,andoneimmutablefifthessence,dulyandeter—

nallyplaced,neednoGod,thanthatanarmyofinfinitesmallportions,orseedsunplaced,shouldhaveproducedthisorderandbeauty,withoutadivinemarshal.TheScripturesaith,Thefoolhathsaidinhisheart,thereisnoGod;itisnotsaid,Thefoolhaththoughtinhisheart;soasherathersaithit,byrotetohimself,asthathewouldhave,thanthathecanthoroughlybelieveit,orbepersuadedofit.Fornonedeny,thereisaGod,butthose,forwhomitmakeththattherewerenoGod.Itap—

pearethinnothingmore,thatatheismisratherinthelip,thanintheheartofman,thanbythis;thatatheistswilleverbetalkingofthattheiropinion,asiftheyfaintedinit,withinthemselves,andwouldbegladtobestrengthened,bytheconsentofothers.Naymore,youshallhaveatheistsstrivetogetdisciples,asitfarethwithothersects.And,whichismostofall,youshallhaveofthem,thatwillsufferforatheism,andnotrecant;whereasiftheydidtrulythink,thattherewerenosuchthingasGod,whyshouldtheytroublethemselves?Epi—

curusischarged,thathedidbutdissembleforhiscredit’ssake,whenheaffirmedtherewereblessednatures,butsuchasenjoyedthemselves,withouthavingrespecttothegovernmentoftheworld.

Whereintheysayhedidtemporize;thoughinsecret,hethoughttherewasnoGod.Butcertainlyheistraduced;forhiswordsarenobleanddivine:

Nondeosvulginegareprofanum;sedvulgiopini—

onesdiisapplicareprofanum.Platocouldhavesaidnomore.Andalthoughhehadtheconfidence,todenytheadministration,hehadnotthepower,todenythenature.TheIndiansoftheWest,havenamesfortheirparticulargods,thoughtheyhavenonameforGod:asiftheheathensshouldhavehadthenamesJupiter,Apollo,Mars,etc.,butnotthewordDeus;whichshowsthateventhosebar—

barouspeoplehavethenotion,thoughtheyhavenotthelatitudeandextentofit.Sothatagainstatheists,theverysavagestakepart,withtheverysubtlestphilosophers.Thecontemplativeatheistisrare:aDiagoras,aBion,aLucianperhaps,andsomeothers;andyettheyseemtobemorethantheyare;forthatallthatimpugnareceivedre—

ligion,orsuperstition,arebytheadversepartbrandedwiththenameofatheists.Butthegreatatheists,indeedarehypocrites;whichareeverhandlingholythings,butwithoutfeeling;soastheymustneedsbecauterizedintheend.Thecausesofatheismare:divisionsinreligion,iftheybemany;foranyonemaindivision,addethzealtobothsides;butmanydivisionsintroduceatheism.

Anotheris,scandalofpriests;whenitiscometothatwhichSt.Bernardsaith,nonestjamdicere,utpopulussicsacerdos;quianecsicpopulusutsacerdos.Athirdis,customofprofanescoffinginholymatters;whichdoth,bylittleandlittle,de—

facethereverenceofreligion.Andlastly,learnedtimes,speciallywithpeaceandprosperity;fortroublesandadversitiesdomorebowmen’smindstoreligion.TheythatdenyaGod,destroyman’snobility;forcertainlymanisofkintothebeasts,byhisbody;and,ifhebenotofkintoGod,byhisspirit,heisabaseandignoblecreature.Itdestroyslikewisemagnanimity,andtheraisingofhumannature;fortakeanexampleofadog,andmarkwhatagenerosityandcouragehewillputon,whenhefindshimselfmaintainedbyaman;whotohimisinsteadofaGod,ormeliornatura;whichcourageismanifestlysuch,asthatcreature,with—

outthatconfidenceofabetternaturethanhisown,couldneverattain.Soman,whenherestethandassurethhimself,upondivineprotectionandfavor,gatheredaforceandfaith,whichhumannatureinitselfcouldnotobtain.Therefore,asatheismisinallrespectshateful,sointhis,thatitdeprivethhumannatureofthemeanstoexaltit—

self,abovehumanfrailty.Asitisinparticularpersons,soitisinnations.NeverwastheresuchastateformagnanimityasRome.OfthisstatehearwhatCicerosaith:Quamvolumuslicet,patrescon—

scripti,nosamemus,tamennecnumeroHispanos,necroboreGallos,neccalliditatePoenos,necarti—

busGraecos,necdeniquehocipsohujusgentisetterraedomesticonativoquesensuItalosipsosetLatinos;sedpietate,acreligione,atquehacunasapientia,quoddeorumimmortaliumnumineomniaregigubernariqueperspeximus,omnesgentesnationesquesuperavimus.

OfSuperstitionOfSuperstitionITWEREbettertohavenoopinionofGodatall,thansuchanopinion,asisunworthyofhim.

Fortheoneisunbelief,theotheriscontumely;

andcertainlysuperstitionisthereproachoftheDeity.Plutarchsaithwelltothatpurpose:Surely(saithhe)Ihadratheragreatdeal,menshouldsay,therewasnosuchmanatall,asPlutarch,thanthattheyshouldsay,thattherewasonePlu—

tarch,thatwouldeathischildrenassoonastheywereborn;asthepoetsspeakofSaturn.AndasthecontumelyisgreatertowardsGod,sothedangerisgreatertowardsmen.Atheismleavesamantosense,tophilosophy,tonaturalpiety,tolaws,toreputation;allwhichmaybeguidestoanoutwardmoralvirtue,thoughreligionwerenot;butsuper—

stitiondismountsallthese,anderectethanabso—

lutemonarchy,inthemindsofmen.Thereforetheismdidneverperturbstates;foritmakesmenwaryofthemselves,aslookingnofurther:andweseethetimesinclinedtoatheism(asthetimeofAugustusCaesar)wereciviltimes.Butsupersti—

tionhathbeentheconfusionofmanystates,andbringethinanewprimummobile,thatravishethallthespheresofgovernment.Themasterofsuper—

stition,isthepeople;andinallsuperstition,wisemenfollowfools;andargumentsarefittedtoprac—

tice,inareversedorder.ItwasgravelysaidbysomeoftheprelatesintheCouncilofTrent,wherethedoctrineoftheSchoolmenbaregreatsway,thattheSchoolmenwerelikeastronomers,whichdidfeigneccentricsandepicycles,andsuchen—

ginesoforbs,tosavethephenomena;thoughtheyknewtherewerenosuchthings;andinlikeman—

ner,thattheSchoolmenhadframedanumberofsubtleandintricateaxioms,andtheorems,tosavethepracticeofthechurch.Thecausesofsupersti—

tionare:pleasingandsensualritesandceremonies;

excessofoutwardandpharisaicalholiness;over—

greatreverenceoftraditions,whichcannotbutloadthechurch;thestratagemsofprelates,fortheirownambitionandlucre;thefavoringtoomuchofgoodintentions,whichopeneththegatetoconceitsandnovelties;thetakinganaimatdivinematters,byhuman,whichcannotbutbreedmixtureofimaginations:and,lastly,bar—

baroustimes,especiallyjoinedwithcalamitiesanddisasters.Superstition,withoutaveil,isade—

formedthing;for,asitaddethdeformitytoanape,tobesolikeaman,sothesimilitudeofsuper—

stitiontoreligion,makesitthemoredeformed.

Andaswholesomemeatcorruptethtolittleworms,sogoodformsandorderscorrupt,intoanumberofpettyobservances.Thereisasuperstitioninavoid—

ingsuperstition,whenmenthinktodobest,iftheygofurthestfromthesuperstition,formerlyre—

ceived;thereforecarewouldbehadthat(asitfarethinillpurgings)thegoodbenottakenawaywiththebad;whichcommonlyisdone,whenthepeopleisthereformer.

OfTravelOfTravelTRAVEL,intheyoungersort,isapartofedu—

cation,intheelder,apartofexperience.Hethattravellethintoacountry,beforehehathsomeentranceintothelanguage,goethtoschool,andnottotravel.Thatyoungmentravelundersometutor,orgraveservant,Iallowwell;sothathebesuchaonethathaththelanguage,andhathbeeninthecountrybefore;wherebyhemaybeabletotellthemwhatthingsareworthytobeseen,inthecountrywheretheygo;whatacquaintancestheyaretoseek;whatexercises,ordiscipline,theplaceyieldeth.Forelse,youngmenshallgohooded,andlookabroadlittle.Itisastrangething,thatinseavoyages,wherethereisnothingtobeseen,butskyandsea,menshouldmakediaries;

butinland—travel,whereinsomuchistobeob—

served,forthemostparttheyomitit;asifchancewerefittertoberegistered,thanobservation.Letdiaries,therefore,bebroughtinuse.Thethingstobeseenandobservedare:thecourtsofprinces,especiallywhentheygiveaudiencetoambassa—

dors;thecourtsofjustice,whiletheysitandhearcauses;andsoofconsistoriesecclesiastic;thechurchesandmonasteries,withthemonumentswhicharethereinextant;thewallsandfortifica—

tionsofcities,andtowns,andsotheheavensandharbors;antiquitiesandruins;libraries;colleges,disputations,andlectures,whereanyare;ship—

pingandnavies;housesandgardensofstateandpleasure,neargreatcities;armories;arsenals;

magazines;exchanges;burses;warehouses;exer—

cisesofhorsemanship,fencing,trainingofsol—

diers,andthelike;comedies,suchwhereuntothebettersortofpersonsdoresort;treasuriesofjewelsandrobes;cabinetsandrarities;and,toconclude,whatsoeverismemorable,intheplaceswheretheygo.Afterallwhich,thetutors,orservants,oughttomakediligentinquiry.Asfortriumphs,masks,feasts,weddings,funerals,capitalexecu—

tions,andsuchshows,menneednottobeputinmindofthem;yetaretheynottobeneglected.Ifyouwillhaveayoungmantoputhistravelintoalittleroom,andinshorttimetogathermuch,thisyoumustdo.First,aswassaid,hemusthavesomeentranceintothelanguagebeforehegoeth.Thenhemusthavesuchaservant,ortutor,asknoweththecountry,aswaslikewisesaid.Lethimcarrywithhimalso,somecardorbook,describingthecountrywherehetravelleth;whichwillbeagoodkeytohisinquiry.Lethimkeepalsoadiary.Lethimnotstaylong,inonecityortown;moreorlessastheplacedeserveth,butnotlong;nay,whenhestayethinonecityortown,lethimchangehislodgingfromoneendandpartofthetown,toan—

other;whichisagreatadamantofacquaintance.

Lethimsequesterhimself,fromthecompanyofhiscountrymen,anddietinsuchplaces,wherethereisgoodcompanyofthenationwherehetravelleth.Lethim,uponhisremovesfromoneplacetoanother,procurerecommendationtosomepersonofquality,residingintheplacewhitherheremoveth;thathemayusehisfavor,inthosethingshedesirethtoseeorknow.Thushemayabridgehistravel,withmuchprofit.Asfortheacquaintance,whichistobesoughtintravel;thatwhichismostofallprofitable,isacquaintancewiththesecretariesandemployedmenofambas—

sadors:forsointravellinginonecountry,heshallsucktheexperienceofmany.Lethimalsosee,andvisit,eminentpersonsinallkinds,whichareofgreatnameabroad;thathemaybeabletotell,howthelifeagreethwiththefame.Forquarrels,theyarewithcareanddiscretiontobeavoided.

Theyarecommonlyformistresses,healths,place,andwords.Andletamanbeware,howhekeepethcompanywithcholericandquarrelsomepersons;

fortheywillengagehimintotheirownquarrels.

Whenatravellerreturnethhome,lethimnotleavethecountries,wherehehathtravelled,alto—

getherbehindhim;butmaintainacorrespond—

encebyletters,withthoseofhisacquaintance,whichareofmostworth.Andlethistravelappearratherinhisdiscourse,thanhisapparelorgesture;

andinhisdiscourse,lethimberatheradvisedinhisanswers,thanforwardtotellstories;andletitappearthathedothnotchangehiscountryman—

ners,forthoseofforeignparts;butonlyprickinsomeflowers,ofthathehathlearnedabroad,intothecustomsofhisowncountry.

OfEmpireOfEmpireITISamiserablestateofmind,tohavefewthingstodesire,andmanythingstofear;andyetthatcommonlyisthecaseofkings;who,beingatthehighest,wantmatterofdesire,whichmakestheirmindsmorelanguishing;andhavemanyrep—

resentationsofperilsandshadows,whichmakestheirmindsthelessclear.Andthisisonereasonalso,ofthateffectwhichtheScripturespeakethof,Thattheking’sheartisinscrutable.Formultitudeofjealousies,andlackofsomepredominantde—

sire,thatshouldmarshalandputinorderalltherest,makethanyman’sheart,hardtofindorsound.Henceitcomeslikewise,thatprincesmanytimesmakethemselvesdesires,andsettheirheartsupontoys;sometimesuponabuilding;sometimesuponerectingofanorder;sometimesuponthead—

vancingofaperson;sometimesuponobtainingexcellencyinsomeart,orfeatofthehand;asNeroforplayingontheharp,Domitianforcertaintyofthehandwiththearrow,Commodusforplay—

ingatfence,Caracallafordrivingchariots,andthelike.Thisseemethincredible,untothosethatknownottheprinciple,thatthemindofman,ismorecheeredandrefreshedbyprofitinginsmallthings,thanbystandingatastay,ingreat.Weseealsothatkingsthathavebeenfortunateconquer—

ors,intheirfirstyears,itbeingnotpossibleforthemtogoforwardinfinitely,butthattheymusthavesomecheck,orarrestintheirfortunes,turnintheirlatteryearstobesuperstitious,andmelan—

choly;asdidAlexandertheGreat;Diocletian;andinourmemory,CharlestheFifth;andothers:forhethatisusedtogoforward,andfindethastop,fallethoutofhisownfavor,andisnotthethinghewas.

Tospeaknowofthetruetemperofempire,itisathingrareandhardtokeep;forbothtemper,anddistemper,consistofcontraries.Butitisonething,tominglecontraries,anothertointerchangethem.

TheanswerofApolloniustoVespasian,isfullofexcellentinstruction.Vespasianaskedhim,WhatwasNero’soverthrow?Heanswered,Nerocouldtouchandtunetheharpwell;butingovernment,sometimesheusedtowindthepinstoohigh,some—

timestoletthemdowntoolow.Andcertainitis,thatnothingdestroyethauthoritysomuch,astheunequalanduntimelyinterchangeofpowerpressedtoofar,andrelaxedtoomuch.

Thisistrue,thatthewisdomofalltheselattertimes,inprinces’affairs,isratherfinedeliveries,andshiftingsofdangersandmischiefs,whentheyarenear,thansolidandgroundedcoursestokeepthemaloof.Butthisisbuttotrymasterieswithfortune.Andletmenbeware,howtheyneglectandsuffermatteroftroubletobeprepared;fornomancanforbidthespark,nortellwhenceitmaycome.Thedifficultiesinprinces’businessaremanyandgreat;butthegreatestdifficulty,isoftenintheirownmind.Foritiscommonwithprinces(saithTacitus)towillcontradictories,Suntpler—

umqueregumvoluntatesvehementes,etintersecontrariae.Foritisthesolecismofpower,tothinktocommandtheend,andyetnottoendurethemean.

Kingshavetodealwiththeirneighbors,theirwives,theirchildren,theirprelatesorclergy,theirnobles,theirsecond—noblesorgentlemen,theirmerchants,theircommons,andtheirmenofwar;

andfromallthesearisedangers,ifcareandcir—

cumspectionbenotused.

Firstfortheirneighbors;therecannogeneralrulebegiven(foroccasionsaresovariable),saveone,whicheverholdeth,whichis,thatprincesdokeepduesentinel,thatnoneoftheirneighborsdoevergrowso(byincreaseofterritory,byembrac—

ingoftrade,byapproaches,orthelike),astheybecomemoreabletoannoythem,thantheywere.

Andthisisgenerallytheworkofstandingcoun—

sels,toforeseeandtohinderit.Duringthattrium—

virateofkings,KingHenrytheEighthofEngland,FrancistheFirstKingofFrance,andCharlestheFifthEmperor,therewassuchawatchkept,thatnoneofthethreecouldwinapalmofground,buttheothertwowouldstraightwaysbalanceit,eitherbyconfederation,or,ifneedwere,byawar;

andwouldnotinanywisetakeuppeaceatinter—

est.Andthelikewasdonebythatleague(whichGuicciardinisaithwasthesecurityofItaly)madebetweenFerdinandoKingofNaples,LorenziusMedici,andLudovicusSforza,potentates,theoneofFlorence,theotherofMilan.Neitheristheopin—

ionofsomeoftheSchoolmen,tobereceived,thatawarcannotjustlybemade,butuponaprecedentinjuryorprovocation.Forthereisnoquestion,butajustfearofanimminentdanger,thoughtherebenoblowgiven,isalawfulcauseofawar.

Fortheirwives;therearecruelexamplesofthem.Liviaisinfamed,forthepoisoningofherhusband;Roxalana,Solyman’swife,wasthedestructionofthatrenownedprince,SultanMus—

tapha,andotherwisetroubledhishouseandsuc—

cession;EdwardtheSecondofEngland,hisqueen,hadtheprincipalhandinthedeposingandmur—

derofherhusband.Thiskindofdanger,isthentobefearedchiefly,whenthewiveshaveplots,fortheraisingoftheirownchildren;orelsethattheybeadvoutresses.

Fortheirchildren;thetragedieslikewiseofdangersfromthem,havebeenmany.Andgen—

erally,theenteringoffathersintosuspicionoftheirchildren,hathbeeneverunfortunate.ThedestructionofMustapha(thatwenamedbefore)

wassofataltoSolyman’sline,asthesuccessionoftheTurks,fromSolymanuntilthisday,issus—

pectedtobeuntrue,andofstrangeblood;forthatSelymustheSecond,wasthoughttobesupposi—

tious.ThedestructionofCrispus,ayoungprinceofraretowardness,byConstantinustheGreat,hisfather,wasinlikemannerfataltohishouse;forbothConstantinusandConstance,hissons,diedviolentdeaths;andConstantius,hisotherson,didlittlebetter;whodiedindeedofsickness,butafterthatJulianushadtakenarmsagainsthim.Thede—

structionofDemetrius,sontoPhiliptheSecondofMacedon,turneduponthefather,whodiedofrepentance.Andmanylikeexamplesthereare;

butfewornone,wherethefathershadgoodbysuchdistrust;exceptitwere,wherethesonswereupinopenarmsagainstthem;aswasSelymustheFirstagainstBajazet;andthethreesonsofHenrytheSecond,KingofEngland.

Fortheirprelates;whentheyareproudandgreat,thereisalsodangerfromthem;asitwasinthetimesofAnselmus,andThomasBecket,Arch—

bishopsofCanterbury;who,withtheircroziers,didalmosttryitwiththeking’ssword;andyettheyhadtodealwithstoutandhaughtykings,WilliamRufus,HenrytheFirst,andHenrytheSecond.Thedangerisnotfromthatstate,butwhereithathadependenceofforeignauthority;

orwherethechurchmencomeinandareelected,notbythecollationoftheking,orparticularpatrons,butbythepeople.

Fortheirnobles;tokeepthematadistance,itisnotamiss;buttodepressthem,maymakeakingmoreabsolute,butlesssafe;andlessabletoper—

form,anythingthathedesires.Ihavenotedit,inmyHistoryofKingHenrytheSeventhofEng—

land,whodepressedbisnobility;whereuponitcametopass,thathistimeswerefullofdifficultiesandtroubles;forthenobility,thoughtheycon—

tinuedloyaluntohim,yetdidtheynotco—operatewithhiminhisbusiness.Sothatineffect,hewasfaintodoallthingshimself.

Fortheirsecond—nobles;thereisnotmuchdan—

gerfromthem,beingabodydispersed.Theymaysometimesdiscoursehigh,butthatdothlittlehurt;

besides,theyareacounterpoisetothehigherno—

bility,thattheygrownottoopotent;and,lastly,beingthemostimmediateinauthority,withthecommonpeople,theydobesttemperpopularcom—

motions.

Fortheirmerchants;theyarevenaporta;andiftheyflourishnot,akingdommayhavegoodlimbs,butwillhaveemptyveins,andnourishlittle.Taxesandimpostsuponthem,doseldomgoodtotheking’srevenue;forthatthathewinsinthehundred,heleesethintheshire;theparticularratesbeingincreased,butthetotalbulkoftrading,ratherdecreased.

Fortheircommons;thereislittledangerfromthem,exceptitbe,wheretheyhavegreatandpo—

tentheads;orwhereyoumeddlewiththepointofreligion,ortheircustoms,ormeansoflife.

Fortheirmenofwar;itisadangerousstate,wheretheyliveandremaininabody,andareusedtodonatives;whereofweseeexamplesinthejanizaries,andpretorianbandsofRome;buttrain—

ingsofmen,andarmingtheminseveralplaces,andunderseveralcommanders,andwithoutdonatives,arethingsofdefence,andnodanger.

Princesareliketoheavenlybodies,whichcausegoodoreviltimes;andwhichhavemuchvenera—

tion,butnorest.Allpreceptsconcerningkings,areineffectcomprehendedinthosetworemem—

brances:mementoquodeshomo;andmementoquodesDeus,orviceDei;theonebridleththeirpower,andtheothertheirwill.

OfCounselOfCounselTHEgreatesttrust,betweenmanandman,isthetrustofgivingcounsel.Forinothercon—

fidences,mencommitthepartsoflife;theirlands,theirgoods,theirchildren,theircredit,somepar—

ticularaffair;buttosuchastheymaketheircoun—

sellors,theycommitthewhole:byhowmuchthemore,theyareobligedtoallfaithandintegrity.

Thewisestprincesneednotthinkitanydiminu—

tiontotheirgreatness,orderogationtotheirsuf—

ficiency,torelyuponcounsel.Godhimselfisnotwithout,buthathmadeitoneofthegreatnamesofhisblessedSon:TheCounsellor.Solomonhathpronounced,thatincounselisstability.Thingswillhavetheirfirst,orsecondagitation:iftheybenottossedupontheargumentsofcounsel,theywillbetosseduponthewavesoffortune;andbefullofinconstancy,doingandundoing,likethereelingofadrunkenman.Solomon’ssonfoundtheforceofcounsel,ashisfathersawthenecessityofit.ForthebelovedkingdomofGod,wasfirstrent,andbroken,byillcounsel;uponwhichcoun—

sel,therearesetforourinstruction,thetwomarkswherebybadcounselisforeverbestdiscerned;

thatitwasyoungcounsel,fortheperson;andviolentcounsel,forthematter.

Theancienttimes,dosetforthinfigure,boththeincorporation,andinseparableconjunction,ofcounselwithkings,andthewiseandpoliticuseofcounselbykings:theone,inthattheysayJupi—

terdidmarryMetis,whichsignifiethcounsel;

wherebytheyintendthatSovereignty,ismarriedtoCounsel:theotherinthatwhichfolloweth,whichwasthus:Theysay,afterJupiterwasmar—

riedtoMetis,sheconceivedbyhim,andwaswithchild,butJupitersufferedhernottostay,tillshebroughtforth,buteatherup;wherebyhebecamehimselfwithchild,andwasdeliveredofPallasarmed,outofhishead.Whichmonstrousfablecontainethasecretofempire;howkingsaretomakeuseoftheircounselofstate.Thatfirst,theyoughttorefermattersuntothem,whichisthefirstbegetting,orimpregnation;butwhentheyareelaborate,moulded,andshapedinthewomboftheircounsel,andgrowripe,andreadytobebroughtforth,thatthentheysuffernottheircoun—

seltogothroughwiththeresolutionanddirec—

tion,asifitdependedonthem;buttakethematterbackintotheirownhands,andmakeitappeartotheworld,thatthedecreesandfinaldirections(which,becausetheycomeforth,withprudenceandpower,areresembledtoPallasarmed)pro—

ceededfromthemselves;andnotonlyfromtheirauthority,but(themoretoaddreputationtothem—

selves)fromtheirheadanddevice.