Letusnowspeakoftheinconveniencesofcoun—
　　sel，andoftheremedies.Theinconveniencesthathavebeennoted，incallingandusingcounsel，arethree.First，therevealingofaffairs，wherebytheybecomelesssecret.Secondly，theweakeningoftheauthorityofprinces，asiftheywerelessofthem—
　　selves.Thirdly，thedangerofbeingunfaithfullycounselled，andmoreforthegoodofthemthatcounsel，thanofhimthatiscounselled.Forwhichinconveniences，thedoctrineofItaly，andpracticeofFrance，insomekings’times，hathintroducedcabinetcounsels;aremedyworsethanthedisease.
　　Astosecrecy;princesarenotboundtocommu—
　　nicateallmatters，withallcounsellors;butmayextractandselect.Neitherisitnecessary，thathethatconsultethwhatheshoulddo，shoulddeclarewhathewilldo.Butletprincesbeware，thattheunsecretingoftheiraffairs，comesnotfromthem—
　　selves.Andasforcabinetcounsels，itmaybetheirmotto，plenusrimarumsum：onefutileperson，thatmakethithisglorytotell，willdomorehurtthanmany，thatknowittheirdutytoconceal.Itistruetherebesomeaffairs，whichrequireextremesecrecy，whichwillhardlygobeyondoneortwopersons，besidestheking：neitherarethosecoun—
　　selsunprosperous;for，besidesthesecrecy，theyconunonlygoonconstantly，inonespiritofdirec—
　　tion，withoutdistraction.Butthenitmustbeaprudentking，suchasisabletogrindwithahand—
　　mill;andthoseinwardcounsellorshadneedalsobewisemen，andespeciallytrueandtrustytotheking’sends;asitwaswithKingHenrytheSeventhofEngland，who，inhisgreatbusiness，impartedhimselftonone，exceptitweretoMortonandFox.
　　Forweakeningofauthority;thefableshoweththeremedy.Nay，themajestyofkings，isratherexaltedthandiminished，whentheyareinthechairofcounsel;neitherwasthereeverprince，be—
　　reavedofhisdependences，byhiscounsel，exceptwheretherehathbeen，eitheranover—greatnessinonecounsellor，oranover—strictcombinationindivers;whicharethingssoonfound，andholpen.
　　Forthelastinconvenience，thatmenwillcoun—
　　sel，withaneyetothemselves;certainly，noninvenietfidemsuperterramismeant，ofthena—
　　tureoftimes，andnotofallparticularpersons.
　　Therebe，thatareinnaturefaithful，andsincere，andplain，anddirect;notcraftyandinvolved;letprinces，aboveall，drawtothemselvessuchna—
　　tures.Besides，counsellorsarenotcommonlysounited，butthatonecounsellor，keepethsentineloveranother;sothatifanydocounseloutoffac—
　　tionorprivateends，itcommonlycomestotheking’sear.Butthebestremedyis，ifprincesknowtheircounsellors，aswellastheircounsellorsknowthem：
　　Principisestvirtusmaximanossesuos.
　　Andontheotherside，counsellorsshouldnotbetoospeculativeintotheirsovereign’sperson.Thetruecompositionofacounsellor，israthertobeskilfulintheirmaster’sbusiness，thaninhisna—
　　ture;forthenheisliketoadvisehim，andnotfeedhishumor.Itisofsingularusetoprinces，iftheytaketheopinionsoftheircounsel，bothseparatelyandtogether.Forprivateopinionismorefree;
　　butopinionbeforeothers，ismorereverent.Inprivate，menaremoreboldintheirownhumors;
　　andinconsort，menaremoreobnoxioustoothers’
　　humors;thereforeitisgoodtotakeboth;andoftheinferiorsort，ratherinprivate，topreservefree—
　　dom;ofthegreater，ratherinconsort，topreserverespect.Itisinvainforprinces，totakecounselconcerningmatters，iftheytakenocounsellike—
　　wiseconcerningpersons;forallmattersareasdeadimages;andthelifeoftheexecutionofaf—
　　fairs，restethinthegoodchoiceofpersons.Neitherisitenough，toconsultconcerningpersonssecun—
　　dumgenera，asinanidea，ormathematicalde—
　　scription，whatthekindandcharacterofthepersonshouldbe;forthegreatesterrorsarecom—
　　mitted，andthemostjudgmentisshown，inthechoiceofindividuals.Itwastrulysaid，optimicon—
　　siliariimortui：bookswillspeakplain，whencoun—
　　sellorsblanch.Thereforeitisgoodtobeconversantinthem，speciallythebooksofsuchasthemselveshavebeenactorsuponthestage.
　　Thecounselsatthisday，inmostplaces，arebutfamiliarmeetings，wheremattersarerathertalkedon，thandebated.Andtheyruntooswift，totheorder，oract，ofcounsel.Itwerebetterthatincausesofweight，thematterwerepropoundedoneday，andnotspokentotillthenextday;innocteconsilium.SowasitdoneintheCommissionofUnion，betweenEnglandandScotland;whichwasagraveandorderlyassembly.Icommendsetdaysforpetitions;forbothitgivesthesudtorsmorecertaintyfortheirattendance，anditfreesthemeetingsformattersofestate，thattheymayhocagere.Inchoiceofcommittees;forripeningbusi—
　　nessforthecounsel，itisbettertochooseindifferentpersons，thantomakeanindifferency，byputtinginthose，thatarestrongonbothsides.Icommendalsostandingcommissions;asfortrade，fortreas—
　　ure，forwar，forsuits，forsomeprovinces;forwheretherebediversparticularcounsels，andbutonecounselofestate（asitisinSpain），theyare，ineffect，nomorethanstandingcommissions：savethattheyhavegreaterauthority.Letsuchasaretoinformcounsels，outoftheirparticularprofes—
　　sions（aslawyers，seamen，mintmen，andthelike）
　　befirstheardbeforecommittees;andthen，asoc—
　　casionserves，beforethecounsel.Andletthemnotcomeinmultitudes，orinatribunitiousmanner;
　　forthatistoclamorcounsels，nottoinformthem.
　　Alongtableandasquaretable，orseatsaboutthewalls，seemthingsofform，butarethingsofsub—
　　stance;foratalongtableafewattheupperend，ineffect，swayallthebusiness;butintheotherform，thereismoreuseofthecounsellors’opinions，thatsitlower.Aking，whenhepresidesincounsel，lethimbewarehowheopenshisowninclinationtoomuch，inthatwhichhepropoundeth;forelsecounsellorswillbuttakethewindofhim，andin—
　　steadofgivingfreecounsel，singhimasongofplacebo.
　　OfDelaysOfDelaysFORTUNEislikethemarket;wheremanytimesifyoucanstayalittle，thepricewillfall.
　　Again，itissometimeslikeSibylla’soffer;whichatfirst，offereththecommodityatfull，thencon—
　　sumethpartandpart，andstillholdethuptheprice.Foroccasion（asitisinthecommonverse）
　　turnethabaldnoddle，aftershehathpresentedherlocksinfront，andnoholdtaken;oratleastturneththehandleofthebottle，firsttobereceived，andafterthebelly，whichishardtoclasp.Thereissurelynogreaterwisdom，thanwelltotimethebeginnings，andonsets，ofthings.Dangersarenomorelight，iftheyonceseemlight;andmoredan—
　　gershavedeceivedmen，thanforcedthem.Nay，itwerebetter，tomeetsomedangershalfway，thoughtheycomenothingnear，thantokeeptoolongawatchupontheirapproaches;forifamanwatchtoolong，itisoddshewillfallasleep.Ontheotherside，tobedeceivedwithtoolongshadows（assomehavebeen，whenthemoonwaslow，andshoneontheirenemies’back），andsotoshootoffbeforethetime;ortoteachdangerstocomeon，byoverearlybucklingtowardsthem;isanotherex—
　　treme.Theripeness，orunripeness，oftheoccasion（aswesaid）musteverbewellweighed;andgener—
　　allyitisgood，tocommitthebeginningsofallgreatactionstoArgus，withhishundredeyes，andtheendstoBriareus，withhishundredhands;firsttowatch，andthentospeed.ForthehelmetofPluto，whichmakeththepoliticmangoinvisible，issecrecyinthecounsel，andcelerityintheexecu—
　　tion.Forwhenthingsareoncecometotheexecu—
　　tion，thereisnosecrecy，comparabletocelerity;
　　likethemotionofabulletintheair，whichfliethsoswift，asitoutrunstheeye.
　　OfCunningOfCunningWETAKEcunningforasinisterorcrookedwisdom.Andcertainlythereisagreatdif—
　　ference，betweenacunningman，andawiseman;
　　notonlyinpointofhonesty，butinpointofability.
　　Therebe，thatcanpackthecards，andyetcannotplaywell;sotherearesomethataregoodincan—
　　vassesandfactions，thatareotherwiseweakmen.
　　Again，itisonethingtounderstandpersons，andanotherthingtounderstandmatters;formanyareperfectinmen’shumors，thatarenotgreatlycapableoftherealpartofbusiness;whichistheconstitutionofonethathathstudiedmen，morethanbooks.Suchmenarefitterforpractice，thanforcounsel;andtheyaregood，butintheirownalley：turnthemtonewmen，andtheyhavelosttheiraim;soastheoldrule，toknowafoolfromawiseman，Mitteambosnudosadignotos，etvide—
　　bis，dothscarceholdforthem.Andbecausethesecunningmen，arelikehaberdashersofsmallwares，itisnotamisstosetforththeirshop.
　　Itisapointofcunning，towaituponhimwithwhomyouspeak，withyoureye;astheJesuitsgiveitinprecept：fortherebemanywisemen，thathavesecrethearts，andtransparentcountenances.
　　Yetthiswouldbedonewithademureabasingofyoureye，sometimes，astheJesuitsalsodouse.
　　Anotheris，thatwhenyouhaveanythingtoobtain，ofpresentdespatch，youentertainandamusetheparty，withwhomyoudeal，withsomeotherdiscourse;thathebenottoomuchawaketomakeobjections.Iknewacounsellorandsecre—
　　tary，thatnevercametoQueenElizabethofEng—
　　land，withbillstosign，buthewouldalwaysfirstputherintosomediscourseofestate，thatshemoughtthelessmindthebills.
　　Thelikesurprisemaybemadebymovingthings，whenthepartyisinhaste，andcannotstaytoconsideradvisedlyofthatismoved.
　　Ifamanwouldcrossabusiness，thathedoubtssomeotherwouldhandsomelyandeffectuallymove，lethimpretendtowishitwell，andmoveithimselfinsuchsortasmayfoilit.
　　Thebreakingoff，inthemidstofthatonewasabouttosay，asifhetookhimselfup，breedsagreaterappetiteinhimwithwhomyouconfer，toknowmore.
　　Andbecauseitworksbetter，whenanythingseemethtobegottenfromyoubyquestion，thanifyouofferitofyourself，youmaylayabaitforaquestion，byshowinganothervisage，andcounte—
　　nance，thanyouarewont;totheendtogiveocca—
　　sion，forthepartytoask，whatthematterisofthechange？AsNehemiasdid;AndIhadnotbeforethattime，beensadbeforetheking.
　　Inthingsthataretenderandunpleasing，itisgoodtobreaktheice，bysomewhosewordsareoflessweight，andtoreservethemoreweightyvoice，tocomeinasbychance，sothathemaybeaskedthequestionupontheother’sspeech：asNarcissusdid，relatingtoClaudiusthemarriageofMessa—
　　linaandSilius.
　　Inthingsthatamanwouldnotbeseeninhim—
　　self，itisapointofcunning，toborrowthenameoftheworld;astosay，Theworldsays，orThereisaspeechabroad.
　　Iknewonethat，whenhewrotealetter，hewouldputthat，whichwasmostmaterial，inthepostscript，asifithadbeenaby—matter.
　　Iknewanotherthat，whenhecametohavespeech，hewouldpassoverthat，thatheintendedmost;andgoforth，andcomebackagain，andspeakofitasofathing，thathehadalmostforgot.
　　Someprocurethemselves，tobesurprised，atsuchtimesasitislikethepartythattheyworkupon，willsuddenlycomeuponthem;andtobefoundwithaletterintheirhand，ordoingsome—
　　whatwhichtheyarenotaccustomed;totheend，theymaybeapposedofthosethings，whichofthemselvestheyaredesiroustoutter.
　　Itisapointofcunning，toletfallthosewordsinaman’sownname，whichhewouldhaveanothermanlearn，anduse，andthereupontakeadvan—
　　tage.Iknewtwo，thatwerecompetitorsforthesecretary’splaceinQueenElizabeth’stime，andyetkeptgoodquarterbetweenthemselves;andwouldconfer，onewithanother，uponthebusi—
　　ness;andtheoneofthemsaid，Thattobeasecre—
　　tary，inthedeclinationofamonarchy，wasaticklishthing，andthathedidnotaffectit：theotherstraightcaughtupthosewords，anddis—
　　coursedwithdiversofhisfriends，thathehadnoreasontodesiretobesecretary，inthedeclinationofamonarchy.Thefirstmantookholdofit，andfoundmeansitwastoldtheQueen;who，hearingofadeclinationofamonarchy，tookitsoill，asshewouldneverafterhearoftheother’ssuit.
　　Thereisacunning，whichweinEnglandcall，theturningofthecatinthepan;whichis，whenthatwhichamansaystoanother，helaysitasifanotherhadsaidittohim.Andtosaytruth，itisnoteasy，whensuchamatterpassedbetweentwo，tomakeitappearfromwhichofthemitfirstmovedandbegan.
　　Itisawaythatsomemenhave，toglanceanddartatothers，byjustifyingthemselvesbynega—
　　tives;astosay，ThisIdonot;asTigellinusdidtowardsBurrhus，Senondiversasspes，sedincolu—
　　mitatemimperatorissimpliciterspectare.
　　Somehaveinreadinesssomanytalesandstories，asthereisnothingtheywouldinsinuate，buttheycanwrapitintoatale;whichservethbothtokeepthemselvesmoreinguard，andtomakeotherscarryitwithmorepleasure.Itisagoodpointofcunning，foramantoshapetheanswerhewouldhave，inhisownwordsandpropositions;
　　foritmakestheotherpartysticktheless.
　　Itisstrangehowlongsomemenwilllieinwaittospeaksomewhattheydesiretosay;andhowfarabouttheywillfetch;andhowmanyothermat—
　　terstheywillbeatover，tocomenearit.Itisathingofgreatpatience，butyetofmuchuse.
　　Asudden，bold，andunexpectedquestiondothmanytimessurpriseaman，andlayhimopen.
　　Liketohimthat，havingchangedhisname，andwalkinginPaul’s，anothersuddenlycamebehindhim，andcalledhimbyhistruename，whereatstraightwayshelookedback.
　　Butthesesmallwares，andpettypoints，ofcun—
　　ning，areinfinite;anditwereagooddeedtomakealistofthem;forthatnothingdothmorehurtinastate，thanthatcunningmenpassforwise.
　　Butcertainlysometherearethatknowthere—
　　sortsandfallsofbusiness，thatcannotsinkintothemainofit;likeahousethathathconvenientstairsandentries，butneverafairroom.Therefore，youshallseethemfindoutprettyloosesinthecon—
　　clusion，butarenowaysabletoexamineordebatematters.Andyetcommonlytheytakeadvantageoftheirinability，andwouldbethoughtwitsofdirection.Somebuildratherupontheabusingofothers，and（aswenowsay）puttingtricksuponthem，thanuponsoundnessoftheirownproceed—
　　ings.ButSolomonsaith，Prudensadvertitadgres—
　　sussuos;stultusdivertitaddolos.
　　OfWisdomFORAMAN’SSELF
　　OfWisdomFORAMAN’SSELF
　　ANANTisawisecreatureforitself，butitisashrewdthing，inanorchardorgarden.Andcertainly，menthataregreatloversofthemselves，wastethepublic.Dividewithreason;betweenself—
　　loveandsociety;andbesotruetothyself，asthoubenotfalsetoothers;speciallytothykingandcountry.Itisapoorcentreofaman’sactions，him—
　　self.Itisrightearth.Forthatonlystandsfastuponhisowncentre;whereasallthings，thathaveaf—
　　finitywiththeheavens，moveuponthecentreofanother，whichtheybenefit.Thereferringofalltoaman’sself，ismoretolerableinasovereignprince;becausethemselvesarenotonlythem—
　　selves，buttheirgoodandevilisattheperilofthepublicfortune.Butitisadesperateevil，inaser—
　　vanttoaprince，oracitizeninarepublic.Forwhatsoeveraffairspasssuchaman’shands，hecrookeththemtohisownends;whichmustneedsbeofteneccentrictotheendsofhismaster，orstate.
　　Therefore，letprinces，orstates，choosesuchser—
　　vants，ashavenotthismark;excepttheymeantheirserviceshouldbemadebuttheaccessory.
　　Thatwhichmakeththeeffectmorepernicious，isthatallproportionislost.Itweredisproportionenough，fortheservant’sgoodtobepreferredbe—
　　forethemaster’s;butyetitisagreaterextreme，whenalittlegoodoftheservant，shallcarrythingsagainstagreatgoodofthemaster’s.Andyetthatisthecaseofbadofficers，treasurers，ambassadors，generals，andotherfalseandcorruptservants;
　　whichsetabiasupontheirbowl，oftheirownpettyendsandenvies，totheoverthrowoftheirmaster’sgreatandimportantaffairs.Andforthemostpart，thegoodsuchservantsreceive，isafterthemodeloftheirownfortune;butthehurttheysellforthatgood，isafterthemodeloftheirmaster’sfortune.Andcertainlyitisthenatureofextremeself—lovers，astheywillsetanhouseonfire，anditwerebuttoroasttheireggs;andyetthesemenmanytimesholdcreditwiththeirmasters，becausetheirstudyisbuttopleasethem，andprofitthemselves;andforeitherrespect，theywillaban—
　　donthegoodoftheiraffairs.
　　Wisdomforaman’sselfis，inmanybranchesthereof，adepravedthing.Itisthewisdomofrats，thatwillbesuretoleaveahouse，somewhatbeforeitfall.Itisthewisdomofthefox，thatthrustsoutthebadger，whodiggedandmaderoomforhim.
　　Itisthewisdomofcrocodiles，thatshedtearswhentheywoulddevour.Butthatwhichisspeciallytobenotedis，thatthosewhich（asCicerosaysofPompey）aresuiamantes，sinerivali，aremanytimesunfortunate.Andwhereastheyhave，alltheirtimes，sacrificedtothemselves，theybecomeintheend，themselvessacrificestotheinconstancyoffortune，whosewingstheythought，bytheirself—wisdom，tohavepinioned.
　　OfInnovationsOfInnovationsASTHEbirthsoflivingcreatures，atfirstareill—
　　shapen，soareallinnovations，whicharethebirthsoftime.Yetnotwithstanding，asthosethatfirstbringhonorintotheirfamily，arecommonlymoreworthythanmostthatsucceed，sothefirstprecedent（ifitbegood）isseldomattainedbyimitation.Forill，toman’snature，asitstandsperverted，hathanaturalmotion，strongestincon—
　　tinuance;butgood，asaforcedmotion，strongestatfirst.Surelyeverymedicineisaninnovation;
　　andhethatwillnotapplynewremedies，mustexpectnewevils;fortimeisthegreatestinnovator;
　　andiftimeofcoursealterthingstotheworse，andwisdomandcounselshallnotalterthemtothebetter，whatshallbetheend？Itistrue，thatwhatissettledbycustom，thoughitbenotgood，yetatleastitisfit;andthosethingswhichhavelonggonetogether，are，asitwere，confederatewithinthemselves;whereasnewthingspiecenotsowell;
　　butthoughtheyhelpbytheirutility，yettheytroublebytheirinconformity.Besides，theyarelikestrangers;moreadmired，andlessfavored.Allthisistrue，iftimestoodstill;whichcontrariwisemovethsoround，thatafrowardretentionofcus—
　　tom，isasturbulentathingasaninnovation;andtheythatreverencetoomucholdtimes，arebutascorntothenew.Itweregood，therefore，thatmenintheirinnovationswouldfollowtheexampleoftimeitself;whichindeedinnovatethgreatly，butquietly，bydegreesscarcetobeperceived.Forotherwise，whatsoeverisnewisunlookedfor;andeveritmendssome，andpairsothers;andhethatisholpen，takesitforafortune，andthanksthetime;andhethatishurt，forawrong，andimput—
　　ethittotheauthor.Itisgoodalso，nottotryexperi—
　　mentsinstates，exceptthenecessitybeurgent，ortheutilityevident;andwelltobeware，thatitbethereformation，thatdrawethonthechange，andnotthedesireofchange，thatpretendeththerefor—
　　mation.Andlastly，thatthenovelty，thoughitbenotrejected，yetbeheldforasuspect;and，astheScripturesaith，thatwemakeastandupontheancientway，andthenlookaboutus，anddiscoverwhatisthestraightandrightway，andsotowalkinit.
　　OfDispatchOfDispatchAFFECTEDdispatchisoneofthemostdanger—
　　ousthingstobusinessthatcanbe.Itislikethat，whichthephysicianscallpredigestion，orhastydigestion;whichissuretofillthebodyfullofcrudities，andsecretseedsofdiseases.Thereforemeasurenotdispatch，bythetimesofsitting，butbytheadvancementofthebusiness.Andasinracesitisnotthelargestrideorhighliftthatmakesthespeed;soinbusiness，thekeepingclosetothematter，andnottakingofittoomuchatonce，pro—
　　curethdispatch.Itisthecareofsome，onlytocomeoffspeedilyforthetime;ortocontrivesomefalseperiodsofbusiness，becausetheymayseemmenofdispatch.Butitisonething，toabbreviatebycontracting，anotherbycuttingoff.Andbusinesssohandled，atseveralsittingsormeetings，goethcommonlybackwardandforwardinanunsteadymanner.Iknewawisemanthathaditforaby—
　　word，whenhesawmenhastentoaconclusion，Stayalittle，thatwemaymakeanendthesooner.
　　Ontheotherside，truedispatchisarichthing.
　　Fortimeisthemeasureofbusiness，asmoneyisofwares;andbusinessisboughtatadearhand，wherethereissmalldispatch.TheSpartansandSpaniardshavebeennotedtobeofsmalldispatch;
　　MivengalamuertedeSpagna;LetmydeathcomefromSpain;forthenitwillbesuretobelongincoming.
　　Givegoodhearingtothose，thatgivethefirstinformationinbusiness;andratherdirecttheminthebeginning，thaninterrupttheminthecon—
　　tinuanceoftheirspeeches;forhethatisputoutofhisownorder，willgoforwardandbackward，andbemoretedious，whilehewaitsuponhismemory，thanhecouldhavebeen，ifhehadgoneoninhisowncourse.Butsometimesitisseen，thatthemoderatorismoretroublesome，thantheactor.
　　Iterationsarecommonlylossoftime.Butthereisnosuchgainoftime，astoiterateoftenthestateofthequestion;foritchasethawaymanyafrivo—
　　lousspeech，asitiscomingforth.Longandcuriousspeeches，areasfitfordispatch，asarobeormantle，withalongtrain，isforrace.Prefacesandpas—
　　sages，andexcusations，andotherspeechesofrefer—
　　encetotheperson，aregreatwastesoftime;andthoughtheyseemtoproceedofmodesty，theyarebravery.Yetbewareofbeingtoomaterial，whenthereisanyimpedimentorobstructioninmen’swills;forpre—occupationofmindeverrequirethprefaceofspeech;likeafomentationtomaketheunguententer.
　　Aboveallthings，order，anddistribution，andsinglingoutofparts，isthelifeofdispatch;soasthedistributionbenottoosubtle：forhethatdothnotdivide，willneverenterwellintobusiness;andhethatdividethtoomuch，willnevercomeoutofitclearly.Tochoosetime，istosavetime;andanun—
　　seasonablemotion，isbutbeatingtheair.Therebethreepartsofbusiness;thepreparation，thedebateorexamination，andtheperfection.Whereof，ifyoulookfordispatch，letthemiddleonlybetheworkofmany，andthefirstandlasttheworkoffew.Theproceedinguponsomewhatconceivedinwriting，dothforthemostpartfacilitatedispatch：
　　forthoughitshouldbewhollyrejected，yetthatnegativeismorepregnantofdirection，thananindefinite;asashesaremoregenerativethandust.
　　OfSeemingWiseOfSeemingWiseITHATHbeenanopinion，thattheFrencharewiserthantheyseem，andtheSpaniardsseemwiserthantheyare.Buthowsoeveritbebetweennations，certainlyitissobetweenmanandman.
　　ForastheApostlesaithofgodliness，Havingashowofgodliness，butdenyingthepowerthereof;
　　socertainlythereare，inpointofwisdomandsuf—
　　ficiently，thatdonothingorlittleverysolemnly：
　　magnoconatunugas.Itisaridiculousthing，andfitforasatiretopersonsofjudgment，toseewhatshiftstheseformalistshave，andwhatprospectivestomakesuperficiestoseembody，thathathdepthandbulk.Somearesocloseandreserved，astheywillnotshowtheirwares，butbyadarklight;andseemalwaystokeepbacksomewhat;andwhentheyknowwithinthemselves，theyspeakofthattheydonotwellknow，wouldneverthelessseemtoothers，toknowofthatwhichtheymaynotwellspeak.Somehelpthemselveswithcountenanceandgesture，andarewisebysigns;asCicerosaithofPiso，thatwhenheansweredhim，hefetchedoneofhisbrowsuptohisforehead，andbenttheotherdowntohischin;Respondes，alteroadfron—
　　temsublato，alteroadmentumdepressosuper—
　　cilio，crudelitatemtibinonplacere.Somethinktobearitbyspeakingagreatword，andbeingper—
　　emptory;andgoon，andtakebyadmittance，thatwhichtheycannotmakegood.Some，whatsoeverisbeyondtheirreach，willseemtodespise，ormakelightofit，asimpertinentorcurious;andsowouldhavetheirignoranceseemjudgment.Someareneverwithoutadifference，andcommonlybyamusingmenwithasubtilty，blanchthematter;
　　ofwhomA.Gelliussaith，Hominemdelirum，quiverborumminutiisrerumfrangitpondera.Ofwhichkindalso，Plato，inhisProtagoras，bringethinProdiusinscorn，andmakethhimmakeaspeech，thatconsistethofdistinctionfromthebe—
　　ginningtotheend.Generally，suchmeninalldeliberationsfindeasetobeofthenegativeside，andaffectacredittoobjectandforetelldifficul—
　　ties;forwhenpropositionsaredenied，thereisanendofthem;butiftheybeallowed，itrequirethanewwork;whichfalsepointofwisdomisthebaneofbusiness.Toconclude，thereisnodecayingmer—
　　chant，orinwardbeggar，hathsomanytrickstoupholdthecreditoftheirwealth，astheseemptypersonshave，tomaintainthecreditoftheirsuf—
　　ficiency.Seemingwisemenmaymakeshifttogetopinion;butletnomanchoosethemforemploy—
　　ment;forcertainlyyouwerebettertakeforbusi—
　　ness，amansomewhatabsurd，thanover—formal.
　　OfFriendshipOfFriendshipITHADbeenhardforhimthatspakeittohaveputmoretruthanduntruthtogetherinfewwords，thaninthatspeech，Whatsoeverisdelightedinsolitude，iseitherawildbeastoragod.Foritismosttrue，thatanaturalandsecrethatred，andaversationtowardssociety，inanyman，hathsomewhatofthesavagebeast;butitismostun—
　　true，thatitshouldhaveanycharacteratall，ofthedivinenature;exceptitproceed，notoutofapleas—
　　ureinsolitude，butoutofaloveanddesiretosequesteraman’sself，forahigherconversation：
　　suchasisfoundtohavebeenfalselyandfeignedlyinsomeoftheheathen;asEpimenidestheCan—
　　dian，NumatheRoman，EmpedoclestheSicilian，andApolloniusofTyana;andtrulyandreally，indiversoftheancienthermitsandholyfathersofthechurch.Butlittledomenperceivewhatsoli—
　　tudeis，andhowfaritextendeth.Foracrowdisnotcompany;andfacesarebutagalleryofpic—
　　tures;andtalkbutatinklingcymbal，wherethereisnolove.TheLatinadagemeetethwithitalittle：Magnacivitas，magnasolitudo;becauseinagreattownfriendsarescattered;sothatthereisnotthatfellowship，forthemostpart，whichisinlessneighborhoods.Butwemaygofurther，andaffirmmosttruly，thatitisamereandmiserablesolitudetowanttruefriends;withoutwhichtheworldisbutawilderness;andeveninthissensealsoofsolitude，whosoeverintheframeofhisnatureandaffections，isunfitforfriendship，hetakethitofthebeast，andnotfromhumanity.
　　Aprincipalfruitoffriendship，istheeaseanddischargeofthefulnessandswellingsoftheheart，whichpassionsofallkindsdocauseandinduce.
　　Weknowdiseasesofstoppings，andsuffocations，arethemostdangerousinthebody;anditisnotmuchotherwiseinthemind;youmaytakesarzatoopentheliver，steeltoopenthespleen，flowersofsulphurforthelungs，castoreumforthebrain;
　　butnoreceiptopeneththeheart，butatruefriend;
　　towhomyoumayimpartgriefs，joys，fears，hopes，suspicions，counsels，andwhatsoeverliethuponthehearttooppressit，inakindofcivilshriftorconfession.
　　Itisastrangethingtoobserve，howhigharategreatkingsandmonarchsdosetuponthisfruitoffriendship，whereofwespeak：sogreat，astheypurchaseit，manytimes，atthehazardoftheirownsafetyandgreatness.Forprinces，inregardofthedistanceoftheirfortunefromthatoftheirsubjectsandservants，cannotgatherthisfruit，ex—
　　cept（tomakethemselvescapablethereof）theyraisesomepersonstobe，asitwere，companionsandalmostequalstothemselves，whichmanytimessortethtoinconvenience.Themodernlan—
　　guagesgiveuntosuchpersonsthenameoffavor—
　　ites，orprivadoes;asifitwerematterofgrace，orconversation.ButtheRomannameattaineththetrueuseandcausethereof，namingthemparti—
　　cipescurarum;foritisthatwhichtieththeknot.
　　Andweseeplainlythatthishathbeendone，notbyweakandpassionateprincesonly，butbythewisestandmostpoliticthateverreigned;whohaveoftentimesjoinedtothemselvessomeoftheirservants;whomboththemselveshavecalledfriends，andallowedotherlikewisetocalltheminthesamemanner;usingthewordwhichisre—
　　ceivedbetweenprivatemen.
　　L.Sylla，whenhecommandedRome，raisedPompey（aftersurnamedtheGreat）tothatheight，thatPompeyvauntedhimselfforSylla’sover—
　　match.Forwhenhehadcarriedtheconsulshipforafriendofhis，againstthepursuitofSylla，andthatSylladidalittleresentthereat，andbegantospeakgreat，Pompeyturneduponhimagain，andineffectbadehimbequiet;forthatmoremenadoredthesunrising，thanthesunsetting.WithJuliusCaesar，DecimusBrutushadobtainedthatinterestashesethimdowninhistestament，forheirinremainder，afterhisnephew.Andthiswasthemanthathadpowerwithhim，todrawhimforthtohisdeath.ForwhenCaesarwouldhavedischargedthesenate，inregardofsomeillpres—
　　ages，andspeciallyadreamofCalpurnia;thismanliftedhimgentlybythearmoutofhischair，tellinghimhehopedhewouldnotdismissthesenate，tillhiswifehaddreamtabetterdream.
　　Anditseemethhisfavorwassogreat，asAntonius，inaletterwhichisrecitedverbatiminoneofCicero’sPhilippics，callethhimvenefica，witch;
　　asifhehadenchantedCaesar.AugustusraisedAgrippa（thoughofmeanbirth）tothatheight，aswhenheconsultedwithMaecenas，aboutthemar—
　　riageofhisdaughterJulia，Maecenastookthelibertytotellhim，thathemusteithermarryhisdaughtertoAgrippa，ortakeawayhislife;therewasnothirdway，hehadmadehimsogreat.WithTiberiusCaesar，Sejanushadascendedtothatheight，astheytwoweretermed，andreckoned，asapairoffriends.Tiberiusinalettertohimsaith，Haecproamicitianostranonoccultavi;andthewholesenatededicatedanaltartoFriendship，astoagoddess，inrespectofthegreatdearnessoffriendship，betweenthemtwo.Thelike，ormore，wasbetweenSeptimiusSeverusandPlautianus.
　　ForheforcedhiseldestsontomarrythedaughterofPlautianus;andwouldoftenmaintainPlau—
　　tianus，indoingaffrontstohisson;anddidwritealsoinalettertothesenate，bythesewords：Ilovethemansowell，asIwishhemayover—liveme.
　　NowiftheseprinceshadbeenasaTrajan，oraMarcusAurelius，amanmighthavethoughtthatthishadproceededofanabundantgoodnessofnature;butbeingmensowise，ofsuchstrengthandseverityofmind，andsoextremeloversofthemselves，asallthesewere，itprovethmostplainlythattheyfoundtheirownfelicity（thoughasgreataseverhappenedtomortalmen）butasanhalfpiece，excepttheymoughthaveafriend，tomakeitentire;andyet，whichismore，theywereprincesthathadwives，sons，nephews;andyetallthesecouldnotsupplythecomfortoffriend—
　　ship.
　　Itisnottobeforgotten，whatComineusobserv—
　　ethofhisfirstmaster，DukeCharlestheHardy，namely，thathewouldcommunicatehissecretswithnone;andleastofall，thosesecretswhichtroubledhimmost.Whereuponhegoethon，andsaiththattowardshislattertime，thatclosenessdidimpair，andalittleperishhisunderstanding.
　　SurelyComineusmoughthavemadethesamejudgmentalso，ifithadpleasedhim，ofhissecondmaster，LewistheEleventh，whoseclosenesswasindeedhistormentor.TheparableofPythagorasisdark，buttrue;Corneedito;Eatnottheheart.
　　Certainly，ifamanwouldgiveitahardphrase，thosethatwantfriends，toopenthemselvesunto，arecarnnibalsoftheirownhearts.Butonethingismostadmirable（wherewithIwillconcludethisfirstfruitoffriendship），whichis，thatthiscom—
　　municatingofaman’sselftohisfriend，workstwocontraryeffects;foritredoublethjoys，andcuttethgriefsinhalves.Forthereisnoman，thatimpartethhisjoystohisfriend，buthejoyeththemore;andnomanthatimpartethhisgriefstohisfriend，buthegrieveththeless.Sothatitisintruth，ofoperationuponaman’smind，oflikevirtueasthealchemistsusetoattributetotheirstone，forman’sbody;thatitworkethallcontraryeffects，butstilltothegoodandbenefitofnature.Butyetwithoutprayinginaidofalchemists，thereisamanifestimageofthis，intheordinarycourseofnature.Forinbodies，unionstrengthenethandcherishethanynaturalaction;andontheotherside，weakenethanddullethanyviolentimpres—
　　sion：andevensoitisofminds.
　　Thesecondfruitoffriendship，ishealthfulandsovereignfortheunderstanding，asthefirstisfortheaffections.Forfriendshipmakethindeedafairdayintheaffections，fromstormandtempests;butitmakethdaylightintheunderstanding，outofdarkness，andconfusionofthoughts.Neitheristhistobeunderstoodonlyoffaithfulcounsel，whichamanreceivethfromhisfriend;butbeforeyoucometothat，certainitis，thatwhosoeverhathhismindfraughtwithmanythoughts，hiswitsandunderstandingdoclarifyandbreakup，inthecommunicatinganddiscoursingwithanother;hetossethhisthoughtsmoreeasily;hemarshalleththemmoreorderly，heseethhowtheylookwhentheyareturnedintowords：finally，hewaxethwiserthanhimself;andthatmorebyanhour’sdiscourse，thanbyaday’smeditation.ItwaswellsaidbyThemistocles，tothekingofPersia，ThatspeechwaslikeclothofArras，openedandputabroad;wherebytheimagerydothappearinfigure;whereasinthoughtstheyliebutasinpacks.Neitheristhissecondfruitoffriendship，inopeningtheunderstanding，restrainedonlytosuchfriendsasareabletogiveamancounsel;
　　（theyindeedarebest;）butevenwithoutthat，amanlearnethofhimself，andbringethhisownthoughtstolight，andwhettethhiswitsasagainstastone，whichitselfcutsnot.Inaword，amanwerebetterrelatehimselftoastatua，orpicture，thantosufferhisthoughtstopassinsmother.
　　Addnow，tomakethissecondfruitoffriendshipcomplete，thatotherpoint，whichliethmoreopen，andfallethwithinvulgarobservation;whichisfaithfulcounselfromafriend.Heraclitussaithwellinoneofhisenigmas，Drylightiseverthebest.Andcertainitis，thatthelightthatamanreceivethbycounselfromanother，isdrierandpurer，thanthatwhichcomethfromhisownunderstandingandjudgment;whichiseverin—
　　fused，anddrenched，inhisaffectionsandcustoms.
　　Soasthereisasmuchdifferencebetweenthecoun—
　　sel，thatafriendgiveth，andthatamangivethhimself，asthereisbetweenthecounselofafriend，andofaflatterer.Forthereisnosuchflattererasisaman’sself;andthereisnosuchremedyagainstflatteryofaman’sself，asthelibertyofafriend.
　　Counselisoftwosorts：theoneconcerningman—
　　ners，theotherconcerningbusiness.Forthefirst，thebestpreservativetokeepthemindinhealth，isthefaithfuladmonitionofafriend.Thecallingofaman’sselftoastrictaccount，isamedicine，some—
　　timetoopiercingandcorrosive.Readinggoodbooksofmorality，isalittleflatanddead.Observ—
　　ingourfaultsinothers，issometimesimproperforourcase.Butthebestreceipt（best，Isay，towork，andbesttotake）istheadmonitionofafriend.
　　Itisastrangethingtobehold，whatgrosserrorsandextremeabsurditiesmany（especiallyofthegreatersort）docommit，forwantofafriendtotellthemofthem;tothegreatdamagebothoftheirfameandfortune：for，asSt.Jamessaith，theyareasmenthatlooksometimesintoaglass，andpres—
　　entlyforgettheirownshapeandfavor.Asforbusiness，amanmaythink，ifhewin，thattwoeyesseenomorethanone;orthatagamesterseethalwaysmorethanalooker—on;orthatamaninanger，isaswiseashethathathsaidoverthefourandtwentyletters;orthatamusketmaybeshotoffaswelluponthearm，asuponarest;andsuchotherfondandhighimaginations，tothinkhim—
　　selfallinall.Butwhenallisdone，thehelpofgoodcounsel，isthatwhichsettethbusinessstraight.
　　Andifanymanthinkthathewilltakecounsel，butitshallbebypieces;askingcounselinonebusiness，ofoneman，andinanotherbusiness，ofanotherman;itiswell（thatistosay，better，per—
　　haps，thanifheaskednoneatall）;butherunnethtwodangers：one，thatheshallnotbefaithfullycounselled;foritisararething，exceptitbefromaperfectandentirefriend，tohavecounselgiven，butsuchasshallbebowedandcrookedtosomeends，whichhehath，thatgivethit.Theother，thatheshallhavecounselgiven，hurtfulandunsafe（thoughwithgoodmeaning），andmixedpartlyofmischiefandpartlyofremedy;evenasifyouwouldcallaphysician，thatisthoughtgoodforthecureofthediseaseyoucomplainof，butisunac—
　　quaintedwithyourbody;andthereforemayputyouinwayforapresentcure，butoverthrowethyourhealthinsomeotherkind;andsocurethedisease，andkillthepatient.Butafriendthatiswhollyacquaintedwithaman’sestate，willbe—
　　ware，byfurtheringanypresentbusiness，howhedashethuponotherinconvenience.Andthereforerestnotuponscatteredcounsels;theywillratherdistractandmislead，thansettleanddirect.
　　Afterthesetwonoblefruitsoffriendship（peaceintheaffections，andsupportofthejudgment），followeththelastfruit;whichislikethepome—
　　granate，fullofmanykernels;Imeanaid，andbearingapart，inallactionsandoccasions.Herethebestwaytorepresenttolifethemanifolduseoffriendship，istocastandseehowmanythingsthereare，whichamancannotdohimself;andthenitwillappear，thatitwasasparingspeechoftheancients，tosay，thatafriendisanotherhim—
　　self;forthatafriendisfarmorethanhimself.
　　Menhavetheirtime，anddiemanytimes，inde—
　　sireofsomethingswhichtheyprincipallytaketoheart;thebestowingofachild，thefinishingofawork，orthelike.Ifamanhaveatruefriend，hemayrestalmostsecurethatthecareofthosethingswillcontinueafterhim.Sothatamanhath，asitwere，twolivesinhisdesires.Amanhathabody，andthatbodyisconfinedtoaplace;butwherefriendshipis，allofficesoflifeareasitweregrantedtohim，andhisdeputy.Forhemayexercisethembyhisfriend.Howmanythingsaretherewhichamancannot，withanyfaceorcomeliness，sayordohimself？Amancanscarceallegehisownmeritswithmodesty，muchlessextolthem;amancannotsometimesbrooktosupplicateorbeg;andanumberofthelike.Butallthesethingsaregrace—
　　ful，inafriend’smouth，whichareblushinginaman’sown.Soagain，aman’spersonhathmanyproperrelations，whichhecannotputoff.Amancannotspeaktohissonbutasafather;tohiswifebutasahusband;tohisenemybutuponterms：
　　whereasafriendmayspeakasthecaserequires，andnotasitsortethwiththeperson.Buttoenu—
　　meratethesethingswereendless;Ihavegiventherule，whereamancannotfitlyplayhisownpart;
　　ifhehavenotafriend，hemayquitthestage.
　　OfExpenseOfExpenseRICHESareforspending，andspendingforhonorandgoodactions.Thereforeextra—
　　ordinaryexpensemustbelimitedbytheworthoftheoccasion;forvoluntaryundoing，maybeaswellforaman’scountry，asforthekingdomofheaven.Butordinaryexpense，oughttobelimitedbyaman’sestate;andgovernedwithsuchregard，asitbewithinhiscompass;andnotsubjecttode—
　　ceitandabuseofservants;andorderedtothebestshow，thatthebillsmaybelessthantheestima—
　　tionabroad.Certainly，ifamanwillkeepbutofevenhand，hisordinaryexpensesoughttobebuttothehalfofhisreceipts;andifhethinktowaxrich，buttothethirdpart.Itisnobaseness，forthegreatesttodescendandlookintotheirownestate.
　　Someforbearit，notuponnegligencealone，butdoubtingtobringthemselvesintomelancholy，inrespecttheyshallfinditbroken.Butwoundscan—
　　notbecuredwithoutsearching.Hethatcannotlookintohisownestateatall，hadneedbothchoosewellthosewhomheemployeth，andchangethemoften;fornewaremoretimorousandlesssubtle.
　　Hethatcanlookintohisestatebutseldom，itbe—
　　hoovethhimtoturnalltocertainties.Amanhadneed，ifhebeplentifulinsomekindofexpense，tobeassavingagaininsomeother.Asifhebeplenti—
　　fulindiet，tobesavinginapparel;ifhebeplenti—
　　fulinthehall，tobesavinginthestable;andthelike.Forhethatisplentifulinexpensesofallkinds，willhardlybepreservedfromdecay.Inclearingofaman’sestate，hemayaswellhurthimselfinbeingtoosudden，asinlettingitrunontoolong.
　　Forhastyselling，iscommonlyasdisadvantage—
　　ableasinterest.Besides，hethatclearsatoncewillrelapse;forfindinghimselfoutofstraits，hewillreverttohiscustom：buthethatclearethbyde—
　　grees，inducethahabitoffrugality，andgainethaswelluponhismind，asuponhisestate.Cer—
　　tainly，whohathastatetorepair，maynotdespisesmallthings;andcommonlyitislessdishonor—
　　able，toabridgepettycharges，thantostooptopettygettings.Amanoughtwarilytobeginchargeswhichoncebegunwillcontinue;butinmattersthatreturnnot，hemaybemoremagnificent.
　　OftheTrueGREATNESSOFKINGDOMSANDESTATES
　　OftheTrueGREATNESSOFKINGDOMSANDESTATES
　　THEspeechofThemistoclestheAthenian，whichwashaughtyandarrogant，intakingsomuchtohimself，hadbeenagraveandwiseobservationandcensure，appliedatlargetoothers.
　　Desiredatafeasttotouchalute，hesaid，Hecouldnotfiddle，butyethecouldmakeasmalltown，agreatcity.Thesewords（holpenalittlewithametaphor）mayexpresstwodifferingabilities，inthosethatdealinbusinessofestate.Forifatruesurveybetakenofcounsellorsandstatesmen，theremaybefound（thoughrarely）thosewhichcanmakeasmallstategreat，andyetcannotfid—
　　dle;asontheotherside，therewillbefoundagreatmany，thatcanfiddleverycunningly，butyetaresofarfrombeingabletomakeasmallstategreat，astheirgiftlieththeotherway;tobringagreatandflourishingestate，toruinanddecay.Andcer—
　　tainlywhosedegenerateartsandshifts，wherebymanycounsellorsandgovernorsgainbothfavorwiththeirmasters，andestimationwiththevulgar，deservenobetternamethanfiddling;beingthingsratherpleasingforthetime，andgracefultothem—
　　selvesonly，thantendingtothewealandadvance—
　　mentofthestatewhichtheyserve.Therearealso（nodoubt）counsellorsandgovernorswhichmaybeheldsufficient（negotiispares），abletomanageaffairs，andtokeepthemfromprecipicesandmanifestinconveniences;whichneverthelessarefarfromtheabilitytoraiseandamplifyanestateinpower，means，andfortune.Butbetheworkmenwhattheymaybe，letusspeakofthework;thatis，thetruegreatnessofkingdomsandestates，andthemeansthereof.Anargumentfitforgreatandmightyprincestohaveintheirhand;totheendthatneitherbyover—measuringtheirforces，theyleesethemselvesinvainenterprises;norontheotherside，byundervaluingthem，theydescendtofearfulandpusillanimouscounsels.
　　Thegreatnessofanestate，inbulkandterritory，dothfallundermeasure;andthegreatnessoffinancesandrevenue，dothfallundercomputa—
　　tion.Thepopulationmayappearbymusters;andthenumberandgreatnessofcitiesandtownsbycardsandmaps.Butyetthereisnotanythingamongstcivilaffairsmoresubjecttoerror，thantherightvaluationandtruejudgmentconcerningthepowerandforcesofanestate.Thekingdomofheaveniscompared，nottoanygreatkernelornut，buttoagrainofmustard—seed：whichisoneoftheleastgrains，buthathinitapropertyandspirithastilytogetupandspread.Soaretherestates，greatinterritory，andyetnotapttoenlargeorcommand;andsomethathavebutasmalldimen—
　　sionofstem，andyetapttobethefoundationsofgreatmonarchies.