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LIBRARY
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THE
Mtxttspf €mtmmtnu
V:>7| — • - A N D
Mifteries of State,
Plainly laid open, in ajl the feveral
Forms of Government
I N T H E
CHRISTIAN WORLD.
Publifliedby
yOHN MILTON, Efq;
Printed in the Year, 1697.
i^\'
T O T H E
READER.
Aving had the Ma-
nufcript of this Trea-
tife, Written by Sir
Walter Raleigh, many Years
in my Hands, and finding
it lately by chance among
other Books and Papers ,
upon reading thereof, I
thought it a kind of In-
jury to withhold longa" the
Work of fo Eminent anAu-
thor from the Publick ; it
being both anlwerable in
I • A ^ Stile
41
To the Reader.
Stils to other Works of his
already Extant, as far as the
Siibjecil would permit, and
given me for a true Copy
by a Learned Man at his
Death, who had Gollcded
feveral fuch Pieces. ■
fohn Milton,
T H E
THE
Principal Contents.
CHAP. I.
THE Definition and Divifion ofPu^
hlick Wedes and Sovereign States^
according to their Jeveral Species or
Kjnds Page i
Chap, 2. Of Sovereign or Monarchick Go-
vernment^ with its Ef[ential Marks and
Spcifcal Differences P, ^
Chap. 3. Of Monarchies Seigniorily exem^
plified in the Turkijh aud ]Vefi-Indian
Empire P. 6
Chap. 4. Of Monarchies Rojaly with the
Means to maintain them P. 8
Chap. 5 . Of Monarchies Tyrannical P. 1 1
Chap. 6. Of New-found Monarchies and
Principalities y with the Means to perpe^
. t'uate them P. 1 2
Chap,
The Contents.
Chap. 7» Of Councils and Counfellors m
general P" ^7
Chap. 8. Of Councils in feme particular
Monarchies^ Arifiocraties and Demo^
craties P. 18
Chap. 9. Of Officers and Commiffionersy
with their reJpeBive DifiinBions P. 2 1
Chap. 10. Of MagiJlrateSy their Qualifi-
cations and Elections P. 22
Chap. 1 1 . Ohfervations intrinfically con-
cerning every Publick State in Points of
Jufiice^ Treafure and War P. 24
Chap. 12. Extrinfick Obferv at ions j (hew-
ing how to deal with Neighbor Princes
and Provinces rejpeciively^ how to pre^
vent their DefignSy and decyfher their
Intendments P. jo
Chap. I J. Obfervations confirmed by Au-
thorities of Princes and PrincipalitieSy
Charactering an Excellent Prime or
Governor P' ? 5
Chap. 14. Of the Princes intimate Coun-
fellors and Minifters of State , with
their fever al R equiftes P« 4 1
Chap. 1 5. The Art of Rulings or Myftery
of Regiment F. 48
Chap.
The Contents.
Chap. 1 6 Of Princely Authority ywherei^
it conftfiSy and how far to be extended
and delegated P. 51
Chap* 17. Of Power and Force) and how
to he raifed and maintained P- 5 ?
Chap. 18. Of Conjpiracy and Treafon^
mth the Caufes^ and ways of Prevention
or Dijcovery P- 5 5
Chap. 1 9. OfPuhlick Hate andContempj
with the Occafions and Means to redref
and avoid it P. 5^
Chap. 20. Of Diffidence and Difflmulation
in the Management of State Affairs
P. 67
Chap. 21.0/ War Defenfive and Inva-
five ; with luflruEtions touching Laws
of Arms y Soldiers and Military Difci*
fline P. 70
Chap. 22. Of Generals and Commanders^
and their re^quifite Abilities in T^Urtid
Enterfrifes and Expeditions P. 8 j
Chap. 23. Of Councils in War^ and Di^
reCtions Ta5tick and Stratagematick\
with Advice how to make an honor abU
. Peace P. 87
Chap. 24. Of Civil War^ with the Caufes
and Remedies thereof P- 97
Qhap.
The Contents.
Chap. 2^, A CoHeBion of Political Oh^
fervAtions ^confirmed by Keafdn ani
Experience) advert ifing Princes^ Statef-
men J and Private Perfbns how to
demean themf elves in all Fortunes and
Events P. 107
Chap. 26. Maxims of St ate ^ or Prud.ential
Grounds and Polemical Precepts^ con^
cerning all EJlates^ and Forms of Policy
in titnes of Peace or War^ Sec confirmed
by Select Narrations , and Htflorical
Parallels P* 1S4
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE Excellent Woman delcribed By her
True Characters, and their Oppofites.
Printed for J. V/attSi
THE
The Secrets of Government,
AND
Mifteries of State,
Plainly laid open.
CHAP. I.
The Definition and Divifion of
Publick Weales and Sovereign
States J according to their fevc'^
ral Species or Kinds.
A Common- wealth is a certain So-
vereigii Government of many
Families, with thofe things that
are common among them.
■ ' are cither <^rtfiocraUes, or
are citner CDmocrMies.
^ The Secrets of Government
^ A Momrchj is that State where the
Sovereignty refteth in the Perfonof one
only Prince.
Kn Jrifiocraty^ is where feme fmall
part of the People have in them as a Body
corporate, the Sovereignty and Supreme
Power of the whole State.
. A Democraty^ is where all the People
have Power and Authority Sovereign.
So doth it appear, that the Place and
Perfon where the Sovereignty refteth,
doth caufe the State to be either a Mo^
mrchy^ aa Jrljlocraty y or Popular Go-
vernmef^p.
CHAP.
the Am of Empire. 3
CHAP. IL
Of Sovereign or Monarchic^ Govern-
ment, with its Effential Marks,
and Specijical differences.
Sovereignty is an abfolute and perpe-
tual Power in every publick State,
and he is properly and only a Sovereign,
that acknowledgeth no Superior or
Equal, norholdeth of any other Princ^j,
Perfon or Power, but God and his own
Sword.
The firft Mark of Sovereignty, is ab-
folute Power and Authority to command ,
all Subjefts in general, and cvtry of
them in particular, without content of
any other Perfon or Perfons, either grea-
ter or inferior to hirnfelf.
The fecond Mark of Majefty is Au-
thority to make War , and conclude
Peace at his pleafure.
The third is Power to beftow all Ho-
nors and chief Offices at his plealure.
B 2 The
4 The Arts of Empire.
The Fourth Mark of Sovereignty is
Appellation.
The Fifth Mirk and laflr, is power to
pardon all Subjects by rigor of Law or
otherwife, condemned in Life, Lands,
Goods or Honors.
Thefe Powers are not to be imparted
to any Officer, Deputy or other Magi-
ftrate, but in the Prince's abfence, and
for Ibme urgent occafion.
Monarchies are of three 3;^f^Xn;i
^ tyrannic d.
The Diverlity of Monarchies doth not
proceed from the Nature of the State,but
the diverfe proceedmgs of thole Princes
that govern ; for great difJerence there
may be between the nature of the Com-
monwealth and the Government thereof.
That Prince that giveth the Magi-
ftracies Honors and Offices without re-
IpeQ: of Nobility, Riches or Vertue, may
be faid to govern popularly. And that
Monarchy may be faid to be governed
Ariltocratically, when the Monarch im-
parteth the principal Honors and Offices
1:0 the Nobk and Rich Men only.
The
The Arts of Emfire. 5
The fame diflPerence there is to be
found in States Ariftocratical and Popu-
lar ; for the one and the other may be
both Signioril or Tyrannical.
A Monarch Signioril is he who by
force of Arms and juft War, is made
Owner of Mens Bodies and Goods, and
governeth them as a Mafterof a Family
governeth ba& Servants and Slaves.
A Monarch ^oyaljis he whofe Subjects
are obedi^nf u^to his Laws, and the Mo-
narch himlelf obeyeth the Laws of God
and Nature, fuftering every Subjedl to
enjoy Liberty natural, with Property in
Lands and Goods, governing as a Father
governeth his Children.
A Monarch Tyrannical, is he who
without regard to the Law of God or
Nature,commandeth Free-men as Slaves
and ufeth their Lands and Goods as his
own.
CHAP.
^ The Arts of Empire.
C H A P. III.
Of Monarchy Signioril, Exempli-
fied in the Turkifh and Weft-.
Indian Empire.
'A
LL People fubje£t to Princes, are
governed as Free-men by their
Princejand certain other particular Lords
of Lands and Liberties ; who not by
the Princes Cornmiffion, but by Ancient
Laws or Cuftom, have Inheritance and
T^cn^iVi^ut^ ; or elfe they are by one
Prince and his Minifters commanded,
which Minifters have not by Law or
Ordinance, any Authority or Intereft
of themfelves , but being hke to the
People ( bafe Men and Slaves ) they
comrnand only by Commiflion in the
Princes name ; and the Authority of
thofe Minifters doth ceafe at the Princes
pleafiire, fo that the People do not ac-
knowledge any Superior but the Prince,
nor owe any Service to other mean
Lords;
The Arts of Empre. 7
Lords : So as all the People ftand with-
out Property in Lands or Goods ; for
example, the Empire of Turky and the
Wejl-Indies.
The Provinces of this Monarchy are
allotted to fundry Magiftrates or Mi-
nifters, and they altered and removed
at the Princes pleafure ; but it is other-
wife in a Monarchy Royal , becaufe
the Monarch is there accompanied
with many mean Lords. And albeit
thofe mean Lords are Subjects unto
the Prince , yet have they particular
Tenants, who may not, without juft
caufe, be difpoffelTed by the Prince;,
and thofe People having had depen-
dency of their Lords and their An-
ceftors, do ever beare unto them a cer-
tain natural Love and dutiful RefpeO: ;
wholb therefore compareth thefe Prin-
cipalities, lliall perceive, that to Con-
quer a State Signioril there is^ great
difficulty, but being conquered, it may
eafily be maintained ; for the difficulty
to conquer fuch a State , proceedeth
from the lack of mean Lords to call
in and affift the Prince that doth in-
vade ; Who therefore defireth to fubdue
B 4 ^
S TJ)e Arts of Empire.
a Nation thus governed, muft of force
affault all the People, and rather truft
in his own Strength than the Aid of the
Country. But if he can prevail, then
one only Fear remaineth, which is the
Prince's Pofterity , which necelTarily
muft be extinguifhed , becaufe the
Prince's Race only hath Intereft both
in the People and Soldiers. But to enter
a Monarchy Royal, is an Enterprife of
no great Difficulty, when he that doth
enter, hath the Friendfliip and Aid of
Ibme mean Lords to take his part, and
prepare the place where he is to arrive,
CHAP. IV.
Of Monarchies Royal, with the Means
to maintain them.
Monarchies Royal are for the moll
part Ancient and Hereditary,
and corilequently eafie to be governed.
For it is fufficient for the Prince to main-
tain the old Laws, and on occafion
tern-
The Arts of Empire. p
temporize with tliofe Accidents that
happen ; Such a State cannot be taken
from the Prince without exceflive Force,
and if it be, it fliall be foon recovered.
Example, Englmd and France,
But if a Monarchy newly conquered,
be annexed unto an old, and not pro-
perly Ancient , then it is with much
more difficulty maintained.
Firft, For that Men naturally in-
clined to Variation, are eafily induced
to take Arms againfl: him that newly
governeth.
Secondly, Every new Prince is forced
to exaft as well upon thofe Subjects that
jpyned with him, as thofe that did re-
fift him, and therefore Ihall offend both.
Example, Ireland annexed to the Crown
^/England, Sicilia and Naples to Spain.
The means to maintain fiich a Mo-
narchy, is,
Firlt, To extinguifh the Race of him
that was anciently Prince.
Secondly, To continue all Laws and
Cuftoms in the former Force ; for fo ftiall
the Sub] eel find nothing altered but
the Prince, and therefore will foon reft
contented \ and the rather if that new
Monarchy,
I o The Arts of Empire. '
Monarchy, and the ancient Dominion
of the Prince, be of one Language ; But
if the People be of a contrary Language
and Humor, then to hold it, there need-
eth great Induftry and Fortune ; in that
cafe the beft way is, that the Prince
Ihould inhabit there, as well to incoun-
ter all Inconveniences proceeding from
the Subjed, as to preferve the People
from Oppreffion of his own Minifters.
Another way is, to fend thither certain
Colonies, and plant them in fit places,
or elfe to fettle fome Garifons both of
Horfe and Foot ; but Colonies are lefs
chargeable to the Prince. As for the
People inhabitant (who muft neceifa-
rily remove, they being a fmall number
and difpoffeiied) they cannot have power
to offend ; for in that cafe, this Rule or
Maxim Ihali be found true, that Men
muft be either kindly intreated, or with
all Extremity opprelled ; becaufe of light
Injuries they. may be revenged, but of
utter Oppreiiion they cannot.
A third way to hold a conquered
Dominion, is, to cherifh and defend the
Neighbors of little Power, and opprefs
or keep under thofe that are " moft
Potent J
The Arts of Empire. 1 1
Potent; and above all, to take order
that no Forreign Prince or Power dp
enter ; for it is ever to be looked foi',
that fb many of the Nation as are di&
contented, either for Ambition or Fear,
will be ever ready to bring in Strangers :
And to conclude this matter of Princi-
pality annexed, I fay it behoveth every
Prince poffejfTed of liich a State, never
to increafe the Power of any Potent
Nighbor, never to opprefs thofe that
are of fmall Power , never to permit
any Forreign Potentate to enter, but
ever to plant Colonies and Garilbns, or
clfe to make that Dominion his chief
Habitation.
CHAR V.
Of Monarchies Tyrannical.
Tyrannical Princes are not advanced
by Favor, neither do they truft
unto Fortune, but by degrees of War, or
elfe by fome other indired means do
afpire unto Greacnefs j and therein do
maintain
1 2 The Arts of Empire.
maintain themfelves by all ways either
Honeft or Difhoneft, without relpeft of
Juitice, Conlcience or Law either of Na-
tions or Nature : A Prince by fuch im-
pious means afpired,and defiring to hold
that he hath gained, will take order that
the Cruelties he committeth may be done
roundly, fiiddenly, and as it were at an
inftant ; for if they be executed at lei-
fure and by piece-meal, then will the
Prince's Fears continue long, and the
Terror in Subjefts take deeper Imprefli-
on,whofe Nature is fuch, that either they
muft be bound by Benefits,or by Cruelty
made fure from offending : Example,
Dionyfi^ and Agathocles.
CHAR VI.
Of new found Monarchies and Prin-
dualities J mth the means to per-
petuate them.
C'Ome other Princes there are,that from
i. 1 private Eftate have afpired to Sove-
reignty,not by unnatural or impious pro-
ceedmgs as the former, but by Vertue
and Fortune, and bemg afpired, have
found
The Arts of Empire. 1 3
found no great Difficulty to be main-
tained y for fuch a Prince having no
other Dominion, is forced to fettle h^n-
felf where he is become a Prince: But
here is to be noted;,that albeit fuch a Man
be Vertuous, yet wanting Fortune, his
Vertue proveth to fmall purpofe, and
Fortune without Vertue doth feldom
work any great Eftefl:. Howfbever it be,
a Prince being afpired,both by the Aid of
the one and of the other, fhall notwith-
ftandmg find fome difficulty to hold
what he hath gotten ; becaufe he is forced
to introduce new Laws and new Orders
of Government differing from the old, as
well for his own Security, as confirma-
tion of the Government ; for avoiding of
which Dangers,he is to confider whether
he be of himfelf able to compel his Sub-
jefts to obey , or muft pray in aid of
others : If he can do the firft, he needeth
not doubt , but being driven to the
other, his Greatnefs cannot long con-
tinue ; for albeit a matter of no diffi-
culty, it is to perfwade a People ; yet
to make them conftant, is a work well
near impoffible. Example,r//^/^/j^,C)r//:r,
Romtdu-s,
The
»
i4 21^^ ^^ts of Empire.
The fecond fort of new Princes are
fucli as be afpired by Favor or Corrupti-
on or by the Vertue or Greatnefs of
Fortune or Friends : A Prince by any or
all thefe means advanced, and defirous
to hold his Eftate, muft indeavor by
his own Vertue to maintain himfelf
without depending upon any other;
which may be done by this means :
Firft, To affure all Enemies from offend-
ing. Secondly, To win the Love and
Friendlhip of fo many Neighbors as
poflibly he may. Thirdly, To compafs
all Defigns tending to his Honor or Pro-^
fit, and bring them to pafs either by
Fraud or Force. Fourthly, To make
himfelf honored and followed of Cap-
tains and Soldiers. Fifthly, To opprefs
all thofe that would or can offend.
Sixthly, To be obfequious and liberal to
Friends, magnanimous and terrible to
Foes. Seventhly, To cafs all old and
unfaithful Bands , and entertain new.
Eighthly, To hold fuch Amity v/ith
Kings and Princes, as they ought reafon-
ably to favor him, or elfe they would
oftend ; eafily they cannot. Example,
GiovAnnio. Torrigimiy C^f^r^ Borgi.
The
7 he Arts of Emfire. 1 5
The third and lafl: means whereby-
private Ferfbns do afpire to Principa-
lities, IS not Force and Violence , but
meer good Will and Favor of Men. The
caufe or occafion thereof, is only Vertue
or Fortune, or at leaft a certain Fortu-
nate Craft and Wittinefs, becaufe he
alpireth either by Favor of the People, or
by Favor of the Nobility ; for thefe
contrary Humors are in all Common-
wealths to be found. And the reafbn
thereof is, that the great Men do ever
endeavor to opprefs the People, and the
People do labor not to be oppreffed by
them. Of thefe divers Appetites one of
theie three Effefts do proceed, viz.. Prin-
cipality, Liberty, or Licentious Life.
Principality may come either by love of
the Multitude, or of the great Men ; for
when any of thefe Faftions do find it
felf oppreffed, then do they foon confent
to make one a Prince, hoping by his
Vertue and Valor to be defended. Ex-
ample, Frmcefco Sforza^ Alejjandro de
Medici,
A Prince in this fort afpired, to main-
tain his Eftate, mufi: firft confider well
by which of thele Fadions aforefaid he
is
1 6 The Arts of Enrpire.
is advanced ; for if by Favor of great
Menhebeafpired, then muft he meet
with many Difficulties; for having
about him divers Perfons of great Qua-
lity, and fuch as were but lately Iiis
Equals, hardly Ihall he command them
in fuch fort as it behoveth : But if the
Prince be advanced by the People, few
(^ none fliall hardly difobey him. So it
appeareth that a Prince made by the
Multitude, is much more fecure than he
whom the Nobility preferreth ; for com-
mon People do not defire to. enjoy more
than their own, and to be defended
from Oppreffion ; but great Men do
ftudy not only to hold their own, but alfo
to command and infult upon Inferiors.
Note that all Monarchies are Princi-
falities.
But all Principalities are not Monarchies,
CHAP.
The Arts of Enrpire. 1 7
CHAR VIL
Of Councils^ and Counfeltors in
general.
A Senate or Council is a certain law-
ful Affembly of Counfellors, to
give advice to him or then! that have in
the Commonweale Power Sovereign.
A Counfellor is called in the Latine
Senator \ which Word fignifieth in ef-
fed an old Man : The Grecians and Ro-
mans alfo moft commonly compofed
their Councils of ancient and expert
Perlbns ; for if they, or the greater part
of them had been Young Men, then
might the Council have more properly
been called a jnvenate than a Senate.
The chief and moft neceffary Note
required in a Counfellor is to have no
dependence of any other Prince or Com-
monweale ; either Oath, Homage, Na-
tural Obligation, Pention, or Reward ;
In this Point the Venetians have been
ever moft precife, and for that reafon^
do not admit any Cardinal or other
C Ckrgf'
1 8 The Arts of Einpre.
Clergy-man to be either of or at theip
Councils, therefore^ when the Venetim
Senate is AlTembled, the Ulher being
ready to (hut the Door, cryeth aloud,
VuoYA Preti^ Depart PriefL Note alfo
that in every State, of what QuaUty fb-
ever, a Secret or Cabinet-Council is
mainly neceffary.
CHAR VIII.
Of Councils in fome particular Mo-
narchies^ Ariftocraties^ and De-
mocrat ies.
["^^HE King of Sfain, for the Go-
J^ vernment of his Dominions hath
Seven Councils, ( viz.. ) the Council of
tile Indies^ the Council of Spainj the
Council of /^^/y and the Low Countries,
the Council of War, the Council of Or-
derS; the Council of Inquifition, and
.the Council Royal.
In Frmce are Three Councils, (viz.)
the Council i rivy, the Council of Judg-
es, which they call Prefidents et Conceit-
res
The Arts of Empire. i^
ers de Parlame?tf, and the great Coun-
cil, whieh they call J/Jemmes du troj$
Efiates,
Of Councils in Ariftocraties^
In Venice y befide the Senate and great
Council, are Four Councils, ( viz.^) the
Sages of the Sea, the Sages of the Land,
the Council of Tenn, the Three Prefi-
^^wX.s>oi. QuArmtia^ and the Senate : All
which Councils do amount to One hun-
dred and twenty Perlbns, with the Ma-
giftrates.
The Great Council oiRagufa confift-
eth of Sixty Perlbns, and hath another
Privy Council of Twelve.
Of Councils in Democraties.
Genpua hath Three Councils: the
Great Council of Two hundred, the Se-
nate which confifteth of Sixty, and the
Privy Council which hath Twenty fix
Counfellors ; So it doth appear that in
all Commonwealths, be they Monar-
chies, Ariftocracies, or Popular States.
The Council-Privy is molt necelTary,
C 2 and
20 Th Arts of Empire.
and often iiled ; Alfb this difference is
to be noted between the Councils in
Monarchies, and the Councils in Jri^
Jlocracies and States Popular ; that is to
fay, that all Deliberations fit to be pub-
liilied, are in a Monarchy confulted
and refolved upon in the Council
Privy, and after ratified by Com-
mon Council ; But in Optimacies or
Popular Government the Cufl:om is
contrary.
Here alfo is to be noted, that albeit
the Ufe and Authority of every Senate
a Privy Council is moft needful, yet hath
it no Authority to command but in
the name of thofe in whom the Sove-
reignty refteth : For if Counfellors had
power to command abfblutely, then
iliould they be Sovereigns, and confe-
Quently all Execution at their Pleafure ;
which may not *be without detracting
from Ma]efl:y, which is a thing fb So-
vereign and Sacred, as no Citizen or
Subjedl of what quality foever, may
touch or approach thereunto.
CHAP.
The Arts of Empire. 2 1
CHAR IX.
Of Officers and Commijfioners with
their refpe^ive DiJtinSlions.
AN Officer is a Perfon publick, that
hath Charge ordinary and limited
by Law.
A Commiffioner is alfb a Perfon pub-
lick, but his Charge is extraordinary
and hmited by Commiffion.
Officers are of two forts, and fo be
Commiffioners ; the one hath power to
command, and are called Magiftrates :
the other hath Authority to execute :
fb the one and the other are Perfons
publick: yet are not all publick Per-
fons either Officers or Commiffioners.
Commiffioners are ordained to go-
vern in Provinces, in War, in Juftice,
in difpofmg the Treafure, or fome 0-
ther Funtiion concerning the State ;
but all Com*miffions do fpring and pro-
ceed from the Sovereign, Magiilrates
and Commiffioners. And here is to
be noted, that every Commiffion ceal^
C 3 eth
22 The Arts of Empire.
eth if he that granted the Commiiflfiioii
doth dye, or revoke it, or if the Com-
miffioners during his CommiiEon fhall
afpire to Office and Authority equal to
his that made it.
CHAR X
OfMagifirates^ their Qualifica-
tions and EleElions.
AMagiftrate is an Officer having
power to Command in the State ;
and albeit that every Magiftrate be an
Officer, yet every Officer is not a Ma-
giftrate, but they only that havepovi^er
to command.
Alfo in making Officers of and Ma-
giftrates in every Commonweale ,
Three things are fpecially to be ob-
ferved ( viz. ) v^ho doth make them,
what Men they are that fliould be
made, and the form and manner how
they are made.
TJie
The Arts of Empire. 23
The ftrft appertaineth to him or them
in whom the Sovereignty refteth ; tlie
fecond alfo belongeth to Majelty ; yet
therein the Laws are commonly follow-
ed, efpecially in Jrijlocracies and States
Popular ; In the one the Magiltrates are
chofen out of the moft Wealthy or
mofl: Noble : In the other, elefted out
of the whole Multitude.
The form and manner of choofing
Magiftrates in Arijlocracies and States
Popular, is either by PUeclion, by Lot,
or by both, and their Office is to com-
pel thofe that do not Obey what Sove-
reignty comm^ndeth : For all force
of Commandment lieth in Compul-
fion.
Commandment likewife is of two
forts ; the one may be called Sovereign
and Abfblute, above Laws, above Ma-
giftrates, and above People. In Mo-
narchies fuch Command is proper to
the Prince only ; in Jr/flocracks it reft-
eth in the Nobility : And in Democra-
cies the People have that power.
The fecond Commandments are Sub-
ject both to Sovereignty and Law.
C 4 Here
24 3^^^ ^^^^ of Empire.
Here is to be noted, that every Ma-
giftrate may recall his own Command-
ment, and forbid what he did Com-
mand, yet cannot revoke that which he
hath Judged.
^ Alfb in the prefence of
:eSSrenc; the Sovereign all Autho,
ofhim that grant- rity of Magiltrates ceal-
ed them, ^j-jj . ^^j jn prefence of
great Magiftrates the inferior have no
power; and Magiftrates ecjual can-
not do any thing but by Content, if his
Colleagues or Fellow-^Magiftrates be
prefent.
CHAP. XL
Ohfervations intrinfically concern-
ing every Publick^State in points
cfJufiice.TreafureandWar.
T HE Fir ft concern matter Intrin-
fick.
The Second touch matter Extrinfick.
7 he Arts of Empre. 2 5
Matters Intrinftck are Three,
The Adminiftration of juftice.
The Managing of the Treafure.
The difpofing of things appertaining
to War.
Matters Extrinfck are alfo Three.
The Skill how to deal with Neighbors.
The Dihgence to vent their Defigns.
The way how to win fb much Con-
fidence with fbme of them, as to be
made partaker of whatlbever they mean
to enterprifc.
Timching Adminiftration ofjujiice.
The good and dired Adminiftration
of Juftice, is in all Places a principal part
of Government ; for feldom or never
fhall we lee any People difcontented
and defirous of Alteration, where Ju-
ftice is equally adminiftred without re-
Ipeft of Perfbns \ and in every State this
Confideration is required, but moft of
all in Countries that do front upon other
Princes, or were lately conquered :
Here-
26 The Arts of Empire.
Hereunto the Princes Vigilancy and
the Magiftrates Uprightnejfs are efpeci-
ally required ; for oft-tentimes the
Prince is deceived, and the Magiftrates
corrupted ; it behoveth alfb the Prince
to maintain the Judges and Minifters
of Juftice in their Reputation, and yet
to have a vigilant Eye upon their Pro-
ceedings, and the rather if their Autho-
rity do include Equity, and from their
Cenfure be no Appeal ; and if their
Office be during Life, and they are
Men born and dwelling in the lame
Country ; all thefe things are duly to be
confidered of the Prince; for as to call the
Judges into queftion, is as it were to dif^
grace the Judicial Seat ; fo to wink at
their Corruptions were matter of juft
difcontent to the Subjeft : in this cafe
therefore the Prince cannot do more
than by his Wifdom to make choice of
Good Men ; and being chofen, to hold
them in good Reputation fo as the or-
dinary courfe of Juftice may proceed ;
for other wife great Diforder, Contempt,
and general Confufion will enfue there-
of. Secondly, he is to keep his Eye
open upon their Proceedings ; and laft-
The Arts of Empre. 27
ly to referve unto himfelf a Supreme
Power of Appellation.
Touching the Treafure,
The want of Money is in all States
very perilous, and moft of all in thofe
which are of leafl: Strength, and do
confine upon Nations with whom
they have commonly War, or unafi
fiired Peace, but moft perilous of all
to thofe Governments which are remote
from the Prince, or Place where they
are to be relieved.
The means to Levy Trea/ar e jtre 'Four.
Firftj The Cuftoms and Impofitions
upon all forts of Merchandize and Traf-
fick is to be looked unto and advanced.
Secondly, The exceflive eating of
Ufliry muft be fupprelled.
Thirdly, All fuperfluous Charges and
Expences are to be taken away.
Laftly, The doings and accounts of
Miniftersare feverally to beexammed.
Touching the matter of Cuftom and
Impoft thereof, aifuredly a great
Profit is in every State to be raifed ;
chiefly
2 8 The Arts of Empire.
chiefly where Peace hath long con-
tinued, and where the Country af-
fordeth much plenty of Commodities
to be carried out, and where Ports are
to receive Shipping.
The moderating of Intereft is ever
neceffary, and chiefly in this Age, by
reafon that Money aboundeth in £a^
rope'f fince the Traffick into the Z^-
dles'^ for fuch Men as have Money
in their Hands great plenty, would in
no wife imploy the fame in Merchan-
dize, if lawful it were to receive the
utmofl: Ufury, being a Courft of mofl:
Profit and greatefl: Security.
The taking awa.y of fuperfluous
Expences is no other thing than a
certain wife and laudable Parfimony;
which the Romms and other well go-,
verned States did ufe. Thefe Expen--
ces confifl: in Fees, Allowances, and
Wages granted to Minifl:ers of little
or no Neceflity ; alfo in Penfions,
Rev/ards, Entertainments and Dona-
ries, with fmall Diflxculty to be mo^
derated, or eafily to be fupprefled.
1 By
The Am of Empire. 2^
^ By abridging or
taking away of thefe # So Hemy the Fourth
needlefs ExpenCeS a o^ France by putting
marvelous Profit will his Courtiers to Boards
i r- J r u -n • "^^g^^s was faid to
be laved tor tnernnce; make Money ^ith
but if he continue his Teeth.
them, and by impo-
fing upon the People do think to in«
creafe his Treafure or Revenue, be-
fides the lofs of their Love, he may
alio hazard their Obedience, with ma-
ny other Inconveniences.
Touching War.
Whatfbever Prince or Common-
weale is Neighbour to any People
which can, will, or were wont to of-
fend, it is necelTary to have not only
all things prepared for defence of his
Perfon and Country, but alfo to fore-
caft and ufe every caution and other
diligence : For the Inconveniencies
which happen to Government , are
fudden and unlook'd for ; yea, the
Providence and Provifion required in
this Cale ought to be fiich as the Ex-
pences
30 The Arts of Empire.
pences all other ways imployed mufl:
ftay to fupply the Neceffity of War.
CHAP XIL
Extrinfick, Obfervation, [hewing horp
to deal with Neighbor Princes
and Provinces rejpetiively^ how
to prevent their Defigns ^ and
decipher their Intendments.
-^I^HIS firft Point of matter Extrin-
J. fick is of fiich quality as being
well handled procureth great good, but
otherwife becomerh dangerous ; for the
Proceeding muft be di\^ers according
to the diverfity of the Ends which the
Prince or Governor intendeth ; for if
he deiire to continue Peace with his
A^eighbors, one way is to be taken ; but
otherwife he is to work that leeketh
occafion to break, and to become an
Enemy to one or more of his Neighbors.
If he do deiire to live peaceably withal,
tlien lie is to obferve thefe Rules (yiz.^
Firft,
The Arts ofEmpre. 5 1
Firft, To hold and continue ifirmly
all Contracts and Capitulations,
Secondly, To fhew himfelf refblved
neither to offer nor take the leaft touch
of Wrong or Injury.
Thirdly, With all care and favor to
further Commerce and reciproke Traf-
fick for the profit of the Subject, and
increafe of the Princes Revenue,
Fourthly, Covertly to win fb great
Confidence with Neighbors, as in all
actions of unkindnefs among them he
may be made Umpire.
Fifthly, To become fb well believed
with them as he may remove luch Diffi-
dences as grow to his own difad van-
tage.
Sixthly, Not to deny Proteflion or Aid
to them that are the weakeft, and chieiiy
fuch as do and will endure his Fortune.
Laftly, In Favouring, Aiding and Pro-
tefting ( unlefs neceifity fliall other-
wife 10 require) to do it moderately,
fb as they who are to be aided, become
not Jealous, and confequently feek Ad-
herency elfewhere, which oft-times hath
opened way to other Neighbors that
defire a like occafion.
3 2 The Arts of Empire.
Horn to prevent their Defigns.
This Point in time of War is with
great diligence to be looked unto ; alfo
in time of Peace to prevent all occafions
that may kindle War is behoveful ;
for to forefee what may happen to the
Prejudice of a Princes Profit or Repu-
tation, is a part of great Wifdom. The
means to attain the Intelligence of thefe
things are two.
The Firft is by Friends, the next by
Efpials ; the one for the mofl: part faith-
ful, the other not ib affured.
Thefe matters are well to be confi-
dered ; for albeit the Nature of Man
defireth nothing more than curioufly to
know the doings of others, yet are
thoie things to be handled with fb
great Secrecy and Diffimulation as the
Princes Intent be not in any wife fufpe-
tiedj nor the Minifters made odious ^
for thele fometimes to win themfelves
Reputation^ do devife caufes of Diffe-
rence where no need isjdivining of things ■
Future which prove to the Prejudice of
their own Prince.
To
The Arts of Empire. ^ 3
To mn Confidence with Neighbors^
This is chiefly attained unto by being
Loved and Honored ; for thefe things
do work fo inany good Effefts, as
daily Experience f uiEceth without any
exprefs Example to prove themof ^reat
Force. ^
^ The ways to win Love and Truft^
IS in all Aftions to proceed Juftly, and
lometinies Jtfrw^nk at Wrongs, or fet
afide unneceffary Revenges; and if any
thing be done not jufl:ifiable, or unfit
to be allowed, as oftentimes it happen-
eth, there to lay the Blame upon the
Minifter, which mufl: be performed
widi fo great fhow of Revenge and
piflimulation, by reproving andpunifli-
ing the Minifter,as the Princes offended
may be fatisfied, and believe that the
eaule of MnKm^m^'^ proceeded from
thence;
Now only it refteth that foniev/hat
mould be faid touching Provilion, to
the end the People may not be drawn
into defpair by Famine , or extream
inearth oiViolua!, and chiefly for want
D of
34 T^f^^ ^^'^ ^/ Empire.
of Corn, which is one principal Con-
fideration to be regarded, according
to the Italian Proverb, Fme in Piazza^
Giufiitiain Palazzo ^ fiverezza per tutto .*
Whereunto I could wifli every Prince
or Supreme Governor to be thus qua-
lified (viz.^ Facile de audienza: non-
facilede credenza , defiofo de Jpedition ,
effemfUre in cofiunii propriiy & ino^uei
de fuA cafa tale chevorra governare , e
non effer governato da altro ; he delU
raggione.
CHAP.
The Arts of Empire. 35
C H A P. XIIL
Obfervations confirmed by Authorities
cf Princes and Principalities ,
Charactering an excellent Prince
or Governor.
EVery good and lawful Principality
is either Ele£live or Succellive t
Of them Eledion feemeth the more
Ancient ; but Succeflion in divers re«
Ipefts the better : Minore dijcrimine -
fumitur Princeps quam qu^ritur. Tac.
The chief and only Endeavor of
every good Prince, ought to be the
Commodity and Security of the Sub-
je£ts, as contrariwife the Tyrant feek-^
eth his own private Profit with the
Oppreffion of his People: Qivium non
fervitm fed tuteU tradita ejt. Sal.
To the Perfeftion of every good
Prince, two things are neceffarily re-
quired {viz.^ Prudence and Virtue;
D 2 the
3^ The Arts of Empire.
the one to direct his Doings, the other
to govern his Life; Rex eris ft re5te fe^
ceris. Hor.
The fecond care which appertaineth
to a good Prince, is to make his Subje£ts
hfce unto himfelf; for thereby he is
not only honored , but they alfb the
better governed : Facile imperium in
honos. Flaut.
Subjects are made good by two means
{yiz>^ by conftraint of Law, and the
Princes Example; for in all Eftates, the
People do imitate thofe Conditions
whereunto they fee the Prince enclined :
Quicijuid faciunt principesy pr^cipere vide^
antur. QuintiJ .
All Vertues be required in a Prince,
but Juftice and Clemency are moft
neceffary ; for Juftice is a Habit of
doing tilings Juftly , as well to him-
felf as others , and giving to every
one fb much as to him appertaineth:
This is that Vertue that prelerveth Con-
cord among Men, and whereof they be
called good : "Jm & ^(^tiitas vincuU civi-
tAtimi. Cic.
*it
The Arts of Empre. 3 7
^ It is the Quality of *The Author of the
this Vertue aliOj to pro- Eplltle Dediarory
ceed equally and tempe- ^,^ ^^^, Durchefs of
rately; it informeth the Mr L^r4v.v's Ser-
Prince not to furcharge mons , faith , that
the Subieas with infinite Lawyers comoul^
Laws y for thereof pro- devoured £//^A«2j.
ceedeth the Impoverifli-
ment of the Subjefts and the Inrich-
ing of Lawyers, a kind of Men which
in Ages more Ancient, did feem of
no Neceflity : Sme caufidicis fatis fat-
lices olim ftiere future fde funt urbes.
Sal.
The next Vertue required in Princes
is Clemency, being an Inclination of
the Mind to Lenity and CcmpafTion.,
yet tempered with Severity and Judg-
ment ; this Quahty is fit for all great
Perlbnages , but chiefly Princes , be-
caufe their occafion to u(e it is moft ;
by it alfb the Love of Men is gained :
Q^i utdt reg'fiizrey Unguida regmt mmn^
Sen.
After Clemency, Fidelity is expected
in all good Princes, which is a certaui
Performance and Obfervation of V/ord
and Promiie \ this Vertue feemeth to
D 1 accvjm-
3 8 The Arts of Enipire^
accompany Juftice, or is as it were
the lame, and therefore moft fit for
Princes : San6Hfftmum generu humani bo^
num. Liv.
As Fidelity foUoweth Juftice, fo doth
Modefty accompany Clemency ; Mo-
defty is a Temperature of Realbn,
whereby the Mind of Man is fo go-
verned, as neither in Aftion or Opi-
nion he over-deemeth of himfelf , or
any thing that is his ; a Quality not
common m Fortunate Folk, and moft:
rare in Princes : Super bia commune nobili^
t^tis malum. Sal.
This Vertue doth alfb moderate all
External Demonftration of Inlblence,
Pride and Arrogance, and therefore ne-
cefTary to be known of Princes, and all
others whom Favor or Fortune have ad-
vanced: Imp one f (elicit at i tuajranos^fa"
cilius ilUm reges. Curt.
But as Princes are to obferve the
Bounds of Modefty , fo may they not
forget the Majefty appertaining to their
Supreme Honor, being a cercam Reve-
rend Greatnefs due to Princely Vertue
and Royal State ; a Grace and Gravity
nolefs befeeming a Prince than Vertue
it
The Arts of Empire. 39
it felf ; for neither over-much Famili-
arity , nor too great Aufterity, ought
to be ufed by Princes: factlitas au^
tor it at em y fever it as amor em minuit,
Tac.
To thele Vertues we may apply Li-
berahty, which doth not only Adorn,
but highly Advance the Honor due to
Princes ; thereby alfo the good Will of
Men is gained ; for nothing is more
fitting a Prince's Nature than Bounty,
the fame being accompanied with Judg-
ment, and performed according to the
Laws of Liberality : Perdere multi fciunty
donare nefciunt. Tac.
It feemeth alfo that Prudence is not
only fit, but alfo, among other Vertues,.
neceffary in a Prince ; for the daily uie
thereof is in all Humane Actions re-
quired, and chiefly in Matters of State
and Government : Frudentia im^ermtis
froprta, & unicci virtus. Arift.
The Succefs of all Worldly Proceed-
ingSjdoth Anew that Prudence hath com-
palfed the Profperous Event of Humane
Aftions, more than Force of Arms or
other Power : Mens un^ fa,fiens ^Itirium
vine it mams, Eurip.
D 4 Pru-
40 The Arts of Empire.
Prudence is either natural , or re-
ceived from others ; for whofb can
Counfel himfelf what is fit to be done,
needeth not the Advice of others ; but
they that want fuch Perfection, and
are neverthelefs capable, and are will-^
ing to know what others inform ,
ought tp be accounted wife enough :
LaudatiJJiJnus ejl qui ctm5ia viiehit^ Jed
lauda?idus e{i is qui paret x^^^ monenti^
Hefiod. ■
CHAP.
The Arts of Empire. 4 1
CHAR XIV.
Of the Princes intimate Counfellors
anJMiniftersofState^ with their
fefueral Requifites.
ALbeit the excellent Spirit of fome
Princes be fiich as doth juftly de-
ferve the higheft Commendation ; yet
for that every Courffe of Life needeth
the Aid of Men , and the Mind of one
cannot comprehend the infinite Care
appertaining to publick Affairs ; it be-
hoveth Princes to be affifted : Mag^^a ne-
gotia^ adjutoribus egent. Tac.
The Ailiftants may be properly di-
vided into Counfellors and Minifiers ;
the one to Advife, the other to Exe^
cute : Without Counfel, no Kingdom,
no State, no private Houfe can itand \
for Experience hath proved, that Com-
mon-weales have profpered fb long as
good Counfel did govern, but when
Favor, Fear or Yoluptuoulhels entered,
thofe
42 The Arts of Empire.
thofe Nations became difbrdered ; and
in the end fubjeft to Slavery : Quid-
dam facrum frofecto ejl Confultatio,
PJato.
Counfellors are Men fpecially felefted
to give Advice to Princes or Common-
wealths, as well in Peace as in War ;
the chief Qualities required in fuch Men,
are Fidelity and Knowledge ; which
two concurring do make them both
Good and Wile, and confequently fit
for Counfel ; Prudent is frofrium mums
recte confulere, Arift.
The Elefliion of Counfellors is and
ought to be chiefly among Men of long
Experience and grave Years ; for as
Youth is fitteft for Adion in refpeQ: of
Corporal Strength; fo elder Folk ha-
ving felt the Force of every Fortune ,
and obferved the Courfe of Worldly
Proceedings do feem moft.meet for Con-
fu Itation : Confdia fenum, facta juvemtm^
Plato.
Albeit we fay that the Excellency of
Wifdom fliould be in Counfellors ; yet
do we not require fo quick and fiery a
Conceit as is more apt for Innovation
than orderly Government: Hebetiores
auam
The Arts of Empire. 43
quum acutiores melius Remp, adfninifirAnt.
Thucyd.
To Fidelity and Experience we wifli
that our Counfellors fhould be endued
with PietyjLiberty, Conftancy, Modefty
and Silence ; for as the Aid and KS\-
ftance of God is that which governeth
all good Counfels, fo liberty of Speech,
and magnanimous uttering of what is
good and fit, is neceffary in Coun-
fellors. Likewife to be conftant and
not to vary in opinion, either for Fear
or Favor, is very commendable : Alio
as Modefty in giving Counlel efclieweth
all Offences, and gaineth good Will, To
Secrefie is die beft and moft fecure
means to govern all publick Affairs : Res
magndi' [ujitneri non f off lint ah eo a^ui taceye
mquit. Curt.
The firft Obftacle to good Counfel is
Pertinacy or Opiniativenefs ; a Condi-
tion far unfit for Counfellors ; yet ibme
Men are jR) far in love with their own
Opiniaftre Conceits, as that they cannot
patiently endure Oppofition. Secondly,
Difcord muft from Counfellors be re-
moved, becaufe private Oifence many
times impeacheth publick ProceedingSo
Thirdly,
44 ^^^^ A^i^ ^f Empire.
Thirdly, Affection is an Enemy to Coun-
lei, the fame being commonly accom-
panied with Anger, wherewith nothing
can be rightly or conliderately done.
Laftly, Avarice leemeth a Vice worthy
to be abhorred of all Counfellors , be-
caufe it driveth away both Fidehty and
Honefty, the principal Pillars of all good
Counfel : Feffimum vert affeci-us & judicii
*venenum^ utilitas. Tac.
To good Counfel other Impediments
there are, which fquare not with Wif^
dom; for all Crafty and Hazarding
Counlels do feem in the beginning likely
to fucceed ; but afterwards and chiefly
in the end do prove hard and of evil
Event. It therefore feemeth behoveful
to be wary in refolving, and bold in ex^
ecuting : Animus vereri qui fcit^ fcit tura
aggredi. Pub.
^Another Lett to good Confultation is
immoderate Defire, which every wife
Man mult endeavor to reftrain : Cupi-
ditate fauca recte punt , circumf^eBione
flurima. Thucyd.
Thirdly, Haite is an Enemy to good
Deliberation ; for Vv^hofo greedily de-
iireth any thing, prcceedeth rafhly ; and
rafli
The Arts of Empre. 45
rafh proceeding cndeth ever in Repen-
tance : Scelera imfetu^ bona confilia. mora,
'v ale founts Tac.
Of Minifiers of State^
Having already fpoken of Counfellors,
fomewhat is to be fpoken of Minifters ;
I mean thofe that either publickly or
privately lerve the Prince in any Fun-
ftion; in choice of which Men, care
muft be had ; Firflr, That they be Per-
fbns honeftly born; for no Man det
cended of bale Parentage may be ad-
mitted , unlefs in him be found fbme
noble and excellent Vertue : Oftimm quif-^
que Nohilijjimm, Plato.
Secondly, They ought to be of honefl:
Condition , and of good Fame ; for
that Common- weale is better and more
fecure , where the Prince is not good,
than is that where his Minifters are
Evil. It feemeth therefore that Mini-
fters fhould be Men of goodQuahty and
Blamelefs : Emitur foLi virtute potejias.
Claud.
Third ly^,
4^ The Arts of Empire.
Thirdly, Confideration is to be had of
their Capacity and Fitnefs, for that Fun-
ftion wherein they are to be ufed ; for
as fome Men are apt for Learning, fb
others are naturally difpoied to Arms.
Alfb it is neceffary that every one Square
with the OiRce whereunto he is appoin-
ted, in which matter fbme Princes have
ufed great Caution ; for as they little
liked of Men Excellent, fb they utterly
detefted the Vitious ; the one they doubt-
ed to trufl: in regard of themfelves, the
other were thought a public k Indignity
to the State. Wife Men have therefore
refblved, that thofe Wits which are nei-
ther over-haughty and rmgular,nor they
which be bafe or dull, are fitteft for
Princes Secrets and Services ; howfbever
we may hereof fay with Tacitus : Nefcio
quomodo AuiicA h^c coraitiA ajfeCtus diri^
git^ & fato moddm ac forte nafcendi^ tit
cetera. , it a frincipim inclinatio in hos ,
cffenfw in illos ejr, Tac.
And becaufe the Courfe and Quality
of Mens Lives ferving in Court, is of all
other the moft uncertain and dangerous,
great Fleed and Circumfpeftion ought
therein to be ufed ; for whofb ferveth
negli-
The Arts cf Empire. 47
negligently, forgetting the dutiful En-
deavors appertaining to the place, feem-
eth to take a way of no good Ipeed :
l^anto quis ohfeqniofromftior^ tmto bono-
nhus & opibus extollitur. Tac.
It fhall alfo become fiich a Man to
look well unto his own Profit, and be-
have himfelf rather Boldly than Bafti-
fully : Malm minifier Regii imperii tu^
dor. Sen.
To be Modeft, and clofely to handle
all Aftions, is alfo a courfe well befeem-
ing a Courtier ; neither fhall he do well
to attribute any good Succefs to his own
Vertue or Merit, but acknowledge all to
proceed from the Prince's Bounty and
Goodnefs, by which means Envy is
efchewed, and the Prince not robbed of
his Honor : H^c efi conditio Regum^ ca[us
tantum adverfos hominibm tribuanty fe-
cundos virtuti fti£. Prov. Emped.
And to conclude thefe Precepts Sum-
marily, I fay it behoveth all Minifters
and Servants in Court to be Patient ,
Wary and of few words : Fratidimfedes
Aula. Sen.
CHAP.
4 8 The Arts of Empire,
CHAP. XV.
The Art of Rulings or My fiery of
Regiment.
TO Govern, is a certain Skill how to
command and continue Subjefts
in due Obedience, fo as offend they ought
nOtjOr if they will they cannot ; wherein
two fpecial things are to be confidered
(t//^.) the Nature of Men,and the Nature
of the State ; but firft the Condition of
the Vulgar muft be well conceived :
Nofcenda natura 'vtdgi^ & quibus modis
temper ant er habeatur, Tac.
The Difpofition of Men is divers ;
fome are apt to Anger, fome are Hardy,
Ibme Fearful; it therefore behoveth the
Prince to accommodate his Government
to the Humor of People whom he go^
verneth: Frincipi efi virtm maxima.
nojjefuos. Mart.
Xikewife the Nature of Commonweals
is mutable and (ubjea to change, and
Kingsare not only accompanied wkhFor-
tun^, but alfo followed with Hate, which
breedeth
The Arts of Emfire. 4^
breedetli a continual Diffidence, chiefly
towards thofe that are neareft to Maje-
fty : Sujpecifisfemper invifufc^ue (iomina,n*
tihpis quifquis froximm defltnatur. Tac.
Moreover the Vulgar fort is generally-
variable, Rafli, Hardy, and void of
Judgment ; Ex of intone multA^ ex vert-
tate fauca judicat. Cic.
To confirm a Government, Force and
Arms are of greateft neceffity j by forca
I mean the Guards and Arms which
Princes ule for their Defence or Orna-
ment 'j Miles inforOy Miles in curiAfrin-
cifem comitari debet. Tac.
To this may be added Fortification
and ftrong Buildings, in thefedays much
ufed by new Princes, and others alio
to whom People yield, not w^illing Obe-
dience. In ancient times Princes plant-
ed Colonies as well to fupprefs Rebellion
in Conquered Countries, as to front:
fufpefted Neighbors : Colonic vera fides
fervitutis, Tac.
The Government of Princes is alH;
greatly increafed by a Virtue, \vhich I
call a commendable Afteclioil in Sub-
je£bs, proceeding of Love and Autho-
rity : Theft effefts do grow from the
E . Princes
50 Tl)e Arts of Empire.
Princes own Merit, but their being llv*
eth in the mind of the People ; this Love
is gained by Lenity, Liberahty, and
Mercy ; yet is every of them to be tern-
pered : iVec aut reverentiam terrore^ aut
amor em hum ilk ate cap ibis. Phn.
Affeftion is alfb no way fooner won
then by Liberahty, the fame being ufed
with Judgment and Moderation. Bel-
lorum fociisy periculorum confortibm^ fivi
de te bene ac fort iter meritis.
Sen.
By Indulgence likewife, and Princely
Aftability, the love of Men is gainM ;
for tlie Multitude defire no more than
neceifary Food and Liberty, to u(e or-
dinary Recreations : Vtilgo^ ficut pieris^
omne luAicrtiin in fret io ejt. Sen.
CHAP.
The Arts of Empire. 5 t
CHAP. XVL
Of Princely Authority 5 Wherein it
confijis^ and how far to be ex*
tended and delegated
Authority is a certain reverent Im-
preflion in the Minds of Subjefts
and others touching the Princes Virtue
and Government ; it refteth chiefly in
Admiration and Fear : tngenitu quihuf
dam gentihus ergo, reges fuos veneration
Curt.
Authority confifleth in three things ;
( viz, ) the Form of Government, the
Strength of the Kingdom, and the Con-
dition of the Prince ; for in them all Re-
putation and Security refteth : Majefias
Imperii^ [duti^ tuteU, Curt.
Whofb defireth to govern well, it be--
hoveth him to ufe Severity, Conftancy
and Reftraint , for over much Lenity
itltroduceth Contempt, and certain hope
of Impunity , the Condition of Men be-
ing fuch as cannot be reftrained by
Shame, yet it is to be commanded by
E 2 Fear :
52 The Arts of Empire.
Fear : Salutaris feveritas vincit inmem
jpeciem dementia, Cic.
Yet ought Severity to be ufed with
great relpefl: smd fparingly^ becaufe
over great Terror breed eth Defparati-
on : Pcem ad paucosj metus ad omnes fer^
vemat, Cic.
To govern conftantly is nothing elfe
but to continue the old and ancient Laws
in force without Change or Innovation
unlefs exceeding greatCommodity or ur-
gent Neceffity fliall fb require : for where
extream Puni£hments are ufed. Reforma-
tion is always needful : Nocet inter dum
frifcus rigor & nirnia feveritas, Tac.
Alfo to reftrain Authority is a matter
of great Neceffity and worthy a Wife
Prince ; elfe he maketh others partakers
of the Honor and Power to himfelf only
due, the fame being alfb dangerous :
Periculofim frivati hominis nomen fupra,
( immo & juxta J principes exto/Ii.
Tac.
It feemeth alfo perilous that great Au-
thority given to private Men fhould be-
long ; for thereby oft-tentimes they are
made Infolent and apt to Innovation :
LibertatM five principcitus magna, cuflodia,
4 y
The Arts of Empire. 5 3
ejty fi magna imperio diuturnA ejjfe non
ftnas. Liv.
Authority is alfo reinforced and en-
larged by Power, without which no
Prince can either take from others or
defend his own : Par urn tut a fine virilus
Majefias, Liv.
CHAP. XVII.
Of Power and Force 5 and how to
be raifed and viaintained.
POwer and Strength is attained by
thefe jfive ways, Money, Arms,
Counfel, Friends and Fortune ; but of
thefe the firil and moft forcible is Mo-
ney : Nihil tarn munitttm quod non exfug-
nari fecunia f of/it, Cic.
Next to Money Arms are of moft ufe
as well to defend as to offend ; to keep,
and to conquer; for oft-tentimes occafion
is to be offered as well to take from 0-
thers, as to hold what is our owi) :
Sua retinere frivata efi domm^ de alienis
cert are Reo^ia lam eA, Tac,
H 3 Alfo
54 Th^Arts of Empire.
Alfo of great and neceffary ufe is
Counfel, to devife how Arms ought to
be employed or enforced : Jrma concilia
temper and A. Tac.
Likewife Friends and Confederates
do greatly increale the Virtue of Power,
the fame being fuch as have both wit
and ability to aid : In cAducum farietem
m incline, Adri.
The laft, yet not the leaft part of
Power confilteth in Fortune ; whereof
daily Experience may be feen ; for the
Succefsofall humane Aftions feem ra-
ther to proceed from Fortune than Vir-
tue : Omni mtione pot entior fort una.Cmt,
To thefe Particularities concerning
Power, we may add the Qualities of the
Prince, which greatly Grace his Autho-
rity ; thefe are partly internal, and
partly external : by the one I mean the
Virtues of the Mind, by the other a
certain feemly Behavior and comely ge-
ftjure of the Body ; of the firft kind I do
fuppofe Piety and Providence to be the
chief, for Piety maketh a Prince Vene-
rable, and like unto God : Oportet prin-^
cipem res divines uideri curare ferio &
ante omnia, Arift*
Provi-
The Arts of Empire. 5 5
Providence is a Forecaft and likdy
conjefturesof thii'gs to come, fiippofcd
to be in thofc Princes that in their Ani-
ons proceed flowly and circumipectly,
it feemeth alio a courfe of Princely Dii-
cretion to be retired and not ordinarily
to converfe with many : AutoritAtem
ahfentia. tueare. Suet.
CHAR XVIIL
Of Con/piracy and Treafon , with
the Caufes and ways cf Preven-
tion or Vifcovery.
C^Onfpiracy is commonly addrefied to
J the Princes Perfbn ; Treafon s ai'e
addreffed againft his Governmenr, Au-
thority, Country , Subieds, or 1 laces of
Srength. Theie Mifchiefs are caiily
feared, but hardly efclxewed ; for albeit
open Enemies are openly encountred,
yet Fraud and Subtilty are fecret Foes,
and confequentiv not to be avoided :
E 4 Gc^
5^ The Arts of Empire.
Occulta pericula neq^ue provider e neque vi*
tare in porr^^iu eft. Saluft.
The danger of Confpiracy proceedeth
of divers Caufes, as Avarice, Infidelity
of Subjcasj Ambition in Servants, and
Corruption in Soldiers, therefore with
great difficulty to be avoided : Vit£ tu^
dominti^ eft: , cjuiscjuis fuam contemffit.
Sen.
Notwithftanding it feemeth that ei-
ther by Inquifition, Punifliment, Inno-
ceiicy, or Deftiay, the evil Affection of
Men may be oft-tentimes difcovered :
I. For whofo will curioufly inquire and
confider the A6lions and ordinary Spee-
chees of Men ( I mean thofe that be
Perlbns of Honor and Reputation) may
oft-tentimes vent the Myne that lurketh
in the Mmds : Quomam raro nift male lo-
qtmti ^nalifaciimt. Lipf.
1. Punifhment is likewife a thing fb
terrible that the Confideration thereof
wirli the hope of Reward doth often dif-
cover thofe dangerous Intentions : Cru-
eidtu atit fr^mio cunciafervia funi. Tac.
But as It is Wifdom in Princes to give
ear to Informers, fb are they not al-
ways to be believed j for Hope, Envy,
Hate^
The Arts of Empire. 5 7
Hate, or fome other Paffion oft-ten-
times draws them to Ipeak untruly :
^is innocms ejfe fotefi fi accujare fuffi-
citi Tac.
1. The third and Ukeheft Defence
againft Confpiracy is the Princes own
Innocency \ for never having injured
any Man, it cannot be thought there
liveth any SubjeQ: fo lewd as will endea-
nor to hurt him : Fidelif/tm,t cufiodiaprin"
cipis ipfim innocent i a, PI in.
4. The laft and beft Bulward to
withftand the force of this Mifchief we
call Deftiny \ which proceeding from
the Fountain of Divine Providence, may
be truly called the Will of God ; in
whole only Power it refteth to protect
and defend good Princes : Ille erit a U-
fere tuo^ & cujtodiet ^edem tnum ne capia-
ris. Salo.
Treaibns are moil: commonly enter-
prized by covetous Perfons, who pre-
ferring private Profit before Fame or Fi-
delity, do not fear to enter into any im-
pious Aftion : To this humor ambitious
M^a diifentious, and all fuch as be de-
firous of Innovation, are inclined : FuUra^
loauentes tidem in pe^fore pr/zva firue^tes.
Horn. To
5 8 The Arts of Empire.
To thefe Offenders no Punifhment
is equal to their impious Merit, can be
deviled, being Perfbns odious as well to
Friends as Foes : Prodi fores etiam in cjuos
dntefonunt^ invififunt, Tac.
CHAR XIX.
Of Fuhlick Hate and Contempt with
the Occafions and Means to redrefs
and avoid it.
JAving briefly touched the Virtues
i and Means whereby Princes are
maintained in Authority and Honor, let
ibmething be faid of the Caufes from
whence their Ruine doth proceed ; the
chief whereof feemeth to be Hate and
Contempt : Hate cometh of Fear,.
which the more Common it is, the
more Dangerous : N^IU vis imperii tan-
ta e//, qu£ fremente metu fojfit ejje diti-
turna, Cic.
The cauies of Fear are Punifhm.ents,
Impofitions and Rigor ; and therefore
it
The Arts of Empire. 5 p
it behoveth a Prince not only to fliua
them , but to elchew thofe Ani-
ons whereby he may reafonabie in-
cur their Sufpifion : Sentia^ enim ho-
mines ut metudnt mt oderint^ non mi-
nm opinione & fama^ qtiam cert a aliaua.
ratione mover i, Cic.
Yet Punifhment, Impofition and Cen-
fure are in all States necefTary, althout^h
they fliew and feem terrible, and con-
lequently breed a certain Defperation
in Subjeds, unlefs they be difcreetly
and modeftly ufed ; for extream and
frequent Punifhments tafte of Cruelty ;
great and many Impofts favor of Co-
vetoufiiefs 5 Cenfure of Manners when
it exceedeth the quality of Offences,
doth feem Rigour in thefe matters ;
therefore it behoveth the Prince to be
moderate and cautelous, chiefly in Ca-
pital Punifhment, which muft be con-
fined within the Bounds of Juftice : Sit
afud p, incipem parjtmonia etiam viliffimi
fanguims. Sen.
But if for Security fake the Prince
be forced to punilh, let the fame be
done with fhew of great Sorrow "and
Lothnefs ; T^nc^uam invito & mag--
no:iim
6o The Arts of Empre.
nocum tormento ^i ca,Higandum venlat.
Sen.
Let all Punifhments alfb be flowly
executed; for they that are haftily pu-
mlbed do feem to have been willing-
ly condemned ; neither ought any Ca-
pital Pmiilhment to be mflifted but
only that which is profitable to the
Common weaie, and for Example fake:
Nop^ tarn ut iffi pareant^ quam ut alios
fereu/jdo deter re ant. Sen.
in punilhmg alfb a fpecil refpeft muft
be had, that no fhew of content or plea-
flire be taken tiierein : Forma, rabiei esi
jdngulne 6" vulner ib us gander e. Sen.
Alio in Puniihing, equality mufl be
oMervedj and the nature of the Pumfli'
meet according to the Cuftom : Nee
eifdem de caufis alii fie [i ant ur^ alii ne ap-
feUentur qtiidem, Cic.
But in punifliing publick Offences
\Vherein a Multitude have part, the
Execution ought to be otherwife, and
as it v/ere at an inftant, which may
hapiy ieem tenible, but in effeQ: is not:
Frequens 'uindicla Vaucorum odium repri-
mit y omnium irritat. Sen.
Another
The Arts of Empire. 61
Another means to fatisfie a People
offended is to punifh the Minifters
of Cruelty, and with their Blood to
wafh away the common hatred. PiJi-
cuUres puhlici odii vi^tima. Plin. By
this King David did appeafe die G/-
beonites.
The next caufe of Difcontent cometh
of Impofitions, under which word is
comprehended all Levies of Money, a
matter nothing pleafing to People, as
that which they efteem equal to their
own Lives : Pecunia aftima & famgais
eft mortdihus. Plaut.
Fir ft, to remove Hate conceived of
this caufe, there is nothing better then
publick Expoftulation of Neceffity : for
what Commonwealth or Kingdom can.
be without Tributes ? NuIU qmes gas-
tiiim (me annis^ nee arm a fine fli^^niiisj
mc fiifendia fine Tnhiitis haheri quennt^^
Tac.
The fecond Remedy againft Hate for
Impofitions is to make moderate Levies
and rare. For as Tibenm the Emperor
was wont to fay, a Sheep fliouid be
fleeced not fiead : Q^.i nimis emungity
elicit fanguinern. Tac.
Tliirdly,
62 The Arts of Empire.
Thirdly, alfb to efchew the OflFence
of People, it behoveth the Prince to have
a vigilant Eye on Informers, Promo*-
ters> and fiich fifcal Minifters, whofe
Cruelty and covetous Proceedings do
oft-tentimes occafion great Hate ; but
this mifchief may be, though hardly, en-
countred, either by choofing honeft Offi-
cers, or (proving otherwife) not only
to remain them but to ufe them as
Spuilges : Exprimendi fofi o[uam hiherinti
Suet.
In all Impofitions or Taxations, no
Cruelty or Force ought to be ufed, the
fecond caufe to kindle Hate : and to
meet with that mifchief, nothing is
better than to proceed moderately, and
without Extremity : Ne Eaves iffos^
max agros^ fofiremo corpora fervitio ant
fce/24^ tradant. Tac.
The fourth Remedy Is the Princes
Own Parfimony, not giving fo largely to
private Perfons as thereby to be forced
to take from the Multitude : Magna opes
non tarn mult a capiendo^ qitam hand
mult a perdendo , au^runtur. Maecse-
nas.
The
The Arts of Empire. ^^
The laft help againfl: Hate is in Ta-
xation to proceed equally, indifferent-
ly, and without Favor or Re(pe£l ;
and that the Afleffors of Taxes may be
eleded of the meaner fort of People :
Fofulis maximam jidem rerum fuarum
habet. Tac.
Touching Cenfiire, which we num-
bred amongft the caufes whereof Hate is
conceived, much needeth not to be ipo-
ken, becaule the fame is difcontinued,
or rather utterly forgotten ; yet doth it
feem a thing neceflary, being 'a certain
Obfervation and Controlement of fuck
evil Manners and Diforders, as were not
hy Law corrigible ; thefe Officers were
of the Romans called Magifiri fudoris &
modeflia, Livi.
To the Funftion of Cenfures thefe
two things are anciently fiibjeQ: Man-
ners, and Excefs ; under Manners I com-
prehend Wantonnefs, Drunkennefs, Di-
cing, Brawhng, Perjury, and all fuch
Lewdnefs as Modefty condemneth.
Thefe Difbrders were anciently punifh-
ed by the difcretion of Cenfors in all
Ages and Sexes, to the end theit Idlenefs
might be generally avoided, Vm-verfa.
^4 ^^^ ^^^^ rf Empire.
tflebs habeat negotiafuAy qui bus a malo pub-
lico detimatur. Saluft.
Excels includeth Riotoufnefs, expence
of Money, Prodigal Houfe-keeping,
Banquetting and Superfluity in Apparel,
which things are the Mothers of many
Mifchiefs* It alfo feemeth in fbme fort
perilous to the Prince that the Subje£t
f hould exceed either in Covetize or Con-
fuming : Nemo nimis excedat^ five ami-
corum copia^ fine opum> Arift.
The Punifhment inflided upon thefe
forts of Offenders, were either Ignomi-
ny, or Pecuniary Punifhments : Cenfo-
ris judicium dan-mato nihil ajfert nifi ru-
bor em, Tac.
The firft and chiefeft means to re-
move thefe Inconveniences, is the Princes
own Example, whofe Life being well
cenfured, eafily reduceth others to order.
Vita frimi^is cenfuraperpetua, Piin.
Secondly, Thofe Diforders may be
taken away without danger , if the
Cenfures do proceed by degrees and
leafurely ; for the Nature of Man may
not fuddenly be altered. Fitia, qua-
dam toUitfaoilim primeps^ fi eorum fit pa--
tiens. Sen.
Thefe
The Arts of Empire. 6^
Thefe are the chiefeft Rules whereby
to efchew Hate , but impoflible it is for
any Prince or Minifter utterly to avoid
it ; for being himfelf good, he incurreth
ahe Offence of all bad Folk^ if he be Evil^
Godd Men will hate him ; this Danger
therefore Wife and Vertuous Princes
have little regarded ; becaufe Hate may
be gained as well by good as evil Doing :
Odia qui nimium timet^ regnare nefcit^
Sen.
One other means to remove this Error,
is, to reward the good and well de«
ftrving Subjects ; for no Man can think
him Cruel, that for love to Vertueuieth
Aufterity \ which will appear, when he
beftoweth Bountifully on the Good :
Framio & fcenA Rejfublica contimtur.
Solon.
The other Vice which indangereth
the State of Princes, v/e call Contempt,
being a certain bafe and vile Conceit^
which entereth into the Subjefts, Stran-
gers or Servants, of the Prince and his
Proceedings ; for the Authority of a
King may be refembled to the Powers
of Mans Mind, whereunto the Hands^
the Feet, the Eyes, do by confeat obey :
F Vires
66 The Arts of Empire.
Vires imperii in confe^iju obedientium funt.
Livi.
The Caufes of Contempt do proceed
chiefly from the Form of Government,
Fortune, or the Prince's Manners ; the
Form of Government becometh Con-
temptible, when the Frince, defiring to
be thought Merciful, ruleth rather Piti-
fully than Juftly ; which manner of Pro-
ceeding taketh away all Reverence in
the People, and in lieu thereof, entereth
Liberty, or at leaft a certain Boldnefs to
oftbnd : Facultas faciendi quod cuilihet
%>ifum^ non foteji comfrimere ingenitam
(ingtdis homimhus pravitatem, Tac.
Alfo to be Mutable, Irrefolute, Light
and Inconfiderate in beftowing the Ho-
nors and Offices of State, maketh the
Prince Contemptible: Qui p^fentihm
jruittir^ mc in longim confultat, Arift.
But if Contempt be caufed by For-
tune, or as may be faid more reafonably,
by Deftiny, and that thofe Friends do
fail, v/ho ought in Duty to defend the
Prince and his Authority, then is there
fiiiall hope to efchew Contempt : Fato
ohrwxia virtue, Plaut.
The
The Arts of Emfire, ^j
The Prince's Manners do breed Con-
tempt, when he yieldeth his AfFeftions
to Senfuahty and Sloth, or if he incur the
Sufpition of Simphcity,Cowardife/)r any
fuch Vice, unworthy the Dignity he
beareth : Common People do fometimes
alfb difefteem the Prince for external and
hght caufes^as Deformity of Perfon^Sick-
nefs or fuch like : Mos vulgi eft^ fortuity.
& externa ad culfam trahere^ Tac*
CHAP. XX.
Of Diffidence and Vifjimulation in
the Management of State Affairs,
ALbeit roundneis and plain dealing
be mofi: worthy Praife, chiefly iii
private Perfbns ; yet becaufe all Men in
their Actions do not fo proceed, it be-
hoveth Wife Men and Prince^'^ above
otherSj at occafions to Semble and DiP
femble ; for as in all Actions a Prince
ought to be Slow and Advifed ; fb in
Confcnt and Believing, Hafte and Faci-
F ^ lity
6 8 The Arts cfE?npire.
lity is moft dangerous ; and though Cre-
dulity be rather an Error than a Fault,
yet for Princes it is both Unfit and Pe-
rilous. Wherefore it importeth them to
be defended with this Caution, Nihil ere-
dendoj atque omma ca^vendo. Cic.
Notwithftanding he muft not Ihew
Iiimlelf Diffident or Diftruftful utterly ;
but as I wifli he ftiould not over-llightly
believe all Men, fo ought he not for
fmall caufes diftruft every Man : Multi
filler e docuertmt J dum time nt f alii. Sen.
Diffimulation is as it were begotten
by Diffidence, a Quality in Princes of fo
great Neceffity, as moved the Emperor
. Tiber i^^ to fay, Nefcit regmre^ t^uinefiit
dilfimtiUre,
The NecefTity of Diffimulation is
chiefly to be uled with Strangers and
Enemies ; it alfo ilieweth a certain Dif.
cretion in Magiflrates, fometimes to dif-
guife witli Friends when no Oflence doth
thereof follow: Doli non funt doli^ m(i
afiu coLts. Flaut.
. This kind of Craft, albeit in every
Mans Conceit not praifable, is never-
thelefs tolerable, and for Princes and
Masiftrates (the fame being ufed to
good
The Arts of Empire. 6p
good ends ) very neceffary. But thofe
Cunnings which are contrary to Vertue,
ought not of Honeft Men to be uied ;
neither dare I commend Adulation and
Corruption, though they be often ufed
in Court, and are of fome Learned Wri-
ters-allowed : Decifere fro moriht^t^ tern-
for urn y prudent to. efi, Plin.
By great Subtilty and Frauds, con-
trary to Vertue and Piety, I mean Per-
jury and Injuftice, which though all
Men in Words deteft, yet in Deeds are
ufed of many, perfwading themfelves,
by Cavillations and Sophiftications, to
excufe the Impiety of their Falfe Oaths ;
as it is written of Lyfander^ Pueros tdis^
'viros juramentis circumve^ire JoIel?at»Plu;U
F J CHAP
^p The Arts of Empire,
CHAR XXI.
Of War Defenfive and Invafive j
with Injtniciions touching Laws
of Arms^ Soldiers and Military
Vifcipline.
THE Art Military is of all other Qua-
lities mpft neceffary for Princes ,
for witliout it they cannot be defended ;
force of Men only fufficeth not, unlefs
the fame be governed by Council, and
Martial Wifdom : Duo funt qtiihus rejp,
fervatur \ in hojies fortkudoy & domi con-
^ordia. Tac.
Military knowledge concerneth War,
and every War is either Forreign or
Domeftical, Touching Forreign, itmuft
be confidered when it muft be begun ,
how to continue it , and when to be
ended, to begin War, a Prince is tQ
take heed that the Caufe be juft, and the
Enterprife advifedly entred into : Sun^
enim & belli ficut puis jura^ jujleque ea no?^^
minm dc far titer gerere debes, Livi.
The
The Arts of Empire. 71
The Laws of Arms are in all Com-
mon- weales to be duly obferved ; for to
enter Fight rafhly and without refpefl
to Reafbn, were Beaftly ; alfo to Kill or
Slay would work no better Efted, than
that all Nations fhould without Mercy
Murder one another : Barbara' ritu co:-
dem ccede^ & fdnguinem [anguine expiare,
Sal.
No War therefore is to be made, but
fuch as is Juft ; and in every Juft War
thefe three things are to be looked into
(1;/^.) That the Author be of Authority,
That the Caufe be Good, and the End
Juft ; for in all States, the Prince, or they
in whom the Sovereignty reiieth,are tlie
Juft Authors of War; others havQ no
fiich Authority : Si quis frivatimfme pi-
blico fcitOj facem befumve fecerit^ cap it ale
efio. Plato.
Wars are of two (brtt ; Defenfive and
Offenfive ; the one to Relift, the other to
Invade ; againft Defence nothing can be
faid, becauie it is Natural and NeceiTary.
£/? non modo jp.ftum fed etiam nece\f^^riirm
cum "vi vis ilia fa defenditur. Cic.
Defenfive War is of two fbrtSjeither to
defend thine own^ or thy Friends \ for it
F 4 / is
7 2 The Arts of Empire.
is reafbn that every one fhould keep fe-
curely that which to him appertaineth ;
and therewith alfo by Arms to defend the
Liberty of Country ,Parents and Friends :
Nullum helium a civitate fufcipitur nifi nut
frofde dut fro falute. Cic.
The hke reafbn leadeth us to affift and
proteft Friends ; for the common ObU-
gation of Humane Society doth fb re-
quire : Qui enim non ohftflit ft potefi^ in-
juri^j tarn efl in vitio , quam fi parent es
mt patriam, aut focios defer at. Cic.
InvaGon is alfo juft and allowable,
but not ever ; for whofo hath been
robbed, or fpoiled of his Lands or Goods,
may lawfully feek RepofTeffion byForce ;
yet fo as before any Force be ufed, he
firft civilly feek Reilitution, wherein if
Juftice be denied, then is the ufeof Arms
neceiTary : '^jufum helium quihfn neceffa^
xium ; & pa arma quihm nulla nifi in
urmis relinquitur Jpes, Liv.
Likewile Invahon is lawful againft
Barbarians , whofe Religion and Im-
piety ought to be abhorred , chiefly if
they be Potent and apt to offend ; for
the caule of fuch V/ar is Compulfion
and Suppreflion of Evil ; Cui licentia
iniqui-
The Arts of Empire. 73
ini^uitatis erifitur , utiliter vincitur.
Auguft.
Finally, To conclude this matter of In-
vafion, I fayjThatnoRevengejno defire
of Honor or Empire , are any lawful
Caufes of War ; but the intent thereof
ought to be directed only to Defence and
Security : For Wife Men do take Arms
to win Peace, and in hope of Reft they
endure Travel : ltd helium fufcipiatur ut
nihil aliud quampax qu^fetavideatur.Cic.
Having laid fomewhat againft unjuft
War, let us fpeak of Temerity and unad-
vifed War,an Enterprife worthy difcom-
mendation : Omnes helium [umunt facile^
ctgerrime defmunt ; nee in ejufdemfotefiate
initium & finis efi, Sal.
A wife irince therefore ought neither
to undertake any unlawful Invafion, nor
without fober and mature Dehberation
enter into any W ar, as he that is un-
willing to oftend^yet of Courage enough
to defend : Nee frovoces helium^ nee time-
as, Plin.
To make War three things are re-
quired, Money, Men and Arms; and to
maintain a War, Provifionand Council,
are needful : Therefore a wife Prince,
before
74 "^he Arts of Empire.
before he begins a War, doth carefully
confider what Forces and charge there-
unto belongeth : Din afparandum efi heU
lum^ ut vincas melim. Pub,
Above all other Provifions, care muft
be had, that Bread be not wanting ; for
without it neither Victory nor Life can
be looked for : Qui frumentum necejfari-
nmqtie com?neAtum non fr^parat^ vincitur
fine ferro. Vegetius.
Laftly, It behoveth a Prince always to
have Arms in readinefs, I mean^Harnefs,
Horles, Weapons, Artillery, Engines,
Powder, and every other thing neceffary
either for Service on Horfe or Foot : We
may add hereunto ShipSjand Shipping of
all forts, with every Furniture of Oftence
or Defence ; for thefe Preparations make
a Prince formidable, becaufe no Man
dare do or attempt Injury to that King
or People, where Preparation is ever
ready to revenge : Qui deftderat fAcem^
p'jsparat heHum. Caff.
Ey Men we mean a Multitude of Sub-
lefts armed, trained to defend or offend ;
Thefe are of two forts, Captains and Sol-
diers ; and Soldiers are either Footmen
or Horfe-men ; the one of great ufe in the
Cham.-
The Arts of Empire. j 5
Champion, the other in Mountainous
places; alfo for defence or affault of
Towns or Grounds fortified molt ne-
celfary, and conftquently meet for Ser-
vice in all places, which moved Tacitus
to fay, Omne in fedite robur. TaCo
For fudden Service, Horfes do leem
moft meet; and the Execution of any En-
terprife is by them moft fpeedily per-
formed: Neverthelefs the Aftions of
Foot-men do feem moft certainly exe-
cuted, chiefly if they be well armed, and
skilfully lead ; for fb Experience hath
of late time proved ; befides, that they
are of lefs Expence and of greater num-
ber : In uniz'erfum ^Jlimanti ^lus inpedite
robur. Tac.
Having thus proved, that both Horfe
and Foot be necellary, let us remember,
that unlefs they be ierviceable, great
Numbers are to fmall purpofe : Mdnibm
opus efi bello^ non multis nominibu6\ Livi.
To make Soldiers ferviceable, confift-
eth in good Choke and good Difciphne ;
the one at this day little regarded :
Emunt militem^ non legtmt. Livi.
Soldiers ought to be elected out of the
moft honeft- and able Number of Bodies,
and
J 6 The Arts of Empire .
and every Company compofed of Men
known one to the other ; for thereby they
are made the more Confident: But hereof
is finall heed taken, for commonly they
are Purgamenta urbium fuarum. Curt.
Touching Difciphne, it feemeth that
thereof the external Form, and not the
certain Subftance, is obferved : For as in
former Ages Soldiers endeavored to be
Vertuous and Modeft,fo now they rather
ftudy to excel in Riot than in Martial
Knowledge : Exercitm lingua quam manu
fromptior^frdiddtor eft fociiSy &ipfafrada.
hoftiam. Sal.
For as much as Soldiers are made good
by Election and Choice, it feemeth that
the Foundation and Ground of Service
confifteth in the Difcretion and Judg-
ment of thofe that have Authority to
make Ele£tion ; yet will we add, that
they muft be cholen of Natural Subjefts,
for Strangers are Covetous, and confe^
quently Corruptible ; they are alfo Mu-
tinous and Cowardly: Their Cuftom
likewife is to Rob, Burn and Spoil both
Friends and Foes, and to confume the
Princes Treafure : Off^. vides regtm vo-
cals exftictamedulUs. Juven.
But
The Arts of Empre. 7 7
But the Native Soldier is Faithful and
ObedientjRefolute in Fight,Loving to his
Country,and Loyal to his Prince : Gentes
qu^ fuhregihm funt^p'o Deo colunt. Curt.
Native Soldiers are of two forts, {viz?)
They that be in continual Fay, and they
that are trained ready to lerve, but do
notwithftanding attend their own pri-
vate Affairs, until they be called : The
firft are for all Princes neceffary : In pace
decus^ in hello prafidium, Tac.
Of this fort no great number ought to
be, as well to efchew Difordar, as alfoto
lave Expences. The fecondkind of Foot
Soldiers are to be levied in Villages, as
People more patient of Pains, and fit for
the Wars ; yet fo judicioufly difpofed as
the Citizens ; Odio pr^fentium & non en-
pidine mutationis, Tac.
. Touching the number of thefe extra-
ordinary Soldiers, that muft be referred
to Difcretion: Bellum pararey fimul &
arario p AY cere.
To conclude, I fay thefe numbers of
ordmary and extraordinary Foot ought
to be according to the number of the
People, not inferting any Gentlemen- for
Service on Horfc-back is to them only
proper:
78 The Arts of Empire.
proper : Alas rufiick non tribuo ; in nobi^
Lit at em & in dwites hdic a fauperihu^ oner a
inclines. Livi.
The moft certain Notes whereby to
conceive the Diipofition of Men fit to
become Soldiers, are thefe Five, The
Country where they are Born^their Age^
Proportion of Body , their Quahty of
Mind, and their Faculty. Touching,
Firft, Their Country^ it is a thing ap^
parently proved, that Mountainous Re-
gions, or Barren places, and Northern
Habitations, do breed Wits well dilP-
pofed to the War : Locormn ajperitas ho--
mtnum quoc^ue ingenta, durat. Curt.
Secondly, The Age moft apt for the
War, was anciently obferved to be about
eighteen Years, and 15 the Romcins uled:
Facili^ ejl ad virtutem infirusre novos
milites^ quam revocare frateritos, Veget*
Thirdly, The Stature of a Soldier ought
to be obferved : Marim liked beft the
longeft Bodies ; Fjrrhm preferred large
and well proportioned Men ; but Vege--
ti us in Ins Choice,rather efteems Strength
than Stature ; Vtilims ejl fortes milttes
ejfe quam grandes. Veget.
Fourtlily,
The Arts of Empire. jp
Fourthly, The Mind or Spirit of a
Soldier ought to be confidered, for that
Mind which is quick, nimble, bold and
confident, feemeth apt for War : He is
alfb of good Hope, that loveth Honor
more than Eale or Profit : In brief. Is
c^ui nihil metuit nifi tur pern fa-mam. Sal.
Laftly, It is to be marked in what
Art or Faculty a Man hath been bred ;
for it may be preliimed that Fifhers,
Fowlers, Cooks, and others trained up
in Effeminate Arts, are unfit for Martial
Endeavor : And as thefe Men were, ia
refjpeO: of their Trade, thought unmeet,
ib in old time. Slaves and Mafterlels-
Men were repulfed from Arms, as Per-
j[bns Infamous: ^ed nunc tales f octant ur
armis quale s Domini habere fajlidiu?2t\
Veget.
How Soldiers ought to be chofen,the{e
few words we have fpoken, may luffice.
Let us therefore fay fbmewhat ol Dil-
cipline. Choice findeth out Soldiers ,
but Difciphne doth make and continue
them fit for Service : Paucos vivos fortes
natura frocreat , bona infiitutione flures
reddat indufiria, Veget.
Difci-
8 o The Arts of Empire.
Difcipline is a certain fevere
Dtfcipline, Confirmation of Soldiers iii
their Valor and Vertue, and
is performed by four means, Exercife,
Order, Compulfion and Example. The
two firft appertain to Valor, the third
to Vertue, the laft to both : But of Ex-
ercife, firft, I fay, That a Soldier being
chofen. ought to be informed in Arms^
and ufed in Exercife and Aftion ; the
word exercitium importeth nothing elfe :
Exercitus dicitur , quod meltm fit exerci*
tando Varro.
Order confifteth in dividing, difpo-
fing, and placing of Men aptly on all
Occafions to be commanded , as, the
Leaders (hall direft: This matter re^
quireth a large Difcourfe, and therefore
1 refer it to skilful Captains and Wri-
ters, di'^Polybimj Fegetim, DtUNonne^
and others. ^ \
Compulfion and Correftion, is that
which bridleth and governeth the Man-
ners of Soldiers; for no Order can be
oblerved amongft them, unlefs they be
Contiaent, Modeft and Abftinent ; for
Continency is chiefly to be {hewed in
their Diet, and moderate Defires : Be-
generat
The Arts of Empire. 8 1
generdt a rohore ac "uirtute miles nffuetu--
dine volupntum. Tac.
The Modefty of a Soldier is per-
ceived by his Words, Apparel and Afti-
Gns: For to be a Vaunter, or Vain-
glorious Boafter, is far unfit in him that
profelTeth Honor or Arms, feeing true
Vertue is filent : Viri militia riAti^ faCtis
magnij ad verhorum linguaque certamina^
rudes. Tac.
The Apparel of a Soldier fheweth
Modefty, if therein he do not exceed;
for albeit it fitteth well the Profeflion of
Arms , to be well armed and decently
apparelled ; yet all Superfluity favoreth
of Ignorance or Vanity ; Horridum mili^
tern ejfe decetj non ccehtum mro argentoq^ue
fedferro. Livi.
Abftinence is alfb fie for all Soldiers ;
for thereby guided , they refrain from
Violence and Infolency ; by that Rule
alfo they are informed to govern them-
lelves civilly in the Country where they
ferve, and likewife in their Lodgings :
Never taking any thing from thcOwner,
nor committing any Outrage : Vivmt
cum frovinci dibits jure civili^ nee infokf^
Jdat Animus qui fe fenCtt armct-tum.
^ G Th«
82 27?^ Arts of Empre,
The laft mark of Difcipline we called
Example , under which word is com-
prehended E^eward and Punifhment :
For Men are rewarded whenfoeverthey
receive for any excellent or fingular
Service, Honor or Riches: And for
Evil 5 they have their due when they
tafte the Punilliment thereunto belong-
ing : Neceffarium efi acrim ille dmdcety
quern ad ops & dignitates or do militia
d^ imperatorh judicium confuevit evehere^
Veget.
Likewife as Gold and Glory belongeth
to good and well deferving Soldiers ; fb
Funiiliment is due to thofe that be
Vitious and Cowardly; for nothing
holdeth Soldiers in Obedience fo much
as the Severity of Difcipline: Milites
imperatorum fotim quAm hojlem metuere
debent. Veg.
C H A P.
The Arts of Empire. 85
CHAP. XXIL
Of Generals and Commanders^ and
their requifite Abilities in Mar-
tial Enterprifes and Expeditions.
OF Soldiers let this little fuffice, we
will now fpeak of what Quality
Chieftains and Leaders ought to be, for
upon them dependeth the Welfare of
whole Armies : Militario turha. fine duce^
torfm fine Jpiritu, Curt.
A Chief or General in War, is either
of his own Authority Chief,or a General.
that commandeth in the Name of ano-
ther. Of the firftfbrt are Emperors,
Kings and Princes ; of theother^be their
Deputies, Lieutenants, Colonels, and in-^
deed all general Commanders in the
War : Now whether it be more Expe-
dient that the Prince iiiould command
in Peribn or by Deputy , divers wife
Men have diverfly thought, therefore
it may be thus diftinguiflied ; if the
War do then only concern fbrns parti-
G 2 cular
84 The Arts of Empire.
cular Part or Province, then may the
fame be performed by a Lieutenant ;
but if the whole Fortune of a Prince
do thereupon depend , then is he to
command in his own Perfbn and not
otherwife : Duhiis hellorum exemplis fum-
?yidi rerum & imperii feiffum refervat,
Tac. --
It therefore importeth the Prince
fometimes by his own Prefence, fbme-
times by his Deputation to perform
that Office ; but however occafion Ihall
require, it ever behoveth that one only
Commander ought to be, (for Plurality
of Chieftains doth rarely or never work
any good Eftefl:) yet with this Caution
that he be of Experience , and Wife :
In hellica, prxfeci-urA major ajpscius ha*
bend^s feritis quam virtutis aiit morum,
Arift.
The Qualities required in a Chieftain
are thefe, Skill, Vertue, Providence, Au-
thority and Fortune : By Skill we mean
he fliouid be of great Knowledge, and
long Experience, or to make a fuffi-
cient Captain ; the Information of others,
or his own reading is not enough: Qui
noYtt cjuis or do agminis^qti^ cur a exfloandiy
The Arts of Empire. 85
qumtus nrgendo trahendove hello modv^,
Cic.
Military Vertueis a certain Vigor or
Force both of Body and Mind toexercijfe
Soldiers as well in fained War as to fight
with the Enemy ; and fummarily a Cap-
fain ought to be hdhoriofm in negotio^
fortis in fericulo^ indufirius in agendo^
ceteris in conficiendo. Cic.
Next to Vertue we placed Providence
as neceffary in great Captains ; for being
of liich Wifdom, they will not hazard
nor commit more to Fortune than nc-
ceflity Ihall inforce ; yet true it is. Fools
and vulgar Folks, that commend or dif-
commend Aftions according to Succels^
were wont to fay, Cuncfatiofervilis^fia'
tim exequi^ Regium ejl. But advifed and
provident Captains do think, Temerita^s
fr^terquAm quodjiulta^ efl eciam infelix. .
Livi.
Albeit Providence be the beft mean of
good Speed, yet Ibme Captains of that
Quality and in Skill excelling, have been
in their Aftions unlucky, when others
of lefs Sufficiency have marvelloully pre-
vailed ; we may therefore reafbnably fay
with Qic, Quodolim Maximo^ Marcello^
G J Set-
8 6 The Arts of Empre.
Scifioni^ Mario & ceteris magms Impe-
ratorihm non fohrm propter virtutem^ fed
etiam propter fortunarn fcepipi^ imperia.
mandnta , atc^ue exercittis effe commijfps,
Cic.
Laftly, We wifhed Authority to be ia
Chieftains, for it greatly importeth what
Opinion or Conceit the Enemy hath of
liich a Governor , and hkewife how
much his Friends and Confederates do
efteem him; but the chief and only
means to maintain Authority, is Aufte-
rity and Terror : Dux Author it at em max-
tm am fever it ate fiimat^ ornnes culpas mili-
tares legiht-^ vindicet^ nulli errantium cre-^
datur ignofcere, Veget.
Alio Experience hath proved^that fuch
Chieftains as were aiTable and kind to
their Soldiers, were much loved, yet did
they inciir a Contem^pt ; but on the other
iide^tlioie that commanded feverely and
terribly, although they gained no good
Will, yet were they ever obeyed : Dusq
facUis inutilis, App,
CHAP,
The Arts of Evifire. 8 7
CHAP. XXIIL
Oj Councils in War^ and Diredilons
TaElic^and Stratagematici^^ iviih
Advice how to make an honorable
Peace.
AFter Men found and framed fit for
the War, to fmall or no purpofc
fliall they ferve, unlefs they be imployed
by Wifiiom or good Council : Mon ml-
nm eji Imper Moris confilio mam viperf-
cere. Tac.
Council m War is of two forts^ direct
Council and indiredl: j tlie firil flieweth a
plain and orderly courfe tor proceeding,
as to lay hold on occaiion ; for as in all
other Humane Adions occaiion is of
great Force : Occafio in hello [olet arnnlius
juvare quam ^uirtu-s, Veget.
As Occafions preientcd are means of
good Succefs, fb Fame worketh great
Etleas in the Wars, therefore it behovetli
a Captain to be Conftant, and not apt to^
believe the vain P^umors and Reports oi
Men : Male imperatur^ cum regit vidgus-
duces [no s. Sen.
G 4 Conn-
8g The Arts of Empire.
Confidence is alfo to be efchewed, for
no Man is fboner furprifed, than he who
feareth leaft ', alio Contempt of the Ene-»
my hath been occaiion of great Difcom-
fit'ures, Therefore as a Captain ought not
to fear, fo fhould he not contemn his
Enemy: Nimi^ jiducU fenfer ohmxia.
jEmyl.
As Security jand overmuch Eftimation
of our own Vertue or Valor is hurtful^ fb
doth it import every good Captain to be
well informedjQOt only of his own Forces
but alfo of what Strength the Enemy is ;
likewile it behoveth him to know the
Situation of the Countryjand the Quality
of the People, with every other Circum-
ftance. Moreover, the Generals Honor
and Capacity ought to be known, with
the Condition and Nature of the Enemy :
Imfetm acres cunBatione Unguefctint ^ nut
in ferfidt.rm mutantur. Tac.
Temerity in War is alio dangerous,
for %^ ifc Captains w^ere wont not toEn-
terprife any thing without Dehberation
and good Opportunity, unlefs they were
thereunto bv Neceffity inforced : In re-
hm ajferis S" tenui fpe^ fortiffimA quaque
confm.itiit'fjjimd [unt, Livi,
Some
The Arts of Empire. Sp
Some wife Men, not Superftitioufly
but Difereetly, do think prodigious Signs
from Heaven, or on Earth, are not to be
neglected, neither are Dreams in time of
War to be contemned : Nam amat be-
nignitas numiniSy feu quo^ merentur homi-
nes^ feu quod tangitur eomm affectione^ his
quoque rutionihm frodere qu£ impendent,
^mi.
A wife Captain will alio wait Oppor-
tunities, and Ipy out fit times when the
Enemy is wearied, or pretending fear,
draw him into danger j which Advan-
tageSjWith many other^are gained chiefly
by obferving of time : QuJAf in occafionu
moment 0^ cujm pr^^tervoUt of'fortunita^^
cunEiatm ^aulum fueris^ nequica,uam mox
omiffam querare, Livi.
Next the Obfervation of Time, the
Place is to be well confidered, whetlier
it be for thine Advantage or thine Ene-
mies : Amflius f rode ft locm fafe quam
"virtus, Veget.
Thirdly, It importeth much,that Men
tewell ordered, trained, and prepared
for the Fight ; for the want of Art is
caufeof many Difadvantagt^s, and many
times a fmall Supply of choice Soldiers
on
po The Arts of Empire.
on Horfe-back or Foot, doth ictm to the
Enemy very Terrible ; hkewifea fudden
Shout or Conceit hath amazed a whole
Army : Milhes ^vanis & i^anibus^ magis
qu&m jujlis formidinis caujis moventur.
Curt.
Fourthly, It were to good purpofe,
that in ordering of Men for Fight, Sol-
diers of one Country or Nations, lliould
be ranged together, and above all, to
forelee that the leaft lofs of Blood be
among the Natural Subjects, and fb han-
dle the Matter, that the chief Slaughter
light upon Strangers and Mercenaries :
litgens vicfori^ deem , citra domejlicum
jangttinem belianti, Tac
The Generals own Courage and lively
Difpolition to Fight,will greatly animate
the Multitude of Soldiers, as a contrary
Counteuance or Appearance of Fear,will
exceedingly Amaze and Daunt : Nece(fe
eft- ad fag/im fjivAti fmt^ qui due em fuum
fenthmt dejj^erare, Veget.
It were alio for thy great Advan-
tage, that the Forces fliould be ordered .
for the Fight^ before the Enemy be pre-
pared.
Firft,
The Arts of Empire. p i
Firft, For that thou maift the better
perform, what thou thinkeft fit to be
done.
Secondly , That thereby thine own
Forces will thereof receive greatCourage,
being readieft to alfail the Enemy, and to
begin the Fight : Plus animi efi infer enti
f.ericuhm^ (^uam fropulfantL Lav'v
After ViQory it is not the beftPohcy
to execute the Enemies with extream
Cruelty, but proceed Moderately, for it
fhall fuffice the ViQiory is thine : Chufis
ex dejperatione crefcit mdacia^ & cumjpei
nihil efl^ fumit armn fennido. Veget.
Laltly,! would advife that the General
ihould be wary in his Aftions, and in
every Enterprile to frufcrate the Soldiers
from Spoils and Pillage: Sape ohflttit vin-
cent ibtisfrcivum inter ipfos certa?nenjOr/ii(To
hojle Jpolia conjeclanda, Tac.
Of dired Councils, let that we have
faid fuffice. We will now fpeak of Coun-
cils Indireft, commonly called by the
Greek Word, Stratdgems or Subtile Fro.-
Bices : Which manner of Proceeding,
hath been, in times paft, of divers Grave
Writers condemned : Vir nemo mentis
altiiscUnculum velit occidere hojf em.Eurip,
Not^
p 2 The Arts of Empire.
Notwithltanding the Opinion of this^
and divers other Writers worthy Credit,
it feemeth reafbnable^and in Piety allow-
abkjthat Stratagems and Subtil ties may
be ufed in the War, yet with fuch Cau-
tion, as the fame may ftand with Fidehty
and Honor ; for Fraud being ufed, con-
i: trary eb Contracts and Agreements made
#ith the Enemy, is mere Treachery :
As to Poyfbn him or her, a Murtherer to
kill him, were plain Impiety : Fadera-
turn injufie fallere^ imfium. Livi.
Alfo out of the War covertly to kill
a particular Enemy by lecret Affault
orPraftice, is not warrantable , either
by Faith or Honor ; yet to ufe all Craft,
Cunning and Subtilty in open War, is
both allowable and praifable; and ib is
thought by Chriftian Writers: Cumju-
fium helium fulcifitur , ut aperte yugnet
quis aut ex tnfiiiis^ nihil adjujiitiam in--
terefl. Aug.
The lame is alfo approved by divers
Authors of good Credit: Conjice five dolo
feu flricio cominm eufe. The lame is alio
aiErmed by Xenophor/^Reiffa nihil utilim
in hdlo dolts,
I'hus
The Arts of Empre. ^ 3
Thus having briefly touched what
Counfels are required in War,let uscon-
fider how Viftory is to be ufed, for the
end of every good War is Peace ; to the
enjoying whereof, three things are re-
quired, Warinels, Mercy and Modefly ;
becaufe over-great Confidence may hap-
pily impeach the end of good Succefs :
Res fecund<e negUgentiam creant. Livi.
I alfo wifh the ViQory to be handled
Mercifully, becaufe all Conquefts are in
their own Nature cruel enough : And the
Ire of Iniblent Soldiers, forces the Con-
quered to become Defperate : Gravilfime
morfm irritate mceffitatis. Curt.
To proceed Modeftly,is alio an honor-
able Quality in him that conquereth ; for
in profperous Fortunes, Men do hardly
refrain covetous and proud Doings ; yea,
fbme good and great Captains have in
like caies forgotten what did beft become
them : In rebus fecundis eviam egregii
Duces infolefcmit, Tac.
After Vidory followeth Peace : For if
War did ever continue, no State or Go-
vernment could fland : Therefore how
greatjOr how long foever the War be,the
end muft be Peace ; the name whereof
is
P4 '^^^ ^^ts of Empire.
is not only Sweet, but alfo Comfortable *
Pax una triumphis innumeris potior.
Peace is not only good and profit-
able to him that is Viflorious, but alio
to thofe that are vidored: Pacem re^
duct velle victori^ expedhyvioto neceffe ejl,
Tac.
Neverthelefs until good and honorable
Peace be offered, Arms may not be laid
afide: Wherein I wifh Tully\ Advice
to be followed : Bellum gerendum eft ; fi
helium omitte?nus^ pace nunquam jruemur.
Livi.
In Treaty of Peace, two things muft
be confidered : Firft, That the Condi-
tions be Honorable. To condefcend to
any Bale Conditions, is unto a Princely
Mind not only great Indignity, but alfb
Intolerable : Cum dignitate potius caden*
dum^ auam cum ignoniinia ferviendum,
Plut. \
It alfb importeth, the Peace fhould
be fimple, true and unfeigned ; for all
feigned and diflembling Amity is to be
doubted : ^ace fuf^ecfa tutius eft helium^
Mithrid,
Thefitteft Seafon to fpeak of Peace^
t!,xe War beginneth, or
during
The Arts of Empire. ^5
during the time that the Enemies be of
equal Force ; for if the War continued!,
it mufl: behove the Weaker to yield to
Neceffity : Not unhke the Ship-mafter,
who to lave himfelfdoth call: the greateft
part of his Loading into the Sea : Ne^
ceffitati farCy quam ne dho^uidem fuferant.
Livi.
Finally, Having generoufly defended
thy feif,and performed all things required
in a magnanimous Captain, and finding
neverthelefs thy Force infufficient,it can-
not be difhonorable to accept Peace.
Wherefore laying afide Hatred and
Hope, which are but weak Supporters,
thou maift recommend thee and thine to
the approved Difcretion of an honorable
Enemy : Viciores fecundd: res in mifera- ■
tionem ex trci vert tint. Livi,
Now for as much as every Peace pre-
mifeth Reft and Quiet, as well to the
Vi£torious as to the Viciored ; we m.ay
add thereunto, that the Irince Vido-
rious receiveth thereby Honor,Frofit and
Security. For although his HappiiieS
may occafion Hope of great Succefs, yet
in refped of Fortunes Mutability, it fliaii
be Good and Glorious to liften to Peace :
Deco-
<^6 The Arts of Empire.
Decorum frincipi efi cum viBoria?n frofe
in manihus haheat^ pacem non abnuere^ ut
fcia,nt emnes te & [ufci^ere jujie helium^ &
fihire, Livi.
It feemeth alfo the more Honorable ;
for who fo is Viftorious, doth give Peace
and not take it : He alfb ftieweth him-
lelf Difcreet by ufing a Moderation in
Victory, and no Extremity inSpoiUng,
which our Wile and Godly Writers have
commended : Pacem contemnentes^& glo-
riam apfstef^teSy facemferdunt &gloriam^
Bern.
Peace is alfo Profitable for the Vifto-
rious, becaule continual War breedeth
Wearineis^and of violent Proceeding De-
fparation and Peril cometh : Maximi &
mortifiri morfus ejjfe folem morientium be*
fii^/ntrn. Sen.
Likewife Peace is more allured than
any Victory. Hope of the one is in thine
own Povv^er ; the other in the Hand of
God: Add thereunto the force of Fortune,
which hath great power in all Humane
Aftions : In rebus fecundis nihil in quen^
qua?nfuperbe ac %>tolenter confuiere decet^nec
fr^fenti credere Fortun£^ cum quid vejper
feraty incertus (is. Sen.
Alfo
The Arts of Empire. ^j
Alfb Conditions of Peace ought to be
realbnably and freely beftowed : For
no People can live contented under fuch
a Law as forceth them to loath the
State wherein they are, Mifera pax
hello bene mutatur. Sen,
CHAP. XXIV.
Of Civil War, with the Caufes and
Remedies thereof.
THE greateft and moft grievous
Calamity that can come to any
State is Civil War ; for therein Subjeas
take Arms agairift their Prince or among
themfelves, whereof folio weth a Mifery
more Lam.entable than can be defcribed,
Non atas^ non dignitas que^quam proteoit
quo minrnfiuprd cadibm^ & cacbs Jluwis
mifcemtur, Tac.
The firft Caufe of Civil War proceed-
eth of Deftiny, for God in his own Di^
vme Providence forefeeth many Years
before; that great and mio-hty Empires
H " fl^all
5? 8 The Arts of Empire.
lliall be ruined. I^fe magp^a ruunt : U-
tis hlnc numinA rehm Crefcendi fofuere mo^
darn — ^Lucan.
The fecond Caufe is, Excefs^ Riot,
and Diffolute Life; for nothing breed-
eth Civil Fury fo fbon as over great
Happinefs ; alfb pompous Apparel, Ban-
quetting and prodigal Spending con-
iiimech Riches, and Plenty is turned
into Poverty ; for by thefe means are
Men brought into Defperation. Kafci^
cijjimo cuique m -perditiffimo, non agri aut
fccmis fedfoU inBrumenU vitiorum mane-
hunt, Tac.
Now to confider how Deftiny might
be efchewed, were in vain : For lueh a
Remedy no Wit or Wifdom can devife,
being the Decree of God, no doubt it
is inevitable. Ita fato pLtcuity nullius
ret eodern [empr loco Hare for tun am. Sen.
There is nothing exempt from the
peril of Mutation ; the Earth, Meavens,
and whole World is thereunto Subjeft.
Cert -is etmt cunBa temporibm ; nafci de-
h'int^ crefcere^ extingui. Sen.
Touching the fecond Caufes of Civil
War fbme Remedies may be ufed, be-
cauic it proceedech of Faction, Sedition
or
The Arts of Empire. pp
or Tyranny. I call Faftion a certain
Affociation of divers Perlbns combined
to the Offence of others. It proceedeth
often of private or publick Difpleafure,
and more often of Ambition, Nemo eo-
rum qui in Ref. verjmtur^ quos vincat^
fed d quibm vincatuTy ajpicis. Sen,
1. Fa£tions are of two forts j for ei-
ther they confift of many or of few Per-
fbns : both be dangerous, but the for^
mer more apt to take Arms ; and that
Party which proveth weakeft, prayeth
Arms of Foreign Forces.
2. The other Faftion wherein are
fewer partakers, be commonly great
Perfbnages or Men of more Importance
than ordinary People ; and that proveth
moft Perilous and Bloody. N'obilium
f^Bionestrahuntadfe^ & in-^artesy uni^
nj€rfum etiarn populum. Arift.
Albeit Ibme wife Men have held
Opinion that Fadtions are necelfary,
yet cannot that conceipt be reafbnably
maintained, unlefs it be upon Confines,
and in fiich places where Confpiracy
is feared, which Cato in his private
Family ufed. Semper co?itemiunculas
aliquas aut diffenfum inter fervos collide
FI 2 ferebat
100 The Arts of Empire.
ferekity fujpeffum hahens nimiam concordi-
am orum^ metuenjque. Plut.
Faftions againft the Nobility, are
fometimes fuppreffed by forbidding Co-
lors, or unknown Bagdes to be worn,
alfb to inhibit Names or Watch-words
of Mutinies is neceffary, which was
Mecanas Counfel to Augufius ; and
Arifiotle thinketh it fit that Laws fliould
be made againft the Faftions of No-
blemen. Nohilium content tones & f are-
tes etiam legihiu oportet frohihere con^ri.
Arift.
Another Caufe of Civil War, we
call Sedition, which is a fiidden Com-
motion or AjlTembly of Common Peo-
ple againft their Prince or his Magi-
ftrates : the Original of which Dilbr-
ders may proceed of divers Caufes, but
chiefly of Oppreffion. Imminemium fe-^
riculocum remedium^ iffa fericula Arbi-
trari. Arift.
Again, Fear may be the occafion
of Sedition, as well in him that hath
done Injury, as in him that looketh
to be injured;, and is defirous to pre-
vent it before it cometh. It may pro-
ceed alfo of over great Mildnefs in
Go-
The Arts of Empire. i o i
Government. Non miferiis licentiafei
Ikentia , tantum comttum turbarum ,
I af civ ire magis fie hem oj^uOrm f^vire,
lAv'u
Sedition many times arifeth of Po-
verty, or of the Artificers, whole Arts
are grown out of Ufe, and confequent-
ly no means whereof they can hve.
Semper in civ it at e^ quihus opes milU ftmty
bonis invidem^ vetera odere^ nova expe-
tunt^ odio rerum fuarum mutari omnia
Ttudent. Sab.
Laftly, Sedition cometh of Tyranny,
Infblency, or Mutinous Difpofition of
certain Captains, Cavahers, or Ring-
leaders of the People ; for albeit the
Multitude is apt to Innovation, yet
doth it ftand firm, until fbme firft
Mover taketh the matter in hand. Mul-
titudo omniSj ficut mare^ per fe immobi-
lis. Livi.
^ Of thefe Movers fbme are Ambi-
tious, who wanting other means to
Afpire, hope by praOiice of Sedition,
to compafs their Deugns ; or elfe they
are Unthrifts, v/ho having confiimed
their own, leek by Violence to poffefs
themfelves of other Mens : Or elfc they
H J are
10 2 The Arts of Empire.
are vain and light Perlbns, that with-
out Ca afe or Reafon, attempt Inno-
vation, themfelves know not for what,
Non tarn prdmiis fericulorum^ quamjpfis
ferictdis Iceti^ pro certis & olim pArtiSy
novd^ Ambigudt Ancipitia mdlunt.
Thus having told the Caufes of Se-
dition, I wifh the Remedies were pre-
pared. Omne malum nafcens facile oppri^
mitur^ inveteratum ft plerumque robu^
fiu^. Cic.
The firft way to fupprefs Sedition,
is Eloquence and excellent Perfwafion,
which oft-tentimes worketh great Ef-
fefts among the Multitude ; chiefly
when it proceedeth from fbme Reve-
rend and grave Perfon, for his Wif-
dom and Integrity of Life honored :
For the Prince himfelf is not to take
OiFiCe in hand, unlefs neccflity fo in-
force : Integra autoritas primipis ma--
jorihm remedtis fer'vetur. Tac,
If Perfwafion cannot prevail, then
Force muft compel : But before fuch
violent Proceedings, Ufe, Art and Cun-
ning, either to appeafe the People, or
at leaft to difunite them ; and rather
if the Prince do offer fair and promile
plan-
The Arts of Empire. i o 3
plaufiblyv Verba aptid fopulurnphtrimum
valent. Tac.
It is lawful alfo in fucli Cafes for
• Princes to ufe Subtilty; and tlie fame
not prevailing, to wafli away the Stain
thereof with Clemency : For when
Arms laid down , and every one
yielded, general Punifliment were need-
lefs. Omniufn culpa fuitj paucormn fit
pcena. Tac.
The laft Caufe of Sedition we named
Tyranny, which is a certain violent
Government, exceeding the Laws of
God and Nature. The difference be-
tween Kings and Tyrants is this ; the
one imployeth Arms in defence of
Peace, the other ufeth them to terrific
thofe of whom his Cruelty hath de»
ferved Hate. Auferre^ trucidare^ ra-
pere^ falfis nomimhm imperiwm^ dtqt;e
uki [olitudinem fecerint^ pacem appellant,
Tac.
The quality of Tyrants is to efteem
Promoters more then good Miniilcrs,
becaufe thofe Men are the Scourge of
infinite others. They are alfo Prote-
ftors of impious Perfons, and Hand
in daily doubt of Noble and Virtuous
H 4 Men.
1 04 The Arts of Empire^
Men. Nohilitas^ ofes^ Amifji geftique
honor es J fro crimine : Et oh virtutes- cer-
tifjimum exitium. Tac.
' Tyrants do alfo endeavor to fupprefe
the knowledge of Letters and Civil
Life, to the end all Arts ftiould be exi-
led, and Barbarifin introduced. Fel-
lunt fafientt£ profeffores^ & omnes honas
Arte 5 in exilium agant. Tac.
Thefe and fiich like, be the Condir
tions of Tyrants, who for the mofl:
part are depofed and flain; for as
Kings live long and deliver their Do-
minions to tlieir Children and Pofte-
rity : So Tyrants being feared and ha-
ted of all xVIen, cannot continue in
their Efiate.
Adgenerum Cereris fine cc^de & vulnere
Defcendunt reges &ficca morte TyrannL
Juvin.
The Remedies of thefe Mifchiefs
which proceed from the Violence of
fjch a Frii)ce, are Periecution or Tati-
ence« Many generous Spirits have uled
the firfi: j perfwading diemfelve? rather
■ . ■ ' to
The Arts of Empire. 105
to dye, than endure the fight of a Ty-
rant. Alfb the Grecians did think it a
Service acceptable to Murther the Per-
fon of fuch an impious Prince. Gr^ci
homines deorum honor es trihueba-at iis qui
Tyrannos necaverunt, Cic.
Neverthelefs, in Chriftian Confide-
ration, the other Courfe is to be taken :
Let Patience therefore incounter this
mifchief ; for feeing all Kings, as well
the bad as the good be lent by God,
they mull: be indured. Kes ell gravis
pccidere regalem (iirfem. Homer.
Perfecution is not only perilous, but
for the moll part infortunate : For
therefore prefent Revenge is taken by
that Prince that fucceedeth. Facino?i$
ejfis idtor ejt^ quifquisfuccefferit, Tac.
The Murther of Tyrants is alfo fol-
lowed with many inconveniences worfe
than Civil War it felf. Princifes boni^
votis exfetendiy qudefcunque toUrandi.
Tac.
For as Fire, Floods, and other ine-
vitable Plagues are neceifarily to be
fuffered : So evil Princes in their Cove-
toufnefs and Cruelty ought to be pati-
ently indured, becaufe their Office is
to
io6 The Arts of Empire .
to command, and Subjects mufl: Obey,
Indignity digna habenda funt^ Rex qu^
fdcit. Sen.
And as it is the ufe of vulgar People
to find Faults in the long Reign of
Frinces ; fb the Ambition of great Sub-
jects is defirous of Novelty. Frcefens
imfertum fuhditis femfer groove. Thucyd.
To conclude, we fay that the beft
Remedy againft Tyranny, is Patience :
For fb long as Men are, fo long will
Yices be. Kegum ingentA toleranda^
neaue u[ai crebr£ mutationes, Tac.
CHAR
The Arts of Empire, 107
CHAP. XXV.
A ColkElion of Political Obfervations
(confirmed by Reafon and Expe-
rience) advertifing Princes^Statef
men and private Perfons how to
demean themfelves in all Fortunes
and Events.
TO the Perfeftions of Men, Three
things are necelTarily required;
Nature, Nurture and Ufe : The firft
giveth Capacity, Aptnefs and Under-
ftanding ; which are Graces from Above.
Nurture, is Learning, Knowledge, Art,
or Order. Ufe, is Practice, Experience,
and orderly Obfervation ; whereof may
be conceived, that Nature alone fuf-
ficeth not ; nor can Nurture work any
good effcft, where natural Aptnels
wanteth ; and they can frame no
Perfefliion, unlefs Experience be alfb
conjoined. Nemo nafcitur fapens^ fed
//■. Sen.
Am-
I o 8 The Arts of Empire.
Ambaffadors, Negotiants, and gene-
rally all other Minifters of mean Fortune,
in Converfation with Princes and Supe-
riors, muft ufe great refpeci, fhewing
themfelves rather Ceremonious than Pre-
fumptuous, and acknowledge their Ob-
ligation great, for the Favor and Grace,
they find in thofe which might com-
mand them.
It is no wifdom ever to commend or
diicommend the Adions of Men by
their Succels ; for oft-tentimes fbme
Enterprifes attempted by good Counfel,
end unfortnately ; and others unadvi-
fedly taken in hand, have happy Suc-
cefi. Who fo then commendeth incon-
fiderate Counfels for their fortunate
Event, thereby encourageth Men to jar
and difcomfort the wifer fort to fpeak
what they know, and by Experience
have proved.
In Aftions publick, and every other
matter of great moment, the begin-
ning is well to be confidered : For a&
terwards it lieth not in our power,
without difhonor to abandon what was
begun.
The
The Arts of Empire. i o^
The time doth not always ferve, nor
is apt occafion always offered to Enter-
prife what would ; yer who ib doth ex-
peft every Opportunity, Ihall either at-
tempt nothing at all, or if he do, the
lame for the moft part turneth to his
own difadvantage.
When any Refolution is taken, either
with over great hafte, or too much Af-
feftion, leldom it receiveth good fuc*-
cefs : For he that doth the one, hath no
leifure to confider ; the other tranfport-
eth the Mind fb as it cannot conceive
more than that which prefently prelTeth.
To thefe we add others, I mean fbme
of them that have leifure, and are void
of Aftedion, yet for want of natural
Capacity, or for continual Negligence
in their doings, never bring any thing
well to pais.
Who fb defireth to be beloved in a
Commonwealth, mull: reft content with
that which Men do give, and the Laws
allow him to take: So fhall he neither
incur Danger nor Envy ; for indeed,
that which is taken or extorted from
others,, and not that wiiich is given,
doth make Men hated.
Arms
no The Arts of Empre.
Arms, Laws and Religion, may not
in any well governed State be disjoined ,
every one of them in particular main-
taineth them all united.
In Adions of War, Courage and Con-
duft are of great Neceffity ; yet all good
Government confifteth in ufing the Vit^
tues Moral; andinhandhng the mat-
ter of Martial Policy, it is fit to imitate
the Proceedings of ancient and appro-
ved Captains.
Among Mortal Men, there is nothing
more common than to believe the Eftate
of one Man to be better than another ;
for hereof it cometh, that every one
endeavoreth rather to take from others
with travel, than to enjoy his own with
reft.
The ftate of Princes is good, being
well ufed ; fb is the Fortune of private
Men, if therewith they be contented.
The rich Man liveth happily, lb long as
he ufeth his Riches teinperately ; and
the poor Man that patiently endureth
Ills WantSj is Rich enough.
Whenfocver a Man is fo dangeroufly
diftreiled, a.^ either proceeding or Hand-
ing, he liveth in like peril, then, doth
The Arts of Empire. in
it behove him in any wife, to refblve
upon Adion. The realbn is, that fb
long as nothing is done, the fame Acci-
dents that caufed his Dangers, do itill
remain in their former force ; but if he
endeavor to enterprife fbmewhat, either
he may meet with means to make him
lecure, or at the hardeft, Ihew himfelf
of ib great Courage and Wit, as he dare
and can attempt a way to do it.
It feemeth a thing of great difficulty,
or rather impoffible for any Prince orMa-
giftrate to elchew the evil fpeech and bad
report of Men ; for if they be good and
virtuous, then they incur the backbitin?*-
of lewd Perfbris ; if evil, then will ali
good Men exclaim againft them.
All Commonwealths ought to defire
Peace, yet it is neceffary ever to be
prepared for the War ; becaufe Peace
difarmed is weak, and without Repu-
tation : Therefore the Poets feign, that
Pallas the Goddefs of Wifdom did al-
ways appear armed.
Every Prince ( well advifed ) ought
to govern his Subjedis and Servants
in fuch fort, that by his Affability and
Virtue thej may be induced rather to
ferve
112 The Arts of Empire.
lerve voluntarily, then for Pay or hop6
of Preferment. For otherwile doing,
whenfoever the Prince fhall want means
to pay, the Subjects ^ likewife will fail
of good will to ferve. But he that
faithfully loveth, doth neither in Pro-
fperity become Arrogant, nor in con-
trary Fortune retire, or complain of the
fmall favor he findeth: For (till death )
Love and Life remain at the Princes
Commandment.
Where poor Men find Juftice, evil
Men are punifhM,Meafures and Weights
be juft, Youth well nurtured, and old
Folk free from Avarice,there is the Com-
monwealth good and perfect.
In War between Neighbors, Neutra-
lity is commendable h for by that means
we efchew many Troubles and great Ex-
pences, fo long as the Forces of either
4ide be fo equal m ftrcngth,as we need not
to fear the Viftory of any : For fb long
their Difcord is our Security, and oft-
tentimes offereth us means to increaie
our own State and Reputation.
The chief P^eaibns to move War, are,
the Juitice of the Cauie, the Facillity of
Succcfs, and the Profit of the Viftory.
In
The Arts of Empire. 113
In all Humane Aftions it behoveth to
accommodate the Council of Men unto
prefent Neceflity, and never to expole
Security to manifeft Peril, nor hope of
that which without great Difficulty or
Impoflibility cannot be obtained.
It is the Nature of Men^having eicaped
one Extreme, which by force they were
conftrained long to endure, to run Head-
long into the other Extreme, forgetting
that Vertue doth always confift in the
mean.
The Multitude is inclined to Innova-
tion, and eafily induced by falfe Perfwa-
fion, and conlequently eafily tranfported
by Seditious Leaders.
Men are naturally difpofed to fear
thoie things which threaten Danger and
Terror ; yet unleis thefe Perils, by fome
new Accident,be daily revived,that Fear
by little and little vaniflieth, and Secu-
rity recovereth the place.
Wholb findeth himfelf contemned, or
not relpefted , becometh Difcontent ;
which Humor in generous Minds, breed-
eth oftentimes Adventerous Imagina-
tions, whereof Audacious Attempts have
followed, chiefly in Peribns of Authority
I and
1 1 4 The Arts of Empire.
and Reputation ; for he that hopeth no
Good, feareth no Evil : Yet true it is,
that dangerous Enterprifes, the more
they be thought upon , the lefs Hope
they give of good Succefs , for which
reafon Conlpiracies not fuddenly exe-
cuted, are for the moft part revealed or
abandoned.
All People do naturally imitate the
Manners of their Prince, andobferving
his Proceedings, refolve to Hate or Love
him: But if they happen once to Hate
the Prince,then his Doings,Good or Evil,
are afterv^ards not Good ; but if at the
beginning he gained the Love of the Peo^
pie, then every bad Aftion is reputed a
Vertue ; as though he could not be in-
duced to do amifs without good Caufe
or Reafon.
Greatly are Princes deceived , if in
the Eleftion of Minifters , they more
refpect tlieir own particular Affeftion,
than the Sufficiency of the Perfon
ele&ed.
A Prince having conquered any new
Dominion, is thereby rather incumbered
than ftrengthened, unlefs the iame be
after well governed ; and feldom is it
feen
The Am of Empire: 1 1 5
feen, that a Principality, by ill means
gotten^ hath been long enjoyed.
As to the Perfeftion of the whole Body,
foundnefs of Head only fuiRceth not, un-
lefs the other Members alfo do their
Office ; even i^o it is not enough that a
Prince be Faultlefs, but it behoveth alfb
that the Magiftrates and Miilifters
fhould perform their Duty.
Great Princes rarely refift their Appe-
tites, as for the moft part private Men
can ; for they being always honored and
obeyed, do feldom with Patience indure
the want of any thing reafonable, as be«
ing perfwaded that what they defire
is Jufb, and that their Commandment
hath power to remove all DifSculries. .
All Men arc naturally ram bene qu^tm
good, when no refpecfc of niak-f^aa p-ce-
Profit or Pleaflire draws '''''''' ^''''
them to become EviL But this Worlds
Corruption, and our Frailty is fiich, as
eafily and often for our particular In-
tereil we incline to the worll; which
was the caufe that wi^^ Law-makers
found out Reward and Puniflmient ; the
one to incite Men to Good, the other to
fear thera from being Evil.
I 2 A
ii6 The Arts of Empire.
A Tyrant indeavoreth to maintain his
Eftate by three means.Firft^He practifeth
to hold all Subjects in extreme Awe, and
to be bafely minded, to the end they
fhould want Courage to take Arms
againft him. Secondly,He kindleth DiiB-
dence and Difcord among the Great
Men; thereby to remove occafion of
Confpiracy and Combination. Laftly^He
holdeth them Difarmed ^nd Idle, fb as
they neither know nor can attempt any
thing againft him.
To govern, is nothing elfe^ut to hold
Subjecls in Love and Obedience ; for in
refpefl: of the end, they ought not,and in
regard of the other they cannot attempt
any thing contrary to the Governor's
Will and their Duty.
The Laws and Ordinances of a Com-
^non-weale made at the beginning there-
of when Men were good, do often prove
unprofitable when they are become evil ;
and therefore new Laws are made ac-
cording to the Accidents which happen.
The Difcontent and Diforder of Peo-
ple is ever occafioned by the Inequality
of their Goods, becaufe the Poorer fort
would be made equal to the Rich ; but
the
The Arts of Empire. 1 1 j
the Offence that grows among great Men
is the defire of Honor; for they being
equal, do endeavor to afpire to equal
Authority.
A Prince that defireth, by means of
his Ambaffador, to deceive any other
Prince, muft firft abufe his own Am-
balfador, to the end he fliould do and
Ipeak with more Earneftnefs , being
indeed perfwaded that the Intent and
Meaning of his Mafter is Simple, whic:h
happily would not, were he privy that
his Prince's Meaning were to Diiremble.
This courfe is alfo commonly holden
by thofe, that by Imployment of a third
Perlbn , would perfwade any thing
Feigned orFalfe.
For the Performance of Conditions
of Treaty of Peace, or League of Amity,
the Promifes, Vows and Oaths of
Princes are of great Effeft ; and be-
caule Fidelity in a Man is not e\^er cer-
tain, and time doth daily offer Occa-
fions of Variation, there is no Ailurance
ib Secure and Good, as to ftand fb pre-
pared , as the Enemy may want able
means how to offend.
I 5 To
1 1 8 The Arts of Empire.
To refblve in Matters Doubtful, or
anfwer Requefts which we are not will-
ing to grant, the lead: offenfive way is
not to ufe direO: Denial, but by delays
prolong the time, and fo in eftea:, afford
good Expefl:ation.
The old Proverb faith, MagiBratus
virum oIiend.it ; which is no left true
than Ancient; for Men in fuch For-
tune, are occafioned not only to make
proof of their Sufficiency, but alfo to
difcover their AffeQ:ions ; and the more
^eir Greatnefs is, the lefs relpect they
have to contain thole Paffions which are
natural.
Albeit great Troubles and continual
Adverfity feem Infupportable , yet is
there nothing more Dangerous , than
overmuch Profperity \ and being prelTed
by new Appetites, they difturb then' own
Security.
In (peaking of Occurrents doubtful,
it is always Wifdom to feign Ignorance,
or at leaft alledge that we believe them
not ; for moft commonly they are ut-
terly untrue, or far ofher than vulgarly
is believed.
The
The Arts of Empire. up
The Aftions of Men are commonly
liked or difallowed according to the bad
or good Succefs; attributing that to
Council which fometimes is due to For-
tune.
The Multitude of Men were wont
to be more pleafed with fudden than
flow Refolutions; and many times
account thofe Enterprifes Generous,
whicJi are rafhiy and inconfiderateJy
attempted.
Great Difference there is between
Subjedts Delperate , and others which
are only Dilcontented ; for the one de-
fire nothing but prefent Alteration,
which they endeavor with all Hazard ;
. the other wifli for Innovation, inciting
any Motion or Praftice, becaule their
Intent is to attend time, and that occa-
fion may prefent it felf.
, A Benefit beftowed on him who think-
eth himfclf greatly injured , doth not
fuifice to raze the fame out of his
Memory, chiefly if the Benefit be
given at flich time as no mere Motion,
but Neceflity may feem the occafion
thereof.
I 4 That
120 The Arts of Empire.
That Peace ought to be defired^whlch
removed Sufpition, which alfureth us
from Peril, which bringeth Quiet cer-
tain , and acquitteth us of Expenccs ;
but when it w^orketh contrary Eftefts,
it may be called a dangerous War, co-
vered with the name ot Deceitful Truft,
not unlike a perilous Poyfon miniftred in
lieu of a wholfome Medicine.
The Effect of things, and not Exter-
nal fhow, or feeming, ought to be re-
garded ; yet it is credible what great
Grace is gained by courteous Speech
and Affability ; thereafon whereof is, as
I fuppofe, that every Man believeth he
doth merit more than indeed he is wor-
thy, and confequently holdeth himfelf
infured, whenfbever he findeth Men not
to afford him Uke Eftimation.
Men ought in any wife, to refrain to
do or fay any thing which may offend,
for which refped it were great Folly,
either in prefence or abfence , to utter
difpleafing Speech, unlefs neceiEty in-
fer ceth.
The Matters whereof Counfellors
are chiefly to confider , are five, The
prince's Revenue , Peace and War ,
De-
[ The Arts of Empire. 121
Defence, Traffick, and what Laws are
to be made. -
In giving Council divers things are to
be oblerved ; but amongft them are two
of moft Importance : Firft, It behoveth,
that he who is counielled Hiould be
. Wife ; for feeing Counfel is nothing elfe
but a certain confiderate Difcourfe of
things to be done or not done, if he who
is to take Counfel be not of Difcretion,
then will he refufe all good Advice
oflfered, and rather incline to that which
his own Fancy affeftethjbecaufejthe want
of Judgment draweth him to take Plea-
lure in vain things ; and as one incapa-
ble of what is good and true, will follow
that which is Evil and Falfe : So on the
other fide, if he that giveth Counfel be
not Faithful, then will he a Thoufand
ways difguife and diffemble the Truth,
and confequently mifcarry the Mind of
him that is Counfelled ; yea in the end
utterly abufehim.
The Affairs and Proceedings of the
World, arelo variable,and accompanied
with fb many Chances and Changes, as
impoffible it feemeth to judge what is
beft; therefore Experience informeth.
12 2 The Arts of Emprel
that the Conje£tures of the moft Wile,
prove vain and uncertain. I therefore
miflike the Judgment of thofe Men,
that will let flip Opportunity of prefent
Good (though itbefmall) for fear of a
future EviljUOtwithftanding it be greater
unlefs the Evil be very near at hand, or
certain. For if that do not follow which
is feared, then wilt thou repent to ha,ve
omitted that which was defired.
Whenfoever a general Opinion is
conceived, of the lingular Vertue and
Knowledge of any Man , although he
be indeed Ignorant, and far unworthy
that Account, yet it is hard to remove
fuch a fettled Conceit: The Reafon
is, That Men having at the firft given
Credit to common Report , do make
thereof fo deep an Impreffion^ as after-
wards, Without great Difficulty, cannot
be removed.
The Bodies of Men, Munition and
Money, may juftly be called the Sinews
of War, yet of them the two firfl: are
more neceffary, for Men and Arms have
means to find Money and Meat; but
Money and Meat cannot fo eafily find
Soldiers and Swords.
One
The Arts of Empire. 1 2 3
One wife General having but a Tliou-
fand Men , is more to be feared and
efteemed, than twenty Commanders of
equal Authority ; for they being com-
monly of divers Humors ,, or judging
diyerlly, do never, or very rarely, what
is to be done, and confequently lole
much time before any Relolution can
be taken.
A Prince of mean Force, ought not in
any wife to adventure his Eltate upon
one days Fight ; for if he be Viftorious
he gaineth nothing but Glory ; but if he
Ipfe, he is utterly ruined.
The moft part of Men are delighted
with Hiftories, for the Variety of Acci-
dents therein contained; yet are there
few that will imitate what they read,
and find done by others; being per-
flvaded that Imitation is not only hard
but impoffible, as though the Heavens
andMen were changed m their Motion,
or Order and Power, which they anci-
ently had.
The Nature of Men is fuch, as will
not endeavor any thing Good, unleis
they be forced thereunto ; for where
Liberty aboundeth; there Confufion and
Difbrder
124 "^^^ ^^*^ ^f ^^^pi^^^
Diforder follow. It is therefore fup-
pofed, that Hunger and Poverty make
Men Tnduftrious; but good Laws in-
force them to be Honelt ; for if Men
were of themfelves good, then Laws
were needlefs.
There are two kinds of Adulation :
The lirft proceedeth from a Subtle
Malice: The fecond cometh by an or-
dinary ufe of Converfation ; the one
tendeth to Profit and Deceiving ; the
other hath no farther Defign, than a
Refpeft or Fear to offend ; whereunto
the moft Honeft are in fome fort bound.
Whofo bindeth himfelf to Flattery ,
doth tliereby bewray his Intent, cither
to gain, or not to lofe that he hath.
Foj* the Perfbn flattered, is always fu-
perior to him that doth Flatter, or at
leafl: one as may in fome fort ftand him
in ftead. It may therefore be inferred,
that only Men of bafe and miferable
Condition, and fiich as cannot help or
hurt, be free from Flatterers. And con-
trariwife, Magnanimous and Fortunate
Folk, proud Men, and fuch as content
themielves with their prefent Eftate, are
feidom found to be Flatterers.
Every
The Arts of Empire. 125
, Every wife Prince doth prefuppofe,
that Times of Trouble may come, and
that all fiich Occafions he fhall be forced
to ufe the Service of Men diverfly quali-
fied. His Study therefore is, in the mean
time fb to entertain them, as when thofe
Storms arife, he may reft alfured to com-
mand them ; for whofbever perfwades
himfelf, by prefent Benefits, to gain the
good Will of Men, when Perils are at
hand, fhall be deceived.
In ancient times Princes and Governors
were wont, when Peace and Security
were moft like to continue, to find or
feign Occafions to draw their Subjefts to
Fear, to the end that Doubt might move
them to be more careful of their own
well-doing; for well they knew it a
general Deleft in Men, to be reachleis,
and never willing to ufe Indufl:ry ;
unlefs by neceflity they were con-
ftrained.
AlrHifl:ories do fhew, and wife Poli-
ticians do hold it neceflary, that for the
well governing of every Common- weal,
it behoveth to prefuppofe that all Men
are Evil, and will declare themlelves fb
to be,when occafion is offered ; for albeit
fbme
12.6 The Arts of Empire]
Ibme Inconvenience doth lye hid for a
time^ it proceedeth from a covert occa-
fion, which for want of Experience, was
not found , until Time the Mother of
Truth difcover it. ,
Neutrahty is always a thing Danger*
ousand Difallowable, becaufe it oftend-
eth all Parties : He that is Strong looketh
to be affifted in his Greatnefs ; and he
that is Weakjttot being defended,holdeth
himfelf offended ; the one is not affured
from Foes , and the other holdeth no
Friends.
Albeit Neutrality procure prelent
Quiet and Security, during the Troubles
of others ; yet after the fame falleth out a
Difadvantage, becaufe it entertaineth a
certain Falfenefs, and to in ihort fpace
will be peixeived ; not unhke thofe Men
that borrow upon Ufary ; for albeit they
enjoy a certain time, without Trouble or
Charge,yet the fame being Spent,and the
day of Payment come, they then feel the :
great Danger which their lliort Pleafure
hath purchafiid.
Whofo examineth all Humane Anions
fliall find, that in eichewing one Incon-
venience, we prelently incur another.
As
The Arts of Empire. 127
As for Example, if we endeavor to
make our Dominions Mighty, it be-
hoveth to have the fame fully reple-
nillied with People , and well armed,
and fb being, they are not eafily go-
verned. On the other fide, if our Coun-
try be not well Peopled, or Difarmed ,
then it is eafily holden in Obedience ;
yet therewith \o Weak, that it can nei-
ther increafe the Bounds thereof, nor
defend it felf. It is therefore necelTary,
in all our Deliberations, to confider what
Inconvenience is leafl:, and choofe that
as the befl: ; for to find all Perfect, Void
and Secure of Sufpecl or Imperfeftion, is
impoj[fible.
A Prifice being infl:antly required to
take part with other Princes, the one
being in Arms againfl: the other , if
he deny both , incurreth Sufpicion of
both, and may be thought to have
Secret Intelligences with one or botli
of them ; fo as either of them ftiali
account him an Enemy, and confc
quently he that proves Viftorious will
be revenged ; and the other holding him
fufpefted, will not acknowledge his
Friendlhip.
It
12 8 The Arts of Empire.
It is the ufe of Men to prefume much
upon their own Merit, and feeing the
Succefs of fome others to be fuch,as with-
out Caufe or Defert,are afpired toDignity
thereby encouraged, they promifed to
themfelves the hkc : Neverthelefs being
entred into the courfe of their Defign,and
finding many Croifes and Impeachments
they do not a Uttie repent their Over-
weening and PrefumptioUjbut alfo many
times utterly abandon their ralh and un-
adviled Entcrprize ; neither can I think,
that the Vertue or Sufficiency of any Man
without the Favor of tlieHea vens,can ad-
vance him ; for as the Poet faith,A^(?f ve^e
juvat^ fotiufve nocet^ fif^^^ repugnant.
Whofb ferveth a Prince far from his
Preience,fhall with great Difficulty con-
ter/t him. For if he commit any Error, it
fhall be aggravated : Befides that,the In-
ftruftions lent unto him cannot be parti-
cularly conceived, becaufe the State of
wordly things doth daily alter. Alfo to
ferve aloof, is a thing full of Danger and
far from Reward ; which Inconvenience
may for the moft part be avoided by
liim that attendeth near to his Prince's
Peribn.
Let
The Arts ofEnrpire. t ^^
Let no Man that cometh to ferve in
Court, afTure himfelf by his Wifclom to
be advanced or efchew all Encounters,
Neither is he to bear himielf fo carelels
as to commit all to Fortune, but be per-
fwaded that this worldly Life is like to a
Voiage by Sea ; wherein albeit Art with
the favor of the Wind may do much.yet
can we not afTure our felves to arrive
fafe in the Haven appointed ; for daily
Experience doth fhew, that Ibme ftrange
Ships in the calmeft Weather, are
drowned or impeached by the way^
when others much weaker and difarm-
ed pais fecurely.
Among Men worthy of Commenda-
tions, thofe have merited beft that firit
planted true Religion : next they that
framed Kingdoms andCommonwealths;
the third place is due to fuch as ha\ e
augmented or enlarged their Domini-
ons ; laftly, Learned Men, defer ve Famsr
and Memory : and as every of thefe are
worthy of Fame and Honor ; lb ouaht
they to be acconfpted Infamous that in-
troduce Atheifm, oy the Subvcrfion cf
Kingdoms, or are become Enemies to
Learning and Virtue.
K Who-
130 The Arts of Empire.
Whofbever taketh in hand to govern
a Multitude either by way of Liberty,
or Principahty, and cannot alTure him-
felf of thofe Perfons that are Enimies to
that Enterprife, doth frame a State of
fliort Perfeverance : yet true it is that
fuch Princes be infortunate, as for their
own fecurity are inforced to hold a
courle extraordinary, and have the Mul-
titude their Enemy; for he that hath
few Foes may with fmall difhonor be
aifured ; but he that is generally hated
can by no means live allured ; and the
more Cruelty he ufeth, the weaker his
Principality proveth.
In commending another Man, great
Moderation is to be ufed; for as con-
tumely oftendeth him againft whom it is
ufed \ fb great praife, befides that it is
uttered with danger to his Judgment
that fpeaketh it, the fame doth oft-ten-
times oiTend him that heareth it. For
Self-love which commonly pofleffeth
Men, caufes the Good or Evil we hear,
to be meafured with our own. And
codequently every Man that is touched
with like deferts and defefts, doth grow
offended that his Commendation is not
kt
The Arts of Empire. 131
let forth, and feareth left his Imperfedli-
on fhoiild bedifcovered.
It is often, or rather ever feeii, that
the force of Leagues not ufed in their
firft heat, becomes cold ^ becaufe Sufpi-
tion fbon entereth, which in fhort fpace
will deftroy whatfbever was concluded,
and may not without long time be re-
joined*
The power of Ambition which poiTeJP
feth the Minds of Men, is fuch, as rare«
ly or never fuffereth them to reft : The
reafbn thereof is. That Nature hath
framed in them a certain Difpofition to
defire all things, but not to obtain them ;
fb as our Defires being greater than our
Power, therefore following Difcontent
and evil Satisfaftion. Hereof aifo pra-^
ceedeth the Variation of Fortune ;^ for
fome Men deuring to get, and others
fearing to lofe that they had gotten, do
occafion one Man to injure another, and
confequently Publick Wars do follow ;,
by means whereof, one Country is ruin-
ed, and another inlarged.
Princes of great Fov/er, and chiefly
thofe that arc Inhabitants of the Norrii,
having many Cluldren, were wont to
K 2 bg
132 The Arts vf Empire.
be much inclined to the Wars, as well
to win unto themlelves Honor, as alfo
to get Poffellions for their Sons ; which
manner of Proceedings did oft-tentimes
remove iuch Diiiurbance as the Plurali-
ty of Brethren bringeth. Thefe and o-
ther reafons induced Princes to attempt
War againft thofe Kingdoms, which in
cheir opinion leemed eafily conquered,
or whereunto they can pretend little ;
for by colour thereof they may the ra-
ther juftifie their Proceedings.
When a Prince deferreth to anfwer
an Ambaffador, it proceedeth from fome
of thele Refpefts ; either becaufe he will
take time to refolve himfelf of fomewhat
whereof lie doubteth, or that he intend-
cth covertly to deny that which is de-
manded, or that he efteemeth not the
Prince that doth demand, or that he dif-
daineth the Perfon by whom the de-
mand is made, or elle that he intendeth
to hear from his own Minifters to be
better refolved : Wherefore a difcreet
Negotiatoi' ought in Iuch cafes to con-
fider which of thele Reafons move the
PriiYce where he is em_ployed, to en-
teii:ain him with delays, and make his
dii\-)atch accordingly. Tlie
The Arts of Empire. 133
The fiifficiency of good Counfellors
confijftetd in four things.
Firft, They ought to be wife and
skilful how to handle their Affairs, di-
refting all doings to publick Commo-
dity.
Secondly, Tobe juftintheir Proceed-
ings, giving to every one that which to
him appertaineth.
Thirdly, To be ftout, and void both
of partial reipefts and fear.
Andlaftly, To be temperate and mo-
derate in their Defires.
Whofo defireth to govern well and
fecurely, it behoveth htm to have a vi-
gilant Eye to the Proceedings of great
Princes, and to confider fcrioufly of their
Defigns : For it is matter of fmall diffi-
culty to live in Peace v/ith him who de-
fireth our Amity, and provideth for
otliers that endeavor to offend us.
The Intelligences that Princes ftudy
to attain, are procured by divers means :
Some are brought by report, fbme ven-
ted by Converfation and Sounding,
fbme by means of Efpials ; but the nxoit
fure and credibe Occurrents, are thole
which come from Ambafiadors, cliieiiy
K J rhoic
1 34 77?^ Arts of Empire.
thofe that either for the Greatnefi of
their Prince, or their own Virtue, be
qf moft Reputation. For thofe Men
converfing daily with great Perfbnages,
<ind pondering dihgently their Manners,
Words, Wifdom, and the order of each
Man's f roceedings, yea, of the Prince
himfelf, may with Commodity attain
unto matters of great Importance fooner
than they that are Writers of Rumors,
or that take upon them to Conjecture of
things to corne,
Whenlbever a People is induced to
commit: lb great an Error, as to give
Reputation to one only Man, to the end
he iliould opprefs aU thofe great Men
whom they hate, they thereby give
him opportunity to become their Prince;
and io being affifted with their Favor
and Aid, he m.ay likewifeextinguifh all
the reft of the Nobility ; and they be-
ing extirpated, he wih alfo endeavor to
tyrannize over the People, by whole
help he afpired.
So many as are not confenting to the
Tyranny, reft Enemies to the Perfbn of
the Tyrant, who can by no means gain
the Love of all. For impoiTible it is,
that
The Arts of Empire. 135
that the Riches of any Tyrant fhould
be fb great, and the Honors he can give
fb many as may fatisfie all. Hereof it
Cometh, that thofe Tyrants that are fa-
vored of the People, and disfavored of
the Nobles, are moft fecure ; becaufe
their Tyranny is fupported with a
greater Strength ( having the Multi-
tude their Friends ) then is the Tyrant
whom the Humor of the Nobles only
hath advanced.
A dangerous thing it is in all Com-
monwealths by continual punifhing,
to hold the Minds of Subjcfts in Sulpi-
tion ; for Men ever fearing their Ruine,
will (without relped) deterniine to
fave themfelves, and as Men defperate,
attempt Innovation. All Capital Exe-
cutions ought therefore to be executed
fuddenly, and as it were at one Inftant,
fo to allure the Minds of Men from fiir-
ther Moleftations.
The Intent of every Wife Prince
that maketh War, either by Eledion
or Ambition, is to gain and hold what
is gotten : Alfb to ufe the matter ib
as thereby he may inrich himfelf, and
not
/
156' The Arts of Empre.
not impoverilh his own People or
Countr}r.
He that inlargeth his Dominions,
doth not always increafe his Power;
but he that increafeth in force as well
as in Dominion, fliall thereby grow
great; otherwife he gained no more
than is fliortly to be loft, and confe-
quently he ruineth himfelf : For who
ipends more in the War, than he gains
hy Vi6>ory, lofeth both Labor and Coft.
Every Prince and Commonwealth
muft above all things take heed, that
no Neceffity how great foever, do per-
fwade him to bring into his Dominion
any Auxiliary Soldiers ; becaufe the
hardeft Conditions the Enemy can ofter,
are more eafie than is fuch a Refblution»
A Prince (heweth his Ruine at hand,
whenfbever he beginueth to break the
Laws and Cuftoms, which are ancient
and have been long time obeyed by the
People of his Dominion.
lliat Prince which careth to keep
himlelf fecure from Conljiiracy, ought
rather to fear thole to whom he hath
done over-great Favors, than them
whom
The Arts of Empire. 137
whom he hath much injured : For thele
want Opportunities, the other do not;
and both their Defires are as one ; be-
caufe the Appetite of Commanding, is
always as much or more than the delite
of Revenge.
Whenloever a Fringe difcovers a
Confpiracy, he muft well confider the
quality thereof, meafiiring the Force
of the Confpirators with his own ; and
finding them many and mighty, the
knowledge thereof is to be dilfembled,
until the Princes Power be prepared to
oppofe them ; otherwife he hazardeth
his own fecurity.
It hath been by long Experience
found better to fend one General to an
Army, though he be of mean SuiBcien-
cy, than to give the fame Authority to
two or more Excellent Perfonages
with equal Commiffion.
He that coveteth to be over-much
loved, oft-tentimes becomes contempti-
ble; and he that endeavoreth to be
over-much feared, is ever hated : And
to hold the mean between them, can-
not be exactly done, becaiife Nature
will not fo permit.
Whofo
138 The Arts of Empire.
Whofb afpireth to any Dignity, muft
refblve himfelf to endure the Envy of
Men, and never to be moved for any
Oflence conceived againft him, though
they that be offended, be his dear
Friends : Neither ihall he for the firft
affront or encounter, reUnquifh his hope;
for he that coiifl:antl)^ maketh head a-
gainft the affault of Fortune, fhall
after with FaciUty arrive where he de-
figned.
In giving Council to a Prince or Com-
monwealth, and therefore defiring to
efchew Danger and OxTence, no other
mean is to be taken thantiiat the Coun-
lellor fhall without Paffion or Perfwafi-
on pronounce his Opinion, and never
to affirm any thing as a Refolution, but
with modefty to defend that he fpeak-
eth ; ib as the Prince which follows his
Advice, may feem to do it voluntarily,
and not forced by the importunity of
him that gave the CounfeL
A difcreet Captain being in the Field
againft the Enemy, ofwhofe Virtue he
hath liad no Proof, ought firft by light
Skirmilhes to feel of what Virtue he
is \ and not to Enterprife any general
Ad-
The Arts of Empire. 13^
Adventnre, to the end that Terror or
Fame fliould not daunt nor difcourage
his own Soldiers.
Albeit Fraud be in all Aftions deteflr-
ed, yet is the fame in Martial Enter-
prifes commendible and glorious :
For that Captain who compaffeth his
Defigns by Wit or Stratagem, is no
lefs commended than he that Van-
quifheth the Enemy by Violence and
Force.
In times of Extremity, when Refo-
lution muft be taken fur the having or
utter Lofs of the State, then no regard
is to be had of Juftice or Injuffice,
Mercy or Cruelty, Honor or Ignomi-
ny, but rather fetting afide all Re-
lpe£ls, that courfe is to be followed
which defended the Lives and Liberties
of Men.
Whoib defireth to know what will
be hereafter, let him think of that is
paft ; for the World hath ever been
in a circular Revolution : What-
foever is now, . was heretofore, and
things paft or prelent are no other
than fuch as fliall be again : Redit orbis
in orbem.
140 The Arts of Evipire .
A Prince that defireth to obtain any
thing at the hand of another, muft if
it be poflible urge a fudden Anfwer,
and lay before him that is moved, a
Neceffity torefblve prefently, giving
him to underftand that denial or de-
lays may breed a perilous and fudden
Indignation.
There is nothing more difficult,doubt-.
ful and dangerous than to attempt In-
novation: For he that taketh in hand
an Enterprize of fuch quahty, maketh
all thofe his Enemies which hved well
under the old Order, and findeth them
cold Defenders that affeft his Novel-
ties, which coldnefs proceedeth chief-
ly of Incredulity ; for Men are not
eafily induced to believe a new thing
till Experience hath proved it to be
good.
There is no Art nor Knowledge fo
feemly and neceffary for a Prince as
the Arc Military with theOrdinances and
Difcipline thereof: For that is the only
Skill required in him that commandeth,
and fuch a Virtue as doth not only main-
tain them that are born Princes, but df-
ten advanceth private Men to that Dig-
flitv. The
The Arts of Empire. 141
The deep Impreffions which old In-
juries make in the Minds of great Men
cannot with new Benefits be razed out ;
it is alfo to be remembred that Inju-
ries be done all together : For they of-
fend the lefs, and will be forgotten the
Iboner ; but Benefits fhould by httle and
little be beftowed, ib fliall the Memory
of them long contjnue.
A fmall pleafure or difpleafure prefent-
ly done, doth move mxore than a great
good turn beftowed in times paft ; for
the tafte of things prefent doth make a
deeper impreffion in the Minds of Men,
than doth the Memory of^things paft,
or expeftation of things to come.
It is a matter of Imall diiFiculty to
found the difcontentment of other Men.
For every one doth willingly tell the
well and ill deferving of Friends, and
likewife how much or how little Foes
can do, if we have Patience to hear,
which Patience is the beginning of afi
good Speed j but he that delighteth to
Ipeak much, and hear little, fliail ever in-
form others more than himfelf can learn.
Among other dangers which a Prince
incur reth by being difarnied, tlie grcat-
142 The Arts of Empire.
eft is, that thereby he becometh cdn^
temptible ; for no comparilbn there is
between Men armed and them that are
difarmed : and no reafon there is that
he that is armed (hould yield Obedience
to him that is difarmed, neither is it hke
that a Prince difarmed can be fecure
from his own Subjects armed.
A Prince Ignorant of Martial know-
ledge, among other Misfortunes cannot
be efteemed or trufted of his own Sol-
diers ; it behoveth him therefore as well
in time of Peace as War to exercife Arms,
which may be done by two means ;^he
one by Adion of Body, the other by
Contemplation of Mind. The Body
may be exercifed in Hunting, Hawking,
and fuch like Paftimes; thereby to be
made apt to endure Travel : his Mind
likewife may be informed by Reading
of Hiftories, and the Gonfideration of
Adiions performed by excellent Cap-
tains, obfervang the occafion of their
Vidories or Loifes, to the end he may
imitate the one, and elchew the other.
He tliat doth not as other Men do,
bi]t endeavoureih that which ought
cur
The Arts of Empire. 143
cur Peril than Prefervation ; for who-
fo laboureth to be fincerely Perfe£t
and Good, fliall neceffarily Perifh,
hving among Men that are generally
Evil.
A Prince that ufeth Liberality to his
prejudice, ought not to regard the In-
famy of Miferable, becaule his Parfi-
mony will in time enable him to be Li-
beral, and fb may declare himfelf to
be, having by Parfimony increaled his
Power, and therefore without impofing
upon the People, may defend himfelf
from all fuch as will make War ; fb
Ihall he ufe Liberality to all them from
whom he taketh nothing, Avho are infi-
nite ; and ufe MiferUnefs to thofe only
to whom he giveth, who are but few.
There is nothing that confumeth it
felf lil^e to Librality ; for if it be long
ufed, it taketh away the means to con-
tinue it, and confequently doth make
Men poor and baiely minded : Or
elfe to efchew Poverty, they fhall be
forced to Extortion and become Odi-
ous.
It is better to incur the name of Co*
vetous (which is a Scandal without
hate)
1 44 The Arts of Empire.
hate) then with defire to be account* I
ed Liberal, deferve the Infamy of Op- \
preifion ( an Ignominy accompanied
with hatred.^ ^
A Prince ought to be flow in beheving,
and adviled in proceeding ; he fhould
alfb beware not to make himfelf over
much feared, biit in all his Aftions fhew
great Wifdom tempered with Curtefie' ;
lo fhall not over much Confidence in-
duce him to be carelets, nor over much
diffidence render him intolerable.
Whofo obferveth, fliall fee that Man
offended, lefs refpefl: him whom they
Love, than him whom they fear. For
Love is maintained by a certain reci-
proque Obligation, which becaufe Men
are Evil^ufeth to be by every occafion of
Profit broken. But Fear is continued
by a certain dread of Punifhment which
never faileth.
A Prince that holdeth in the Field an
Army wherein arc great numbers of
Soldiers, ought not to care though he
be accompted Cruel : For without fuch
an Opinion conceived, he cannot keep
his Forces united, nor apt to attempt
any Enter prize*
Men
The Arts of Empire. 145
MeoLfor the moft, do ufe rather to
judge by their Eyes.than by their Hands,
for every one may fee, but few can Cir*
tainly know. Every one feeth what thou
feemeft to be, but few can underfland
what thou art indeed; and thefe few dare
not oppofe themfelves to the Opinion of
many which have the Majefty of Eftate
to defend them. Alfb in the Anions of
all Men, and chiefly Princes, from whom
is no Appellation, the End is ever ob«
lerved. Machiavel,
A Prince being forced to ufe the Con-
dition of Beafts, muft among them make
Choice of the Fox and the Lyon ; for the
Lyon cannot take heed of Snares, and the
Fox is eafily overcome by the Wolves :
It behoveth him therefore to be a Fox to
difcover the Snares^ and a Lyon to terri-
fic the Wolves.
A Prince newly advanced cannot ob-
fervethofe Rules, which are the Cauft
that Men be accounted Good ; he being
many Times conftrained for defence of
his State to proceed contrary to Promife,
contrary to Charity, andali Verrue; and
confequently it behovech him to have a
Mind apt to Alteration, as the Wind and
L Yariaiioa
14-6 The Arts of Empire.
Variation of Fortune fhall direft ; yet
ought he not to abandon the Good, iii fb
he can, but be ready to u(e what is Evilj
if fb he fhall be inforced.
Every Prince ought to have two Ears,
the one Intrinfick, in refpeft of Sub-
jefts ; the other Extrinfick, in refpeO: of
Forreign Potentates, from whom he
may be defended with Good Arms, and
Good Friends : Alfb Matters Intrinfick
will ever ftand well, fb long as all things
abroad reft firm.
A Prince that is favoured of the Multi-
tude, need not to doubt Confpiracy ;
but contrary wife, where the People is
generally DiFjoiitented and Hateth the
Prince, then may he reafonably doubt
every Thing, and every Perfbn ; for no
Man is fbPoor, that wanteth a Weapon
wherewith to offend.
When any Occafion is prefented to
have that thou defireft, fail not to lay
hold thereof; for thefe Worldly Things
do vary, and that fo fuddeniy, as hard it
is to affare our (elves of any thing, un-
lelsthe fame be already in Hand: On
the- other Side, if any Trouble threaten
thee, defer it fo long as thou mayeft ;
for
The Arts of Empire, i ^ y
for Time may occafion fbme Accident to
remove all Dangers.
The Prince that doubteth the Fidelity
of his Subjefts, mufl: of Force build For-
treffes ; but he that feareth Foreign Force
more than his own People, were better
to leave them unbuilt. Howfoever it
be, that Prince that defireth generally
to be RefpedeJ and Efteemed , muft
perform fome notable Enterprife , and
give Teftimony of great Vercue and
Valour.
A Prince fhall do well at all Times to
be counfelfed fo as no Man do prefume
to give Counfel but when the Prince doth
ask it. Ic is alio to be noted, That he
who is not of himfeif Wile, cannot be
well counfelled of others, uniefs happily
he^ield to (bme Wife Men the Govern-
ment of his whole Affairs. For Good
Counfels from whomlbever they proceed,
fhall be thought to come from the Pi ince,
and not the Wifdom of the Prince to pro-
ceed from the Counfel of others.
He that taketh Delight to be Employed
in Publick Affairs, muft by all Means
endeavour to continue in fuch Services :
For ofc one Bufincrs dependeih on sno*
L * ther.
1 4- 8 The Arts of Empire.
ther, whereunto the Florentine Proverb
may be applied, Di cofa^ naf^e cofx.^ & tL
ttmfok govern a.
Some Men have not only defired, but
alfo compaffed Honour and Profit ; yet
being in Pofletfion o^ both, were not
therewith fo fatisfied, as they hoped to
be ; which being believed, would happily
extinguifh the imoieafurable Ambition
v/herewith many Men are poffeffed.
By Experience I have learned, That
great Foliy it is to account That Ours
which we have nor, or fpend prefently
in Hope of future Gain. Therefore Mer>
chants, daring the Adventure of their
Goods, do not increafe Domefticai Ex-
pences, but Fearing the Worft Affure
what is in Hand.
For fuch .Men as have gained unto
themielves Reputation and are account-
ed vertuous, to maintain that Conceit,
and efchew Envy, there is nothing bet-
ter than a Life retired from daily Conver-
fation, and chiefly of the Multitude. f«-
giat fafiens commerciA vulgi.
The End that moveth a Prince to make
War, is to Enrich Himfelf, and Impo-
verifh the Enemy : Neither is Viftory
defired
T'he Arts of Empire. j^^
defired for other Purpoft than thereby to
become the more Mighty, and make the
Enemy Weak; Confequently vvherefo-
ever thy Vitlory doth Impovcrifh thee,
or thy Gain therein doth Weaken thee,
it followeth that either thou pafs or \m-^
dergo that Mark ^hereunto the Intention
cf War was directed. And that Prince
is by Viftory Enriched, that can Opprels
the Enemies Power, and become Mader
of his Goods and Poffeffions. And that
Prince is by Victory Impoverifhed when
the Enemy, notwithftanding he be Vi-
dored, can ftil! Maintain himfelf, and
the Spoils and Poffeffions are not taken to
the Ufe of the Prince Viclorious, but
imparted unto his Soldiers. For then may
he be thought in his own Lofing Infortu-
nate, and in Viftory Unhappy ; for if
he be Vanquidied, then muft he endure
the Offence by Foes .• And being Vifto-
rious fliall be forced to abide the Wrong
offered by Friends ; which as they be le(s
Reafonabie, fo are they alfb lefs fupport-
able, becaufe he is ftill by Impofidons
forced to burthen the Subjefts, whereof
may be inferred, That the Prince, hav-
ing in him any Generofity, cannot juflly
/ L J rejoyce
ijo The Arts of Empire.
rejoyce at that Vidory which caufeth the
Subjea: to lament.
Who fb defireth to obtain any things
hopeth to compafs his Defire, either by
Intreaty, Prelents, or Threatning ; for
fb fliali he, to whom the Requeft is made,
be moved either with Ccmpaflion, Pro-
fit, or Fear: Nevertheleft, with Covet-
ous and Cruel Men, and fuch as are in
their Opinion Mighty, none of thefe can
prevail. And coniequently in vain do
they labour, that go about by Suit to
ftirthem to Pity, by Gifts to gain them,
or by Threats to fear them.
Who (b is perfuaded that any Com-
monweal can continue difunited, doth
greatly deceive himfelf : True it is,
That fome Divifions do maintain the
Eftate, but other do indamage the fame. -
They which do Harm, are ILich as with
Se£i:s and Partakings be accompanied ;
they which help without SeQs and Par-
takings, be maintained. A \^'ife Govern-
our therefore, albeit he cannot fb exaflly
forefee but fbme Enemies will arife in
thQ State, yet may he take Order that
no Fadions may thereby grow. It is
therefore to be noted, that the Citizens
of
The Arts of Empire. 1 5 1
of every Eftate, may afpire to Reputa-
tion, either by Private or Publick Means.
Reputation by Publick Means, is gained
chiefly in the War, either by obtaining
ViQory in fbnie Battle, or furprifing of
fbme City ; or el[e by performing fome
Ambaffage diligently , profperoufly :
But Private Reputation is gotten by
doing Favour to this or that Man, and
proteQing them from Magiftjates, giv-
ing them Mony, advancing them unwor-
thily to Honour and OiEce ; and by
great Feafts, entertaining the Multitude ;
of which manner of Proceeding, Se£ts,
FaQiions and Partakings do grow : And
as Reputation thus gained is dangerous,
fb the other without Fadion is profitable;
becaufe the fame is founded on Common
Welfare, and no private Profit : And
albeit among Citizens of this (brt, will
oft arife great Hate, yet v/anting Fol-
lowers for their particular Profit, the
State fhall not be indangered, but rather
ftrengthned ; for every Man endeavour-
ins; to deferve well, will hold himfelf
wi.hin the Bounds of Civil Life, and by
Vertucus Merits labour to be advanced.
L 4 To
h^i The Arts of Empire,
To perfuade or diffuade particular Pei>
fons, IS a Matter of no Difficulty : For
if VVordsfuffice not, yet Authority will
prevail : But hard and perilous it is to
remove a Falfe Opinion conceived ^ a
whole Multitude, for therein fair Speech
and no Compulfion muft be ufed.
The beft means vv^hich wile Captains
can ufe to make their Soldiers refolute,
is to take from them all Hope ; which
Refolution may alfb be increaied with
the Love of our Country and Confidence
in the Captain : For Confidence grow-
€th by the Valour of Men, and Difcipline
in former Victories, and Truft repofed
in the Leader. The Love of our Coun-
try is Natural, but the Affe£lion we bear
to the Captain, proceedeth rather from
his Vertue, than the Benefits he hath
bsftowed. Neceffity alio may do much,
and chiefly that where no Choice is left,
but either overcome by Arms or dye in
Defperation.
There is nothing of fb great Force to
hold an Army united,as the Reputation of
the Captain, which proceedeth only from
hiaVertue; for neither Dignity nor Autho-
riry without Valour can work that Effeclc
The
The Arts of Empire. 155
The firft Care that a Captain muft
have, is to hold his Soldiers well puniil>
ed and paid ; for where Payment faileth,
Punifhment ought not to be inflided :
And confequently no Reafon it is to pu-
nifh him for Robbery, whom want of
Pay enforceth to fliift ; but where the
Soldier is paid, and not punifhed (of-
fending) then will he, without Refped,
become Inlblent towards his Captain;
whereof enfue Mutinies, Difcord, and
utter Ruin.
It is a Cuftom, very honourable, not
topromife more than diou wilt allured-
ly perform : Yet true it is, that whole-
ever is denied (though juftly ) doth
reft ill-contented ; for Men indeed are
not governed by Reafon ; Otherwife it is
for him that promifeth ; and (b good
Promiles fhall ftand in ftead of Perfor-
mance : Befides that, he may find Ex-
cufe enough, becaufe the mod part of
Men are fo fimple, that fair Words alone
have Power to abufethem, chiefly ^'Vhen
they proceed from a Perfbn of Reputa-
tion and Authority. The beft way ,
therefore, is not to promife precifelyj
but entertain the Suitors with An-
i\ver*i
154 '^^^ ^^^-^ ^f ^^p^^^'
fwers general, and full of good Hope :
Yet not fuch as ihall direClly and abfo-
lutely bind.
The greateft and moft material Dif-
plealiires that ufe to arife between the
Nobility and People, are caufed by the
diverficy of Humours, the one labouring
to command, the other endeavouring not
to obey ; fb as all Troubles and Difbrders
in every Common-vi^eal, do thereof re-
ceive Nutriment.
The City vi/hich is maintained rather
by FaOiions than Laws, fo foon as one
Faction is become ftrong, and without
Oppofition, the fame of neceflity muft be
divided in it felf : for thofe particular
Caufes which were at the firll taken, are
not of Force enough to maintain it.
It is the nature of Men not to endure
any Difcommodity, unless Neceflity do
thereunto enforce them : Which may ap-
parently be perceived by their Habita-
tions '/ for as the Fear of War draweth
them to places of Strength ( for their
Defence ) fo that Peril being paft, they
do for the moft part remove themRlves
CO inhabit Countries of more Commodity
and ProRr.
It
The Arts of Empire. 155
It may feem ftrange , and no even
Mearure ( yet approved by Experience )
that where many offend, few are punifh-
ed. Alfo petty Errors are feverely cor-
refted, but great and grievous Crimes
be rewarded. In like manner, where
many receive Wrong, few feek Revenge.
For Injuries univerlal, are uith more
Patience than particular Offences en-
dured.
All, or the greateft part of Men that
have afpired to Riches or Power, have
attained thereunto either by Force or
Fraud : And without they have by
Craft or Cruelty gained, to cover the
foulnefs of their FaS, they call Purchafe
as a Name more honeft. Howfoever he,
that for want of Will or Wit ureth not
thofe Means, muff reft in Servitude and
Poverty. The Reafon thereof is, That
as Nature hath laid before Men the chief
of all Fortunes, fo flie difpofes them ra-
ther to Rapine than honeft Induftry, and
more fubjeft to bad than good Endea-
vours : Hereof it cometh, that one Man
eaieth another, and he that is vieakeft
muft always go to the worft.
Where
1^6 The Arts of Empire.
Where Neceflity forceth, Boldnefs is
reputed Wifdom, and in great Enter-
prifes Peril is not to be made accompt
of. For thofe Attempts chat begin with
Danger, always end with Honour, or
Reward ; alfb from one Peril there is
00 way to efcape, but by entring into
another.
A wife Man ought not to defire to in-
habit that Country where Men have
moie Authority than Laws ; For indeed
that Country delerves to be defired where
every one may iecurely enjoy his own ;
not that J where with facihty it may
be taken away ; and that Friends for fear
to lofe their own, are inforced to forfake
them.
Some Ma gift rates either by over great
Zea! or Ignorance take a Courfe of Ri-
gour, which being for the prelent favour-
edj they are ever the more imployed,
as Men meet to extirpate Inconveni-
ences.
But thereby the Subjefts are often
drawn into Defperation, and confe-
quently liave recourfe unto Arms, as tli.eir
lutermoft Refuge. In this cafe a Wife
Piince forappeafing the People isforcM
to
The Arts of Empire 1 5 7
to difallow his Minifters, and ibmetimes
alio to inflift publick Punifhmenr.
A Prince naturally fufpicious , and
having about him Perlbns inclined to
Envy, is eafily induced to miftruft thofe
Men that have ferved him with moft (uf-
ficiency : Which Danger they cannoe
efchew, becaufe they who are worthieft
Commendation are oftentimes envied by
fuch Perlbns as have accefs unto the
Prince.
Who {o cannot endure both Envy and
Hate, muft refrain to enterprife great
Matters : For great Honours being de-
fired of many , it behoveth him that
afpireth unto them, to be for his Dignity
envied, and for his Authority hated ;
which Authority , albeit the fame be
w^ell uled, yet they who hate or envy
( perfuading themfelves it might be bet-
ter handled ) endeavour to opprefs that
Power, as fearing it will be worfe.
Among other things which worketh
the Inconveniences of Common weals.
Ambition and Defperation are chief ; of
both, Defperation is worft : For Am-
bition may attend Occafion, Defperacioa
will not^ as that cannot endure Delays.
Hifloriaas
158 The Arts of Empire.
Hiftorians defiring to write the Anions
of Men, onght to let clown the (Imple
Truth, and not fay any thing for Love
or Hatred ; Alfb tochufe fuch an Oppor-
tunity for writing as it may be lawful to
think what they will, and write what
they think, which is a rare Happinefs
of the Time.
In commencfing or difallowing the A-
aions of Men, itisacourfe very requi-
fite to confider the Beginning, the Pro-
ceeding, and End ; So fhall we fee the
Realbns and Caufes of things, and not
their bare Events only ; which for the
moft part are governed by Fortune.
It is a matter of much Neceffity, that
every Man, and chiefly a Prince fhould
in his firft Aaiops, give fome Tefti-
mony of Vertue ; for falling at firfl into
obloquie, do he well or ill, all isill-taken.
The Cullom of the Common People is
to judge rather by their Eyes than by
their Ears: Which is the caufe they al-
low more of external Shew than in-
ward Vertue : And true it is, w^here
excellency of Mind, and Beauty of
Body concur, the Comsiendation due
to fuch a Perfon is far the greater.
Gratior
The Arts of Empire. 159
GfAHor efi fulchro veniens 2 corpore vir-
tus,
A Prince or great Perfonage that con-
ftantly endureth Adverfity , deftrveth
great Praife : Yet greater Commenda-
tion is due to him that beareth himfelf
modeftly in his Happinefs. For Miferies
are oft born with Patience, but Felicity
corrupteth.
To be defcended of Princes, or great
Perfbnages, is a matter of mesr Fortune,
and fb to be efteemed : But Adoption
proceedeth from the Judgment of Men,
therefore leemeth incorrupt, and (eidom
abufed.
It hath been long obferved, and is a
Rule which rarely faileth, that he fhall
be ever fufpefted of the Prince in poffef-
fion, whom Men account worthy to be a
Prince in Reverfion.
It hath been a Ufe very ancient to give
Credit to Aftrologers, and onher fuch
Perfons, who by their Star-Learning or
Bhnd Divination, take upon them to tell
of things to come. The Reafon thereof
is, That the moft part of Men believe
|hat fooneft which they leaft underftand ;
and if they fee the Event of a Predidion,
though
1 6 o The Arts of Empires
though it happeneth by meer Chance to
fall out according to that was premiled,
thereupon they fettle fo firm an Iitiprel-
fion, as albeit many other fail, yet the
good Conceipt of their Cunning cannot
be removed.
Liberality is a Vertue which gaineth
Love, but much are they deceived whom
Riot in lieu thereof abufeth. To caft
away and confume is fbon learned ,
but to give in good Order few have the
Skill.
In Time of fudden Mutiny, Confpira-
cy, and Offence of People, the wifeft
Relblution is not to oppofe Force to pre-
vent Fury, but rather give Space for the
Bad to amend, and the Good to confenr •
For Treafons prevail on the fudden, but
good Council gathers Forces by Lei*
fure.
Mature Deliberation ought ever to be
ufed; but when Arms are to-determincj'
fpeedy Execution is the beft : Becaule no
Delay in that Eaterprife is fit which
cannot be commended before it be
ended*
Wh^
The Arts of Empire. 1 6 1
Who fb is pleaftd to obferve the pro-
ceedings of Men in Authority, fhal] ob-
lerve that (bme of them hold a plain
courfe without refpeft ; others projeO:-
ing for time to come, do forecaft how to
hold their prefent good fortune or at
leaft to efcape danger : For they mi-
ftrufting prefent Profperity and fearing
a change, prepare beforehand fbme pri-
vate Friends to oppofe againft publick
hatred : Whereof may be inferred, that
no care is taken of Innocency, but every
one ftudieth how to pais without pu-
nifhment.
In Captains and all Military Comman-
ders, three things are required, Vertue,
Difcipline, and Authority ; but in pri-
vate Soldiers Obedience and Courage
only fufficeth; for by due obeying, and
no curious (canning the Leaders direQi-
ons are maintained ; and the Army in
danger is alwaies moft valiant, which be-
fore the danger is moft quiet. Let the
Soldier therefore be well armed and va-
liantly minded. To advife and direO:
muft be the Captains care.
It is a matter of no great moment,
yet always worthy the noting, that any
M ex-
1 6 7 The Arts of Empire.
exterior Behaviour, or Garment pre-
fenting Pride or Greatnefs, chiefly in
Perfbns lately advanced, though no Man
be thereby interelTed or injurc:d , doth
move in others a certain offence; For
the nature of Man is fuch, as beholdeth
the new profperity of others with an
envious Eye, and wiOieth a moderation
of Fortune no where fo much as in
thofe we have known in equal degree
with our felves.
In all Enterprifes of War ( if prefent
neceffity doth not otherwife require )
Leifure and Deliberation ought to be
ufed ; for often it fufficeth in lieu of
Wifdom, to take the advantage of other
Mens folly.
All Men that are to confider of great
Aflions, ought robe informed whether
that which is undertaken be profitable
for the Commonweal, honourable to
themfelves, and eafie to be effefted ; or
at leaft not greatly difficult. Alfb he
that perfuadeth, is to be examined whe-
ther befides bare Words and Counfel,
he will joynhis own Peril; and if For-
tune favour the attempt, to whom the
principal Glory Ihall redound.
The
The Arts of Empire. 1 6 3
The Perils which accompany private
Enterprifes, are far unlike to thofe
which he doth enter that afpireih to
Principality. For in private attempts a
Man may paufe or proceed as he will :
But to him that afpires to Empire there
remains no middle courfe, but either by
Vidory to triumph as a Prince; or
being vanquifhed to endure death as a
Traytor.
Let no Man in his Profperity, give
much credit to common Applaufe or
Service, affured by any of whom in
meaner Fortune he hath had no experi-
ence ; for the bale People are learned in
no LelTon, only without difference of
Truth or Faliliood to flatter Men in
Authority, and with Shouts and Words
of great rejoycing make (hew of great
Affedion. ^
As overmuch hafie is dangerous, fo
too great delay oftentimes proveth dif-
advantagious ; for albeit confokation
ought to forego adioDj yet to Difpute
long and in the end rejeS: the advice of
either fide, or take a middle courle
(which in cafes of doubt 2nd danger is
worft) was ever accompted great difcreti-
on. M'2 There
164. ^^^ ^^^^ ^f Empire.
There is no courfe more comely, nor
any refolution (b well befeeming a wife
Man, having made prcof of his own
Vertue (and finding in Age no Fortune
due to fucheffefl: j as to retire himfelt
from the Court and Company ; for fo
fball he fliun the Inconveniences of Con-
tempt and the Difcommodity of Travel
( JucimdafemMHtl oth ) yet true it is,
_^that wholb hath lived a Prince or go-
verned as a publick Perfbn, cannot ex-
peQ: fecuricy in a private Ellate.
Whenfbever danger draweth near,
and terror is at hand, all Men look a-
bout, but none willingly adventure:
For in fuch Cafes every Man will give
Council, but few will take part of the
peril.
In Common-wealths where Se£ls or
Partialities be, the Leader of any fide is
able to kindle Civil War ; yet is he una-
ble to moderate the Viftory ; For toftir
up diffentions and troubles, the worft
Man mod: commonly bears the (Iroke j
but peace and quietnefs arenoteftabliQi-
ed but by Men of rare Gifts and excelleuc
Vertue.
It
The Arts of Empire. \6^
Ic may (eem ftrange and contrary both
to courtefie and Chriflian protefTion,
that Men are far more mindful of Inju-
ries done unto them, than of benefits
received by them. The reafbn thereof
is, that Thankfulnefs is accompted a
burden, but Revenge is fweet, and rec-
koned a great gain.
Of reconciled Foes, and fuch as know
that our harms were caufed by their
means, we oft-times exped favour, as
perfuaded that new Friendffiip will re-
pair the lofs of old difpleafure : Bat the
matter doth feldom fo fallout; for the
quality of Man's nature is ever to hate
thofe whom he hath hurt, and love them
whom he hath made beholding. Qhos
Uferunto^erunt, Tac.
To common Perfbns and fuch as are
ignorant in Matters of State, every
Taxation and Impofidon feemeth heavy
or fuperfluous ; yet the wifer fort know,
that the end of all publick endeavour is
to confirm People in Peace, and Peaqe
cannot be maintained without Arips,
nor Arms without Pay, nor Pay with»
put Impofitions.
1 66 The Arts of Empire.
As fortunate Folk are envied, fb are
the poor contemned ; which Rule reach-
eth alio to Princes : The one lives in
Plenty with War, the other in Poverty
with^eace. For f;:ldom is it feen, that
thofe People are affaulted where nothing
is to be gained, and whofe ba(e Beings
afFord no other fpoils than Blood and
Beggery.
Wilemen have obferved that in mat-
ter of State, and the managing thereof,
three Things are efpecially to be looked
unto : The firft is, Occafion ; the fe-
cond, the Intentions of other Men ; the
third, our own Affeflion. For there
is nothing that flippeth away lb loon as
Occafion, nothing fo difficult as to judge
what an other Man intendeth; nor any
thing more nocent than our own immo-
derate defires.
Ic hath been ever a courfe obferved
by wife Princes, but much more by
jlrijiocracies and PopnUr States^ againft
Force and Fury of the M'jkitade, to
defend themielves with Silver and
Gold.
How much moreitimporteth all Prin-
ces to lead a vertuous Life^ and give
-■ ■ • ^ ■ ^ -daily
The Arts of Empire. 167
daily example of Piety and Juftice, ap-
pears apparently in the Proceedings of
the Roman Bilbops ; who by the well-
doing of fome few of them at the firft,
became greatly honoured ; but after-
wards they became contemptible • For
the Reverence which Men did bear to
the fanflity of their Lives failing, it
was impoffible of lo contrary Manners
and Examples to look for like effeds.
The fuccefs of the War chiefly dcpen-
deth on the Reputation of the Prince,
whkh declining, the vertue alio of the
Soldiers faileth .• Likewife the fidelity of
the People decayethj and their Mony to
maintain the War, ceaftth ; contrary-
wi[e, the Courage of the Enemy is in-
crealed, they that ftood doubtful be-
come refolved, and every difficulty
augmemeth.
The Authority which Princes give,
is chiePiy in refpeft of Wifdom and
Valour : Yet true it is, that for the moft
part they account them the wifefl: Men
that can beft accommodate themfelves
tp their Humour.
The greateft Diftrefs and Difficulty
which can come to any Army, doth
M 4 pro-
1 68 the Arts of Empire.
proceed of thefe Caufes : Want of Mo-
ny, fcarcity of Viftuals, hatred of
People, difcord of Captains, difbbedi^
ence of Soldiers, and their flying to
the Enemy, either of neceflity or free-
v/ill.
A Prince or great Magiftrate having
long maintained the reputation of WiP
dom and Vertue, muft take heed that no
rafli or dangerous Refolution do taint
the Honourable Fame of his former
Life .• For to be tranfported with Anger
againft his own Profit, is lightnefs ; and
to efteem fmall dangers more than great,
is want of Judgment.
A Prince or P^rfbn of great Eftate,
muft be wary not to inure the conceit
of double dealing : For little Sincerity
and Truft is looked in his Actions, of
whom there is an opinion of Craft and
Falfliood conceived.
Experience hath alvvays proved, that
whatlbever the moft part of men defire,
rarely comsth to pals : The reafbn here-
of is, that the effeds of Human Adi-
ens commonly depend on the will of
a few ; and their Intentions ever differ-
ing from the greater number, the end
an4
The Arts of Empire. 169
and fuccefi cannot be other than as
pleafeth the few that are to direft
them.
There is nothing more dangerous than
to enterprife a War, or other AQions
of Importance upon popular perfuafion ;
for fuch expeftations are vain, and^fuch
defigns fallible : Alfb the Fury of the
Multitude is great, when danger is lit-
tle or far oft'; but Perils growing great
and near, their Courage quaileth, as
they whole Paflions have no Rule or
Meafiire.
It is ftrange to fee how apt Men are
to doubt difpleafure threatned by Ene-
mies, chiefly when they draw near ;
for the People do naturally over-much
fear Dangers at hand, and efteem tels
than is fit of things prelcnt : Alfo to
make finall account of thofe that are
far from them, becaule divers Remedies
may be hoped as well by time, as other
accidents.
The offenfive Words or Anfwers of
Indignation, proceeding from great
Princes, ought never to admit difplea-
fure into the Minds of them againft
whom jhcy are Ipoken : For having by
Speech
1 70 The Arts of Empire.
Speech uttered a. great part of Choler,
the edge of their Deeds becomes the
calmer, and more eafily appealed :
Such is the condition of noble and gene-
roos Spirits.
To judge right of other Mens merit,
feems of great difEcuity ; for time and
tryal is thereto required ; A lib it is not
calie to anfwer the expeQation of Men,
but oft-times inconfiderate, and not mea-
lured in due proportion.
It is a part of great difcretion to di-
vide the feafons of Affairs and Vacati-
ons : For as it fitteth well a Prince or
Perfonof Dignity in times of Audience
and Judgment, to be grave, heedful,
and auftere : So thofe Offices perfor-
med, all fliew of Authority and fad
looks ought to be fet apart ; for by that
means, neither courteous Behaviour
Jhall detracl from the Reverence due to
his place^ nor feverity diminifli the
Love vi/hich to his Behaviour apper-
taineth.
Magiftrares mufl: look into all things,
but not exaO: all things to rigor. Light
Faults may be pardoned, but great Of-
fences feverely correcled ; yet not al-
ways
The Arts of Empire. 171
ways proceeding to punifhing, but oft
contented with Repentance. To be bit-
ter in rebuking is alfb fit for a Magiftrate,
(hewing himlelf fowre to the bad, and
fweet to the good ; framing both Coun-
tenance and Condition according to
the Merit of Men , and be perftaded
that it is more honeft to offend, than
to hate.
Soldiers mufl: be encouraged in all For-
tunes to ftand refblved, and not to be
daunted with any pafled mifadvantage ;
ever attending a Time and Opportunity
of Revenge ; which commonly comet h
to pafs where Mens Minds are united :
For common Danger mufl: be repelled
with Union and Concord.
Among other Realbns wherewith SoU
diers are encouraged, Neceflity and Di-
fl:refs doth oft inforce them : For as Men
of Vertue perform the Aftions of Arms
for Honour, fo the Coward muft do them
for his Security.
All Enterprifes attempted by Arms,
are Honourable ; but thole that are done
in Countries remote, are more praife-
able: For the left they be in Know-
ledge, the greater is the Glory to At-
chieve them. To
172 The Arts of Empire.
To be truly and faithfully loved, is
a thing greatly to be defired ; for Ter-
yor and Fear are weak Works of Affe-
£lion : For they being taken away, he
that ceafeth to fear, will fbon begin to
hate ; and as they that by Force are kept
under , obey with ill Will ; fo they
that govern without Line juftly , rule
again!]* Right.
Some Men either deferving to be
accounted of excellent Wifdom, or fin-
gular in that Skill whereof they make
Profeflion, do ordinarily love the Pro-
ceedings of others ; taking that Ad-
vantage of their ill Succefs : Yet fure it
is^ that Difafter and unhappy Event of
fbme Aftions, proceed not of Dilbrder,
not Human ImperfeQion , but from a
certain Fatal Fury , which neither
Counlel nor Canftancy of Men can witb-
ftand.
It is a matter of much difficulty, or
father impoffible for any Prince to main-
rain the Law, Civil or Military, without
Severity : For where Men hope to be
eafiiy pardoned, there are they apt to
offend, Contrarily, where Mens Aftions
arepreciiely ficced^ there do they live in
over-
The Arts of Empire 175
over-great Aw, and Hatred doth always
accompany fuch Severity. The beft
courfe therefore is to punifh Offences fe-
verely, and reward vertuous Merits libe-
rally ; fo flball Fear be converted to re-
verend RefpeQ:, and none have caufe to
complain ; For as it lies in each Maa^s
Power to fhun offending, lb is it in thek
Power alfo to deferve well, and merit
Reward.
VVhofbever, after mature deliberation,
hath refolved what Courfe to hold in the
Aftionhehath in hand, muft not after
repent, or fear any Difficulty ; For fuch
Thoughts would break the Vigour of the
Mind, and impeach the Proceedings of
that which was refol ved. And albeit fome
Differences do happily arife, yet muft
he believe that every other courfe would
have been accompanied with the fame or
greater Impediments.
Young Men for the warmnefs of their
Blood, and for not having before-time
been deceived by Fortune, more will-
ingly enterprife Aftions rather honour-
able than fevere. But Old Men as well
for that their Heat is cooled, as aifo for
having attempted many things in vain,
make
1 74 The Arts of Empire.
make choice of Enterprifes fevere, rather
than thofe that are followed with Fame
and Glory.
The greatnels of one Prince is nothing
^Ife but the Ruin and DiRreG, of ano-
ther : Likewils his Strength is the
VVeaknefs and Opprefllon of others.
Some Conquefts are of fuch QuaHry,
as albeit a vidorious Captain merit tri-
umphal Honour; yet a modeft refufai
becomes his greater Glory.
The Dignity of Magiftratcs is not af-
(iired without Arms ; for when Obedi-
ence faileth, no other means is left to
continue a People united.
As willing Obedience in Subjeds is the
Prince's Strength, Jfb is the lame their
own Security : For as by the Princes Au-
thority the People are governed, io by
their Conlent he is maintained.
¥ Three things Men covet with immo-
derate Defire, Lands, Riches, and Ho-
nours ; but as feldom they compafs their
full Content, fb are they for the moft part
to endure a Deftiny far other than they
wifhed.
Strange it is, yet by Experience prov-
ed true, That in Time of Danger, For-
tune
The Arts of Empire. 1 7 5
tune ( or rather Deftiny) fbmuchamaz-.
eth the Judgment of Wife Men, as fel-
dom they conceive what Refolutiqn isbeft
to be taken.
No great Free-City can long continue
quiet, unlefs the fame be ufed to foreign
Aflaults : For wanting Foes without y
fome inward Enmity will arife, not un-
like to ftrange Bodies of Men , which
being (ecure from external Injury, are
never thelefs by their own Poife op-
prefled.
As every Pilot of ordinary Skill know-
eth in calm and quiet Seas to dired the
Courfe of his Ship ; fo every Governor
of Capacity doth underftand how the
Affairs of State are in peaceable Times to
be handled : But when Tempetts are^
and Subjefts bent to Sedition ; the one
requires an excellent Sailer, the other
the Aid of fome excellent Wifdom.
It oft happens, that Publick Duty is
oppofiteto private Friendfliip ; *fbas we
are either forced to omit the Offices due
to our Country, or drav/ our deareft
Friends into Danger : In which cafe we
are to prefer publtck Rs^pea^ before par-
ticular Obligation.
The
176 The Arts of Empire.
The nature of bafe People is fuch ,
as either they obey flavifhly, or com-
mand infolently ; For Liberty being the
Mark whereat they aim, is by them of
that Quality, neither moderately defired
nor dilcreetly continued ; and always
there are (bme (editious Leaders to be
found, who of Diforder are incHned to
kindle the Ire and Offence of Ignorant
People. Dux rebus mot is ^ facile invent-
tur. Saluft.
Experience hath oft proved, That Men
in befl Fortune, and fuch as efteem them-
felves moft fecure, evtn then fall fboneft
into Difadventure, becaule thole Dan-
gers unfeared be as it were contemned y
and not regarded.
To enter needlels Dangers, was ever
accounted Madnefs ; yet in Times of
extream P-ril and apparent Diftrefi ,
Bold and Hazardous Attempts are great-
eft Security.
The divers Adventures which happen
to Men, may well inform. That much
better it is, chiefly in Arms, to be go-
verned by Rea 'on than by Fortune.
A certain Peace is ever accounted bet-
ter Security than ViQory hoped or ex-
pefted
The Arts of Empire. i y j
pe£led. Melhr tutiorque certa p/ix quam
fperatd viltortM, Li v.
Iftpour Profperity God were pleafed
to add the Grace of Wifdom, we fhouJd
thereby judge not only of what is paft,
but alfoof all that can fucceed hereafter.
Rarely or never can we confider truly
of wprldly proceedings, unlefs firft we
have feic the deceits of Fortune. t)iC
cord or DifTention in any State or City^
offers opportunity to fuch men as are am-
bitious to work their u ill : For the hu-
raor of Sefts and Partialities is fuch, a^
the weaker Fafition doth ever chule ra-
ther to call for aid of Strangers, than
3rield to the Dominion of an adverfe
Party.
Ancient Cuftoms may not violently
and fuddenly be taken away. Fortune
which kitereth all things, will by little
and little w^ear them out of ufe.
To be oft in fight, and converfe mucH
with men, breedeth a kinde of S^nery :
therefore it behoveth perfons of great
Eftate and Authority to be retired, left
over-much faoiiliariiy fhould dena£l
from the reverence due to honorabl©.
Eftate, ''
H Tht
lyS The Arts of Empire.
The natures of men not content to
live according to their Fortune and
Birth, are of all others moil prone to
Envy ; becaufe they hate the vertue
and vveh^re of all fuch as are in efti-
mation above them.
Great heed is to be taken, that no
Citizen or Subjed, be fuffered to afpire
to fuch greatnefs, as cannot be forced
to obey the Lavi^s , and no order there
is of more ncceffity, than that every
man of what quality Ibever, may be
without refped accuftd and judged.
For conlervation of particular Great-
nefs and Dignity, there is nothing more
noble and glorious^ than to have felt
the force of every Fortune.
Ii is the quality of wife men only,
to know how to ufe Profperity, and
never to truft too much to the favors
of prefent Happinefs. A man vi^ell ad-
viied in his Profperity, beareth not
himfelf towards others either proud or
Violenr ; nor muft he believe in his own
prefent felicity, for the Day knows not
what the Night bringeth: He only
is to be reputed a man, whofe mind
cannot be puft up by profperity, nor
de-
The Arts of Empire. 179
dejefted by any adverfe Fortune.
Men of Cholerick humor are eafily
nioved with in(b!ent Speeches, but wife
itien laugh them to fcorn.
The way whereby a Prince efchues
the hate of SubjeSts, is, not to take from
them their Lands or Goods ; yec albeic
the b!ood of fomefew be tainted, unlefs
the l^rne be accompariied wnth Con-
fifcation (which a Pdnce is rarely forced
to ufe) it feldom cauleth him to become
odious.
A Rule moft ceraiait is that he who
commands any thing uopleafing, muft
by fevere means caule it to be obferv-
ed ; and who defireth to be obeyed^
muft know how to command: And he
only knows how to command, that
doth compare his own force with theft
that are to obey; wherein finding a
proportion, then he may boldly proceed,
Otherwife fDrbear.
In Actions of difficulty great couragd
IS to bcufcd, and who fo compaffeih any
thing by violence, cannot maintain if:
by mydnefs, nor command by affability.-
He therefore that is of nature fbfr, ihould
do beft to refrain all extraordinary com^
N i niands,
1 8 o The Arts of Empire.
mands, and ia matters ordinary imploy
the vertue of his mild fbirit; becaufc
ordinary punifhments are not imputed
to the Prince or his Magiftrates, but
to the Laws and Ordinances of
State.
When Naceffity preffeth, dcfperation
is deemed Wifdom, and generous
Minds do not account of danger, be-
caufe thofe ilttempts ^hich begin with
Peril, do for the moft part end with
Glory. ,
He that endeavours to be good among
many that are evil, or- will uphold that
which thofe labour to pull down of
Force, worketh his own undoing. All
Common-wealths alter from order to
diforder, from diforder to order again ;
for Nature having made all worldly
Things variable^ fo fbon as they have
attained their utmoft perfection and
height, they muft defcend ; fo from
good they fall back to evil; and from
evil they return to good. War begets
Quiet, Quiet Idlenefs, Idlenefs Diforder,
Diforder Ruin \ likewife Ruin Order,
Order Vertue^ Yertue Glory and good
Fortune.
Wife
The Arts of Empire. 3 8 j
WireMen have obferved that Arms were
before Learning, and Captains before
Philofbphers ; for good and well regula-
ted Armies having gained Viftory, efta-
blifhed Reft and Security, whereof the
Study of Letters and Liberal Sciences
enfued.
That Country defer veth to be loved
of all Men, which loves all Men indiffe-
rently, and not that Country whi^^h re-
fpefting the beft part, advanceth a few :
No Man therefore is to be blamed, if for
Ipch caufe he defire rather to abandon
than embrace his Country.
Common- wealths are Bodies mixt,
yet have they of Bodies fimple fome re-
lemblance : And as in thefe, many In-
firmities grow, which without violent
Medicines cannot be cured ; (b in the
other many Milchiefs arife, which a
good and godly Patient fhould offend
to leave uncured, though therein he ufe
both force and fire.
Thofe Wars be moft juft which are
moft neceffary ; and tho(e Arms are
moft merciful where no hope of help re-
mains but in them only.
N 3 la
1 8 1 The Arts of Empire.
In Actions which promife either pub-
lick Glory, or private Honour, Men may
be reafbnably perfuaded to adventure
life and living, becaufe great hope there
iS to die u^ich Reputation, or live to re-
cover that Peace which War hath con-
fumed .- But where Men are no left op-
preffed by infblency of Commanders,
than by inlblency of Foes, there is the
Calamity doubled, and of two evils the
danger of V/ar (eemeth leaft ; for that
l^diihtndj the other is infinite.
Who lb perfuades himfelf to_ be no
left efteeiTied in evil than good Fortune,
is deceived : For promifes made, during
diftrefs, are rarely performed, unlefs the
fame neceflity continue.
The intent of every Prince, or other
State that makes War, is to enrich him-
felf, and impoverifh the Enemy : Nei-
ther is Viflory for other occafions fought,
nor the poflTeffions of the Enemy to
other end defir'd, than to make them-
felves mighty, and their Enemy weak.
k follows then, that lb oft as the Viftory
impoverirhes them, or the gains weaken
them, either ehey pafs or come fhort of
that Mark whereat the War was aimed*
Ancient
The- Arts of Empire. 1 8 5
Ancient and well-governed Common-
wealths were wont by their Conquciis to
fill the Treafuries with Gold a^d Silver,
to give reward to Soldiers, to fpare the
People ftom Tributes, to make Tri-
umphs and PublickFeafts: But in later
timesthe Wars have ultd, fiift, to con^
fume the Treafure, and after impoverifli
the People without affuring them from
their Enemies.
A Prince or State that leaves promlfes
unperformed, by reafon of unexpected
Impediments, and for rjx) ill intent, ought
not to be blamed .• Neither are fuch acci-
dents any joft canfe or colour why
Friends fliould abandon their Ccnfede'
rates.
Where Magiftrates govern juftly, Sub-
je£i:s obey dutifully ; where private Per-
fons grow rich, and Princes enlarge
their Empire ; there is the Comaion-
wealth bleiTed, and the People foriu-
nate.
N 4 C H A P.
1 84. the Arts of Empire.
CHAR XXVL
Maxims of State , or Prudential
Grounds and Polemical Pre--
cepts 5 concerning all Eflates ,
and Forms of Policy in Times of
Peace or War^ &c. confirmed by
Sele^ Narrations and Hijiorical
Parallels.
AL L Cities and Towns of State are
builded either by People dwelling
in or about the Place where they are
builded, or elit they are made by Stran-
gers : Of the fir ft are Jfhem and Fe-
nice^ of the othtr AkxmdrU and Flo^
feme.
The Fortune of every City builded,
and Vertue of the Builder , appearech
by Choice of the Place, and Quality
of Laws : For as fertile Places occafi-
0n Men to be flothful, unlefs by good
i.aw5 they be forced to labour, fb Bar-
renne&
The Arts of Empire. 1 8 5
rennefs compels them tolnduftry ; which
Reafon induceth Wife Men to plant Ha-
bitations in either : Examples of the firft
zxQperrara and Rome^ of thefecond Ra-
gufa and Genoa,
All Laws whereby Commonwealths
are governed were either made by feme
one excellent Man, and at an inftant ; or
elfe they were ordained at fundry Times,
according to foch Accidents as befeh
Example^ The Laws oi Sparta, made at
^he beginning by Lycurgus^ the Laws of
Rome at fundry Times.
The Government of every City in Time
becomes corrupt ; Principality changeth
into Tyranny : The Optimacy is made
the Government of the People ; and the
Popular Eftate turns to licentious Difor-
der ; which Inftability or Alteration
moved Ibme Law-makers to take Order
that in the Government of their City there
Ihould be a Mixture of all three^ and was
the Caufe that the Policy of Sparta con-
tinued 800 Years , when the Popular
State of Athens endured not one hundred.
Example^ The Laws of Sparta made by
Lycurgusj and the Laws of Athens by
Solo^,
Whofo
1 86 The Arts of Empire.
Whofb taketh in hand to frame any
State orGovernment,oughtto prefuppofe
that all Men are Evil, and at occafions
wilifliew themielves fb to be. Example^
The Envy of the People of Rome to the
Nobles, and their Infolency towards them
appeared not fo long as the Kings govern-
ed ; but the Tarquins being Banifhed,
Opportunity was thereby offered, that
the Malice of the one and the other be-
came dilcovered.
The divers Honours of the Nobility
and People, the one defiring to command,
the other not to obey, are the Caufe of
continual Troubles , unlefs fbme third
Mean there be of more Authority than
either, to bridle the Force of both. Ex-
^mpky The Kings in Rome expulfed ,
forthwith arofe much Mutiny, and could
eot be fupprefs^d till the Triham Plehis
were created ; whofe Authority wrought
the fame effe£fc which the Kings had
done. Some States endeavour to enlarge
their Dominions, and fome others lab»r
only to maintain that Eftate they an-
tientiy poiTeffed. Example of the firft
was the City of Rome^ of the ftcond
All
The Arts of Empire. i 8 7
All States defiring to live at Liberty,
think fit that every Man fhould be per-
mitted to accufe any Citizen that offend^
etb, which n:ianner of proceeding works
two excellent Effefts : Firft, That the
People fhould not dare for Fear of accu-
fing to attempt ought againft the State;
or if they do, they fliall be prefently and
without Refpeft puniihed. Secondly ,
by Liberty of accufing, every Man hath
Means to utter the Offence wherewith he
can charge others, which he could not ;
unlefsit were lawful to take fiich an or-
dinary Courfe , and confequently be
driven to ways extraordinary, particu-
lar Revenge, or calling in Foreign Forces.
Example, CorioUnus and JppmSj Claudius
at Rome^ Lucanmve at Chwfiy Francifco
Valeri in Florence.
As Accufations are in every State ne-
ceffary, fo Slanders are dangerous, and
worthy of Punifhment ; the Difference
betwixt Accufations and Slanders, is,
that the one is publickly performed be-
fore Magiftrates, with good Proofs and
Witnefies to maintain the Truth of the
Accufation; but Slanders are as well
publickly performed as difperfed in iecrer.
i 8 8 The Arts of Empire.
and Places of Repair, without Witnefi
and Juftification, fo as every Man may
be flandered, but few are orderl / accuf^
ed. Example^ Jppms Clmdius accufed
by L,Virginiiis \ Vurius C^mtllus^ flan-
dered by Mml'tus Capitolinus.
Theoaiy means to (uppreis Slander is^
£o give Authority to fome Perfbns of Re-
pute, to compel every Slanderer to be-
come an Accufer ; and if the Accu{ation_
prove true, then to reward the Accufer,
or at leaft not to punifh him. Exam-
fle^ Manlhis the Slanderer of Camiltm
for his untrue Information punifhed.
A Rule moft certain and affured it is,
That every Kingdom and State at the
firft well framed, or after well informed,
doth take the Perfe£tion thereof from tlie
Wifdom of fbme excellent Man , who
ought not to be blind though in a Matter
of great Moment he happily uleth fbme
extraordinary Violence or Proceedings ;
for he that employeth Force to mend and
not to mar, deferves Commendation.
Example , Romulus , Lycurgus , Cleo-
mems.
There lives no Man fo fimple or wife,
lb wicked or well-difpofed, but prefers
thofe
'The Arts of Empire 189
thofe Perfbnsthat are pi aifeable before
thofe that arie blameable : Nocwithftand-.
ing for that well-near all Men are beguilM
in dilfeerning what indeed is Good, deem-
ing that Honourable which in Truth is
otherwife; they fufFer themfeh/eo either
willingly or ignorantly to be carried into
a Courie which merits rather Infamy
than Commendation. Example^ Every
Man wifheth him&li Timoko^y or Jge^-
jilausj rather than Dionyfms or FhaUris ;
rather a Titus or Trajan^ than Cal'tguU or
Vmllius.
Who reads Hiftories treating, of ^reat
Aftions fhall perceive that good Princes
indeed are more fecure and better defend-
ed by the Love of the People, and Fide-
lity of Counfellorsj than were they that
entertained many Legions and Men of
War. Exam^le^ Of all thofe Emperours
which reigned after C^far until Maximi-
inus^ the greateft number were for their
Vices taken and flain, only Galiasind Per-
tinax excepted, who were good Emper^
ours.
A Prince of great Knowledge both in '
Arms and Wifdom, fo firmly fetleth the
Foundation of GoverDroent, as albeit his
Succeffor
190 The Arts of Empire.
Succeflbr be of the lefs Vertue, yet may
he be maintained even by the Memory of
his Predeceffor ; But if it happen that the
third Prince prove not more hke the
firft than the fecond, then all that is paft
goeth toRuine. Example, The Martial
Valour of Romdus v^'as the caule that
Nt^ma, might govern fafely in Peace .-
Which Tullus could not have done, had
he been unlike to Romtilus ; nor fliould
Bajazet Emperour of Turky have en-
joyed the State of his Father Mahomety
and left the fame to his Pofterity, \iSelim
his Son had not been more like to his
Grand - father than to Bajazei his Fa-
ther.
The Succeflion of tu^o excellent Prin-
ces, chiefly if they be of long life, works
wondrous Effefts : The hke is feen in
Optimacies and Popular States, where
the Governours fucceflively elected be
Men of great Vertue and Underftanding-
Example f The firft appeared in Philip of
MacedoHy and Alexmder his Son, the
fecond in the Confuls of Rome.
In every State, where Soldiers are not,
the Fault thereof proceeds from the Go-
vernours. Wife Princes were therefore
wont
The Arts of Empire. 1 9 i
wont even in Times of Peace to caufe
Warlike Exercifes to be ufed ; for with-
out them the mort Warlike Nations be-
come not only Ignorant in Martial Know-
ledge, but alfo effeminate. Example,
Pelopidas ^ Epaminondas in Thebes^ and
King Tullus in Rome as well in Peace-
able as Troublefbme Times ufed theexer-
cife of Arms.
No Prince or State well ad viled, haz-
ards his whole Efl:ate upon the Valour of
Ibme few Perfbns, nor ought to Strength
of ftraitPlaceSjwhere theEnemy is to pa ft.
Example, Tully King of Romt^ and Me^
tins King oiAlba^ condefcended that three
of their Nobility for either fide, cholen
fhpuld enter Combate, and that Nation
which was Viftorious fliould command
the other. Framis the French King go-
ing to recover Lomhardy^ was by the
Srvitzers attended into two or three Places
in the Mountains, hoping there to repulfe
him, but the King taking another way>
pafled fecurely and prevailed.
Every State well governed doth re-
ward Men of good Merit, and punifli all
Offenders ; and if any Perfbn of gocd
Defert Ihali v^ ilfully be a Delinqueat ,
ths
192 The Arts of Em fire.
the iame Man ought notwithftandlng his
former fervice, be punifht. Example^
The fame Horatio that m Combat gained
the Viftory againft mc JlU^y having
infolently (lain his own Sifter, was not-
^vithftatlding his egregious A8: and the
frefh memory thereof, called into trial
of his lifcj and with great difficulty ob?
tained Pardon : And Ma.nlius who had
with great Glory faved the Capitol, foi^
moving Sedition mRome^ was after from
the lamecaft down headlong^
Every wife Man having performed any
great fervice to his Prince or Country;
ought to be content with fuch recom-
pence as it fhali pleafe the Prince or:
Country to beftow : Meafuring the fame
according to the Power of the giver^
and not the merit of him that receiveth*
Example^ Horatim Coeles for having loft
his Hand in defence of the Bridge of
Rome^ and Mutius Sc^voU fufferiog his
Hand to be burnt for his attenript to kill
King Porfenna^ were rewarded with a
Imatr Portion of Land ; and Mmltus
that defended the Capitol from the G^/-
kjs, had no greater reward than a little
meafiire of Meal;
The Arts of Empire. \ 9 j
Ingratitude is a Vice fo natural and
common, as not only private Perfons,
but Princes and States alfo either through
Covetoufneft or Sufpition are therewith
infedled. Example^ Vefpapdn proclaimed
Emperor, was chiefly aided by Jntoni-
us Primus^ and by his help prcx^ailed
againfl: Vndlius^ in P^eward of which
Service Vefpaftm removed him from the
Command of his Army, and gave thac
honour to MHtinnus. Confdvo Ferrar.o^
having taken the Kingdom of NdpUs
from the Frtneh^ was firft removed froni
his Command of the Cafties and Soldi-
ers, and in the end brought into SpM}r^
where in difgrace he ended his Life.
Qollcitinus Tarquinius who with the aidf
of Brutus fuppreffed the Tarqui^s of
.R^w^e, and with him P//^. Valerius were
banifh'd for no other caule but for be-
ing of the name of Tarquif?^ the otlier
becaufe he built a Houfe upon Mount;
Ca^lio.
All Errors that great Captains com-^
rhit, are either wilful or ignorant, to-
wards the one and the other of whic.^
Olfenders to ufe greater lenity thari thd
quality of their Offences deierves^ feem-
1 9 4. The Arts of Empire.
eth neceffary : For Men of Honour fbffer
nought by the Infamy which evil Ser-
vice doth bring. It is alfo to beconfi-
dered that a great Captain being cum^
bred with many cares, cannot proceed
in K)% Actions couragloufly, if he (land in
daily doubi: to be punifiiM for every er-
ror that hapneth. Example, Strgim and
F'irginlm were before Vdo^ the one part
of the Army on the one fide of the City^
the other not far from the place. Sergi-
us bein^ klTaulred by the Falifci was not
aided by Virginim^ neither would he
require his help, fuch was the envy the
one bare to the other ; and confequently
their Offence is wilful and worthy of
capital puniilimerit. Likewiie when
VIyyo by his Ignoraoce, received an over-
throw by Hmnthd at Cann^y he was
neverthelefs pardoned and honoura-
bly welcomed home by the whole Se-
nate.
Whenfoever an Inconvenience arifeth
within or without the State, it feems a
Refolution more fore to diffemble the
knoiving thereof, than to feek by fud-
den violence to fupprefs it. Example,
Cofmo de Medices having gained extraor-
dinary
The Arts of Empire. 195
dinary Reputation in Florence^ the Citi<
zens imagined, that to fuflPer the {ame
to increafe was dangerous, and therefore
they Banifhed him : Which extream
Proceeding, (b offended the Friends of
Cofmo, being the ftronger, as they for-
ced the Citizens to revoke him, and
make him Prince of that City. The like
hapned in Rome^ where C^far for his
Vertue, much admired and followed,
became afterwards to be feared ; and
they that feared, not confidering their
force to be inferior to r:he power of C^/ir,
endeavouring to opprcis him, were the
occafion of his greater Glory.
In every Republick, an exceffive Au-
thority given to one or two Perfons for
long time, proveth dangerous, chiefly
whert the fame is not reftrained. -Ejc-
ample^ The Difliatorfliip given to C<^/^r
for life, was an occafion to opprefs the
Liberties of the Romans. The fame
eflFe£t was before that time like to follow
the DectmvirAte^ by fufFering Jfpim
CUudius to prolong the time of his
I>ignity.
The Ambition of Men is fuch, as rare-
ly they will obey when formerly they
O 2 have
1 9 6 The Arts of Empire.
have commanded ; neither do they wilU
ingly accept of mean Office, having
before fate in higher place : Yet the
Citizens of well-governed States, did
not refufe as well to obey as command.
Example^ The Victory the Romans ob-
tained againft the Veienti, Q^ Fabim was
flain, having the year before been Con-
ful : Neverthelefs he then ferved in
meaner place under C. Manilitt^^ and
M. Fabius his own Brother then Con-
ful.
There is nothing more ftrange, yet by
experience proved true, That Men in ad«
verfe Fortune be much grieved, and in
Profperity alfodifcontented; which is the
reafon, that not being forced to fight
for neceffity, they will neverthelefs con-
tend for Ambition ; and that Humour
doth as well polTefs thole that live aloft,
as others whom Fortune holdeth down.
Example^ The People of Rome having
by the Authority of the Tribunes obtain-
ed to make themfelves fecure from op-
preffion of the Nobility, forthwith re-
quired. That the Honour and Office ^f
State might be alio imparted unto theta.
The like Ambition moved them to have
their
The Arts of Empire. 397
their pare of Lands by force of Lex Aga.
rU, which was at laft the overthrow of
the Rotnan Liberty.
Ic icemeth that People dirpleafed with
fbrne Innovations hapned in the State^
do (bmetime without juft Reafbns com-
plain of thofe chat govern: Not unHke
to a fick Man, v/ho deemeth that the Phy-
iician, not the Fever, is the cau(e of his
Grief. Example^ The People of Rome
were perfuaded that the Ambition of
Confuls was the cauleof continual War,
therefore required that no more Confuls
fhould be ; yet they were content that
certain Trihmes fhould command with
like Authority ; fo was nothing altered
in the Government, but the Governors
Title, which alone did content them.
Nothing can corrupt and alter the na-
ture of Man fo much, or fo fbon as the
immoderate defire of Honour ; in fb
much as Men of honeft Minds and ver-
tuous Inclinations are fometimes by Am-
bition, drawn to abule that Goodnels
whereunro they are inclined. Examfle^
Jppiu^ CUudim having lived long an
Enemy to the Multitude j hoping by
their aid to continue his Authority of
p 3 ths
198 The Arts of Empire.
the Decemviri in Rome^ became their
Friend, and dijjfavoured the FaQions of
great Men. Likewife Q^ Fabms a Man
of fiiigular vertue, being al(b called to
that dignity by AppiHs\ felf, adultera-
ted his nature and became Uke unto
him.
Seldom or never is any People difcon-
tented without juft caufe ; yet if happily
they be asked whereof their offence pro-
ceedeth, many times for want of Ibme
fit Man to pronounce their grief, they
ftand filent. Examfle^ The Roma?7s at
the death of Virginiay were gathered to-
gether armed upon Mount Sacroy and
being asked by the Senate, for what
caule they ^o did ? No Anfwer was
made ; until Virginio Father of the Vir-
gin had procured, that twenty of the
Tribunes might be made to be as Head
of the People, and confer w^ith the
Senate.
A great Folly or rather meer Madnefi
it feemeth to defire any thing, and tell
before-hand that the end and purpofe of
the defire is evil ; for thereby he fbew-
eth Reafbn why it ought not to be grant-
ed. Example^ The Romans required of
the
The Arts of Empire. 1 9 9
the Senate that Jppins and the reft of
the Decemviri fhould be dehvtred inro
their Hands, being determined to burp
them all alive. ^0
The firft part of their Reque ft feem-
ed reafonable, but the end thereof un-
reafonable.
A courfe very dangerons it is in all
States, by continual accufing and pu-
nifhing, to hold the Subjeft in doubt and
dai!y fear : For he that ftands always
looking for fome trouble, becometh care-
lels and apt to attempt Innovation. Ex^
amfe^ The Decemviri being oppreft, the
Tribunes authorized in their place, en-
deavoured daily to call in qucftion the
moft part of the Decemviriy and many
other Citizens alfo, whereof great In-
conveniences arofe, and much danger
v/ould have enfued, had not a Decree
propounded by M. Duillius been made,
that for one year no Roman Citizen
fhould be accufed.
Strange it is to fee how Men in lesk-
ing their own fecurity, lay the Injuries
which they fear, upon other Men ; as
though it were neceffary, either to offend
or to be offended. Example^ The Ro-
O 4 ma?js
^oo The Arts of Em fire.
nu'/3s atnoog themfelves, united and
lirong, always endeavoured to otiend
the Nobles ; arid the Nobles likewile
being pcriuadcd they were lirong, la-
boured to opprcfs the People .• Which
Humours were the caui'e of continual
Troubles.
To makeeflimatlon and choice of Men
fic c(5 govern, the beft courfe is to confi-
der hi pirticular ; otherwife it might be
imagined, that among the Multitude or
meaner People, they being the greateft
iiumber, might be found fbme Perfons
of more perfection. Exxmple^ The
People of iRf?;^edefiring that theConful-
fhip might be given among them as
Men of mofl: Merit, did by all means en-
dcivour to obtain that Honour ; but be-
ing come to EleQion, and every Mans
Vertue particularly conlldered, there
could not be among the Mukitude only
one found fit for fb great a place; and
tht^rcf^xc the People themfclves conten-
ted, tliat the Digniry /Louid Hill remaia
as it was.
To perfuade a Muliitude to any Enter-
pt-ile, is eafie^ if that ^^hich is perfua-
deci^ doth promife either Profit or Ho-
The Arts of Empire. jo i
nour;yetofc under that external apparence
lies hid lofs or difadvancage. Exinnfk^
The Romans perfuading them (elves that
the flow Proceedings of fAhlus Maximum
in the War, was both chargeable and
cowardly, required, That the General
of the Horre might dired the War ;
which courfe had ruined Rome^ if the
Wifdom of F/ibim had not been. Like-
wife, wh^n Hannibal had divers years
reigned in Italy ^ one M. Centenim Rtmi-
la, a Man of bafe Birth, yet a Soldier of
fome Repute, undertook that if he with
fuch Vokintiers as would follow him^
might have Authority to Fi^ht, he
would within few days deliver Hanmbal
either alive or dead ; Which Offer was
by the Senate accounted rafh, yet for
fear to offend the People, granted ;
and PtnuU with his Soldiers was cut in
pieces.
To appeafe a Mutiny or Tumult in any
Gamp or City, there is no means more
fpeedy or fuccefsful, than if fbme Per-
fon of great Quality and Refpefl:, pre-
fent himfelf to the People, and by his
Wifdom lay before them the damageof
their Difcords^ perfuading them to Peace
and
no 2 The Arts of Empire.
and Patience. Example^ The Fadion of
the Fratefchi and Arratiati in Florence ;
the one ready to aflault the other. Fran-
ctfco Soderimj Bi(hop of VoterrA^ in his
Epifcopal Habit, went between the Par-
ties and appealed them; Alfb Count Egre-
mont^ by the Authority of his Wifdorn
andPreience, fiippreft a great Mutiny in
Antwerp y between the Martinifts and
Papifts.
A People corrupted, do rarely or ne-
ver obferve any Order or Ordinance^ un-
lets by Force of fome Prince's Power they
be thereto inforced ; but where the Mul-
titude is Incorrupt and Religious, all
things are done juftly, and without Com-
pulfion. Example, Camillus at the Vifto-
ryagainft the Vrienti, vowed that the
tenth part of the Pillage fhould be offered
to Jpolh ; but the Senate luppofing that
the People would not confent to fo great
a Contribution, ftudied to difpenfe with
that Vow, and to pleale Apollo and the
People alfo by fome other Means: Where-
at the People fhewed themfelves openly
offended, and willingly gave no lefs than
the Sum formerly decreed. When the
Free-Cities of Germa^j are occafiooed to
make
The Arts of Empire. !2o3
make Mony for any Publick Service, the
Magiftrates impofe one or two in the
hundred on every City, which done,
every one is fworn to lay down fo much
as in his own Confcience he is able ; and
he with his own Hand, no other Witnefs
being prefent, cafteth the Mony into a
Coffer prepared for the purpofe ; which
he would not, if his own Confcience did
not inforce him.
When any extraordinary occafion hap-
pens to a City or Province, fbme prodi-
gious Voice is heard, or ibme marvelous
Sights are feen. Before T. Gracchtis Ge-
neral of the Roman Army was betraid by
lUviiis Lucajiusy the Jrufpices difcovered
two Serpents eating the Entrails of the
Beafts facrificed ; which done, they va-
nifh'd : Which Vifion, as they divined,
prognofticated the General's Death :
Likewile F. Savanarola foretold the com-
ing of King Charks VIII. into Italy : And
M, SedigiittSj when theGW/ firft came
towards Rome^ informed the Senate he
heard a Voice much louder than any
Man's, crying aloud, Gdliveniunt-
The multitude of bale People is natu-
rally audacious and apt to Innovadon ;
yet
^04- -^^^ -^^^^ ^f ^^p^^^*
yet ualefs they be direSed by fbme Per
ians ot Reputation and Wifdom, rarely
daihey joynin any Aflion of great im-
Ipov:. £xa??^piej The Romans^ when their
iZny wa^caken and fack'd by the Gmls^
went to ^^€10 with determination to dwell
ihere ; The Senate informed thereof,
commanded. That upon great pain every
Ckizcn fhould return to Rome^ whereat
ibe People at firfl: mocked ; but when
every Man particularly within himfelf
cor.iidered his own Peri! , all in gene-
r:xi detei-mined to obey the Magt-
Urates.
Id ihe\Employment of Men for Ser-
¥ke, neither Age nor Fortune ought fo
i^Qchtobe regarded as Verme; for young
&kQ having made trial of their Valour,
fctOf> become aged, and thereby either
moapr or unable to ferve : Therefore
Well governed Commonwealths , pre-
leired Military Vertue before any other
lefpeQ. Example, Valerius Corvims^
vidi Others, made Conful the three and
tiweniieth Year of his Age, and Pomfey
cjitimphod ir^ his Youth.
Ha w^ife or well-adviied Prince or
eihei State will undertake without ex-
ceflive
The Arts of Empire 205
cefiTwe Forces to invade the Dominions
of any other Prince , unlefs he affure
himfelf of fome Friends there to be a
Mean, and as it were a Gate to prepare
his Paffagc. Example^ The KomAns h^
Aid of the Sagunttna entred Sfain^ th^
u^^(?/^ called them into Grecre, tlie Hedid
into France : Likewile the Pdl<£oloai in-
cited the Turk to come into Thrace ; and
Ludovicus Sforza occafioned Charles the
French King to come into Italj.
A Republick defirous to extend the
Bounds thereof, mufl: endeavour to be
fully furnifhM with Inhabitants, whicli
may be done both by Love and Force :
Love is gained by fuffering Strangers to
inhabit the City fecurely ; and Force
compels People to come thither, whea
other Cities and Towns near at hand be
demolifhed or defaced : And impoffibie
ic is without this Order of proceedings
to enlarge any City or make the fame of
greater Power. Exar^fple^ The Romans
to enlarge their City demolifhed Aihr.^
and many other Towns, and therewith
alio entertained all Strangers courteouny:
So as Rome grtw to^fuch greatneCs, that
ihe City only could arm fix hundred and
forty
ao6 The Arts of Empire.
forty thoufand Men ; but SpArta or Athens
coyl'^ -ver exceed twenty thoufand, for
that Lycurgus had inhibited the accefs of
Strangers.
A Commonwealth that conliimes more
Treafure in the War, than it profits in
Vi&ory, feems to have rather hindred
than honoured or inriched the State. A
wife Captain therefore in his Aftions,
ought as wel! to profit the Republick, as
to gain to hirnfelf Glory. Example^ The
Confuls of Rome did feldom defire Tri-
umph, unlefs they returned from the War
loaden with Gold, Silver and other rich
Spoils fit to be delivered into the Com-
mon Treafury.
All Foreign Wars with Princes or other
States taken in hand, be either for Am-
bition or Defire of Glory, or elfe for Ne-
ceiTity. Example^ The Romans for their
Ambition conquered many Nations, with
intent only to have the Obedience of the
People ; yet did they fuffer them to
hold Poffeflion of their Houfes, and
ibmetimes they were permitted to live
only with their old Laws. Likewife
Alexander the Great endeavoured to fup-
prefs masHy Princes for his Glory, but
did
The Arts of Empre. 107
did not difpoflefs the People, nor kill
them.
Otherwife it is where a whole Nation
inforced by Famine or Fury of War,
abandon their own Dwellings, and are
forced to inhabit elfwhere. Example ^
The Goths and other People of the North
invaded the Roman Empire, and many
other Provinces, whereof their Altera-
tion of Names didenlue ; ^slilyria, now
called SU'i/onia^ £;?^/^^/i formerly named
Britain,
A common Conceit and Saying it is.
That Mony makes the War ftrong, and
is the Force and Sinews thereof;as though
he who hath moft Treafiire, be alfb moft
mighty ; but Experience hath apparently
fhewed the contrary. Example^ After
the Death of J!exa??der King of Macedon^
a multitude oi Gauls v/ent into Greece^ and
being there arrived, fent certain Ambat
fadors to the King , who fuppofing to
make them afraid of his Power, fhewed
them his Treafure, which wrought a
contrary effeQ: ; for tht Gauls ^ before de-
firous of Peace, refolved then tocontinue
the War, in hope to win that mighty
mafs of Mony. Like wife Darius fhould
have
2 o S The Arts of Empire!
have vanquifhed Alexander , and the
Greeks might have conquered th^Romms^
if the richer Prince might ever by his
Mony have prevailed.
Every League made with a Prince or
Republick remote, is weak and rather
aideth us with Fame than EfFed, and
conlequently deceiveth all thofe that in
fuch amity repofe Confidence. Example^
The Florentines being aiFaulted by the
King oi Naples and the Pope, prayed Aid
of the French King; who being far di-
ftant, could not in Time Succour them .•
And the Cedicini defiring Aid of the Ca-
fuani againft: the Samnites^ a People of
no Force, were deceived.
A Prince whole People is well arm'd
and trained, fhali do better to attend his
Enemy at Home, than by Invafion to
affault his Country : But fuch Princes
whole Subjefts are difarmed, had need
to hold the Enemy aloof. Example^ The
Romms^ and in this Age the Siv/Jfes^ be-
ing well armed, may attend the War at
Home ; but the Canhaaimaris and Itali-
ans being not lo well furnifhed, did ever
ufe to feek the Enemy.
Tht
The Arts of Empire^ 20^
The Plurality of Commanders in equal
Authority, is for the moft part occafion
of flow Proceeding in the War. Examfky
There was at one Time in Rome created
four Tribmi Mtlitares with Authority of
Confuls, viz,. T. Quintus after his Con-
fulfhip, CaJHs Furiusj M. Fojlhumus^ and
A, CorneliHsCAjJtus^ amongft whom arofe
ib much Diverflty and Contrariety of
Opinion,, as nothing could be done till
their Authority ceafed, and M. Mmjlim
made Didator.
A ViQory obtained by any great Cap-
tain with the Authority ofiiis Prince'^s
Commiflion, Counftl, and Direftions^
ought ever to be imputed rather to the
Wifdom of the Prince, than the Valour
of the Captain : Which made the Em-
perors of Romt to permit no Captains
( how great foever his Victories were )
to Triumph, as before that time the Con-
fuls had done ; and even in thofe Days
a modeft Refufal of Triumph w^as com«
mended. Example, M, Fdvius hav-
ing gained a great Vi&ory againft
the Tufcdns^ was both by the Con-
lent of the Senate and People of Rbme^
admitted to Triumph; but the Refu-
1 1 o The Arts of Empire.
fal of that Honour proved his great
Glory.
Ail they that from prii^ate Eftate have
afpired to Principality, either by Force
or Fraud be come thereunto, unlefs the
fame be given, or by Inheritance de-
Icended: Yet it is rarely feen, that Force
alone prevaileth , but Fraud vi^ithout
Force oft-times fuiBceth. Example, Jga^
thocles by fuch means became Prince of
Syracuf^ ; John Gakazzo by abufing his
Uncle B^rnaha^^ gained the Dominion of
Lombardy ; and Cyrt^s circumvented Cy-
axares his Mothers Brother, and by that
Craft afpired to Greatnefs.
Sudden Refolutions are always danger-
ous ; and no lefs Peril enfueth of flow and
doubtful Delays. Example^ When Hie-
von Prince of Syracufe died, the War
even then being in great Heat between
the Romans and Carthagimans^ they of
SyracufacQn.^\At^d^ whether it were bet-
ter to follow the Fortune of Rome or Car^
thage. In which Doubt they continued
until ApGllondkSj a chief Captain of Syra-
cufiy laid before them, That fb long De-
lay would make them hated both of Ro-
mans and C^rthigmms, Likewife the
Florentines
The Arts of Empire. a 1 1
flcremims being by Lewis the Twelfth
required to give his Army Paffage to-
wards NapltSj muled lb long upon an
Anfwer, that he became their Enemy,
and they forced to recover his Favour full
dearly.
To govern a State is nothing el(e but
to take fuch Order as the Subjefts may
not, or ought not to offend ; which may
be done, either by removing from them
all means to diibbey, or by affording them
lb great Favours, as reafonably they
ought not to change their Fortune ; for
the mean Courfe proveth Dangerous.
ExAmpky The Latins being by the Va-
lour of Camillus overcome, yielded them-
lelves to endure what Punifhm.ent it
pleafed the Romms to inflift.
An IngeniousandMagnanimous Anfwer
being niade unto Wife Magiftrates, doth
oft obtain both Pardon and Grace. Ex-
ampk^ When the Privernates had rebel-
led, and were by Force conftrained to
return to the Obedience of the Romar.s^
they fent certain of the City unto Rome^
to defire pardon ; who being brought be-
fore the Senate, one of the Senators asked
the Privernates, what punifhment therh-
P 2 ftlves
0. 1 1 The Arts of Empire ^
ftlves did think they had deferve^ : The
fame, quoth they, which Men Hving
in Freedom, think they are worthy oK
Whereto the Gonfu,! tlius replied, ^id
fi pcen&rry remittimusl Q^dem nos pacem
'vobtfcum h^tbituros fftnmtis ? The Pr/-
'vernates anfvvered, *S/ borjam dederitk^ &
fdekm & ferpetuam : 6/ malam , baud
diuturmm. Which Anfwer was thought
to proceed from generous Men , and
therefore they were not only pardoned,
but alio honoured and received into the
number of the Romm Citizens.
All Caftles, Fortrelles, and Places of
Strength, be made for jDefence, either
againft the Enemy or Subje£l : In the
firrt Cafe they are not necefTary, in the
feccnd dangerous. For thereby the Prince
may at bis Pleafure take occafion to infult
upon the Subjed , when much more
feemly he might fettle his Eftate upon
the Love and good Afteflion of Men.
ExAmpUj The Caflle of Millan made by
Duke Fr^mifco Sforza^ incited his Heirs
to become infolent ; and confequently
they became odious ; which was alfothe
caufe that fo fbon as that City was aflault-
ed, the Enemy with facility did pofTefs it.
That;
The Arts of Empire. 1 1 :^
That Prince or Potentate which builds
his Severity rather upon the Truft he
hath in Fortreffes, than the Love of Men,
fhall be deceived : For no Place is fo
ftrong, ars can long defend it feif, unlefs
by the Love and Aid of Men it be in time
ofNeceflityfuccoured. Example, Pope
Julio having drawn the BemvoU out of
Bologmy built there a flrpngCaftle; the
Governor thereof robbed the People, and
they therewith grieved, in a lliort Time
took the Caftle from him. So after the
Revolt of Ge;;^4, Lewi^ the Twelfth came
to the Recovery thereof, and builded
there the ftrongeft Fortification of Itnlj^
as well for Sight as the Circumftances
inexpugnable. Neverthelefs the Citi^
zens rebelled, and within fixteen Months
the French were forced to yield the
Caftle and Governm-^nt to OciAvio Fra^
gofa.
^ To build Forts upon Places of Strenptfa,
either for defence of our own, or to hold
that which is taken from others, hath
ever proved to fmall purpofe. Ej^ample,
The Romms having fuppreft the RcbeL
lion of ih^ Latws^nd Privermfes^ albeit
they were People Warlike, and lovers
P ? of
a f 4 The Arts of Empire.
of Liberty ; yet to keep them SubjeO:,
built there no Caftle, nor other Places
fortified : And the Lacedemonians did not
only forbear to fortifia the Towns they
conquered, but alfb left their chief City
of Sparta un wailed.
The Neceffity or life of Fortification is
only upon Frontiers, or fuch principal pla-
ces where Princes make their Habitation;
to the end the Fury of fudden AlTauIts
may be ftaid, and Time for Succor en-*
tertained : Otherwife , Example , the
Caftle of Millan being made to hold the
State in Obedience, could not {b do either
for the Houfe ofSforza or France, Guido
Vbaldo^ Duke of Velin^ driven from his
Dominion by C£far Borgia^ fb (bon as he
recovered his Country, caufed all the
Forts to be demoliflied : For by Expe-
rience he found the Love of Men was the
fureft Defence^ and chat Fortifications
prevailed no lefs againft him than for
him.
The Caufcs of Divifion and FaSion in
every Cornmonweai proceed moft com-
monly of Idlenefs and Peace, ^ and that
which unirethjis Fear and ^M^r.Exampky
The Vejentl and Elinfci having Intelli-
gence
The Arts of Empire. 215
gence of great Contention between the
Nobility and People of Romej thought
that a fit Opportunity to opprefs the one
and the other : But the Romans informed
of fuch an Intention, appealed all Do-
meftick Anger, and by the Valour of
their Arms, conduced by G;;. Manlius
and M, FdiuSj defeated the Enemies
Forces.
The means to ufurp an Eftate disjoynt-
edis, firft before Arms betaken, to be-
come, as it were, an Arbitrator or a
Friend indifferent ; and after Arms be
taken, then to (end moderate Aid to the
weak Side, as well to entertain the War
between the Faftions, asalfoto confume
the Strength both of the one, and the
other ; yet in no wife to employ any great
Forces , for thereby either party may
difcover the Intents to fupprefs them.
Example^ The City of PifioU fallen into
Divifion , the Florentines took occafion
fbmetimes to favor the one, and feme-
times the other, that in the end both fides
weary of the War, voluntarily yielded
to their Devotion. Philippo Vtfcount ,
hoping fundry times by occafion of Fa-
Q:ion to opprefs the FlcremuKs^ did often
P 4 alTauk
^ 1 6 the Arts of Empire.
affault them with great Forces, which
was the Caufe that they became reunited;
and confcquently the Duke deceived of
his Expedtation.
A great Wifdom it is to refra'n Op-
probrious and Injurious Speech : For as
neither the one nor the ocher can any
whit decreafe the Enemies Force, io doth
it move him to greater Hate, and more
defire to offend. Example, Gabdes ^ a
General of the Perjians having long be-
fieged Amiddj became weary, and pre-
paring to abandon the enterpriie, railed
his Camp, which they of the City be-
holding, began to revile the Perfuns^ and
from the Walls reproved them of Cowar-
dife ; which undifcreet Words fo highly
offended G Abides , as thereupon he re-
fblved to continue the Siege, and within
itw days won the City. Ttherius Gracchus
appointed Capt?an of certain Bands of
M^n, whom for want of other Soldiers^
the Romans entertained, , proclaimed in
his Camp, That no Man, upon Pain of
Death, fhould contumelioufly call any Sol-
dier Slave,eith€r in Earneft or Jell. Na.m
f acetic affer<c quando nknium ex z^-ro trax-
ere^ acrsm fui memcriam relmpfwt. Like-
The Arts of Empire. o. 1 7
wire Alexander the Great having con-
quered well near all the Eaft, brought
his Forces before Tyre^ they fearing Alex-
ander's Fury, offered upon honourable
Confiderations to yeild hirn Obedience,
only requiring, that neither he nor any
of his Forces fhould enter the City,
which motion after four Months Alex-
ander accepted, and fb fignified by his
Ambaflador, who arriving at Tj^ewas by
the proud Citizens flain, uhereat Alex^
ander grew into Choler, and being ready
to forfake the Siege, ftaid his Forces, and
in the end facked the City and put the
People to the Sword.
A Prince or any other State being
affaulted by an Enemy of far more puif-
fance than himfelf, ought not to refute
any honourable Compofitions , chiefly
when they are offered ; for no Conditi-
ons can be fb bale, but fhali in fbme fort
turn to Advantage and Honour of him
that accepts them. Example, Anno
1 512. certain Florentines procured great
Forces of Spaniards to come thither, as
well to repofeA the Medici then baniOi'd,
as alfo to lack the City ; promifing that
fb fbon as the Army of Sfain did come
into
1 1 8 The Arts of Empire.
^tiioihQFlorentine Dominion,thc FaQion
of Medici would be ready armed to re-
ceive £hem. But the Spaniards being
come, found no Forces at all to joyn
wich them ; and therefore wanting Vi-
ftaal, offered Compofition. The ¥loren*
tints finding the Enemy diftreffed grew
infolent and refufed Peace, whereof
followed the lofs of Fr^to^ and many
other Inconveniences. The like happen-
ed to them of Tjyre, as before.
The denial or delay of Juftice defired
in revenge of Injuries either publick or
privately offered, is a thing very danger-
ous to every Prince or other State ; for
that the Party injured doth oft by indi-
led means, though with hazard of his
Country and himfeif, feek fatisfaftion :
Example^ The Complaint which the Galli
made againft the Fabii who lent AmbaC-
fadors in favour of the Tojfani^ not being
heard, nor any punilhment inflifted up-
on them for Fighting againft the Law of
Nations, was the caufe tliat the Galli
were offended with the States, whereof
followed the lack of Rome ; and the de-
lay of Juftice in Philip of MAcedon^ for
not revenging the ioceftuous oppreffion
of
The Arts of Empire. 2 1 9
of Attains to Paufanias^ was the Motive
to murther that King.
Whofo endeavours the alteration of
any State muft of neceffity proceed with
all (everity, and leave fome memorable
Example to thofe that fhali impugn the
Ordinance of Government newly fet-
led. Example , When Junim Brutus
had by his great Valour banifli'd the
Tarquins^ and fworn the People that no
King fhould ever reign in B.ome ; v/ith-
in Abort time after, many young Nobles^
among whom was Brutm's Son, impa-
tient of the equality of the new Govern-
ment, confpired to recall the Tarqmns ;
but Brutus thereof informed, caufed
his own Son not only to be condemned
to death, but was himlelf prelent at the
Execution.
As Health and fbundnefs of the Hands,
Legs, and other outward Members can--
not continue Life, unlefs the Heart and
vital Spirits within be ftrong and firm ;
ib Fortifications and Frontier-defences do
not prevail, unlefs the whole Corps of
the Kingdom and People be well arm-
ed .- Example, When the Emperor came
into Italy^ and had with fbme difficulty
paft
2 'ib The Arts of Empire.
paft: the confines of the Venetians well
near without refiftance ; his Army
march'd to Venice^ and might doubtleft
have polTefl: the City, had it not been de-
fended with Water. Likewile the Eng^
ttjh in their aflault of Frame^ excepting
a few Encounters on the Frontiers, found
no puiffant refiftance within the Realm,
And Anno 1515. they forced all thai-
State, and the King himfelf to tremble,
as oft before they had done ; but contra-
riwife the Romans knowing that Life
lay in the Heart, e\7er held the Body of
their State ftrongeft : For the nearer
the Enemy approach'd Rome^ the bet-'
fer they found the Country armed and
defended.
The defire to command fbverelgnly is
of (b great Force, as doth not only work
in thofe that are in expeftation of Prin-
cipality, but alio in them that have no
Title at all. Example^ this Appetite
moved the Wife of Tarquinius Prifcm
contrary to all natural Duty to incite her
Husband to murder her own Father Ser-
mm, and poffefs his Kingdom, as being
perfuaded it were much more honoura-
bfe to be a Queen than to be the Daugh-
ter of a King, Th©
The Arts of Empire 20.1
The violation of ancieiit Laws, Or-
ders and Cuftoms, under which Feopfe
have long time lived, is the chief and
only Caufe whereby Princes hazard
their Eftate and Royal Dignity, ^xam
fie, Albeit the deflowring of Lucnct
was the occafion, yet was it not the
xaufe that moved the Romans to take
Arms againft Tarquin ; for be having
before that fafl: of Sextus his Son, go^
verned Tyrannically, and taken from
the Senate all Authority, was become
odious both to the Senate, Nobility and
People^ who finding themfelves well-
governed, never feek or wilh any other
liberty or alteration.
A Prince that defires to live fecure
from Confpiracy, hath caufe rather to
fear ihofe on whom he hath bellowed
over-great Riches and Honors than
thofe whom he hath greatly injured *
becaufe they want Means to offend ; the
oth-r have many opportunities to do ir .-
Example, Ptrremus the prime Favorite
of CommodtJ,s the Emperor, confpired his
Death. FUntUnus did the like to St^t^
fus^ and Sejanus to Tiberius ; for being
advanced to fo great Honors, Riches and
Offices^
a 2 2 The Arts of Empire.
OiEces, as nothing remained defirable
but the Imperial Title, they confpired
againft the Perfons of their Sovereigns in
hope of the Dignity ; but in the end they
endured that Punifhment which to
fuch Difloyalty and Ingratitude apper-
taineth.
An Army which wants Experience,
albeit the Captain be expert, is not
greatly to be feared ; neither ought an
Army of. well-train'd Soldiers to be much
efteef5[ied, whole Captain is ignorant.
Example, C^far going into Africa, againft
Jfrj&nius and Petrous whofe Army was
full of old Soldiers, faid he feared them
little, Quia, ihut ad exerciti^m fi^e duce.
Contrariwife, when he went to Pharfa-
iia to encounter Pompey, he laid, Iboad
ducem (ine exercitu.
A Captain General commanding an
Army ought rather to govern with Cur-
tefie and Mildnefs, than with over-much
Aufterity and Severity. Example, Q^
and Jfpius Claudius being Confuls, were
appointed to govern the War. To jQ^
was allotted one Army which ferved
very dutifully ; but Jppi^s commanding
the other with great Cruelty, was by his
Sol'
The Arts of Empire. 223
Soldiers unwillingly obeyed. Neverthe-
lefs Tacitus feecns of contrary Opinio
on, faying, Plus Pce^a qmm objequium
valet.
Therefore to reconcile theie different
Conceits, I fay, than a General having
power to command Men, either they are
Confederates or Subjefls : If Confede-
rates or Voluntaries, he may not pro-
ceed to extream punifhment ; if Sub-
jeds, and his power abfolute, they
may be governed otherwile ; yet with
fiich refpeft, as the infblence of the
General inforce not the Soldiers to "hate
him.
Honour may fometime be got as well
by the lofs as gaining of Viftory. Every
Man knoweth Glory is due to the ViQ:or,
and we deny not the fame Priviledge to
the vanquiriied, being able to make
proof that the Lofs proceeded not from
his Default. Neither is it diflionoura-
ble to violate thofe Promiles wheret©
the neceflity or difadvantage of War
inforceth. And forced Promifes which
concern a whole State, are not binding,
and rarely or ever kept, nor is the Break-
er thereby to receive Djfgrace. Exam-
ple^
2 2 4 The Arts of Empire.
pie, Pofihumm the Conful hiving made
a difbonourablePeace with the Samnites^
was by thetn with |iis whole Army fent
home difarmed. Being arrived at Rome^
the Gonful informed the People they
were not bound to perform the bale Con-
ditions he was compelled to yield unto ;
albeit, he and thofe few that proitiifed,
were bound to perform them. The Se-
nate thereupon concluded to fend him
Prifoner to S<.imnoj where he conftantly
protefted the Fault to be only his own ;
wherefore the People by that Peace in^
curfed no Difbonour at all : And For-
tune fo much favoured Pofihuwus^ as the
Sumnites were content prefently to re-
turn him to Rome ; where he became
more glorious for lofing the Vi£tory,
than was Pontius at S^mno for having
won the Victory.
Wile Men have long obferved, That
who fb will know what fliall be, ttiuft
confider what is paft ; for all worldly
Things hold the fame courle they had
at firft. The Reafbn is^ that as long as
Men are poffeft with the fame Pallions
with former Ages, confequently of
thefe doings the fameeffeds enlue* Ex-
The Arts of Empire. ^25
ampky The Almains and French haire
ever been noted for their Avarice, Pride,
Fury and Infidelity, and fo in divers
Ages, experience hath proved even to
this prelent : For perfidious Dealing the
French have given fijfScient proof, noc
only in ancient times, but al(b in the
lime o{ Charles Ylll. v^ho promifed to
render to the Florentines the Forts of
Pifay but having divers times received
Mony, held them notwithflanding in
polTeffion. The Florentines found the
like in the Almains ; for in the Wars of
the Vifconti^ Dukes of Milan , they
prayed aid of the Emperor, who promi-
fed them great Forces ; in confideration
whereof, he was to receive of the Flo-
rentines one hundred thoufand Crowns
in Hand, and as much more when his
Army was arrived in haly^ both which
Payments were performed ; but as fbori
as the Emperor came to Verona he devi*
fed Cavillations of Unkindnefs where^
upon he returned home.
A Prince defirous to obrain any thing
of another, muft if occafion fb permit,
urge his Demand fb earneflly and prefs
for fo fudden and prelent Anfvver, as h^
s 2 6 The Arts of Empire.
■who is preft may not have leifure to con-
fider how to excufe himlelf in denial.
Example^ Pope Julio endeavoured to
drive out of Bologna all the Bentivoli^ in
which AQion he thought the aid of the
French neceflary, and that the Vtnetims
fhould ftand neutral ; and by divers
Meffengers did fbllicite them to that Ef-
feft ; but not receiving any refolute An-
fwer, he thought fit with thofc few
Forces he had to take his Journey to
Bologna^ whereupon the Venetians adver-
tifed him they would remain neutral,
and the French King forthwith fent
himFo (Ces, as fearing the Popes Indig-
nation ; likewife the Tufcam having for«
meriy defired aid of the SAmnites againft
the Romans, took Arms fuddenly and ob-
tained ci <.ir requeft which the Samnites
had before denied.
When a Multitude offendetb, all may
not be puni''h'd, becaufe they are too
many • To punifh part and leave the reft
unpunifh'd, ^ere Injury to the SuflPer-
ers ; and to thofe that elcape, an En-
couragement to offend again ; therefore
to efchew all extremity, mean Courfes
have been anciently uFed. Example^
When
The Arts of Empire. 'i^j
When all the Wives of the Romans
confpired to Poyfon their Husbands^
a convenient number of them were
punifht, and the reft fuffered to pafs.-
Likewife at the confpiracy of the Bac-
chmds in the time of the Macedoman
War , wherein many thoufands Men
and Women had part, every tenth
perfbn only was put to death by Jot,
although the offence were general; by
which manner of punifting, he thac
fuffered , complain'd on his fortune ;
and he that efcaped, was put in fear,
that offending again, the fame punifh.
iment might light upon himfelf, and
therefore would no more offend.
A Battel or great adion in Arms
ought not to be enterprifed without
fpecial Coramiffion or Command from
the Prince; otherwife the General in-
curs great danger. Example, Papyrim
the Diftator puniflit the General of
the Horfe in the Roman Army, for ha-
vmg fought without his confent, al-
though he had in battle flam 20000 Ene^
mies without Idfs of 200 of his own ;
and C4^r commended his Captain Sil
imus for having refrain'd to fight,
0^2 though
2 1 8 The Arts of Empire.
though with great advantage he might.
Alfo count Egmont hazarded the favor
of the King hisMafter for giving bat-
tel to MarQiall de Thermes , albeit he
were vifilorious : for upon the fuccefs
of that adiion the lofs or fafety of all
the Low Countries depended.
To govern without Council is not
only dangerous in Arijiocracies and Po-
pular States, but unto independent
Princes an occafion of utter ruin. Ex-
ample, Hieron the firft King of Sicily
in all his proceedings ufed the advice
of Counfels, and lived fifty years prof-
peroufly in Peace ; but his grandchild
fucceeding, refufiog all Counfel loft his
Kingdom, and was with all his Kinsfolk
and Friends cruelly (lain.
lo all Monarchies the Senate or pri-
vy-Council is or ought to be compoled
of perfons of great dignity , or Men
of approved wifdom and underftanding.
Example^ In PolonU no Man is Coun-
iellor unleis he be a Palatine^ a Bijhop^
a Caflellan^ a Captain ^ or fuch a one
as hath been Ambaffador : and in Turky
the title of Counfellor is not given but
only to the four Baffaes. The two O-
deleffuins^
The Arts of Empire. a a ^
dilefqnires y the twelve BegUrhegs^ and
Kings Son, who in his Fathers abfence,
is as it were a Prefident of the Diva-
no or Senate.
Many Princes Ancient and Modern
have ufed to feled out of their Coun-
cil , two or three , or four at moft ,
to whom only they did impart their
affairs. Example^ The Emperor Jh-
gujlus had Mdcenas and Jgrippa ; Julim
Cafar^ Q^ P(edius and Cor. Balbus^ whom
he only trufted with his Cipher and
fecrets, being Ccunfellors of the Cabi-
net ( as vi^e now call them. )
The alteration of old Laws, or in-
troduftion of new, are in all States ve^
ry dangerous, notwathftanding any ap-
pearance of profit or publick utility ,
which moved wile Governours to de-
cree, that ancient LaVi^s once eftabHfh-
ed might never be called in queftion.
Example y The Athenians decreed that
no Law fliould be propounded to the
People without the confent of the Se-
nate : the like ufe is obferved mFenicej
where no Petition is preferred to the
Senate but by advice of the Sages ;
and among the Locrians the Cuftom
CL J was
550 The Arts of Empire.
was, that whofbever prefented any
new Law to be confirmed, Ihould come
with a Halter about his Neck, and be
therewith hanged if his requeft were
rejefted ; alfb Lycurgm to prevent the
alteration of his Laws , did fwear the
People of Sparta to obfervethem until-
his return, and thereupon retired him-
fc!f into voluntary exile , with intent
never to return.
When neceflity or good reafbn moves
Innovation or Abolition of Laws , a
courfe more fecure it is to do it rather
by degrees than fuddenly. Examfle^
The Romms finding the Lav;s of the
twelve Tables unprofitable, fuffered
them to be obferved or neg!e£ted at
difcretion, but would not publickly fup-
prefs them for fear of caiiing other
Laws into contempt: fo did they con-
tinue 700 years, and were then cafled
by Ehutim the Tribune, but Agis King
of Lacedonon defirous to revive the
Laws of Lycurgus , long difcontinuedj
enforced all Men to bring in their evi-
dence and writings to be cancelled, to
the end a new partition of Lands and
^GQds might be made ; vi^hich fuddaia
' aad
The Arts of Empire. 251
and violent proceeding proved fo fatal*
that it moved a dangerous (edition ,
wherein he was difpofed and with nis
Mother and Friends put to death ; wl^ ch
ExAmple haply moved the Vmnims ot
to attempt any thing againft t\\t Au-
thority oi AfdguJlinoBArbsrino cheir Duke ;
but after his death , and before the
pleftion of Lovedono^ the Stgmory put-
lifht new Ordinances detraQive from
the Ducal Authority.
Whofo hath won to himfelf fb great
Love and A[fe£tion, as thereby to be-
come mafter of the forces, and at his
plcafure commands the SubjeQs apt for
Arms, may alfo without right or title
affure himfelf of the whole Eftate. Exam-
ple, Hugh Capa^ a Subjeft to the Crown
of France^ being greatly honoured by the
Soldiers, found means thereby to pre»
vent Charles Duke of Lorram of the
Crown, being right Heir by delcent
from Charkmaw. And albeit the Fami-
lies of the Paleologiy Ebrami and Turcatsi
be of the blood Royal and Right f^cirs
to the Turkish Empire, when the Ottoman
Line fliaUfail; yet it is like that the
chief Baj^A having the love of the J^mfa^
Q 4 rks
^3 2 The Arts of Empire.
ries will ufarp the State, becanle the Pa-
leologi and other Competitors be far from
the T'urks perlbn, poor and without
means to purchafe the Soldiers favor.
A Commander General in Arms ,
ought upon pain of great punifhment
be en joyned , not to imploy or retain
any forces longer than the time of his
Commiflion. Example^ The Dilators
of Rome were in this point fb precife,
as never any of them dared to tranl-
grefs the time prefixed, till C^far ob-
tained that dignity fhould continue in
him for life ; which was the caufe of
his ufurpation of the State. Al(b the
Thebms commanded, that if the Gene-
ral of their Army did hold his forces
one day longer than the time prefixt ,
he fhould thereby incur danger of death :
which Juftice was executed upon Ep^^
minGndas and Pelopidas.
Baniiliment of great Lords , or Citi-
zens of great Reputation, hath been iii
divers places diverfly u(ed : for in the
one, they were inforced only to abfent
themfelves without further infliftion ;
-in the other, Banifhment was accom-
panied With Confifcation^ a courfe of
great
The Arts of Empire. 253
great danger. Example^ In Jrgos^ Athensy
Epheffis^ and other Cities of Greecey the
Citizens puiflant in Friends, Vertue or
Riches, were many times banifh'd for
Envy or Fear, but never or very rarely
forced to abient themlelves longer than
ten Years ; and that without lofs of
Goods, which was the caufe that never
any of them Warred againft the Coun-
try : But Dion being banifh'd Sjracufi
by Dionjiftis Junior^ and CorioUnus from
Romej did make mighty Wars againft
their own Country. The like was done
by the Medici in Elortme.
Honourable and Magnanimous Men
were wont not only to enterprife great
Afts, but alfo to fuffer patiently all In-
juries which Foes or Fortune could ex-
po(e them to : As refblved, that no Ca-
lamity was fo great as to make their
Minds abjefl:, or to forget the Dignity
appertaining to Perfans vertuous : Ex^
ample^ After the defeat of the Roman
Army upon the River Jllia, the Galli
perfued the Viftory even to Romt^s
Walls: Whither being come, and find-
ing the Gates open, without any fign of
Refiftance theyentred the Streets, where
all
2Bi -^^^ ^^^^ ^f ^^pi^^*
all Honourable Palaces were al(b unfiiu^
which caufed the G^/// greatly to doubts
Neverthelefs looking into the Houfes,
they found in every of them a Senator
let in a Chair of State, and in his Hand
a Rod of Ivory ; his Perfoa was alfo
wfted with Robes of Dignity, which
Majeftick Ipedacle did nnarveloufly
aoiate the Gdli^ not having before that
time feen any fueh Reverend Sight ; and
therefore did not only refrain to offer
Violence, but highly admired the Rom^^
Courage, chiefly in that Fortune. Ne-
¥erthele{s at length a rude Gdl hapned
with his Hand to touch the white Beard
©f M, Papjriusj whereat he taking
great difdain ftmck him with his Rod,
in requital whereof the Barbarian flew
P^£>'r/i^, andby that example all the
c^her Senators and perfons of dignity
were alfo flain.
Albeit the knowledge and ftudy of
tetters be both commendable and neceff-
fary in all well regulated Srates ; yet if
ender fo honeft pretence, Idlenefs enter,
fuch Abufes moft feafonably be forefeen
iod removed. Example^ When Deogms
miC^rrMits^lv^Q excellent Phiiofophersj
were
The Arts of Empire. 155
weye fent Ambaffadors from Athens to
the Romans'^ many of the Nobility that
before difpofed themfelves to Arms, al-
lured with their Eloquence and marvel-
ous Wifdom, began with great Admi-
ration to follow them: And in lieu of
Arms, turned their endeavours to the
ftudy of Letters, which the wife Qato
difcerning, procured the Senate to decree
that (to efchew all Inconveniences \^ Inch
fb honeft Idlenels might breed) no Phi-
lofbphers fhould from thenceforth be re-
ceived into Rome,
The Honour due to Magiflrates was
anciently much regarded, and contra ri-
wife all irreverent and undutiful Behavi-
our with great Severity punifh'd. Ex^
ampk^ The Cenfbrs of Rome degraded
a Citizen only for having yawned loud
in their Preience ; And another called
Vediius was flain in the Field, for not
doing due reverence to a Tribune when
he paft by him. It is a!fo obferved,
that the Son of ¥a.h. Maximui when he
was Qenjor^ meeting his Father on Horfe-
back, and feeing the Serjeans afFraid to
fpeak to him to difmount, did himfelf
Command him fo to do, which Com«^
mand
X 5 6 The Arts of Empire.
mand the Father cheerfully and willing-
ly obeyed, faying, Domeftick Power
muft give place to Publick Autho-
rity.
Tyrannous Princes having incurred the
univerfal Hate of People, found no
means (b meet to preferve them from Po-
pular Fury, as to execute or deliver into
their Hands their own chief Minions
and intimate Counfellors. Example ,
Tiberifis delivered to the People his Fa
vourite Seiamis : Nero^ Tigellinas, Hen
Yj King of Swtdt committed to their Fu-
ry his beft beloved Servant Qeorge Pre-
fion ; CdracdU caufed all his Flatterers
to be flain that had perfuaded him to
kill his Brother. The like was done
by QdiguU^ whereby he efcaped him*
felf.
A Prince that rewards or pardons a
Peribn that kills another Prince, albeit
by that means he is afpired to Soveraign-
ty, fiiail thereby both incur great Dan-
ger and Hate , and encourage Men
therein to attempt the like againft him-
feif. Therefore wife Princes have not
only lefc fuch Services quite unrecom-
pencedj but alfo moft feverely punifhed
- ' them.
The Arts of Empire. a 5 7
them. Example^ The Emperor Severus
put all thofe to death that conlented to
the Murder of Pertinax ; and Akxandtr
the Great executed him tliat flew Darius^
as abhorring that SubjeQ: that would lay
violent Hands on his Prince, jnotwith-
ftanding he were an Enemy. Likewife
Vitellitis put to death all the Murderers
and Confpirators againft GMa, ; and
Domitim Executed his Secretary Epa-
phrodittis for the Murder of Ntroj al-
though he inftantly defired his aid.
The vertuous and vitious Examples
of Princes incite Subjefts to imitate the
lame Qualities ; which Rule never or
very rarely fails. Example, Frmcis the
Firft King of France^ and other Princes
in divers Ages and Places, had great
efteem of Learned Men ; and forthwith
all the Princes, Nobles, Nobility and
Clergy, dilpofed themfelves foearneftly
to ftudy, as before that time had not
been feen To many and ^0 great a number
of Learned Men, as well m Tongues as
Sciences. Contrariwife, Jlexandtr the
Great, other wife a Prince of great Ver-
tue, by his immoderate ufecf Drinking,
did draw the greateft number of his
C©urt
1^8 The Arts of Empire.
Court and People alfo to delight in
Drunkennefs- The like efFeft followed
the exceflive Intemperance of M^Ar/^^-
tes^ King of Amafia.
The laft and not the leaft confiderable,
is, to obferve how great efFefts Devoti-
on and Contempt of Human Glory work-
eth in the Minds not only of private Per-
fons, but of Kings and Princes alfo, who
have oft abandoned worldly Profit, Ho-
nour and Pleafure, to embrace the con
templative retired Life, Example, Ra.-
mirus King of Aragon^ Vtrecundus King
of Spaiff^ C harkmam Son o( Caroh< Mar-
iellus^ Matilda Queen of France^ Amt^-
rath King of Turbay^ with many others*
Imperio Maxmuf^ exemplo Major*
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