to obtain the Honour of Assertor of his Countrey 's Liberty 2 Itaque Monarchas non ut sibi vendicent Monarchiam invadunt sâ—d ut famam gloriam adipiscantur Arist. Pol. 5. cap. 10. It should therefore be the Princes Care to abolish this Superstition of false Honour and to promote the Worship of the true Let not a Prince disdain to honour Merit either in Subjects or Strangers for this does not derogate from the Prince's Honour no more than the light of a Torch is diminished by the lighting of another by it for which Reason Ennius compares the Charity of a person who instructs a wandring Traveller in his way to a Flame He who t' a wandring Man his way has shewn Lights t'others Torch and never hurts his own * Ennius From whence proceeds Cicero's Advice that whatever kindness can be done another without Detriment to ones self let it be done even to a Stranger 3 Ut quicquid sine detrimento accommodari possit id tribuatur velignoto Cicero From both these Sentences the present Emblem is taken a lighted Candle in a Candlestick the Emblem of Divinity and supream Authority at which two others are lighted to signifie that a Prince may bestow Honour upon those who deserve it without Detriment to his own His Honour is borrowed not his own who is afraid of wanting it when he confers it on others Springs continually flow and are never empty The Fund of Honour in Princes is inexhaustible be they never so profuse All respect them as the only Magazines of Honours from whence every one expects his share so the Earth with its Vapours refreshes the Air which returns them in Dew upon the Earth again And this mutual Correspondence between the Prince and his Subjects King Alphonso the Wise knew when he said that these in Honouring him honour'd themselves because from him they expect Honour and Preferment where this mutual Honour is there Affairs flourish in Peace and War and the Government is established Nor does a Prince shew his Majesty more in any thing than in the Honours he confers All natural Bodies the more noble they are are the more generous and free of their Vertues and Gifts To give Riches is humane but the distribution of Honour belongs to God or his Vicegerents In these Maxims I would perfectly instruct your Highness especially in that of honouring the Nobility who are the main support of Monarchy Let your Highness hearken to your glorious Predecessor King Alphonso the Wise who in laying down Maxims for his Successors speaks to this Effect Furthermore he ought to respect and honour the Nobility for their Riches and for that they are an Honour to his State and he should respect and honour the Gentry as being his Guard and the Bulwark of his Kingdom Without Rewards Services flag but rewarded they flourish and make the Kingdom glorious Under an ungrateful King never any great Action was aâ—chieved nor any glorious Example transmitted to Posterity Those three brave Souldiers who broke through the Enemies Squadrons and fetch'd water from the Cistern scarce did any thing else remarkable because David did not gratifie them A Prince by once rewarding the Merits of a Family binds them to his Service for ever The Nobility is as much urg'd to Glory by the noble Exploits of their Ancestors and by Honours with which they were rewarded as by those which they themselves expect 't was upon this Account that your Royal Highnesses Predecessors bestowed eternal marks of Honour upon the Services of some great Families of Spain So King Iohn II. rewarded those of the Counts Ribadeo by permitting them to eat at the King's Table upon Twâ—lfth-day and to have the same Coat which his Majesty wore that day his Catholick Majesty granted the same Honour to the Marquess of Cadiz And order'd that they should have the Coat which he wore upon the Feast of the Blessed Virgin to the Marquesses of Moya he gave the Cup which the Kings should drink out of upon St. Lucia's Day to the Earls of Roca of the Family of Vera and to all of that House a Grant for each to exempt thirty persons from all Taxes the same King Ferdinand when he met the King of France at Savona invited the great Captain Gonsalvo to Table with him at whose house also he staid at his Entry into Naples and what wonder since he ow'd him his Kingdom and all Spain its Glory and Success †Mar. Hist. Hisp. Of him might well be said what Tacitus says of another brave and valiant General In his Body was all the beauty of the Cherusâ—i and whatever was done with Success was the result of his Counsel 4 Illo in corpore decus owne Cheruscorum illius consilia gesta quae prosperâ— ceâ—idâ—rint testaâ—atur Tac. 2. ann The Valour and Conduct of one Minister is often the Foundation and Rise of a Kingdom That which is founded in America is owing to Herman Cortez and the Pizarrs The single Valour and Industry of the Marquess of Aytona kept the Netherlands from revolting upon the Death of the Infanta Isabella and some of our present Ministers have been the chief Instruments in preserving the Empire in the House of Austria and of the Tranquility which Italy has so long enjoyed whose great Rewards have been a spark to kindle a glorious Emulation in others By recompencing one Service you purchase many more 't is a noble Usury which enriches Princes and enlarges and secures their Estates the Ottoman Empire flourishes because it encourages and prefers Valour in whomsoever it is conspicuous The Fabrick of the Spanish Monarchy arrived at this Perfection because King Ferdinand the Catholick and after him Charles V. and Philip II. knew how to hew out and proportion the Stones to its bigness Princes complain of this Age of being barren and not productive of such great Spirits not considering that the Reason is that they don't look for them or if they do find them that they don't give them sufficient Encouragement but only promote those who are about them which depends more upon Chance than Choice Nature always produces some great Genius's but Princes don't always make use of them How many excellent Genius's and great Spirits are born and die in Obscurity who if they had been imployed and exercis'd in Business had been the Admiration of Mankind Ossat had died Chaplain of St. Lewis in Rome without the Glory of having done so many signal Services to France had not Henry IV. of France observing his great Abilities procur'd him a Cardinals Hat If a Prince suffers a great Soul to herd with the common Rout he will live and die like one of them without performing any thing remarkable or glorious Christ went up to the Mountain Tabur with three of his Disciples only leaving the rest with the multitude upon which their Faith immediately cool'd 5 Nam quod Domino in monte demorante ipsis cum turba
Alexandria without his leave 8 Acerrimè increpuit quod contra institutum Augusti non sponte Principis Alexandriam introisset Tac. 2. ann but for the greater Security and the better to keep the Minister in obedience 't would be convenient to allow a little more Authority to the Magistracy of the Province for there are no Curbs stronger than that nor more ready to oppose the Faults of the Governor Mean and abject Spirits such as have no Ambition of Glory or thirst for Preferments are fit for no Employ The chief Quality which God found in Ioshuah to introduce him into the management of Affairs was that he had a great Spirit 9 Numb 27. 18. But yet the Courage should not be so great as to repine at his being born a Subject and not be contented with his Condition for the Loyalty of such is in great Danger because they aspire always to the highest step which if they attain not 't is either for want of Power or Wit besides they soon flag in their Zeal for the Publick and Obedience to their Prince Great Spirits are not less dangerous at least if they are not docile and modest for being very positive and conceited of their own Opinions they are apt to slight Commands and believe that all should be governed at their Pleasure A person is as troublesome for his good Qualifications as for his having none at all for there is no satisfying him who presumes too much upon his Merit Tiberius never desired great Vertues in Offices of Trust and hated Vices too for from one he feared Danger to himself from t' other Scandal to the Government 10 Neque enim imminentes virtutes sectabatur rursus vitia oderat ex optimis periculum sibi à pessimis dedecus publicum metuebat Tac. 1. ann Nor are those fit for Ministers who are rich and of great Families for having no need of the Prince and flowing in plenty of all things they won't expose themselves to Perils and Toils nor can nor will they be under Command 11 Qui in affluentia fortunae virium opum amicorum aÌ„lioruamque talium constituti sunt Reginaeque obâ—dire norunt Arist. 4. Pol. c. 11. Whence Sosibius Britannicus us'd to say Princes can't endure Riches in the Commons 12 Auri vim atque opes Principibus infensas Tac. 11. ann When a Prince shall have made Choice of a Minister with all due Circumspection let him seemingly put an entire Confidence in him but always keep an Eye upon his Actions and Intelligences and if they are any ways suspicious let him be removed to another Post where he will want opportunity to make a party to execute his ill Designs for there is more prudence and kindness in preventing a Crime than in forgiving it when committed if Germanicus's Victory and the Soldiers Applause pleas'd Tiberius on one hand on t' other they made him jealous and uneasie 13 Nuntiata ea Tiberium laetitia curaque affecere Tac. 1. ann And understanding the Commotions in the East he was glad of a Pretence ea expose him to Dangers by making him Governour of those Provinces 14 Ut to specie Germanicum suetis Legionibus abstraheret novâ—sque Provineiis impositum dolo simul casibus objectaret Tac. 2. ann Now if any Minister is to be removed it should be done under the pretence of Honour and before the Reasons are known with such prudence as mayn't give him Reason to mistrust the Princes disgust for as fear of being cheated is the way to be cheated so Suspicion of Loyalty makes Traytors for which Reason Tiberius having a mind to recall Germanicus to Rome did it under a pretence of a Triumph which he design'd him 15 Acriùs modestiam ejus aggreditur alterum Consulatum offerendâ— Tac. 2. ann offering him other Preferments of which Princes are very liberal when they would free themselves from their Jealousies If a Subject once loses the Respect he owes his Prince after Confidence will never secure him Sancbo the first King of Leon pardoned Count Gonzalo for having taken up Arms against him endeavouring to reconcile him by his Favours but those by which he thought to have oblig'd him only gave him opportunity to poyson him When Princes are concerned with one another there is no Obligation of Friendship or Affinity a sufficient Reason for their trusting each other Don Ferdinand the great King of Castile and his Brother Garcias of Navarre were at difference he as he lay sick at Nacar had a design to seize his Brother who came to pay him a Visit but his Design not succeeding he had a mind to dissemble his Intent by visiting his Brother who caused him to be apprehended * Mar. Hist. Hisp. Revenge and State-Policy is of greater Force than Friendship or Consanguinity The same befel Don Garcias King of Galicia for having trusted his Brother Alonso King of Castile the most irreconcileable falling out is that between Relations and dearest Friends 16 Difficiles fratrum dissentiones qui valdè amâ—nt valdè edio habent Arist. 7. Pol. c. 6. and perfect Hatred is the result of perfect Love from all which we may infer how difficult a thing 't is for a Prince to trust himself in the hands of his Enemies it cost the King of Granada his Life for going though with a Pass port to ask assistance from King Peter the Cruel Lewis Forza Duke of Milan was more cautious refusing an Interview with the King of France unless in the midst of a River or upon a broken Bridge A true piece of Italian Policy not to trust where they have once shew'd a Jealousie for which Reason the Italians were much admir'd at the Interview between the great Captain and King Ferdinand the Catholick as also at that between the same King and the King of France his Enemy In some Cases Confidence is more safe and necessary to gain peoples Affections than Distrust Don Alonso VI. having lost his Kingdom of Leon liv'd retir'd at the Court of the King of Toledo who was a Moor when upon the Death of Don Sancho his Sates recalled him to his Throne with the greatest privacy imaginable fearing lest if it should come to be known by the Moors they might retain him by force he like a prudent and grateful Prince discovered the whole Affair this Confidence so oblig'd the Barbarian King who before understood the Intrigue and design'd to seize him that he not only let him go free but also furnished him with Money for his Voyage See the power of Gratitude which disarms even the most savage Spirits * Mar. Hist. Hisp. Distrusts between Princes can't be cur'd by Satisfactions or Excuses but by their contrary if time won't heal them diligence never will these are a kind of wounds which the Probe and the Hand does but more exulcerate and a sort of apparent Jealousies which are an Introduction to Infidelity EMBLEM LII
Vital Warmth which no sooner begins but begins to die too Death is naturally equal to all but is distinguished by the Glory or Oblivion we leave to Posterity Who dying makes Renown a Substitute for Life lives still Strange force of Virtue which even against Nature makes that which is of its self fading and perishable Immortally glorious Tacitus did not think Agricola's Life short though he was snatch'd away in the prime of his Years for his Glory prolong'd his Life 6 Quanquam medio in spatiâ— integrae aetatis ereptus quantum ad gâ—riam longissimum â—evum peregit â—ac in Vir. Agriâ— Let no one despise or slight Posthumous Fame for in as much as the Mind covets it 't is an acknowledgement that one time or other 't is to be enjoyed but they are in the wrong who think it sufficient if they leave it behind them in Statues or in Posterity for in one 't is fading in t'other 't is none of theirs That only is their own which springs from Actions which if not extraordinary Merit no Praise for Fame is the Daughter of Admiration To be Born only to make One in the World is for the Vulgar Rout 't is for Princes to appear perspicuously eminent among others Others study what they think their own Interest but the utmost and only aim of Princes should be Glory 7 Caeteris mortalibus in eo stare consilia quid sibi conducere puteâ—â— Principum diversam esse sortem quibus praecipua rerum ad famam diâ—â—genda Tac. 4. Ann. Avarice and desire of Riches fill their Breasts but a Prince should be inflamed by an Ambition of Fame 8 Argentum quidem pecunia est commoâ—â— omnium possessio at honestum ex eo laus gloria Deorum est 〈◊〉 eorum qui à aiis proximi censentur Polybius A heavenly Heat inspires our Prince's Veins Virg. A generous Spirit knows no mean 't will be either Caesar or no body either a shining Star or a dark Cinder nor will this if honourably extinguished shine less gloriously on Obelisks than t'other Nor indeed is that Soul truly great which like the best Gunpowder fired does not immediately burst the Body that includes it The Breast is too narrow to contain a brisk and active Soul Garci Sancho King of Navarre going to ingage the Enemy trembled all over yet in the Fight behaved himself bravely and couragiously His Body dreaded that great Multitude of Enemies into which his Courage prepared to carry it Let it therefore be the whole Aim of a Prince to live gloriously that he may be a Light in this World 9 Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works Matth. 5. 12. All other things will come with ease but Fame not without Assiduity and Application 10 Caeteâ—a Principibus statim aâ—â—esse unum insatiabiliter parandum prosperam sui memoâ—â—am Tac. 4. Ann. But if in the beginning of his Reign he loses his Reputation he will very difficultly recover it for what the People once conceive of him they will never afterwards forget He who sets too great a value upon Life avoids Toils and Dangers without which two Honour can never be attained This Tacitus observed in King Marabodo who quitting his Kingdom lazily and shamefully spent his Days in Italy losing much of his Reputation through a too fond desire of Life 11 Consenuitque multum immatatâ 〈…〉 Tac. 2. Ann. Let a Prince so stere his Course be the Sea Calm or Tempestuous as still to keep his Eye upon that shining Beacon of Glory ever and anon calling to mind that he may admit or think of nothing unworthy himself that History will publish his Fame his Exploits and Glorious Atchievements to all Ages and to all Nations Princes have no other Superior than God and Fame they alone by the fear of Punishment and Infamy oblige them to Act honourably for which reason they often fear Historians more than their Enemies and are more aw'd by the Pen than the Sword King Balthasar though he saw only the Hand and Pen as yet not knowing what they would write was so disorder'd That he quaked all over and the Ioints of his Back were loosened 12 Dan. 5. 6. But if they neither regard God nor Glory nothing Glorious or Honourable can be expected For who e're slights Honour despises Virtue A generous desire of Glory avoids the blemish of Vice or Injustice Nor is there a more Savage Brute than that Prince who is neither moved by remorse of Conscience or desire of Glory Nor is there nevertheless no danger in Glory for its brightness often dazles Princes and leads them headlong into Rashness and Temerity That which seems Honourable and Glorious to them is Vanity or Folly sometimes Pride or Envy and oftentimes Ambition and mere Tyranny They propose great matters egg'd on by the Flatteries of their Ministers who set before them many things under the appearance of Glory concealing in the mean time the unjust and inconvenient Means by which they are to be attained by which being seduced they oftentimes find themselves deluded and ruined That Glory is safe which springs from a generous Spirit and keeps within the Bounds of Reason and Possibility Since therefore Honour and Infamy are the strongest Excitements to good Actions and that both are by History delivered down to Posterity 't would be convenient by Rewards proposed to excite Historians to write and to countenance Typography the true Treasury of Glory where the Rewards of greaâ— Actions are deposited to future Ages EMBLEM XVI 'T IS an old saying Purple is to be judged by Purple by which the Ancients signified that things were then best distinguished when one was compared with the other especially if they were such as could not easily be distinguish'd by themselves Thus Merchants do who compare Colour to Colour that they may shew each other and that a surer Judgment may be given of both In the Temple of Iupiter Capitolinus there was a Cloak a Present of some King from Persia of such an excellent Grain that the Robes of the Roman Ladies nay even of the Emperor Aurelian himself compared with it look'd as faint as Ashes If your Royal Highness when raised to the Crown would exmine and know the true worth of the Royal Purple expose it not to the false Light of Flatterers and fawning Knaves for that will never shew you its true Colour Nor rely too much upon self-love for that is like an Eye that sees all things but its self 'T will be therefore necessary that as Eyes are known by their own Species like Forms represented in a Glass so your Highness would compare the Lustre of your Diadem to that of your Glorious Predecessors seriously reflecting if any Virtues shine more bright in theirs than yours by viewing your self in them as in a Glass 1 Tanquam in speculo ornare comparare vitam tuam ad alienas virtutes
to the Persons under whose Cognizance it falls 1 For the Priest's Lips should keep knowledge aâ—d they should seek the Law at his Mouth Malach. 2. 7. laying before them the truth of the thing and the ill Consequences and Inconveniences of it For if the Secular Prince attempt to do it by force and those Abuses should be establish'd into a Custom among the People they will interpret this Violence to â—e Impiety in the Prince and rather obey the Priests than him On the other side if they see the Ecclesiastical and Civil Power disagree they will throw off all Obedience and emboldened by the declared Will oâ— the Prince they will make an Insurrection against Religion it self and be insensibly inducâ—d to beliâ—ve thâ— Inconveniencies of these Contentions extend even to the Substance of Religion which will easily bring them to change their Opinions and that too And by this means the Prince being engag'd in Civil Broils and Dissentions with the Clergy and the People in new Opinions all respect for things Sacred will cease and Errors arise upon the Eclipse of that Divine Luminary which before enlighten'd and united their Minds which is the scource of the Ruin of many Princes and of the Revolutions of States 2 Nullae res multitudinem efficacius regit quam superstitio Curtius Great prudence is requisite to govern the People in such matters for 't is equally obvious for them to despise them which is impious and to be over credulous in them which is Superstition this last most frequently happens in that their Ignorance is presently taken with appearances of Devotion and new Opinions before Reason has had time to examine them wherefore 't is very necessary gradually to remove from them all occasions of Ruin those particularly which usually arise from frivolous Disputations about too subtle Points such as very little if at all promote Religion not suffering them to be defended or printed otherwise they will be divided into Factions and every one's maintaining his own Opinions with as much Heat and Obstinacy as if they were Matter of Faith may occasion no less Disturbances than even a difference of Religions or a Toleration of them It was an Apprehension of this made Tiberius forbid the Books of the Sibyls to be seen whose Prophecies might cause Seditions 3 Censuit Asinius Gallus ut libri Sibyllini adirentur renuit Tiberiâ—s perinde divina humanaque obtegens Tac. 1. Ann. In the Acts of the Apostles we read that the Books which contain'd idle Curiosities were burnt 4 Many of them also which us'd curious Arts brought their Books together and burnt them before all Men Acts 19. 19. An appearance often miserably deludes the Common People who blindly follow any Superstitious Devotions with a Submission wholly effeminate which renders them Melancholy Cowardly and very Slaves to their own Imaginations which debase their Spirits and prompt them to idle away their time in Convents and Pilgrimages where oft-times many Abuses and Vices are committed This is an Infirmity of the Vulgar and not a little prejudicial to the Truth of Religion and the Publick Safety and unless nipp'd in the Bud creates great Inconveniencies and Dangers being a kind of folly that under the appearance of Good does every thing hand over head following new Notions of Religion and devilish Inventions Some Submission is requisite but that without base and ssavish Bigottry such I mean as has Virtue in esteem abhors Vice and holds Labour and Obedience to be more agreeable to God and the Prince than Convents and Pilgrimages this Devotion being usually celebrated with Banquets Balls and Plays like that of the People of Israel at the Consecration of the Molten Calf 5 And they arose up early on the morrow and offered burnt offerings and burnt peace-offerings and the People sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play Exod. 32. 6. But if the People once begin to be too opinionative in Matters of Religion and to introduce any Innovations in it immediate Remedy must be apply'd and the ill Seed be routed out before it take Root and spread farther so as to grow into a Body too powerful for the Prince against whom they may afterwards if he refuse to conform to their Opinion contrive some pernicious Innovation in the Government 6 Eos vero qui in divinis aliquid innovant odio habe coerce non Deorum solum causâ quos tamen qui contemnit nec aliud sane magni feceriâ— sed quia nova quaedam numina hi tales introducentes multos impellunt ad mutâ—â—ionem rerum unde Conjurationes Seditiones Conciliabula existunt res profecto minimè conducibiles Principatui Dion And though the Understanding be free and without destroying its liberty canâ—t be constrain'd to believe and so it may seem to belong peculiarly to God Almighty to punish those who have unworthy Sentiments of him 7 Deorum injâ—rias Diiâ— curae Tac. 1. Ann. yet would it be of very ill consequence to commit the Decision of the sublimest Mysteries of Faith to the blind and ignorant Mob 'T is therefore infinitely requisite to oblige Subjects to think as the Ancient Germans did that there is more Sanctity and Reverence in believing than knowing things Divine 8 Sanctius ac reverentius visum de actis Deorum credere quam scire Tac. de Mor. Germ. What monstrous Errors were a Kingdom obnoxious to if each man were allow'd to be a Jugde in Matters of Religion Hence the Romans were so careful in Prohibiting the Exercise of any new Religion 9 Neque nisi Romani Dei nec quo aliâ— more quam parvo colerentur T. Liv. and Claudius thought the Foreign Superstitions a sufficient Subject for complaint to the Senate 10 Quia externae superstitiones valescant Tac. 11. Ann. But if Malice have already got footing and Punishment be too weak to resist the Multitude 't is necessary that Discretion perform the part of Fire and Sword For obstinacy in Faults sometimes increases by an untimely Application of Remedies too violent nor does Reason always surrender to Force King Ricaredus by dexterously adapting himself to the times now dissembling now flattering brought his Subjects to renounce Arianism and to return to the Catholick Church Great Men have anciently made use of Superstition as we have before intimated to authorize their Laws animate their People and keep them in Subjection and Obedience to this end they feigned Dreams and Divine Revelations and pretended to have private Conference with the Gods but although these Artifices extreamly influence the simple People whose Superstitious Humour is easily affected with things that have an appearance Supernatural 'T is not however allowable for Princes to delude them with counterfeit Miracles and a false shew of Religion Of what use is the Shadow where one may enjoy the Light it self To what purpose those Divine imaginary Prodigies of Heaven since it gives as we see so many
reconciling Enemies fitter to be Informers than Mediators Affairs require Persons of very different Qualities to Administer them That Man is above all the most proper who in his Air and Words discovers a Soul of Candor and Veracity whose private Person procures him Love and Esteem in whom Jealousy and Cunning are from Art not Nature who can keep them in the most secret Place of his Breast when they require Concealment who proposes with Sweetness hears with Patience replies with Force dissembles with Discretion urges with Attention who obliges by Liberality persuades by Reason and convinces by Experience who in a word designs prudently and executes effectually It was with these Ministers King Ferdinand the Catholick was able to succeed in all his Enterprizes The good Choice of these is of no leâ—s Consequence than the Conservation and Enlargement of any State for as much as all depends upon their Administration more Kingdoms having been destroyed by their Ignorance than by that of Princes Let this therefore be your Highness's chiefest Care to examine diligently all the Qualities of your Subjects and after having given them any Place look now and then into their Actions and not be presently taken with and deluded by the Draught of their Memoirs There being very few Ministers who in them draw themselves to the Life In Effect who will be so candid so much a Stranger to self-love as to confess what good he has neglected to do what Evil to prevent It will be much if he with Sincerity relate what he has actually done some using to write to the Prince not what they have done or said but what they ought to do or say They have thought of and designed every thing â—â—fore-hand they foresaw nay and executed all-Affairs enter their Closets like mishapen Logs but immediately come out again as from some Statuaries Shop exquisite Figures 't is there they are varnished giâ—â—ed and painted to beautify them and enhance their Value There Judgments are form'd and abundance of Preventions devis'd ever after the Success there they are more powerful than God himself make the past Time present and the present past by changing the Date of their Actions as they see convenient They are Ministers who transact Affairs in Imagination only Men that court Applause and steal Rewards by their false Letters Whence proceed the greatest Inconveniences in the World in that the Prince's Privy Counsellors being directed by those Intelligences and Advices if they are false the Orders and Resolutions founded upon them will necessarily be so too The Holy Scripture teaches us how Ministers and particularly Ambassadors are oblig'd punctually to execute their Commissions for we see in that Hazael had from Benhadad King of Syria to consult the Prophet Elisha about his Disease he chang'd not one word nor dared so much as to speak in the Third Person 8 2 Kings 8. 9. Ministers of extraordinary Experience are sometimes dangerous either for that the Prince puts too much Confidence in them or because biassed by Self-love or presuming upon their own Abilities they seldom think thoroughly of Affairs and born as 't were to overcome the most violent Tempests despise the small Storms of Inconveniences and Difficulties whereby they evidently expose themselves to Danger Those are in some Cases much safer who 〈◊〉 yet Novices in Navigation keep close to the Shore Though both together compose the best Counsels in that the Experience of those is qualified by the Timorousness and Caution of these in Debates between the Flegmatick and Cholerick the Bold and Circumspect the Quick and Slow there results a wholsome Composition of Opinions as there does in Bodies from the contrariety of Humours EMBLEM XXXI A Pillar supports it self balanced by its own weight If it once leans on either side it presently falls and that the sooner the heavier it is Thus Empires stand and are preserv'd by their own Authority and Repute when they begin to lose that they begin to fall nor is any Earthly Power sufficient to strengthen and prop them 1 Nihil rerum mortalium tam instabile ac flâ—xum est quam famae potentiae non sua vi niâ—a Tac. 13. Ann. Let no one trust too much to a streight Pillar when it inclines never so little the weakest Hand promotes its Ruin that very leaning I know not how inviting to push it but when falling the strongest is unable to uphold it One single Action sometimes overthrows the best establish'd Reputation which a great many can't erect again For scarce any Stain can so thoroughly be washed out but some sign of it will remain nor any Opinion in Mens Minds that can be entirely effaced Dress the Infamy as carefully as possible it will still leave some Scars Wherefore if the Crown stand not fixed and firm upon this perpendicular Pillar of Reputation it will soon fall to the Ground Alphonso the Fifth King of Arragon by his Credit not only preserved his own Kingdom but conquered that of Naples At the same time Iohn the Second King of Castile for his mean Spirit was so far the Contempt of his Subjects that he admitted what Laws they thought fit to impose The Provinces which under Iulius Caesar and Augustus Princes of great Esteem were Firm and Loyal rebell'd in the Reign of Galba a Man slothful and universally despised 2 Melius Divo Iulio Divoque Augusto notos eorum animos Galbam infracta tributa hostiles Spiritus induisse Tac. 4. Hist. Royal Blood and Large Dominions are insufficient to maintain Reputation where private Virtue and Magnanimity are wanting as it is not the Frame of a Glass but its Intrinsick Excellency makes it valuable Regal Majesty has not more Force than Respect which usually arises from Admiration and Fear and from these Obedience and Subjection without which the Princes Dignity cannot long maintain it self being founded upon the Opinion of others and the Royal Purple will be rather a Mark of Derision than Eminence and Majesty as was visible in Henry the Fourth It is the Spirits and Native Heat that keep the Body upright the Legs alone would not be a sufficient Basis. And what is Reputation but a kind of fine Spirit kindled in all Mens Opinions which raises and supports the Scepter Let the Prince therefore take all possible care that his Actions may be such as will nourish and foment these Spirits The Parthians grounded their Petition upon Reputation when they asked Tiberius to send as of his own accord one of Phraates's Sons to Rome 3 Nomine tantum auctore opus ut sponte Caesaris ut genus Arsacis ripam apud Euphratis cerneretur Tac. 6. Ann. This Repute and Authority has yet greater Influence in War where Fear is of more Efficacy than the Sword and Opinion than Strength whether of Mind or Body and therefore to be taken no less Notice of than Force of Arms. This made Suetonius Paulinus very prudently advise Otho to endeavour always to keep the
not the Promises of the Lover when she said Our hands are full of eyes what they see they believe and elsewhere she calls the Day quick sighted in which she never traded but for the Ready Blind are Resolves made by Confidence Pythagoras's Motto was Not to shake hands with every Body Credulity to all is very dangerous let a Prince therefore consider well before he ingages himself thinking always that his Friends as well as his Enemies design to cheat him one more the other less one to rob him of his Territories and Riches the other only to reconcile himself to his Favour and Good-will This Pre-supposition should not be deriv'd from Fraud and Villainy giving him the Liberty to forfeit his Word and Promise which would utterly confound the publick Faith and be a great Blot in his Reputation this Caution should be nothing but a prudent Circumspection and piece of Policy That Diffidence the Daughter of Suspicion is then blameable in a Prince when 't is frivolous and vicious which immediately discovers its Effects and proceeds to Execution not that Circumspect and general Distrust which equally regards all without particularizing upon any one until the Circumstances well examined shall dictate otherwise and perhaps you may not sufficiently confide in any one whom you may nevertheless have a good Opinion of for this is not a particular distrusting of him but a general Caution of Prudence there are Forts in the very middle of Kingdoms in which there are Garrisons kept as if on the Enemies Frontiers This Caution is convenient and reflects not upon the Subjects Fidelity A Prince may confide in his Relations Allies Subjects and Ministers yet this Confidence should not be so remiss as to lull him asleep and make him careless of all Accidents by which Ambition Interest or Hatred usually pervert Fidelity breaking the strongest Bars of the Law of Nature and Nations when a Prince had rather chuse to suffer than live in the continual Alarms of so many Cautions and rather let things run on than remedy the Inconveniencies which may happen He makes his Ministers wicked and sometimes treacherous for they imputing his Indulgence to Incapability despise and slight him and each Reigns absolutely in that part of the Government which is allotted him But when the Prince is vigilant and if he does confide in any does it not without Caution when he is always so prepar'd that Treachery shall never find him unprovided when he condemns not without hearing and reprehends not but to preserve Fidelity when 't is in danger he may wear his Crown in safety King Ferdinand the Catholick had no reason to suspect the Fidelity of the great Captain †Gonâ—alez Fernandez of Cordovâ— Mar. Hist. Hisp. nevertheless he kept those people near him who should diligently pry into his Actions that he knowing how narrowly he was watch'd might Act with the more Caution This was not properly an Action of distrust but prudence For all this he must take care that this Suspicion be not groundless and frivolous as was that of the same King Ferdinand to the same great Captain for though after the loss of the Battel of Ravenna he wanted him for the management of Affairs in Italy he would not make use of him when he saw with what eagerness all the people strove to serve and fight under him and so endeavoured by alâ— the means he could to assure himself of Duke Valentine 〈◊〉 that suspecting an experimented Fidelity he exposed himself to one suspected So over jealous Spirits to avoid one Danger fall into a greater though sometimes the refusal of the Services of such great Men may be rather a Princes Envy or Ingratitude than Jealousie or Suspicion It may be also that this wise Prince thought it not convenient to make use of a Man whom he knew to be discontented a Prince must expect little Fidelity from a person of whom he has once shewn a Distrust The more ingenious and generous a Spirit is the more it resents the Suspicion of its Fidelity and so more easily quits it which made Getulius make bold to write to Tiberius That he was Loyal and unless suspected would remain so 4 Sibi fidem integram si nullis infidiis peteretur mansuram Tac. 6. ann A Prince ought to learn by the experience of his own Accidents as well as others how far he ought to confide in his Subjects Amongst the Cautions which King Henry the II. left his Son Don John there was this That he should continue the Rewards given to those who had follow'd his party against King Peter their natural Lord but that he should not put so much Confidence in them as not to have an Eye upon 'em that in Offices and Places of Trust he should make use of those who adher'd to their Master King Peter like true and faithful Subjects and oblige 'em to make amends for past Offences by future Services but that he should not put any Confidence in the Neuters who had shewn themselves more addicted to self Interest than the publick Good Traytors are odious even to those whom they serve by their Treason 5 Quippe proditores etiam iis quos anteponunt invisunt Tac. 1. ann and the Loyal are esteem'd by those against whom they are so upon this ground Otho trusted Celsus who had faithfully served Galba 6 Mansitque Celso velut fat alitâ—r etiam pro Othone fides integrâ— infelix Tac. 1. Hist. 'T is not good to raise a Minister all at once to great Places for it makes other envy him and hate the Prince they taking this sudden Promotion as an Argument of his Levity There is no Minister so modest as not to be affronted nor so zealous as to continue in his Devoir when he sees another so unjustly preferred For one that 's satisfied many are discontented and when the Ministers are disgusted 't is impossible the Government should go well Such Elections are nothing else but abortive Births and Fidelity takes deeper root when it sees that Offices and Imployments are the reward of faithful Services the Prince has in the mean while time to make Tryal of his Minister first in places of small Trust least it should cost him too dear afterwards in places of greater Importance 7 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much Luk. 16. 10. let him examine before he employs him in Affairs of Peace or War what is the most likely to shake his Fidelity what his Birth is what his Reputation and Fortune this Circumspection is particularly necessary in places of Trust which are as 't were the Keys and Security of Governments Augustus would not permit any Senator or Roman Knight to enter Egypt without his special Order because that Province was the Grainary of the Empire and that he who made himself Master of that had the other at Command for the same reason Tiberius sharply reprehended Germanicus for going into
But this Doctrine of Ministers being continued in Offices but for a time must not be understood of those supream Offices of the Princes Counsel or of Justice But on the contrary they ought to be fixt and continued because of the advantage of their Experience and Knowledge of Affairs depending These kinds of Offices are in Governments like the Poles in the Heavens about which the lesser Orbs move so that if they should be chang'd or removed the whole Universe would be endanger'd by the disorder of its natural Motions Solon knew this Inconveniency in the four hundred Senatours which were yearly Elected by Lot at Athens and therefore he established a Senate of Sixty worthy Men who were called Areopagites and while this continu'd the Republick flourished 'T is moreover very dangerous to commit the Government of Kingdoms during the Minority to persons who have any Pretentioâ—s thereto though never so unjust so it fell out in Arragon by the Imprudence of those who committed the Government to Sancho Duke of Roussillon until King Iames I. came to age Those Persons who have no manner of Pretention to the Crown either by Birth or any other Cause often thirst after it how much more then those who in Pictures and Images see their Ancestours brows incircled with it This Age as well as the pass'd gives us many deplorable Examples of Relations who have treacherously usurped Kingdoms which they were entrusted with Those of the Royal Blood are more prone to Tyranny in that they never want means to accomplish their Designs Few can be perswad'd of the Justice of that Law which prefers Birth to Vertue and every one thinks he better deserves a Crown than another and if this Reason should be of force in any one he is in danger from his Favourites who hoping to participate of his Grandeur strive to procure it by violent means and to raise Jealousies amongst his Relations If King Philip had any Jealousie of Don John of Austria they flow'd from this Spring A glorious Example of this Policy we find in the Infant Ferdinand refusing the Crown which was the Right of his Nephew Don John II. by which generous Recusance of that Crown on Earth he merited many more in Heaven The generous Loyalty which the Infants of that Name have paid the Kings of their Race is of an ancient Date Nor do we find less in this present Infant towards the present King whose Respect and Obedience is more like that of a Subject than of a Brother The heavenly Spheres pay not a more ready Obedience to the first mover than his Highness does to his Majestys Will. O truly Noble Prince whose glorious Birth though the greatest in the World is yet the least of his Excellencies the Effect of Divine Providence that in a time of such troublesome and tedious Wars which strain'd the very Axle-tree and Poles of the Government to raise us up an Atlas to support it by his Valour Conduct and Prudence EMBLEM LV. ARISTOTLE the better to instruct Alexander the Great in the Qualities of Counsellours compared them to Eyes which comparison Don Alonso the Wise makes use of in his Books of Laws Nor is this thought new for the Kings of Persia and Babylon call'd 'em their Eyes their Ears and their Hands according to the Offices in which they officiated The seven Spirits God's Ministers sent all over the Earth were the Eyes of a Lamb without spot or blemish 1 Apoc. 5. 6. A Prince who ought to see and comprehend so many Affairs should be all Eyes and all Ears 2 Superior debet esse totus mens c totus oculus S. Antioc Hom. 5. and because he can't be so he must make use of the Eyes and Ears of other Whence there is no Prince though never so prudent and intelligent but haâ— occasion for Ministers and to make use of them as his Eyes Ears and Hands 3 Nam Principes ac Reges nunc quoque multos sibi oculos multas aâ—res multas item manus atque pedes faciunt Arist. Pol. 5. c. 12 This is not of small advantage to him if he knows how to make a right use on 't for by thiâ— means he sees with every Body's eyes hears with their Ears and takes advise from them all 4 Hâ—â— enim ratione omnium oculis cernet omnium auribus audiet omnium denique consiliis in unum tendentibus consultabit Sines ad Arcad The Aegyptians meanâ— this by the Eye which they placed upon their Scepter for Counsels are the Eyes by which we inspect Futurity 5 Consilium oculus futurorum Arist. lib. 6. de Regim This Ieremiah seem'd to allude to when he said Virgaâ— vigilantem ego video 6 â—erem 1 11. Vid. Version Vulgar For this Reason in this present Emblem you see a Scepter full of Eyes to give the Prince to understand that he ought to inspect all Affairs of the Government by his Ministers nor is it to be wonder'd at that we place the Ministers in the Scepter for formerly their Names were engrave on the Crowns of the Emperours and Kings of Spain nor without Reason for they shine brighter than the Diadems themselves This Emblem of Eyes sufficiently shews the Qualifications that a Minister ought to be endued with For as the Sight extends to all things far and near so should the active Spirit of the Counsellour inspect all things present past and future that he may make a right Judgment of things and give a true Opinion of all Affairs which can't be done without much Reading great Experience and a continual Commerce with foreign Countries For if the Counsellours ben't perfectly versed in the Princes Nature and the Manners and Genius of the people they 'll ruine both themselves and the Government 7 Morum animorâ—mque Provincie nisi sâ—â—gneri qui de ea consulant perdant se Râ—mpub Cicero And to know this requires use for the Eyes don't know things which they have never seen he who has had Experience and Knowledge of things will readily find Expedients and Remedies 8 Eccles 3. 4. There is such a correspondence between the Eyes and Heart that the Affections of the one immediately strikes the other when this is sad they weep when this glad they smile if the Counsellour has not a particular Esteem for his Prince he will take but little care of his Affairs and is therefore very little to be trusted so said King Alphonso the Wise * L. 5. tit 9. p. 2. That Councellours ought to be the Princes true Friends otherwise he would be in great Danger for those who hate a Person will never advise him cordially The Eye won't suffer the Finger to touch its inside but upon its approach immediately sculks within the Lids how wise and learn'd soever the Minister is in his Counsels if he is easie and free of his Secerts if he suffers his Finger to probe his Heart he
considering whether 't was grounded upon Reason or no. Whence 't is that Ministers are afraid of declaring their Opinions and let slip many Opportunities without advertising the Prince thereof for fear of exposing their Favour and Reputation to the uncertainty of Casualties These Inconveniences a Prince ought most industriously to avoid by persisting constant in Adversity and excusing their Ministers when they are not notoriously to blame that they may more readily and couragiously assist him in overcoming them And tho' there are palpable Errours in some Resolves and Executions yet he ought to bear it calmly for what is once done as we say can't be undone we ought to reflect upon past Actions for Instruction not Affliction it requires as much Courage to pass by Faults as to encounter Dangers there is no Empire free from ' em He who is too timorous cannot resolve and oftentimes Irresolution is worse than Errour it self Business requires a quick and ready Genius if each particular should take up his whole time many must of necessity be neglected to the utmost Detriment of the Parties concern'd and of the Government in general EMBLEM LXIV THE Ancients in War made use of certain Chariots arm'd with Scythes which mov'd and executed at the same time the Wheels and Scythes being both govern'd by the same Motion those were no sooner whirl'd about but these did Execution with equal Speed and Effect and are therefore in the present Figure the Emblem of speedy Execution as those fiery Wheels in the Throne of God signified the Activity of his Power and the Quickness of his Operation 1 Dan. 7. 9. Let Prudence as we said before chuse a fit time for Consultation but let its Resolves and Executions have such a mutual Correspondence as they may both seem to move together without any interpos'd Delay For Consultation and Execution should joyn hands that they may assist each other in the Production of the desir'd Effects 2 Priusquam incipias censulito ubi consâ—lueris mature facto opus â—st ita utrumque per se indigens alter alâ—â—â—ius auxilio viget Sallust The Emperour Charles V. us'd to say That delay was the Soul of Counsel and speed that of Execution and that both joyn'd together were the Quintessence of a Princes Prudence King Ferdinand the Catholick had not been so successful in his undertakings had he not maturely weigh'd and speedily executed his Resolutions Were a Prince indued with both these Vertues he would never want Success which is ever the Daughter of opportunity which once past is not to be recall'd One minute brings us great Advantage or great Detriment wherefore Demosthenes blam'd the Athenians for spending too much time in Preparations saying that Opportunities would not wait their Delays If the Counsel be advantageous that time which is spent in Delay deducts from its Advantage There is no room for Delay in Counsels which are not valuable but in their Effects 3 Nullus cunâ—â—ationi 〈◊〉 est in eo coâ—â—â—lie quod non pâ—test laudari nisi peractum Tac. 1. Hist Counsel is an Embryo and unless Execution which is the Soul thereof gives it Life it dies 'T is the Product of the Understanding and an Act of practick Prudence which if it exert not it self but remains in Contemplation 't is nothing but a vain Imagination and Fancy Resolution says Aristotle should be executed with haste but deliberated with leisure Iames I. King of England advised his Son to be prudent and cautious in his Deliberations firm and constant in his Resolutions and prompt and resolute in his Executions for that for this last Nature had supplyed the Hands and Feet with so many Joynts and such ready Motion Delay is base and mean but speed great and Royal. 4 Barbaris 〈…〉 statim exequi regium videtur Tac. 6 ann This Vice of Delay is very frequent in great Kingdoms and proceeds from their too great Confidence of their Power as was visible in the Emperour Otho 5 Quo plus virium ac roboris è fiducia tarditas inerat Tac. 2. Hist As also from the unweildiness of the Wheels upon which its Grandeur is carry'd and least the Prince should run the Risque of losing what he already has he lives content within the Bounds of his own Empire That which is really Laziness and Sloth is call'd Wisdom as was that of the Emperour Galba 6 Et motus temporum obtinuit ut quod segnities erat sapientiâ— vocaâ—etur Tac. 1. Hist Empires in their Infancy acquire Strength and Vigour by dispatch whilst the Blood boyls and the Spirits of Glory and Ambition are active The Roman State throve by Action and Bravery not by those Dilatory Counsels which Cowards call Cautions 7 Agendo audendoque res Romana crevit 〈◊〉 hic signibus consiliis quae timidi â—â—uta vocâ—nt Tit. Liv. But after they are at their full growth their very Majesty and Authority supports 'em long though that Vigour and heat of Glory and Ambition be extinguish'd as the Sea keeps its Motion for a considerable time after the Wind ceases When therefore Empires are in this Vigour I don't so much disapprove of these tedious Deliberations For so they gain more time to enjoy quietly what they have gotten too speedy Resolutions being often attended with Danger In this Sence that of Tacitus is to be understood that Power is better preserv'd by cautious than rash Counsels 8 Potentiâ—â— cautis quam acrioribus consiliis tutius haberi Tac. 11. ann But when this Age decays and the Esteem and Authority of the Empire begins to Flag other methods ought to be us'd Counsels should be speedy and other means apply'd to recover its former Vigour before decrepid old Age comes on and renders it irrecoverable this difference of Ages is not considerable in small States but they should always be ready to spread their Sails to every favourable Wind which sits sometimes this way sometimes that As in the Circumference of the Horizon the Winds rule alternatively upon the Earth the Goths and other Nothern Nations had formerly very favourable Winds of which they made so good use loosing all their Sails that they penetrated even to Hercules's Pillars the then utmost limits of the World but this Wind ceasing another succeeded more favourable to other Empires Constancy in executing Resolutions whether they are the Prince's own or given him by others is always of great Importance For want of this Paetus could not triumph over the Parthians 9 Eludi Parthus tractu belli poterat si Paeto aut in suis â—ut in 〈◊〉 consiliis constantia fuisset Tac. 15. ann All eager and fiery Spirits quickly resolve and soon repent they are hot at the beginning but cold in the end of Affairs they aim at all but bring nothing to Perfection they are like the Animal call'd Calipes which moâ—es with great haste but advances not a Foot in an hour The management of all Affairs
requires Conduct and Valour one to form and t'other to execute them to a resolv'd and brave Spirit nothing is difficult but he who is scrupulous and timorous meets with a world of Difficulty and loses many lucky Opportunities Great Men are long in their Deliberations and jealous of what may happen but once resolv'd they Act with Vigour and Confidence 10 Vir ea ratione fiet 〈◊〉 si in deliberando quidem cunctetur praetimâ—â—t quicquid potest 〈◊〉 in agendo autem â—â—nfidat Herod without which the Courage sails and not applying convenient means wholly desists from the Enterprize There are few Affairs which cannot he accomplished by Wit or which time and Opportunity cannot facilitate wherefore 't is not proper wholly to confound them but to preserve 'em entire Chrystal once broken can't be rejoyn'd and so Affairs be the Tempest never so great â—tis safer to keep some Sail abroad than to fuâ—l all Most Affairs die by being despair'd of ' Tiâ— also highly conducive that he who is to execute Orders should first approve them otherwise he will not â—hink 'em necessary or else find Difficulties in them and so â—ot apply himself to them as he ought not caring whether they succeed or no. That Minister is most proper to exeâ—ute who first gave the Counsel For his Honour and Reâ—utation 〈◊〉 concern'd in its Success EMBLEM LXV A Stone cast in a Pond creates such a continual Series of Waves that they at last become innumerable and wholly disturb that transparent Element and calm Looking-Glass from which the Species of things which were before distinctly represented appear now in Disorder and Confusion 'T is the same with the Mind in which from one Errour proceeds many so that the Judgment being confounded and blinded and the Waves of Passion raised the Understanding can't perceive the truth of things represented but striving to remedy the first Errour falls into another and thence into a third which at length become infinite and the further they are from the first the greater they are like Waves that are most distant from the Stone that caus'd ' em The Reason of this is That the Beginning is said to be half of the whole so that a small Errour in the Beginning correspond to the other Parts 1 In principio enim peccatur principium autem dicitur dimidium tâ—tius itaque parvum in Principio erratum correspondens est ad alias partes Arist. pol. lib. 2. cap. 4. Wherefore great Care of the first Errour should be taken for from thence all others proceed 2 Cum fieri non possit ut si in primo atque principio peccatum fuâ—rit non ad extremum malum aliquod evadat Arist. pol. 5. cap. 2. This is visible in Mâ—smissa who being checked by Scipio for marrying Sophonisba thought to remedy that Fault by a far greater in poisoning her King Witiza by his Vices obscured the Glory of the Beginning of his Reign and that the number of the Mistresses he kept might not seem scandalous he allow'd all his Subjects the same Liberty nay and made a Law for impowering the Clergy to marry and at last finding his Errours contradictory to Religion he deny'd the Pope's Authority and thence incurr'd the Odium of the whole Kingdom wherefore to prevent their rebelling he demolish'd the Fortifications of most Cities and Castles and so laid all Spain open to the Incursions of the Moors * Marian. Hist. Hisp. lib. 6. cap. 19. and all these Faults proceeding as you see at last occasion'd his Death The same Series of Crimes is visible in Duke Valentine He endeavoured to build his own Fortune upon the Ruin of others to which End he omitted no sort of Tyranny one piece of Cruelty being follow'd by a greater 3 Ferox scelerum quia prima provenerant volutare secum quonam modo Germaâ—i liberos perverteret Tac. 4. ann which at last cost him his State and Life too proving himself an unfortunate Scholar and Machiavel a pernicious Master The Faults of Princes are Difficulty corrected for that they usually affect many or sometimes because of Obstinacy or Ignorance Great Spirits which are often more ingenuous and tractable than others easily acknowledge their Errours and being convinced of them study to amend them pulling down the ill built Edifice Stone by Stone to rebuild it with more firm and durable Materials The Motto of the Emperour Philip III. was Be not asham'd to alter that which was ill began He who returns by the same way he went will find his mistake and soon recover the right Road Repentance would be afterward insignificant To own you have at last your Errour found * Claud. Is of small use when once the Ship 's aground Policy is a certain Chain in which if one Link be broken the whole is useless unless soon solder'd A Prince who knows the Danger of his Resolutions yet still persists in them is a greater Lover of his own Opinion than his Countrey esteeming an empty shadow of Glory more than Truth and while he would be thought constant he is stubborn and perverse 't is the general Vice of Sovereign Power to think it beneath 'em to retire when they have once advanced He thinks it Brave †Seneca Who grasps the Scepter in his Royal Hand Not to retreat Though the Emperour Charles V. was better advised who having Sign'd a Grant which he was afterwards informed was illegal and disallowable order'd it to 〈◊〉 brought him and immediately tore it I had rather sayâ— he tear my writing than my Soul To know ones â—â—rours and still to persist in them is tyrannick Obstinacy but to defend themâ—upon pretence of Honour is to resolve to Sin on and to incourage Ignorance and Folly 't is gilding Iron with Gold which soon wears of and the Iron appeaâ—â— in its rusty Hue. An Errour corrected makes us more caâ—tious for the future and to commit Faults sometimes is a means to prevent greater So small is our Capacity that we are to be instructed by our very Faults and are taught by them how to Act discreetly 'T is certain that the beâ— Laws and Examples proceed from others Crimes 4 Usu probatum est P. C. leges egregias â—â—â—pta honesta apud bonos ex delictis aliorum gigni Tac. 15. ann The most prudent State committed many miscarriages before it arriv'd to Perfection God alone could compleat the Fabrick of this World without Errour and yet even he did afterwards in a manner repent him that he had made Man 5 Gen. 6. 6. We are sometimes more indebted to our miscarriages than to our Success for those instruct us but these are only the Seeds of Pride and Vanity The Patriarchs Instruct not onâ—y the Wise but the Sinful 6 Instruunt Patriarchâ— non solum docentes sed etiam errantes Aâ—b lib. 〈◊〉 de Aâ—â— C. 6. 't is the Shades give light to a Picture to them we owe the Excellency of
that Art Errour does not always proceed from Imprudence time and other accidents are often the occasion of it For that which was at first convenient is afterwards prejudicial The greatest Prudence can't give Counsel which will be proper at all times which makes it necessary to alter Resolutions and repeal Laws and Statutes especially when there is an apparent Advantage 7 Non dâ—bet reprehensibile judicari si secundam varietatem temporum Statuâ—a qundoque varientur humana pâ—sâ—â—tâ—m cam urgâ—ns Nâ—â—â—ssitas vel evidens utilitas id exposuit Cap. non deber de Cons. Aâ—â— or Danger or when the Prince finds himself mis-inform'd of Matters upon which such Resolutions were grounded This was the Reason King Ahâ—suerus gave for recalling the Sentence which he had pronounced against the People of God upon the unjust Accusation of Haman 8 Hest. 16. 9. In these and the like Cases 't is not levity of Mind but Prudence to alter Counsels and Resolutions nor can it be called Inconstancy but a firm Zeal to be guided by Reason in all things as the Weather-Cock is by the Wind and the Needle by the North Pole The Physician varies his Medicines according to the Accidents having Respect to nothing but the recovery of his Patient The different Diseases which States labour under require different methods of Cure Let a Prince then think it a Credit to review and correct his Decrees and his Errours too without being asham'd of 'em to commit 'em might be Inadvertency but to amend is Prudence Obstinacy is ever a certain Sign of Folly Yet 't will be Prudence to make this Alteration with such Address and Dexterity that the People may not perceive it for they ignorant and foolish as they are call Mistake want of Prudence and Amendment Levity But tho' I advise a Prince to correct his Errours yet I would not be understood of all in general for some are so small and insignificant that the Danger of being censur'd for Levity in the amendment of them is more than the Damage they can do by continuing So that where they will by Degrees cease of themselves without drawing on greater 't will be better to let 'em remain There are some of that Nature that 't is better to follow 'em nay and vigorously to persist in them there being perhaps more danger in retracting and these frequently happen in War there are some Affairs in which that you may succeed 't is requisite to use indirect means tho' you incur some small Inconveniencies as the way to straiten a crooked Stick is to bend it the contrary way in these Cases small Errours are not to be valu'd nor their Causes nor Means provided they be not wholly opposite to Honour and Justice and when the Advantage to be reap'd from 'em is considerable For so they are allowable and ought rather to be call'd Disposition to Success than Errours Others are so interwoven in great Attempts that like Roses there is no approaching them without pricking ones hand And this in those Counsels which concern the general Good of a Nation which are always prejudicial to some private Persons The Bodies of States are compos'd of different and opposite Parts as to their Qualities and Humours and a Remedy which is apply'd to the whole Body is usually disagreeable to some Part A Prince therefore has need of great Prudence to weigh and compare Advantages with Damages and of a great Courage to execute without hazarding the loss of those for fear of these EMBLEM LXVI RENOVATION perpetuates the most fading things in Nature each individual Eternizes it self in another and by that means preserves its Species 'T is for this the Husbandman carefully preserves young Plants to substitute in the room of those Trees which die He does not leave this to Chance because perhaps they will either not spring at all or not such as he desires or else not in proper places nor will they of themselves grow strait and handsome without his Care in setting them while they are young for when once grown up no Force can straiten them The same Care ought to be taken in the Education of Youth ' especially in those Countreys where the Constitution of the Climate is apt to produce great and noble Spirits which are like fertile Fields soon over-run with Wood and Brambles unless their Fertility be corrected by the Art and Industry of the Husbandman The greater the Spirit is the more dangerous it is to the State unless timely moderated by Education A high aspiring Spirit cannot contain it self it shakes off the Curb of the Laws and is eager for Liberty and should therefore be restrain'd by Art and Instruction and afterwards by being busied in some honourable Exercise but when a little more advanc'd in years the Cure for its Levity is to employ it in Affairs of State I take this to be the Reason why some States admitted young Persons into their Senates But the best way is that which Gardiners use to transplant their young Trees into another Ground that the superfluous Roots may be prun'd and the Tree grow strait and tall Youth seldom thrives well in its own Countrey For their Friends and Relations by too much Indulgence make them Extravagant In other Countries 't is otherwise for their Necessity obliges them to regulate their Actions and to endeavour to gain People's Esteem At home we generally expect a little more Liberty and are apt to promise our selves Pardon but abroad when we are not known we are afraid of the Rigour of the Laws besides Travel polishes our Behaviour and corrects the Roughness of our Nature and that foolish Vanity which attends our home-bred Gentlemen There Languages and Men are learn't and their Manners and Customs observed the Knowledge of which qualifies a Man for Affairs as well of Peace as War 'T was Travel made Plato Lycurgus Solon and Pythagoras such prudent Lawgivers and Philosophers At home Men are born and die with the same Fortune but abroad they raise it No Planet is exalted in its own House but in anothers though not without Detriment and Inconveniency to it self Travel is the great Mistress of Prudence if made for Information as well as Direction In this the Northern People are very much to be commended who with great Curiosity and Attention travel the World over to learn Languages Arts and Sciences The Spaniards who have greater Conveniency for travelling than any other Nation because of the great Extent of their Kingdom have the least inclination to it lazily spending all their time at home unless sometimes they are call'd out by War when nevertheless 't is absolutely necessary for Princes who have often occasion to bring their Armies into several Countries to have a perfect Knowledge of them The two chief Reasons which detain our Spanish Nobility at home are first because Spain being almost wholly surrounded by the Sea 't is more inconvenient Sailing than Travelling by Land the other is a vain
King Alphonso the Emperor was surpriz'd at the Splendour and Magnificence of that Court affirming That he had not seen the like in all that Part of Asia or Europe which he had travell'd through in his Voyage to the Holy Land Such was then â—he Grandeur of one King of Castile though distracted with Civil Wars and the greatest part of his Kingdom possess'd by the Moors There are some Authors affirm That there was in this Kingdom in the time of the Holy War against the Heathens a Rendezvouz of a Hundred Thousand Foot Ten Thousand Horse and Sixty Thousand Waggons and that King Alphonso III. daily paid both the Soldiers Captains and Generals according to their Office and Quality These vast Expences and Provisions which at present seem incredible the single Kingdom of Castile could afford nay and at the same time maintain'd a greater Number of Enemies without the Assistance of Foreign Riches until a certain Biscayner roving upon the Sea by fortune got a sight of this New World either unknown to or forgotten by the Ancients and preserv'd for the Honour of Columbus who after the Death of this Spaniard diligently considering the Observations that he the first Discoverer had made undertook to demonstrate the Discovery of the Provinces which Nature seem'd designedly to separate from us by Mountainous Waves He communicated this his Project to several Princes hoping by their Assistance to facilitate his great and difficult Enterprize But all slighted it as vain and notionary Which if they had done through Prudence and Caution and not Distrust and Misbelief they had merited the same Praise which Carthage gain'd of old which when some Sailors were boasting in the Senate of the Discovery of a wonderful Rich and Delicious Island supposed to be Hispaniola caus'd 'em immediately to be put to Death thinking the Discovery of such an Island would be of more Detriment than Advantage to the Commonwealth Columbus at last applies himself to Their Catholick Majesties Ferdinand and Isabella whose Generous Spirits capable of many Worlds could not be content with one alone So that having received necessary Assistance he put to Sea and after a tedious and hazardous Voyage in which he encounter'd as great Danger from the Diffidence of his Companions as from the Sea it self he at last return'd to Spain laden with Gold and Silver The People flock'd to the Shore of Guadalquivir to admire these precious Products of the Earth brought to light by the Indians and thither by the Valour and Industry of their Countrymen But this great Plenty of them soon perverted all Things the Husbandman soon leaves Plough gets into his Embroider'd Silks and begins to be more curious of his Tawny Sun-burnt Hands the Merchant steps from his Counter into his Sedan and lolls it lazily about the Streets Workmen disdain their Tools and all forsooth must now turn Gentlemen No Money is current now but Silver and Gold and our Coin being wholly unmix'd and pure is coveted and desired by all Nations Gold and Silver now growing common all Things raise their Price In fine It befel our Kings as it did the Emperor Nero whom a certain African put a Trick upon telling him in his Grounds he had found a vast Treasure which he believ'd Queen Dido had buried there either lest too much Riches should enervate the Minds of her Subjects or lest they should invite others to Invade her Kingdom Which the Emperor giving credit to and thinking himself already sure of the Treasure squander'd away the Old Stock upon the Hope of these New-found Riches The Expectation of Riches being the cause of the Publick Want 10 Et divitiarum expectatio inter causas paupertatis publicae erat Tac. 16. Annal. Cheated by the same Hopes we were persuaded that we had no more need of fix'd and standing Treasuries but think our Ships sufficient not considering that all our Power depends upon the Uncertainty of the Winds and Seas as Tiberius said the Lives of the Romans did because their Provisions were all brought them from Foreign Provinces 11 At hercule nemo refert quod Italia externâ—e opis indiget quòd vita populi Romani per incerta maris tempestatum quotidie vivitur Tac. 3. Annal. Which Hazard Aleto consider'd when dissuading Godfredo from going to the Holy Wars he said * Tasso Shall then your Life upon the Winds depend And as Mens Hopes are generally above their Estates 12 Sâ—epe enim de facultatibus suis amplius quam in his est sperant homines Justin. Instit. quibus ex causis man § in fraudem State and Pomp encreases the Salaries Wages and other Charges of the Crown are enlarged out of Confidence and Expectations of these Foreign Riches which being afterwards ill and negligently managed were not sufficient to defray such Expences and this made way for Debts and those for Usury and Interest Necessity daily encreas'd and occasion'd new Expences But nothing was so prejudicial to the Publick as the Alteration of the Coin which though not consider'd should be preserv'd in as much Purity as Religion it self the Kings Alphonso the Wise Alphonso XI and Henry II. who did offer to alter it endanger'd both themselves and Kingdoms and their Misfortunes ought to have been a Warning to us But when Ills are fatal neither Experience nor Example can move us King Philip II. deaf to all these Cautions doubled the Value of Copper Coin which was before convenient for common Use and answerable to bigger Money Foreigners coming to understand the Value that the Royal Stamp gave to this paultry Metal began to Traffick with nothing else bringing us in vast quantities of Copper ready Coin'd in Exchange for our Gold Silver and other Merchandise Which did us more Damage than if all the Monsters and venomous Serpents of Africa had been brought among us And the Spaniards who us'd to ridicule the Rhodians for their Copper Money became themselves the Jest and Laughing-stock of the whole World Trade was ruin'd by this troublesome scoundrel Metal all things grew dearer and by degrees scarcer as in the time of Alphonso the Wise. Buying and Selling ceas'd and at the same time the Revenues of the Crown were diminish'd so that new Impositions and Taxes were unavoidable whence for want of Commerce the Wealth of Castile was spent and the same Inconveniencies renew'd proceeding one from another in a pernicious Circle which will at last prove our Ruine unless a Remedy be timely apply'd by reducing that king of Money to its former and intrinsick Value Who would not think that this World must be subdu'd by the Riches and Wealth of the other And yet we see there were greater Exploits perform'd formerly by pure Valour than since by all these Riches as Tacitus observ'd in the time of Vitellius 13 Vires luxu corrumpebantur contra veterem disciplinam instituta majorum apud quos virtute quam pecunia res Rom. melius stetit Tac. 2. Hist.