them The Customs then of Nations being known the Prince will be able far better to manage Affairs whether of Peace or War and know how to rule Foreign Countries every one of which enclines to a particular Manner of Government 7 Natura enim quoddam hominum genus proclive est ut imperio herili gubernetur aliud ut regio aliud ut civili horum imperium cujusque aliud est jus alia commoditâ—s Arist. l. 3. Pol. c. 12. as conformable to its Nature They have not all an Uniform Reason of State no more than one Medicine is a Cure for all their Diseases And herein Unexperienc'd Counsellors are generally out who think others can be govern'd by the Maxims and Principles of their own States The Bit which is easie to the Spaniard is not so to the Italian and Netherlander And as the ways of Dressing Managing and Breaking the Horses of Spain Naples and Hungary are different though they are all of one Species so Nations also should be differently govern'd according to their Natures Customs and Habits From this variety of Peoples Conditions we may gather how careful the Prince ought to be in sending Embassadors to see that they be not only endued with all the Qualifications necessary for the Representation of his Person and Exercise of his Power but withal that their Natures Wit and Manners agree with those of the Nation they are to treat with For if this Conformity be wanting they will be fitter to kindle War than to make Peace to excite Hatred than procure Love Hence God himself was as it were in Suspence and Dubious in the Choice of a Minister to send to his People and therefore deliberates thus with himself Whom shall I send and who will go for us 8 Isai. 6. 8. Every Court requires a Minister suitable to its Nature In that of Rome Men of Thought are approved who are perfectly versed in the Art of Dissimulation so as not to betray any Passion either in their Speech or Looks such as appear Sincere and are Subtile and Prudent who know how to Oblige all Men and be Obliged to none are Civil in Negotiations Easie in Treaties Reserved in Counsels Constant in Resolutions Friends to all Intimate with none The Emperor's Court requires a Man who maintains his Authority without Pride who Speaks with Sincerity Proposes with Modesty Answers with Truth and Expects with Patience who anticipates not Accidents but makes use of them when they happen who in a word is Cautious in Promising Exact in performing The French Court likes Men of Facetious Pleasant Humours that can mix Seriousness with Gaiety that neither despise nor very much regard Promises who change with the Times though more according to the present than future In England the Grave and Reserved are commended such as are slow both in Negotiations and Dispatches At Venice are valued Men of Eloquence of a Ready lavention Ingenuous in Reasoning and Proposing and Quick-sighted into others Designs At Genoa Persons of Frugality loving rather to compose than breed Dissention who keep up their Authority without State are Patient and Time-Servers The Suissers require such as can upon occasion lay aside Publick Grandeur and be Familiar in Conversation as have learn'd to ingratiate themselves by Presents and Hopes to have Patience and watch their Opportunities for they have to do with a Subtile and Jealous People differing from each other in Religion Factions and Methods of Government but are unanimous in their Resolutions and Decrees and in their Counsels avoid Extremes which each Canton afterwards executes according to its own Method Now as these Qualities are proper for every Court before-mention'd so are Complaisance Civility and Splendour of universal use in all if accompany'd with a good Mien and Carriage with some Learning and Knowledge of Languages particularly the Latine for these affect every body procure the Applause and Esteem of Foreigners and Credit to one's own Country As Nations differ in Manners so do they also in Strength That of the Church consists in the Respect and Obedience of Christian Believers that of the Empire in Reputation of Grandeur of Spain in its Infantry France in the Nobility of England in the Sea of the Turks in their Number that of Poland in its Cavalry that of the Venetians in their Prudence of the Savoyards in their Judgment Almost all Nations differ from each other in Arms both Offensive and Defensive which are adapted to the Genius and Disposition of each Country wherein it is principally to be considered which are the most common and general and whether those of our own Country are inferior to others that the most advantageous may be made use of for Excellency in one kind of Weapons or the Novelty of the late-invented ones often give or take away Empires The Parthians enlarged theirs by the use of Darts The French and Northerns opened a way to theirs by that of the armed Lance forc'd on by the Swiftness of their Cavalry The Art of Fencing which the Romans practis'd in their Publick Sword-Plays wherein Judgment has great effect made them Masters of the Universe And the Spaniards have conquer'd a New World and establish'd a Monarchy in Europe by the Invention of several sorts of Fire-Arms for these above all require Courage and Resolution which are the particular Vertues of that Nation To this Element of Fire the very Earth has opposed it self so that now all the Four Elements conspire the Destruction of Mankind and by introducing the Pick-ax and Shovel the Industry of the Dutch has made such advances as to be able to resist the Valour of Spain The greatest Politicians often mistake the Balance of Governments particularly some of the Italians who vainly strive to keep them always in Aequilibrio for that Government is not the most Dangerous or Potent whose Dominions are of the Largest Extent or Subjects most Numerous but which knows best how to use its Strength If you put the Forces in a pair of Scales and one fall down the other hang in the Air yet upon adding to this but one drachm of Prudence and Valour or else if the quantity of Ambition and Tyranny exceed in that the former shall poise if not out-weigh the latter They who have raised their Fortune in this World and ruled it have all had but slender Beginnings The Grandeur of the House of Austria inflamed the Envy of many and all conspired to bring it down while not one so much as thought of Sweden which had undoubtedly enslaved Germany and perhaps Italy too had not the King's Death prevented it Powers that begin to grow are more to be feared than those that are already grown for in these their Declension is Natural as in those their Encrease The one strive to preserve themselves by the Publick Quiet the other to advance themselves by disturbing Foreign Dominions Suppose one Power be in it self stronger than another this has not therefore less Valour than
which has been my Fortune having afterwards met with in other Authors those Emblems which I at first thought my own Invention which I therefore thought fit wholly to omit not without Prejudice to my Design for my Predecessors have made use of several Figures and Motto's which has oblig'd me to take up with others less proper Also some Political Precepts which though my own as to the Invention at least yet I have found since to be of other and far more ancient Authority I have therefore Inserted the Authors Names in the Margin that due Honour may be paid to Antiquity 'T was the Happiness of the Wits of former Ages that they could engross from their Posterity the Glory of Invention I have made it my Design and Care to Interweave this Web with some Threads of Cornelius Tacitus without doubt the most accomplish'd Master of Princes and who most judiciously penetrates their Nature and the Customs and Intrigues of Courts as also the Miscarriages and Success of Governments with Precepts and Sentences taken from this Great Man as with my Hand I lead the Prince whom I would mould by these Emblems that he may without danger gather Flowers transplanted hither from anothers Garden and purg'd from the Venom and Thorns which their native Soil frequently subjects them to or the rankness of those times produc'd In this Second Edition I also illustrate the principal Maxims of State with Proofs from Holy the Scriptures for those Politicks which are refin'd in that Furnace may be truly call'd Silver try'd and refined seven times in the Fire of Truth 8 Psalm 12. 7. The Words of the Lord are pure Words as Silver tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times And who would learn of a Heathen or Impious Person when the Holy Spirit is so ready to give Instruction In explaining the Emblems I am not too prolix that the Reader may not lose the Satisfaction of discovering their meaning of himself If by Chance in my Discourse I sprinkle a little Learning it is not out of Ostentation but to enlighten the Prince's Mind and render the Instruction more agreeable The whole Work consists purely of State Maxims and Rules those being the fittest Materials for such a Politick Building however I don 't barely propose them but intermix them with the whole Discourse applying them all along to particular Cases to avoid the Danger of general Precepts It has been also my Endeavour to render the Stile polite but without Affectation short too and concise but not obscure which in Horace's Judgment was a difficult Matter 9 Brevis esse laboro obscurus fiâ— Hor. and of which I have not yet seen an instance in the Castillian Language I have however made an Essay towards it knowing that what is written to Princes should be neither idly Sententious nor superfluously Copious Their time is precious and he does not a little obstruct the Publick Interest who with empty and frivolous Discourse diverts them from Affairs of greater Importance I don't so wholly confine my self to the Institution and Direction of Princes but that I also descend to Governments reflect upon their Growth Preservation and Fall and so to frame a Minister of State and a prudent Courtier If at any time I am liberal of my Commendations of any 't is to excite Emulation not to Flatter to which I am very averse for it were a Crime unpardonable to publish to the whole World Flatteries and those too engraven in Brass or to make my self guilty of the very same thing which I so much reprove and discommend in others If I speak the Truth with too much Freedom 't is to be imputed to Ambition which is so deeply rooted in Mens minds that without Fire and Sword 't is incurable The Doctrine is general but if any one shall from â— Resemblance of Vices think himself levell'd at or that what is blam'd in him is commended in others 't is not my Fault 10 Tac. 4. ann Qui ob similitudinem alâ—ena malefacta sibi objectari putant As also when I reprove Princes Actions or reflect upon Tyrants or only on the Nature of Sovereignty it being no new or unusual thing for a good Prince to do ill when either he is not clearly inform'd of the Truth or governed by ill Counsellors The same I would have understood of Common-wealths if in any thing I seem to dislike them for either my Reflections are upon what is very usual in Communities or at least comprehend not those crown'd and well constituted Republicks whose Government is Generous and Royal. I have us'd Examples both Ancient and Modern those for their Authority these partly as being more persuasive partly too because by Reason of Propinquity of time the State of Affairs is less altered and consequently may with less Danger be imitated and a Prudent and Politick Judgment may more safely be formed thereon which is the principal Advantage of History Nor is our Age so barren of virtuous and great Atchievements as not to have furnish'd us and our Posterity with good Examples 11 Tac. 4. â—ist Besides really it were black and envious in us to extol ancient without the least regard to modern Actions 12 Ibid. I am well assur'd Reader that Books of this nature which treat of State Affairs are like †Estafermos Statues which in running at the Quintin all aim at with their Lances all strike I well know that whoever designs to be an Author must submit to the Black Ink and Press of Detraction which I design'd to signify by this Emblem but withal I am not ignorant that the blacker that Ink with which the Letters are daub'd and the closer the Press wherewith they are press d the fairer afterwards and more conspicuous they appear THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER I Will not endeavour with Rhetorical Flourishes to captivate any Person into a good Opinion of my Author or his Work being sensible I should therein do an Injury to his Memory who has so often declared his Aversion to Flattery I only desire the Reader to remember always that he was by Birth a Spaniard and though Educated in the Church of Rome was by Profession a Lawyer and Statesman who being generally wiser are less bigotted to the foolish Principles and Practices of that Religion However as I think it on the one Hand needless to vindicate the Illustrious House of Nassau from his partial Reflections which were modish in the Spanish Court when he wrote 1 The first Edition that I know of was at Munster Anno 1642. which being near six Year before the Conclusion of the Peace there may serve as some Apology for the Author's Reflections on the Princes of Orange and other Heroes of the Adverse Party the whole World being satisfied in the Iustice of their Cause the Heroick Prosecution thereof and what Additional Laurels they justly acquir'd thereby so on the other side I would not be thought to
Sonat vitium percussa malignè Respondet viridi non cocta fideliâ— limo Speech is the minds Countenance by that is discovered whether it be sound or not 2 Oratiâ— vultus aniâ—â— est si cirâ—umtoâ—sa est fucata manufâ—cta oâ—tendiâ— illum non esse 〈◊〉 habere aliquid â—racti Sen Episâ— 115. To represent this I have made use of another nobler Emblem and more accommodated to the Subject 't is a Bell the true Emblem of a Prince for as that is hung up in the most eminent place of the City it times and regulates all the Citizens Actions and if the Metal be not good or it has any other fault in 't 't is by its Sound presently discerned 3 Vas fictilâ— ictu sono hâ—mo sernione pâ—oâ—atuâ— Meliss Serm 48. Tom. â— Bâ—bl So a Prince is a kind of general Clock to all his Subjects who in a great measure depend as I may say upon the Motion of his Words and by them he either gets or loses a Reputation every one giving himself to gueâ—s at his Genius Wit and Inclinations by his Discourse Not a Word escapes his Hearers each one makes a deep Impression on their Memory they are repeated to others and exposed to the Censure of all who usually put various Constructions upon them as they think fit Nay even what comes from him in private and unawares passes for profound and mysterious and not for casual and accidental It were therefore very proper for them not to be extemporary but premeditated 4 A Fool travaileth with a Word as a Woman in labour of â— Child Eccles. 19. 11. not spoken without a previous Consideration of all the Circumstances of Time Place and Persons For Nescit vox missa reverti as Horace says seconded by King Alphonso For this reason all Men especially a King ought to take great care of his Words before he utters them for when they are once out of the Moâ—th there is no Man can recal them †L. 1. tit 4. part 2. Whence may arise very great Inconveniences for the Words of Kings are the principal Instruments of Government 5 Where the Word of a King is there is power Eccl. 8. 4. Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue 6 Death and Life are iâ— the Power of the Tâ—ngue Prov. 18. 21. as also the Honour and Ignominy the Prosperity and Ruin of Subjects This made Aristotle when he sent Callisthenes to Alexander the Great advise him to talk little with him and only upon agreeable Subjects for that 't was a dangerous thing to Treat with one who carried the Power of Life and Death at his Tongues end There 's not a Word comes from a Prince's Mouth without a peculiar Emphasis Is it about Business they are Commands if of Crimes they are Sentences if of Promises Obligations by his Words he is either obeyed or disobeyed Let Princes therefore take care how they use this Tongue of theirs which Nature has not meerly by chance fenced and inclosed with as it were a Wall of Teeth nor is there less need of a Bridle for the Tongue than for a Horse 7 Eccl. 28. 29. 'T is it is true one of the least Members of the Body but 't is like the Rudder of a Ship on whose Motion the loss or safety of the whole Vessel depends The Tongue is placed in a wet place and so easily slips unless stai'd by Prudence Hence that Prayer of David Set a Watch O Lord before my Mouth keep the Door of my Lips 8 Psalm 140. 3. For a Prince to condescend to a familiar Conversation with any one lessens his Character prostitutes his Authority and brings many other Inconveniences upon him unless he do it for Information for every Man desires to have a wise Prince and one that understands his Affairs very well which is next to an impossibility for a Prince can't know all things 9 Neque â—â—sse Principem sua scientia cuncta complecti Tac 3. Ann. and if he answer in the least from the purpose he shall be presently condemned for Insufficiency or Negligence Besides that Princes Talents and Endowments very rarely answer the generally received Opinion of them therefore to avoid the danger of this the Roman Emperors chose to Treat with their Subjects by Notes and give them Answers in Writing as well to get time for Deliberation as because the Pen is less subject to mistake than the Tongue for this can't handsomely defer an Answer that can Sejanus however great a Favourite of Tiberius's conferr'd only with him by way of Memorial 10 Componit ad Caesareni codicillâ—s moâ—is quippe tum erat quamquam praesentem scâ—ipto adiâ—e Tac. 4. Ann. There are however some Affairs which may be better treated of by Word of Mouth particularly when thereâ—s something of danger in leaving ones Sentiments in anothers hands which are a kind of perpetual Evidence and more liable to be wrested to different meanings than Words which as they quickly pass and stick not deep in the Memory are not so easily actionable But whether a Prince gives his Answers this or the other way he should always remember that brevity is the most prudent and most becoming a Princes Majesty 11 Multum brevi sermone inest â—rudeâ—tiae Sopnâ—cl Hence Tacitus gives that Epithet Imperial to Brevity 12 Imperatoria brevitâ—â—e Tac 1. Hist. You should use the Tongue as your Sword that is not lay your self too open to your Adversary he that discloses his whole Mind exposes himself to Danger Concise Discourses have the greatest Efficacy and leave most room for Reflection Nothing 's so like a King as to talk little and hear much Nor is it less requisite for him to know how to be silent than how to speak In this Men are our Masters In that God himself who always injoyns Silence in his Mysteries He resembles the Divinity most who has learnt to hold his Peace Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that shutteth his Lips is esteemed a Man of understanding 13 Proâ— cap. 17. The heart of fools is in their mouth but the mouth of the wise is in their heart 14 Eccles 21. 29 This is Prudence to avoid both Extreams for each has its danger All to Talk or none Are distant and yet neighbouring Faults Auson 'T is then only convenient to speak when Silence prejudices either the Prince or Truth Majesty by a Nod only sufficiently explains its self Silence well-timed is in Princes great Eloquence and a grave and modest Carriage are usually more significantly expressive of one's Thoughts than Words themselves But if one's obliged to use these at any time they ought to be sincere and with liberty in thinking becoming a King Your free Conceptions dress in plain Words Tass. For by too many Asseverations Oaths and unnecessary Proofs they either quite lose their Credit or at least are
to flag besides no Fraud is so generous as Truth of which if they can be sure they make him Master of the most private secrets of their Souls without arming themselves with the like practices for the future What Nets are not spread and what Stratagems contrived for the Cunning and Subtilty of the Fox who ever set snares for the tame innocence of the Swallow Those Princes whom the world admires for their Prudence and Conduct can't make use of this art for none will believe that their actions are guided by chance or sincerity the demonstrations of their truth are taken for counterfeit In them Caution is accounted Malice Prudence Dissimulation and Circumspection Deceit Some charge his Catholick Majesty with these Vices because that by the natural Vivacity of his Judgment and his continual experience in War and Peace he was well acquainted with the treacherous dealing unsincerity of the times defending himself with so great Prudence that his Enemies were either taken in their own Snares or wholly broken by Counsel and Time For this reason some Princes feign Sincerity and Modesty the better to palliate their intentions or that Malice may not so easily trace them So Domitian did 10 Simul simplicitatis ac modestiae imagine conditus studiumque literarum amorem carminum simulans qu◠velaret animum Tac. 4. hist. A Prince who would be thought wise in all things is for that reason not so To know how to be ignorant seasonably is the greatest Prudence there 's nothing more advantageous nothing more difficult than to be wise with Moderation this Tacitus commends in Agricola 11 Retinuitque quod difficillimum est ex sapientia modum Tac in vit Agr. All conspire against the most knowing either through Envy or to defend their own ignorance or perhaps because they suspect that which they cannot comprehend Saul seeing that David was too wise he began to be cautious of him 12 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely he was afraid of him 1. Sam. 18. 15. Other Princes appear diverted in their actions that they may be thought to act casually and without design But such is the Malice of Policy now a days that it not only penetrates those arts but cavils too at the most plain sincerity to the great prejudice of Truth and Publick Tranquility There being nothing that is interpreted rightly and Truth consisting in one point and those in the circumference from whence Malice may take aim being infinite they fall into great errors who will wrest from anothers words and actions a different sense from what they appear and interpreting others Designs in the worst sense cause both parties to arm themselves and so to live in continual Distrust and Jealousie of each other He who is most ingenious in these Suspicions is farthest from Truth for by the acuteness of his wit he penetrates farther than what is generally comprehended and we are often positive of that in others which is only a deceit of our own imagination So to a Sailor the Rocks seem to run when 't is only the Ship that is in motion The shadows of Policy are usually greater than the Body it self and some times this is neglected and this made use of so that there often arises greater Damage from the prevention than could arrive from the thing fear'd How oft has a Prince through a groundless Jealousie declared War against him who never thought of offending him and both taking arms that which was at first but a slight and ill-grounded presumption ends in a bloody War 't is the same with such as with ill built Ships which the more they sally from side to side are the sooner lost I don't blame Diffidence when 't is the Daughter of Prudence as we said elsewhere but a total defect of good faith without which neither Friendship Society nor Covenants can be lasting The Law of Nations would be invalid and all things would be expos'd to Fraud and Deceit All things are not acted with an ill intention The greatest Tyrant sometimes proposes just and honourable ends EMBLEM XLIV UNcertain and dubious is the motion of the Serpent winding it self first one way then another with such uncertainty that its very body knows not where it will erect its head You 'd think it made this way and immediately it moves contrary without leaving any tract of its passage nor can the intention of its motion be discover'd 1 But canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth Ioh. 3. 8. So occult should be the Counsels and Designs of Princes None ought to know whither they tend they should imitate God the great Governour of all things whose ways are past finding out 2 And who is able to discover his ways Eccl. 16. 19. for which reason the Seraphim cover'd his feet with his wings 3 And with twain he covered his feet Isai. 6. 2. Princes ought so carefully to conceal their designs that their Ministers themselves should not penetrate them nay that they should be the first that should believe otherwise and be deceiv'd thereby the more naturally and effectually without the danger of Dissimulation which is easily discover'd to confirm and secure their real intentions instilling the same error into others that so it may pass current and be believed on all sides Thus Tiberius did when some murmur'd that he did not go to pacifie the mutinous Legions in Hungary and Germany he pretended he would go with all speed by which deceiving the prudent he deceiv'd also the People and Provinces 4 Primo prudentes dein vulgum diutissimè Provincias fefellit Tac. 1. ann The same also did King Philip the Second who conceal'd his designs from his own Ambassadors pretending others when 't was convenient for them to believe them and perswade others to do so A Prince can by no means use these arts if his ingenuity be not so cautious and circumspect as not to discover the real motions of his mind by his manner of Government and let his Rivals and Enemies penetrate his heart and thoughts that he may slip out of their hands when they think they have him secure This method by which another is deceiv'd is rather a sort of self defence than malice where it is used according to reason as the greatest Heroes have always done What necessity is there of discovering the heart which nature has on purpose hidden within the breast even in the most slight and frivolous affairs 't is pernicious to divulge them because it gives occasion by way of discourse to discover farther Yet though the heart be hid within the breast its ails and distempers are discover'd by the Arteries Execution loses its force not without loss of the reputation of a Prince's prudence if he divulges his designs to the people Secret and unknown designs threaten all and distract and puzzle an Enemy Secrecy in War is more necessary than in other Affairs Few Enterprises unseasonably detected
Germanicus his Death durst not appear in publick 20 Anne omnium oculis vultum eorum scrutantibus salli inteliigerentur Tac. 3. ann The Tongue is not the only blabb of the Secrets of the Heart Man has many as great Tell-tales as that about him as Love which being a Fire gives light to and discovers the darkest Designs Anger which froths and boils over fear of Punishment violence of Sorrow Self-interest Honour or Infamy Vain-glory of our own Thoughts which prompts us to disclose them before they are put into Execution In short the weakness of the Mind either from Wine or any other Accident No caution can deceive these natural Spies Nay the more Care is taken to blind them the sooner they discover the Secret As it befel Sevinus in a Conspiracy which he was concern'd in who discover'd his Care and Concern through all his pretended Joy 21 Atque ipse moestus magnae cogitationis manisestus erat quamvis laetitiam vagis sermonibus simularet Tac. 1â— ann and though long use may in time correct Nature and make it more retentive as Octavia who though very young could hide her Grief and other Affections 22 Octavia quoque quamvis rudibus annis omnes affectus abscondere didicerat Tac. 13. ann and Nero who beside his natural Propensity had almost an acquir'd Faculty of disguising his Hate with false Flatteries 23 Factus Natura consuetudine exercituâ— velâ—re odium fallacibus blanditiis Tac. 14. ann yet Art can't be so vigilant and attentive as not sometimes to forget it self and give Nature its free Course especially when urg'd and provok'd by designing Malice which is done many ways which I will here describe that the Prince may beware of them and not suffer any one to fathom his private Sentiments Malice then sometimes touches the peccant Humour that it may exert and declare it self 24 Eccles. 22. 24. So Sejanus Egg'd on Agrippina's Relations to incense her haughty Spirit that she might be urg'd to discover her desire of Reigning and so give Tiberius occasion to suspect her 25 Agrippinae quoque proximi inliciebantur pravis sermonibus tumidos Spiritus perstimulare Tac. 4. ann Injuries and Affronts also do the same being the Keys of the Heart As close and reserv'd as Tiberius was in his Thoughts he could not contain himself when Agrippina affronted him 26 Audita haec raram occulti pectoris vocem elicuit correptamque Graeco versu admonuit ideo laedi quia non regnaret Tac. 4. ann He who concealing his real Sentiments pretends contrary ones will soon discover peoples thoughts of them with which Artifice the Emperour Tiberius us'd to fathom the Thoughts of the Senate making a shew as if he would not accept of the Empire 27 Postea cognitum est ad introspiciendas etiam procerum vâ—luntates inductam dubitaâ—ionem Tac. 1. ann There is yet another piece of Cunning which insinuates 〈…〉 or discommending that 〈…〉 bottom of 〈…〉 be of the Party to gain Credit and induce the other to disclose his Sentiments This way Latiaris by commending Germanicus pitying Agrippina's misfortune and accusing Sejanus so ingratiated himself with Sabinus that he discover'd to him his Aversion to Sejanus 28 Tac. 4. ann Many Questions ask'd at a time are like so many Bullets discharged at once which no Caution can avoid and which disarm the most retentive Breast as were those of Tiberius to Piso's Son 29 Crebris interrogationibus exquirit qualem Piso diem supreâ—â—â— Noctemque exegisset atque illo pleraque sapientèr quaedam inconsultius respâ—â—dente Tac. 3. ann the Mind is also confounded by sudden and unexpected Questions as Tiberius onâ—â— found by those of Asinius Gallus 30 Perculsus improvisa interrogatione paululum reticuit Tac. 1. ann when though he had taken time to answer yet he could not hide his Concern so but that Afinius took notice of it 31 Etenim Vultu offensionem conjectaverat Ibid. The Authority of the Prince and the Veneration due to Majesty are means to discover Truth and sometimes more than Truth as Tiberius found as often as he examin'd the Criminals himself 32 Non temperante Tiberio quin premeret voce Vultu â—ò quod ipse â—reberrimè interrogabat neque refellere aut eludere dabatur ac saepe etiam confitendum erat nè frustra quesivisset Tac. 3. ann By Discourse and Talk which some can promote with great Dexterity the Mind is discover'd as by joyning the several pieces of a torn Letter you may read the Sence of it and by this method the Conspirators against Nero knew that Fenius Rufus was of their Party 33 Crebrâ— ipsius sermne factâ— fides Tac. 15. ann From all which a Prince may inferr how difficult a matter 't is to keep a Secret and if it is safe within our own Breasts it is much less so when committed to others wherefore it should without absolute necessity be entrusted to none 't is like a Mine which if it has too many Vents the force of the Powder is lost and it proves ineffectual but if there is a necessity of a Prince's communicating his Secrets to his Ministers and he seeing 'em divulg'd would know by whom let him feign several important Secrets and commit one to each and by that which he hears of first he will find who was Tardy before Let not these Cautions seem frivolous for from very small Causes great Commotions often proceed 34 Tac. 4. ann The most Potent Empires are in danger of being sapp'd by the Sea if its Curiosity could find but the least Chink to enter at When this Worm has once found the Root of the Secret it soon brings the tallest Tree to the ground EMBLEM LXIII IN all Affairs the Beginnings and Ends ought mutually to correspond the Form should be perfect and not easily to be chang'd The Potter does not give his Wheel so much Liberty nor use his hand so carelesly as to form a different Pot from what he began Let any undertaking be uniform and agreeable to its self * Ld. Roscom Hor. Art Poet. When you begin with so much Pomp and Shew Why is the End so little and so low Be what you will so you be still the same There is nothing more pernicious than this inequality of Actions and Government when the Beginnings don't answer the Ends. He makes himself ridiculous to all who begins his Reign with Care and Diligence and afterwards grows negligent and careless It had been better always to have kept the same Pace though dull and slow the Commendation which the beginning of his Reign merited accuses the end Galba lost his Reputation for that at the beginning of his Empire he promis'd to reform the Militia and afterwards admitted Persons wholly desertless 1 Nec enim ad hanc forman caetera erant Tac. 1. ann Many Princes seem very good and are very bad Many Talk and Discourse