, 
XXIII. 26.] THE SECOND BOOK. 235 
of his parts and inclination; being such, nevertheless, 
as a man cannot tell well whether they were worse for 
a prince or for a priest. 
24. Thirdly, to consider how they sort with those whom 
they are like to have competitors and concurrents; and to 
take that course wherein there is most solitude, and them- 
selves like to be most eminent: as Cesar Julius did, who 
at first was an orator or pleader; but when he saw the 
excellency of Cicero, Hortensius, Catulus, and others, 
for eloquence, and saw there was no man of reputation 
for the wars but Pompeius, upon whom the state was 
forced to rely, he forsook his course begun toward a 
civil and popular greatness, and transferred his designs 
to a martial greatness. 
28. Fourthly, in the choice of their friends and de- 
pendences, to proceed according to the composition of 
their own nature: as we may see in Cesar, all whose 
friends and followers were men active and effectual, but 
not solemn, or of reputation. 
29. Fifthly, to take special heed how they guide them- 
selves by examples, in thinking they can do as they see 
others do; whereas perhaps their natures and carriages 
are far differing. In which error it seemeth Pompey was, 
of whom Cicero saith, that he was wont often to say, 
Sylla potuit, ego non poteroP Wherein he was much 
abused, the natures and proceedings of himself and his 
example being the unlikest in the world; the one being 
fierce, violent, and pressing the fact; the other solemn, 
and full of majesty and circumstance, and therefore the 
less effectual. 
But this precept touching the politic knowledge of our- 
selves hath many other branches, whereupon we cannot 
insist. 
