THE STATESMAN S SPEECH. 119 



learned judges in weighty aud doubtful causes, be the lec 

 turers he frequents. Let the holding of affection with con 

 federates without charge, the frustrating of the attempts of 

 enemies without battles, the entitling of the crown to new 

 possessions without show of wrong, the filling of the prince s 

 coffers without violence, the keeping of men in appetite with 

 out impatience, be the inventions he seeks out. Let policy and 

 matters of state be the chief, and almost the only thing, he 

 intends. But if he will believe Philautia, and seek most 

 his own happiness, he must not of them embrace all kinds, 

 but make choice, and avoid all matter of peril, displeasure, 

 and charge, and turn them over to some novices, that know 

 not manacles from bracelets, nor burdens from robes. For 

 himself, let him set for matters of commodity and strength, 

 though they be joined with envy. Let him not trouble 

 himself too laboriously to sound into any matter deeply, or 

 to execute any thing exactly ; but let himself make himself 

 cunning rather in the humours and drifts of persons, than 

 in the nature of business and affairs. Of that it sufficed! 

 to know only so much, as may make him able to make use 

 of other men s wits, and to make again a smooth and 

 pleasing report. Let him entertain the proposition of others, 

 and ever rather let him have an eye to the circumstances, 

 than to the matter itself; for then shall he ever seem to 

 add somewhat of his own ; and, besides, when a man doth 

 not forget so much as a circumstance, men do think his wit 

 doth superabound for the substance. In his councils let 

 him not be confident; for that will rather make him ob 

 noxious to the success ; but let him follow the wisdom of 

 oracles, which uttered that which might ever be applied to 

 the event. And ever rather let him take the side which is 

 likeliest to be followed, than that which is soundest and 

 best, that every thing may seem to be carried by his direc 

 tion. To conclude, let him be true to himself, and avoid all 

 tedious reaches of state, that are not merely pertinent to his 

 particular. And if he will needs pursue his affection, and 

 go on his course, what can so much advance him in his 

 own way ? The merit of war is too outwardly glorious to 

 be inwardly grateful ; and it is the exile of his eyes, which, 

 looking with such affection upon the picture, cannot but 

 with infinite contentment behold the life. But when his 

 mistress shall perceive, that his endeavours are become a 

 true support of her, a discharge of her care, a watchman of 

 her person, a scholar of her wisdom, an instrument of her 

 operation, and a conduit of her virtue ; this, with his dili 

 gences, accesses, humility, and patience, may move him to 



