THE SECOND BOOK. 163 



have received large discourse, if I would have broken them 

 and illustrated them by deducements and examples. 

 _ (8) Neither was this in use only with the Hebrews, but it 

 is generally to be found in the wisdom of the more ancient 

 times; that as men found out any observation that they 

 thought was good for life, they would gather it and express it 

 in parable or aphorism or fable. But for fables, they were 

 vicegerents and supplies where examples failed : now that the 

 times abound with history, the aim is better when the mark 

 is alive. And therefore the form of writing which of aU 

 others is fittest for this variable argument of negotiation and 

 occasions is that which Machiavel chose wisely and aptly for 

 government; namely, discourse upon histories or examples. 

 For knowledge drawn freshly and in our view out of particu 

 lars knoweth the way best to particulars again, .And it hath 

 :nucn greater Me for practice when the discourse attendeth 

 upon the example, than when the example atteruieth upon 

 the discourse. For this is no point of order, as it seemeth at 

 first, but of substance. For when the example is the ground 

 being set down in a history at large, it is set down with all 

 circumstances, which may sometimes control the discourse 

 thereupon made, and sometimes supply it, as a very pattern 

 for action ; whereas the examples alleged for the discourse s 

 sake are cited succinctly, and without particularity, and carry 

 a servile aspect towards the discourse which they are brought 

 in to make good. 



(9) But this difference is not amiss to be remembered that 

 as history of times is the best ground for discourse of govern 

 ment, such as Machiavel handleth, so histories of lives is the 

 most popular for discourse of business, because it is more 

 conversant in private actions. Nay, there is a ground of 

 discourse for this purpose fitter than them both, which is dis 

 course upon letters, such as are wise and weighty, as many 

 are of Cicero ad Atticum, and others. For letters have a 

 great and more particular representation of business than 

 either chronicles or lives. Thus have we spoken both of the 

 matter and form of this part of civil knowledge, touching 

 negotiation, which we note to be deficient. 

 ^i 10 \? Ut y^* 1161 &quot; 6 is another part of this part, which 

 differeth as much from that whereof we have spoken as savere 

 and fc saperethe one moving as it were to the circumference, 

 the other to the Centre For there is a wisdom of counsel 

 and again there is a wisdom of pressing a man s own fortune 

 and they do sometimes meet, and often sever. For many are 

 wise m their own way* that are weak for government or 



