THE SECOND BOOK. 173 



to make the wheels of our mind concentric and voluble with 

 the wheels of fortune. 



(34) Another precept of this knowledge, which hath some 

 affinity with that we last spoke of, but with difference, is that 

 which is well expressed, Fatis accede deisque, that men do not 

 only turn with the occasions, but also run with the occasions, 

 and not strain their credit or strength to over -hard or extreme 

 points ; but choose in their actions that which is most passable : 

 for this will preserve men from foil, not occupy them too 

 much about one matter, win opinion of moderation, please the 

 most, and make a show of a perpetual felicity in all they under 

 take : which cannot but mightily increase reputation. 



(35) Another part of this knowledge seemeth to have some 

 repugnancy with the former two, but not as I understand it ; 

 and it is that which Demosthenes uttereth in high terms : Et 

 quemadmodum receptum est, ut exerdtum ducat imperator, sic 

 et a cordatis viris res ipsce ducendce ; ut quce ipsis videntur, ea 

 gerantur, et non ipsi eventus persequi cogantar. For if we 

 observe we shall find two differing kinds of sufficiency in 

 managing of business : some can make use of occasions aptly 

 and dexterously, but plot little ; some can urge and pursue 

 their own plots well, but cannot accommodate nor bake in ; 

 either of which is very imperfect without the other. 



(36) Another part of this knowledge is the observing a good 

 mediocrity in the declaring or not declaring a man s self : for 

 although depth of secrecy, and making way (qualis est ma 

 navis in mari, which the French calleth sourdes menees, when 

 men set things in work without opening themselves at all), be 

 sometimes both prosperous and admirable ; yet many times 

 dissimulatio errorcs parit, qui dissimulatorem ipsum illaqueant. 

 And therefore we see the greatest politiques have in a natural 

 and free manner professed their desires, rather than been 

 reserved and disguised in them. For so we see that Lucius 

 Sylla made a kind of profession, &quot; that he wished all men 

 happy or unhappy, as they stood his friends or enemies. &quot; So 

 Caesar, when he went first into Gaul, made no scruple to 

 profess &quot;that he had rather be first in a village than second 

 at Rome.&quot; So again, as soon as he had begun the war, we see 

 what Cicero saith of him, Alter (meaning of Ceesar) nonrecusat, 

 sed quodammodo postulat, ut (ut est) sic appelletur tyrannus. 

 So we may see in a letter of Cicero to Atticus, that Augustus 

 Caesar, in his very entrance into affairs, when he was a darling 

 of the senate, yet in his harangues to the people would swear, 

 Itaparentis honores consequi liceat (which was no less than the 

 tyranny), save that, to help it, he would stretch forth his 



