XXIII. 26.] THE SECOND BOOK. 



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. 



27. 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 Csesar 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 Coesar, 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 poterot 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. 



