THE SECOND BOOK 205 



that, as Saint James saith, though men look oft in 

 t glass, yet they do suddenly forget themselves ; wherein 

 as the divine glass is the word of God, so the politic 

 glass is the state of the world, or times wherein we live, 

 in the which we are to behold ourselves. 



24. For men ought to take an unpartial view of their 

 own abilities and virtues ; and again of their wants and 

 impediments ; accounting these with the most, and 

 those other with the least ; and from this view and 

 examination to frame the considerations following. 



25. First, to consider how the constitution of their 

 nature sorteth with the general state of the times ; which 

 if they find agreeable and fit, then in all things to give 

 themselves more scope and liberty ; but if differing and 

 dissonant, then in the whole course of their life to be 

 more close retired, and reserved : as we see in Tiberius, 

 who was never seen at a play, and came not into the 

 Senate in twelve of his last years ; whereas Augustus 

 Caesar lived ever in men s eyes, which Tacitus ob- 

 serveth, * alia Tiberio morum via. 



26. Secondly, to consider how their nature sorteth 

 with professions and courses of life, and accordingly to 

 make election, if they be free ; and, if engaged, to make 

 the departure at the first opportunity : as we see was 

 done by Duke Valentine, that was designed by his 

 father to a sacerdotal profession, but quitted it soon 

 after in regard 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 concur 

 rents ; and to take that course wherein there is most 

 solitude, and themselves like to be most eminent : as 

 Caesar 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 trans 

 ferred his designs to a martial greatness. 



