CHAP, tt.j WISE CONDUCT EXEMPLIFIED. 311 



the prudent and the courageous, though they )efcrt*e despised 

 them ; and as soon as the storm it? over, they show ingratitude 

 to their preservers. Machiavel had reason to put the ques 

 tion, &quot; Which is the more ungrateful towards the well- 

 deserving, the prince or the people ]&quot; though he accuses both 

 of ingratitude.^ The thing does not proceed wholly from the 

 ingratitude either of princes or people, but it is generally 

 attended with the envy of the nobility, who secretly repine 

 at the event, though happy and prosperous, because it was 

 not procured by themselves. Whence they lessen the merit 

 of the author and bear him down. 



XXII. TJie way of the slotJtful is a hedge of thorns.^ 

 This aphorism elegantly shows that sloth is laborious in 

 the end : for diligent and cautious preparation guards the 

 foot from stumbling, and smooths the way before it is trod ; 

 but he who is sluggish, and defers all things to the last 

 moment, must of necessity be at every step treading as upon 

 brambles and thorns, which frequently detain and hinder 

 him ; and the same may be observed in the government of a 

 family, where, if due care and forethought be used, all things 

 go on calmly, and, as it were, spontaneously, without noise 

 and bustle ; but if this caution be neglected, when any 

 great occasion arises, numerous matters crowd in to be done 

 at once, the servants are in confusion, and the house rings. 



XXIII. He who respects persons in judgment does ill, and will forsake 

 t/te truth for a piece of bread. 1 



This aphorism wisely observes, that facility of temper is 

 more pernicious in a judge than bribery ; for bribes are not 

 offered by all, but there is no cause wherein something may 

 not be found to sway the mind of the judge, if he be a 

 respecter of persons. Thus, one shall be respected for his 

 country, another for his riches, another for being recom 

 mended by a friend, &amp;lt;fec. So that iniquity must abound 

 where respect of persons prevails, and judgment be corrupted 

 for a very trifling thing, as it were for a morsel of bread. 



XXIV. A poor man, that by extortion oppresses tlie poor, is like a 



land-flood that causes famine.* 



This parable was anciently painted by the fable of the 



leech, full and empty ; for the oppression of a poor anJ 



f Discono sopra Liv. lib. i. h Prov. XT. 10. 



1 1 rov. xxviii. 31. -* k Prov - 



