ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 353 



in the despatch of business is the most acceptable. Men of 

 depth are held suspected by princes, as inspecting them too 

 close, and being able by their strength of capacity, as by 

 a machine, to turn and wind them against their will and 

 without their knowledge. Popular men are hated, as stand 

 ing in the light of kings, and drawing the eyes of the mul 

 titude upon themselves. Men of courage are generally es 

 teemed turbulent and too enterprising. Honest and just 

 men are accounted morose, and not compilable enough to 

 the will of their masters. Lastly, there is no virtue but 

 has its shade, wherewith the minds of kings are offended; 

 but despatch alone in executing their commands has noth 

 ing displeasing to them. Besides, the motions of the minds 

 of kings are swift and impatient of delay; for they think 

 themselves able to effect anything, and imagine that nothing 

 more is wanting but to have it done instantly. Whence de 

 spatch is to them the most grateful of all things. 



XX. I saw all the living which walk under the sun, with the succeeding 

 young prince that shall rise up in his stead 26 



This aphorism points out the vanity of those who flock 

 about the next successors of princes. The root of this is 

 the folly naturally implanted in the minds of men; viz., 

 their being too fond of their own hopes: for scarce any one 

 but is more delighted with hope than with enjoyment. 

 Again, novelty is pleasing and greedily coveted by human 

 nature; and these two things, hope and novelty, meet in 

 the successor of a prince. The aphorism hints the same 

 that was formerly said by Pornpey to Sylla, and again by 

 Tiberius of Macro, that the sun has more adorers rising 

 than setting. 27 Yet rulers in possession are not much 

 affected with this, or esteem it any great matter, as neither 

 Sylla nor Tiberius did; but rather laugh at the levity of 



He was caressed by Louis XYL, feared by George III., and lived on terms of 

 easy friendship with the heads of other powers who had combined against 

 England. His pre-eminence he attributed entirely to his industry. Ed. 



26 Eccles. iv. 15. Solomon, in his old age, seeing all his courtiers desert 

 him to pay court to his son Eehoboam, uttered this sentiment. Ed. 



27 Tacit. Annals, vi. 



