254 ^f ^^^ Advancement of Learning, Lib. VIIL 



not of an impious and wicked perfonj «^f ^/ a (editious and turbu- 

 lent fpirit; not <?/ an incontinent ami fenfual inclination j not of a. 

 foolifh and and unhabile Perfon '-, Init of a. Scorner. But this is a 

 judgement worthy the wifdom of that King, who beft knew the 

 grounds of the confervation , or everfion of aState. For there is 

 not commonly a like Plague to Kingdoms and Common-wealthSj 

 than if Counfellors of Princes, or Senators, and fuch as fit at the helm 

 of Government, areby nature S corners. For (uch perfons, that they 

 may win the reputation of undanted States-men, do ever extenuate 

 the greatnefs of dangers, and infult over thofe that value dangers, 

 according to the true weight , as timorous and faint-hearted natures. 

 They y?^^ at all mature delays, and meditated debatings of matters 

 by confultation, and deliberation 5 as a thing too much tailing of 

 an oratory- vein 5 and full of tedioufiiefi^ and nothing conducing 

 to the fum and iflues of Bufineft. As for Fame, at which thecoun- 

 fels of Princes fhould efpecially level, they contemn it, asthefpirit 

 of the vulgar^ and a thing will be quickly blown over. The Vomer 

 and Authority of Laws,they refpeft no more,than as cobwebs, which 

 (hould not ininare matters of greater confequence : Counfels and Pre- 

 cautions, forefeeing events a far off, they reject, as meer dreams and 

 melancholy apprehenfions : menferiovfly wi(e , and well feen in the 

 world, and of great relblution and counfel, they defame with gibes 

 and jefts : in a word, they do at once prejudice and weaken the whole 

 foundation of Civil Goverument 5 which is the more to be looked 

 into, becaule the Adlion is performed by fecret fraud, and not open 

 force 5 and is a praftice not fo fufpefted, as it demerits. 



THE PARABLE. 



prov.xxix. 



XIII. A Prince that lends a mlling ear to lies, his 

 jervants are all ivicl 



The explication, 



WHen a Prince, is of Cudka temper, as to lend an eajie and crC' 

 dulous ear, without due examination , to Detractors and Sy- 

 cophants, there breaths a peftilential Air from the Kings fide , which 

 corrupts andinfcBs all his fervants. Some feel out the fears and jea- 

 loufies of a Prince , and aggravate the iame with feign'd reports. O- 

 ihers awake the furies of envy, efpecially againft the beft deferving 

 in the ftate : Others feek to wafti away their own guilt , and the 

 ftains of a foul confcience, by defaming others : Others give (ail to 

 the Honours and wifties of their friends, by traducing, and debafing 

 the merit of their competitors ; Others compofe Fabulous enter- 

 ludes againft their enemies, and concurrents, as if they were upon 

 the ftage 5 and infinite fuchlike. And thefe are the Arts of fuch fer- 

 vants to Princes, as are of a vile and bale nature. But they that are 

 ofa morehonefldifpofitionjand better civiliz'd,whcn they perceive 



their 



