Life of the Duke 1 59 



XLVI 



That, as it is a great error in a state to have all 

 affairs put into gazettes (for it overheats the people's 

 brains, and makes them neglect their private affairs, 

 by over-busying themselves with state-business;) so 

 it is great wisdom for a council of state to have good 

 intelligences (although they be bought with great 

 cost and charges) as well of domestick, as foreign 

 affairs and transactions, and to keep them in private 

 for the benefit of the commonwealth. 



XLVII 



That there is no better policy for a prince to please 

 his people, then to have many holy-day es for their 

 ease, and order several sports and pastimes for their 

 recreation, and to be himself sometimes spectator 

 thereof; by which means he'l not onely gain love and 

 respect from the people, but busie their minds in 

 harmless actions, sweeten their natures, and hinder 

 them from factious designs. 



XLVIII 



That it is more difficult and dangerous for a prince 

 or commander to raise an army in such a time when 

 the countrey is embroiled in a civil warr, then to lead 

 out an army to fight a battel; for when an army is 

 raised, he hath strength; but in raising it, he hath 

 none. 



XLIX 



That good commanders, and experienced soldiers, 

 are like skilfull fencers, who defend with prudence, 

 and assault wth courage, and kill their enemies by 

 art, not trusting their lives to chance or fortune; 



