1 64 The Duchess of Newcastle 



grants of such importunate suits were fitly and 

 properly placed? He answered, not so well as those 

 that are placed upon due consideration, and upon 

 trial and proof. 



LXVIII 



I have heard My Lord say, that it is a great error, 

 and weak policy in a state, to advance their enemies, 

 and endeavour to make them friends by bribing them 

 with honours and offices, saying, they are shrewd men, 

 and may do the state much hurt: and on the other 

 side, to neglect their friends, and those that have done 

 them great service, saying, they are honest men, and 

 mean the state no harm : for this kind of policy comes 

 from the heathen, who prayed to the devil, and not to 

 God, by reason they supposed God to be good and 

 would hurt no creature ; but the devil they flattered 

 and worshipped out of fear, lest he should hurt them : 

 but by this foolish policy, said he, they most com- 

 monly encrease their enemies, and lose their friends; 

 for first, it teaches men to observe that the onely way 

 to preferment, is to be against the state or govern- 

 ment: next, since all that are factious cannot be 

 rewarded or preferred, by reason a state hath more 

 subjects, then rewards or preferments, there must 

 of necessity be numerous enemies; for when their 

 hopes of reward fail them, they grow more factious 

 and inveterate then ever they were at first: where- 

 fore the best policy in a state or government, said 

 My Lord, is to reward friends, and punish enemies, 

 and prefer the honest before the factious; and then 

 all will be real friends, and profer their honest service, 

 either out of pure love and loyalty, or in hopes of 

 advancement, seeing there is none but by serving the 

 state. 



