OF NOBILITY 31 



XIV 

 OF NOBILITY 



WE will speak of Nobility first as a portion of an estate ; 

 then as a condition of particular persons. A monarchy 

 where there is no nobility at all, is ever a pure and absolute 

 tyranny; as that of the Turks. For nobility attempers 

 sovereignty, and draws the eyes of the people somewhat 

 aside from the line royal. But for democracies, they need 

 it not ; and they are commonly more quiet and less subject 

 to sedition, than where there are stirps of nobles. For 

 men's eyes are upon the business, and not upon the 

 persons ; or if upon the persons, it is for the business 

 sake, as fittest, and not for flags and pedigree. We see 

 the Switzers last well, notwithstanding their diversity of 

 religion and of cantons. For utility is their bond, and not 

 respects. The united provinces of the Low Countries in 

 their government excel ; for where there is an equality, the 

 consultations are more indifferent, and the payments and 

 tributes more cheerful. A great and potent nobility 

 addeth majesty to a monarch, but diminisheth power ; and 

 putteth life and spirit into the people, but presseth their 

 fortune. It is well when nobles are not too great for 

 sovereignty nor for justice ; and yet maintained in that 

 height, as the insolency of inferiors may be broken upon 

 them before it come on too fast upon the majesty of kings. 

 A numerous nobility causeth poverty and inconvenience in 

 a state ; for it is a surcharge of expense ; and besides, it 

 being a necessity that many of the nobility fall in time to 

 be weak in fortune, it maketh a kind of disproportion 

 between honour and means. 



As for nobility in particular persons ; it is a reverend 

 thing to see an ancient castle or building not in decay ; or 

 to see a fair timber tree sound and perfect. How much 

 more to behold an ancient noble family, which hath stood 

 against the waves and weathers of time. For new nobility 

 is but the act of power, but ancient nobility is the act of 

 time. Those that are first raised to nobility are commonly 



