OF SEDITIONS AND TROUBLES 37 



to evaporate (so it be without too great insolency or 

 bravery), is a safe way. For he that turneth the humours 

 back, and maketh the wound bleed inwards, endangereth 

 malign ulcers and pernicious imposthumations. 



The part of Epimetheus mought well become Prometheus, 

 in the case of discontentments ; for there is not a better 

 provision against them. Epimetheus, when griefs and evils 

 flew abroad, at last shut the lid, and kept hope in the 

 bottom of the vessel. Certainly, the politic and artificial 

 nourishing and entertaining of hopes, and carrying men 

 from hopes to hopes, is one of the best antidotes against 

 the poison of discontentments. And it is a certain sign of 

 a wise government and proceeding, when it can hold men's 

 hearts by hopes, when it cannot by satisfaction ; and when 

 it can handle things in such manner, as no evil shall appear 

 so peremptory but that it hath some outlet of hope : which 

 is the less hard to do, because both particular persons and 

 factions are apt enough to flatter themselves, or at least to 

 brave that they believe not. 



Also the foresight and prevention, that there be no likely 

 or fit head whereunto discontented persons may resort, and 

 under whom they may join, is a known, but an excellent 

 point of caution. I understand a fit head to be one that 

 hath greatness and reputation ; that hath confidence with 

 the discontented party, and upon whom they turn their 

 eyes ; and that is thought discontented in his own par- 

 ticular : which kind of persons are either to be won and 

 reconciled to the state, and that in a fast and true manner ; 

 or to be fronted with some other of the same party, that 

 may oppose them, and so divide the reputation. Generally, 

 the dividing and breaking of all factions and combinations 

 that are adverse to the state, and setting them at distance, 

 or at least distrust, among themselves, is not one of the 

 worst remedies. For it is a desperate case, if those that 

 hold with the proceeding of the state be full of discord and 

 faction, and those that are against it be entire and united. 



I have noted that some witty and sharp speeches which 

 have fallen from princes have given fire to seditions. Caesar 

 did himself infinite hurt in that speech, Sylla nescivit liter as ^ 



