OF COUNSEL 51 



hardly go beyond one or two persons besides the king : 

 neither are those councils unprosperous ; for, besides the 

 secrecy, they commonly go on constantly in one spirit of 

 direction, without distraction. But then it must be a 

 prudent king, such as is able to grind with a hand-mill ; 

 and those inward counsellors had need also be wise men, 

 and especially true and trusty to the king's ends; as it 

 was with King Henry the Seventh of England, who in his 

 greatest business imparted himself to none, except it were 

 to Morton and Fox. 



For Weakening of Authority; the fable sheweth the 

 remedy. Nay, the majesty of kings is rather exalted than 

 diminished when they are in the chair of council ; neither 

 was there ever prince bereaved of his dependencies by his 

 council; except where there hath been either an over- 

 greatness in one counsellor or an over-strict combination 

 in divers ; which are things soon found and holpen. 



For the last inconvenience, that men will counsel with an 

 eye to themselves ; certainly, non inveniet fidem super terram 

 is meant of the nature of times, and not of all particular 

 persons. There be that are in nature faithful, and sincere, 

 and plain, and direct ; not crafty and involved ; let princes, 

 above all, draw to themselves such natures. Besides, coun- 

 sellors are not commonly so united, but that one counsellor 

 keepeth sentinel over another ; so that if any do counsel 

 out of faction or private ends, it commonly comes to the 

 king's ear. But the best remedy is, if princes know their 

 counsellors, as well as their counsellors know them : 



Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos. 



And on the other side, counsellors should not be too 

 speculative into their sovereign's person. The true com- 

 position of a counsellor is rather to be skilful in their 

 master's business, than in his nature ; for then he is like to 

 advise him, and not feed his humour. It is of singular use 

 to princes if they take the opinions of their counsel both 

 separately and together. For private opinion is more free; 

 but opinion before others is more reverent. In private, 

 men are more bold in their own humours ; and in consort, 



