OF TRUE GREATNESS OF KINGDOMS 77 



Romans, though they esteemed the extending the limits of 

 their empire to be great honour to their generals when it 

 was done, yet they never rested upon that alone to begin a 

 war. First therefore, let nations that pretend to greatness 

 have this ; that they be sensible of wrongs, either upon 

 borderers, merchants, or politic ministers ; and that they 

 sit not too long upon a provocation. Secondly, let them 

 be prest and ready to give aids and succours to their con- 

 federates ; as it ever was with the Romans ; insomuch, as 

 if the confederates had leagues defensive with divers other 

 states, and, upon invasion offered, did implore their aids 

 severally, yet the Romans would ever be the foremost, and 

 leave it to none other to have the honour. As for the 

 wars which were anciently made on the behalf of a kind of 

 party, or tacit conformity of estate, I do not see how they 

 may be well justified : as when the Romans made a war for 

 the liberty of Graecia ; or when the Lacedaemonians and 

 Athenians made wars to set up or pull down democracies 

 and oligarchies ; or when wars were made by foreigners, 

 under the pretence of justice or protection, to deliver the 

 subjects of others from tyranny and oppression ; and the 

 like. Let it suffice, that no estate expect to be great, that 

 is not awake upon any just occasion of arming. 



No body can be healthful without exercise, neither 

 natural body nor politic ; and certainly to a kingdom or 

 estate, a just and honourable war is the true exercise. A 

 civil war indeed is like the heat of a fever ; but a foreign 

 war is like the heat of exercise, and serveth to keep the 

 body in health ; for in a slothful peace, both courages will 

 effeminate and manners corrupt. But howsoever it be for 

 happiness, without all question, for greatness it maketh, to 

 be still for the most part in arms ; and the strength of a 

 veteran army (though it be a chargeable business) always 

 on foot, is that which commonly giveth the law, or at least 

 the reputation, amongst all neighbour states ; as may well 

 be seen in Spain, which hath had, in one part or other, a 

 veteran army almost continually, now by the space of six 

 score years. 



To be master of the sea is an abridgment of a monarchy. 



