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brief observations, such as to my understanding offer no 

 violence to the sense, though I know they may be applied 

 to a more divine use : but it is allowed even in divinity, 

 that some interpretations, yea and some writings, have 

 more of the Eagle than others. But taking them as 

 instructions for life, they might have received large dis- 

 course, if I would have broken them and illustrated them 

 by deducements and examples. 



Neither was this in use only with the Hebrews ; but 

 it is generally to be found in the wisdom of the more 

 ancient times, that as men found out any observation that 

 they thought was good for life, they would gather it and 

 express it in parable or aphorism or fable. But for fables, 

 they were vicegerents and supplies where examples failed : 

 now that the times abound with history, the aim is better 

 when the mark is alive. And therefore the form of 

 writing which of all others is fittest for this variable 

 argument of negotiation and occasions is that which 

 Machiavel chose wisely and aptly for government ; namely, 

 discourse upon histories or examples. For knowledge 

 drawn freshly and in our view out of particulars, knoweth 

 the way best to particulars again. And it hath much 

 greater life for practice when the discourse attendeth upon 

 the example, than when the example attendeth upon the 

 discourse. For this is no point of order, as it seemeth at 

 first, but of substance. For when the example is the 

 ground, being set down in an history at large, it is set 

 down with all circumstances, which may sometimes control 

 the discourse thereupon made and sometimes supply it, 

 as a very pattern for action ; whereas the examples alleged 

 for the discourse's sake are cited succinctly and without 

 particularity, and carry a servile aspect toward the dis- 

 course which they are brought in to make good. 



But this difference is not amiss to be remembered, that 

 as history of Times is the best ground for discourse of 

 government, such as Machiavel handleth, so histories of 

 Lives is the most proper for discourse of business, as more 

 conversant in private actions. Nay there is a ground of 

 discourse for this purpose fitter than them both, which 



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