THE SECOND BOOK 361 



retired, and reserved : as we see in Tiberius, who was never 

 seen at a play and came not into the senate in twelve of 

 his last years ; whereas Augustus Caesar lived ever in men's 

 eyes, which Tacitus observeth : Alia Tiberio morum via. 



Secondly, to consider how their nature sorteth with pro- 

 fessions and courses of life, and accordingly to make 

 election, if they be free ; and, if engaged, to make the 

 departure at the first opportunity : as we see was done by 

 Duke Valentine, that was designed by his father to a sacer- 

 dotal profession, but quitted it soon after in regard of his 

 parts and inclination ; being such nevertheless, as a man 

 cannot tell well whether they were worse for a prince or 

 for a priest. 



Thirdly, to consider how they sort with those whom 

 they are like to have competitors and concurrents, and 

 to take that course wherein there is most solitude, and 

 themselves like to be most eminent : as Caesar Julius did, 

 who at first was an orator or pleader ; but when he saw the 

 excellency of Cicero, Hortensius, Catulus, and others, for 

 eloquence, and saw there was no man of reputation for the 

 wars but Pompeius, upon whom the state was forced to 

 rely, he forsook his course begun toward a civil and 

 popular greatness, and transferred his designs to a martial 

 greatness. 



Fourthly, in the choice of their friends and dependances, 

 to proceed according to the composition of their own 

 nature ; as we may see in Caesar, all whose friends and 

 followers were men active and effectual, but not solemn 

 or of reputation. 



Fifthly, to take special heed how they guide themselves 

 by examples, in thinking they can do as they see others 

 do ; whereas perhaps their natures and carriages are far 

 differing ; in which error it seemeth Pompey was, of whom 

 Cicero saith, that he was wont often to say, Sylla potuit, ego 

 non potero ? wherein he was much abused, the natures and 

 proceedings of himself and his example being the unlikest 

 in the world ; the one being fierce, violent, and pressing 

 the fact ; the other solemn, and full of majesty and cir- 

 cumstance, and therefore the less effectual. 



