34 KSSA YS CIVIL AND MORAL. 



counsel concerning matters, if they take no counsel likewise concern 

 ing persons : for all matters are as dead images ; and the life of the 

 execution of affairs resteth in the good choice of persons. Neither is 

 it enough to consult concerning persons secundum genera, as in an 

 idea or mathematical description, what the kind and character of the 

 person should be ; for the greatest errors are committed, and the most 

 judgment is shown, in the choice of individuals. It was truly said, 

 &quot;optimi consiliarii mortui ;&quot; books will speak plain, when counsellors 

 blanch. Therefore it is good to be conversant in them, specially the 

 books of such as themselves have been actors upon the stage. 



The councils at this day, in most places, are but familiar meetings ; 

 where matters are rather talked on, than debated : and they run too 

 swift to the order or act of council. It were better, that in causes of 

 weight the matter were propounded one day, and not spoken to till the 

 next day ; &quot; in nocte consilium.&quot; So was it clone in the commission 

 of union between England and Scotland ; which was a grave and 

 orderly assembly. I commend set days for petitions : for both it gives 

 the suitors more certainty for their attendance ; and it frees the meet 

 ings for matters of estate, that they may hoc agere. In choice of 

 ^committees, for ripening business for the council, it is better to choose 

 indifferent persons, than to make an indifferency by putting in those 

 that are strong on both sides. I commend also standing commissions ; 

 as for trade, for treasure, for war, for suits, for some provinces ; for 

 where there be divers particular councils, and but one council of estate, 

 as it is in Spain, they arc, in effect, no more than standing commis 

 sions ; save that they have greater authority. Let such as are to inform 

 councils out of their particular professions, as lawyers, seamen, mint- 

 men, and the like, be first heard before committees; and then, as occa 

 sion serves, before the council. And let them not come in multitudes, 

 or in a tribunitious manner ; for that is to clamour councils, not to 

 inform them. A long table, and a square table, or scats about the 

 walls, seem things of form, but are things of substance ; for at a long 

 table, a few at the upper end, in effect, sway all the business ; but in 

 the other form, there is more use of the counsellors opinions that sit 

 lower. A king when he presides in council, let him beware how he 

 opens his own inclination too much in that which he propoundeth : for 

 else councillors will but take the wind of him, and instead of giving 

 free counsel sing him a song of Placebo. 



XXI. OF DELAYS. 



Fortune is like the market, where many times if you can stay a 

 little, the price will fall. And again, it is sometimes like Sibylla s offer, 

 which at first offercth the commodity at full, then consumeth part and 

 part, and still holdcth up the price. For occasion, as it is in the com 

 mon verse, turncth a bald noddle, after she hath presented her locks 

 in front, and no hold taken : or at least turncth the handle of the bottle 

 first to be received, and after the belly, which is hard to clasp. There 

 is surely no greater wisdom, than well to time the beginnings and on 

 sets of things. Dangers are no more light, if they once seem light : 



