ESSA YS CIVIL AND MORAL. 37 



Tigellinus did towards Burrhus, &quot; se non diversas spes, sed incolumi- 

 tatem imperatoris simplicitcr spectare.&quot; 



Some have in readiness so many tales and storico, as there is 

 nothing they would insinuate, but they can wrap it into a tale ; which 

 serveth both to keep themselves more in guard, and to make others 

 carry it with more pleasure. 



It is a good point in cunning, for a man to shape the answer he 

 would have in his own words and propositions ; for it makes the other 

 party stick the less. 



It is strange how long some men will lie in wait to speak somewhat 

 they desire to say ; and how far about they will fetch, and how many 

 other matters they will beat over to come near it ; it is a thing of great 

 patience, but yet of much use. 



A sudden, bold, and unexpected question, doth many times surprise 

 a man, and lay him open. Like to him, that having changed his name, 

 and walking in Paul s, another suddenly came behind him, and called 

 him by his true name, whereat straightways he looked back. 



But these small wares and petty points of cunning are infinite, and 

 it were a good deed to make a list of them ; for that nothing doth more 

 hurt in a state, than that cunning men pass for wise. 



But certainly some there are that know the resorts and falls of 

 business, that cannot sink into the main of it; like a house that hath 

 convenient stairs and entries, but never a fair room. Therefore you 

 shall see them find out pretty looses in the conclusion, but are no ways 

 able to examine or debate matters. And yet commonly they take 

 advantage of their inability, and would be thought wits of direction. 

 Some build rather upon the abusing of others, and, as we now say, 

 putting tricks upon them, than upon soundness of their own proceed 

 ings. But Solomon saith, &quot; Prudcns advcrtit ad gressus suos : stultus 

 divcrtit ad dolos.&quot; 



XXIII. OF WISDOM FOR A MAN S SF.LF. 



An ant is a wise creature for itself : but it is a shrewd thing in an 

 orchard or garden. And certainly men that arc great lovers of them 

 selves waste the public. Divide with reason between self-love and 

 society ; and be so true to thyself, as thou be not false to others ; 

 especially to thy king and country. It is a poor centre of a man s 

 actions, Himself. It is right earth. For that only stands fast upon 

 his own centre : whereas all things that have affinity with the heavens, 

 move upon the centre of another which they benefit. The referring of 

 all to a man s self is more tolerable in a sovereign prince, because 

 themselves arc not only themselves, but their good and evil is at the 

 peril of the public fortune. But it is a desperate evil in a servant to a 

 prince, or a citizen in a republic. For whatsoever affairs pass such a 

 man s hands, he crookcth them to his own ends : which must needs be 

 often eccentric to the ends of his master or state. Therefore let 

 princes or states choose such servants as have not this mark ; except 

 they mean their service should be made but the accessary. That 



