ESS A YS CIVIL AND MORAL. \ , 



commonly givcth best way. The lower and weaker faction is the 

 firmer in conjunction : and it is often seen, that a few that are stiff do 

 tire out a greater number that are more moderate. \Yhcn o*/e of the 

 factions is extinguished, the remaining subdivideth : as the faction 

 between Lucullus and the rest of the nobles of the senate, which they 

 call optimatt s, held out a while against the faction of Pompey and 

 Caesar : but when the senate s authority was pulled down, Ca:sar and 

 Pompey soon after brake. The faction or party of Antonius and 

 Octavianus Qesar, against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a 

 time : but when Brutus and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after 

 Antonius and Octavianus brake and subdivided. These examples are 

 of wars, but the same holdeth in private factions. And therefore those 

 that are seconds in factions, do many times, when the faction sub 

 divideth, prove principals : but many times also they prove cyphers 

 and cashiered ; for many a man s strength is in opposition ; and when 

 that failcth he groweth out of use. It is commonly seen, that men 

 once placed, take in with the contrary faction to that by which they 

 enter ; thinking belike that they have the first sure, and now are ready 

 for a new purchase. The traitor in faction lightly goeth away with it: 

 for when matters have stuck long in balancing, the winning of some 

 one man casteth them, and he getteth all the thanks. The even car 

 riage between two factions proceedeth not always of moderation, but 

 of a trueness to a man s self, with end to make use of both. Certainly 

 in Italy they hold it a little suspect in popes, when they have often in 

 their mouth &quot; Padre commune :&quot; and take it to be a sign of one that 

 meaneth to refer all to the greatness of his own house. Kings had 

 need beware how they side themselves, and make themselves as of a 

 faction or party ; for leagues within the state are ever pernicious to 

 monarchies ; for they raise an obligation paramount to obligation of 

 sovereignty, and make the king &quot; tanquam unus ex nobis ;&quot; as was to 

 be seen in the league of France. When factions are carried too high, 

 and too violently, it is a sign of weakness in princes, and much to the 

 prejudice both of their authority and business. The motions of factions 

 under kings ought to be like the motions, as the astronomers speak, of 

 the inferior orbs ; which may have their proper motions, but yet still 

 are quietly carried by the higher motion of primum mobile. 



LII. OF CEREMONIES AND RESPECTS. 



He that is only real, had need have exceeding great parts of virtue: 

 as the stone had need to be rich that is set without foil : but if a man 

 mark it well, it is in praise and commendation of men, as it is in 

 gettings and gains. For the proverb is true, that light gains make 

 heavy purses : for light gains come thick, whereas great come but now 

 and then. So it is true, that small matters win great commendation, 

 because they are continually in use, and in note ; whereas the occasion 

 of any great virtue comcth but on festivals: therefore it doth much ndd 

 to a man s reputation, and is, as queen Isabella said, like perpetual 

 letters commendatory, to have good forms. To attain them, it almost 



