strive rather to be called just than powerful.  Not, like the Roman tyrants, affect the surnames that grow by human slaughters; neither to seek war in peace, nor peace in war, but to observe faith given, though to an enemy.  Study piety toward the subject; show care to defend him.  Be slow to punish in divers cases, but be a sharp and severe revenger of open crimes.  Break no decrees or dissolve no orders to slacken the strength of laws.  Choose neither magistrates, civil or ecclesiastical, by favour or price; but with long disquisition and report of their worth by all suffrages.  Sell no honours, nor give them hastily, but bestow them with counsel and for reward; if he do, acknowledge it (though late), and mend it.  For princes are easy to be deceived; and what wisdom can escape where so many court-arts are studied?  But, above all, the prince is to remember that when the great day of account comes, which neither magistrate nor prince can shun, there will be required of him a reckoning for those whom he hath trusted, as for himself, which he must provide.  And if piety be wanting in the priests, equity in the judges, or the magistrates be found rated at a price, what justice or religion is to be expected? which are the only two attributes make kings akin to God, and is the Delphic sword, both to kill sacrifices and to chastise offenders.

De gratiosis.—­When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.  Nay, his honours are a great part of the honour of the times; when by this means he is grown to active men an example, to the slothful a spur, to the envious a punishment.

Divites.—­Heredes ex asse.  He which is sole heir to many rich men, having (besides his father’s and uncle’s) the estates of divers his kindred come to him by accession, must needs be richer than father or grandfather; so they which are left heirs ex asse of all their ancestors’ vices, and by their good husbandry improve the old and daily purchase new, must needs be wealthier in vice, and have a greater revenue or stock of ill to spend on.

Fures publici.—­The great thieves of a state are lightly the officers of the crown; they hang the less still, play the pikes in the pond, eat whom they list.  The net was never spread for the hawk or buzzard that hurt us, but the harmless birds; they are good meat:-

“Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas.” {81a} “Non rete accipitri tenditur, neque milvio.” {81b}

Lewis xi.—­But they are not always safe though, especially when they meet with wise masters.  They can take down all the huff and swelling of their looks, and like dexterous auditors place the counter where he shall value nothing.  Let them but remember Lewis xi., who to a Clerk of the Exchequer that came to be Lord Treasurer, and had (for his device) represented himself sitting on fortune’s wheel, told him he might do well to fasten it with a good strong nail, lest, turning about, it might bring him where he was again.  As indeed it did.