it's safety employ as much scope as my endevours CHAPTER can affoord me. Was it not Atticus, who cleaving

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to the right (but loosing side) saved himselfe by his of profit and moderation, in that generall Shipwracke of the world, honesty amidst so many changes and divers alterations? To private men, such as he was, it is more easie. And in such kinde of businesse, I thinke one dealeth justly, not to be too forward to insinuate or invite himselfe: To hold a staggering or middle course, to beare an unmooved affection, and without inclination in the troubles of his country, and publike divisions, I deeme neither seemely nor honest: Ea non media, sed nulla via est, velut eventum expectantium, quo fortunæ consilia, sua applicent, That is not the midway, but a mad way, or no way, as of those that expect the event with intent to apply their dessignes as fortune shall fall out. That may be permitted in the affaires of neighbours. So did Gelon the tyrant of Siracusa suspend his inclination in the Barbarian wars against the Greekes, keeping Ambasdours at Delphos, with presents, to watch on what side the victory would light, and to apprehend the fittest occasion of reconcilement with the victors. It were a kind of treason to do so in our owne affaires and domesticall matters, wherein of necessity one must resolve and take a side; but for a man that hath neither charge, nor expresse commandement to urge him; not to busie or entermedle himselfe therein, I holde it more excusable: (Yet frame I not this excuse for my selfe) then in forraine and strangers wars, wherewith according to our laws, no man is troubled against his will. Neverthelesse those, who wholly ingage themselves into them, may carry such an order and temper, as the storme (without offending them) may glide over their head. Had wee not reason to hope as much of the deceased Bishop of Orleans, Lord of Morvilliers? And I know some,

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CHAPTER Who at this present worthily bestirre themselves, in so even a fashion or pleasing a manner, that they are Of profit and likely to continue on foote, whatsoever injurious alteration or fall, the heavens may prepare against us. I holde it onely fit for Kings to be angry with Kings: And mocke at those rash spirits, who from the braverie of their hearts offer themselves to so unproportionate quarrels. For one undertaketh not a particular quarrell against a Prince, in marching against him openly and couragiously, for his honour, and according to his duty: If hee love not such a man: hee doth better: at least hee esteemeth him. And the cause of lawes especially, and defence of the auncient state, hath ever found this priviledge, that such as for their owne interest, disturbe the same, excuse (if they honour not) their defendors. But wee ought not terme duty (as now a dayes wee do) a sower rigour, and intestine crabbednesse, proceeding of private interest and passion: nor courage a treacherous and malicious proceeding. Their disposition to frowardnesse and mischiefe, they entitle Zeale: That's not the cause doth heate them, 'tis their owne interest: They kindle a warre, not because it is just, but because it is warre. Why may not a man beare himselfe betweene enemies featly and faithfully? Doe it, if not altogether with an equall (for it may admit different measure) at least with a sober affection, which may not so much engage you to the one, that he looke for al at your hands. Content your selfe with a moderate proportion of their favour, and to glide in troubled waters without fishing in them. Th other manner of offering ones uttermost endevours to both sides, implyeth lesse discretion then conscience. What knows he to whom you betray another, as much your friend as himselfe, but you will do the like for him, when his turne shall come? He takes you for a villaine: whilst that hee heares you, and gathers out of you,

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and makes his best use of your disloyalty. For, CHAPTER double fellowes are onely beneficiall in what they bring, but we must looke, they carry away as little as may be. Of profit and I carry nothing to the one, which I may not (having opportunity) say unto the other, the accent only changed a little: and report either but indifferent or knowne, or common things. No benefit can induce mee to lye unto them: what is entrusted to my silence I conceale religiously, but take as little in trust as I can. Princes secrets are a troublesome charge, to such as have nought to do with them. I ever by my good will capitulate with them, that they trust mee with very little but let them assuredly trust what I disclose unto them. I alwayes knew more then I wold. An open speach opens the way to another, and draws all out, even as Wine, and Love. Philippedes in my minde, answered King Lysimachus wisely, when hee demaunded of him, what of his wealth or state hee should empart unto him: Which and what you please (quoth hee) so it be not your secrets. I see every one mutinie, if another conceale the deapth or mysterie of the affaires from him, wherein he pleaseth to employ him, or have but purloyned any circumstance from him. For my part, I am content one tell me no more of his businesse then he will have me know or deale in; nor desire I, that my knowledge exceede or straine my word. word. If I must needs be the instrument of cozinage, it shall at least be with safety of my conscience. I will not be esteemed a servant, nor so affectionate, nor yet so faithfull, that I be judged fit to betray any man. Who is unfaithfull to himselfe, may be excused if hee be faithlesse to his Master. But Princes entertaine not men by halfes, and despise bounded [and] conditionall service. What remedy? I freely tell them my limits; for, a slave I must not be but unto reason, which yet I cannot compasse: And they are to blame, to exact from a free man,

CHAPTER the like subjection unto their service, and the same obligation, which they may from those they have Of profit and made and bought; and whose fortune dependeth honesty

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particularly and expresly on theirs. The lawes have delivered mee from much trouble: they have chosen mee a side to followe, and appointed mee a maister to obey all other superiority and duty, ought to bee relative unto that, and bee restrained. Yet may it not be concluded, that if my affection should otherwise transport mee, I would presently afforde my helping hand unto it. Will and desires are a lawe to themselves, actions are to receive it of publike institutions: All these procedings of mine, are somewhat dissonant from our formes. They should produce no great effects, nor holde out long among us. Innocencie itselfe could not in these times nor negotiate without dissimulation, nor trafficke without lying. Neither are publike functions of my diet; what my profession requires thereto, I furnish in the most private manner I can. Being a childe, I was plunged into them up to the ears, and had good successe; but I got loose in good time. I have often since shunned medling with them, seldome accepted and never required; ever holding my back toward ambition; but if not as rowers, who goe forward as it were backeward: Yet so, as I am lesse beholding to resolution, then to my good fortune, that I was not wholly embarked in them.

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there are courses lesse against my taste, and more comfortable to my carriage, by which if heretofore it had called mee to the service of the commonwealth, and my advancement unto credit in the world: I know that in following the same I had exceeded the reason of my conceite. Those which commonly say against my profession, that what I terme liberty, simplicity and plainenesse in my behaviour, is arte, cunning and subtilty:

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and rather discretion, then goodnesse; industry CHAPTER then nature; good wit, then good hap; doe mee more honour, then shame. But truely they make of profit and honesty my cunning overcunning. And whosoever hath traced mee and nearely looked into my humours, Ile loose a good wager if hee confesse not, that there is no rule in their schoole, could, a midde such crooked pathes and divers windings, square and raport this naturall motion, and maintaine an apparance of liberty and licence, so equall and inflexible; and that all their attention and wit, is not of power to bring them to it. The way to trueth is but one and simple; that of particular profit and benefit of affaires a man hath in charge, double, uneven and accidentall. I have often seene these counterfet and artificiall liberties in practise, but most commonly without successe. They savour of Esopes Asse: who in emulation of the dogge, layde his two fore-feete very jocondly upon his masters shoulders but looke how many blandishments the prety dogge received, under one, so many bastinadoes were redoubled upon the poore Asses backe. maxime quemque decet: quod est cujusque suum maxime (Cic. Off. i.): that becomes every man especially, which is his owne especially: I will not deprive cousinage of her ranke, that were to understand the world but ill I know it hath often done profitable service, it supporteth, yea and nourisheth the greatest part of mens vacations.

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There are some lawfull vices: as many actions, or good or excusable, unlawfull. Justice in it selfe naturall and universall is otherwise ordered, and more nobly distributed, then this other especiall, and nationall justice, restrained and suted to the neede of our pollicie: Veri juris germanæque justitiæ solidam et expressam effigiem nullam tenemus: umbra et imaginibus utimur (Cic. Off. iii.). Wee have no