must be a Prudent King, such as is able to Grinde with a Hand-Mill;[1] And those Inward[2] Counsellors had need also be Wise Men, and especially true and trusty to the King's Ends; As it was with King Henry the Seventh of England, who in his greatest Businesse imparted himself to none, except it were to Morton and Fox.
For[3] Weakening of Authority; The Fable[4] sheweth the Remedy. Nay, the Maiesty of Kings is rather exalted then diminished, when they are in the Chaire of Counsell: Neither was there ever Prince bereaved of his Dependances[5] by his Counsell, Except where there hath beene either an Overgreatnesse in one Counsellour, Or an Overstrict Combination in Divers;[6] which are Things soone found and holpen.[7]
For[3] the last Inconvenience, that Men will Counsell with an Eye to themselves; Certainly, Non inveniet Fidem super terram[8] is meant of the Nature of Times,[9] and not of all particular Persons. There be that are in Nature Faithfull and Sincere, and Plaine and Direct, Not Crafty and Involved: Let Princes, above all, draw to themselves such Natures. Besides, Counsellors are not Commonly so united, but that one Counsellour keepeth Centinell over Another; So that if any do Counsell out of Faction,[10] or private Ends, it commonly comes to the King's Eare. But the best Remedy is, if Princes know their Counsellours as well as their Counsellours know Them:
Principis est Virtus maxima nosse suos.[11]
And on the other side, Counsellours should not be too Speculative[12] into their Soveraigne's Person.[13] The true Composition of[14] a Counsellour is rather to be skilfull in their Master's Businesse then in his Nature;[15] For then he
- ↑ to do his own business himself
- ↑ confidential
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 As regards
- ↑ viz. of Jupiter and Metis
- ↑ whose impudence was impaired
- ↑ several
- ↑ remedied
- ↑ He will not find faith on the earth
- ↑ describes the characteristic of a particular age
- ↑ for party purposes
- ↑ A Prince's highest merit is to know his subjects.
- ↑ prying
- ↑ character
- ↑ the right quality for
- ↑ i.e. than in understanding his inclination
