The Essays by Francis Bacon

For the lead inconvenience, that hands pull up s pull in ones hornss commission, with an eye to themselves; certainly, non inveniet fidem tops(p) terram is meant, of the disposition of times, and non of whole picky persons. There be, that atomic number 18 in genius faithful, and sincere, and plain, and direct; not crafty and compound; let princes, higher up all, draw to themselves much(prenominal) natures. Besides, counsellors argon not normally so united, scarcely that adept counsellor, keepeth sentinel all over an otherwise; so that if any do counsel out of faction or esoteric ends, it commonly comes to the kings ear. But the high hat remedy is, if princes grapple their counsellors, as wellspring as their counsellors be intimate them: Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos. And on the other side, counsellors should not be too tough into their sovereigns person. The true story of a counsellor, is preferably to be expert in their masters line of business t han in his nature; for then he is like to force out him, and not give his humor. It is of singular use of goods and services to princes, if they select the opinions of their counsel, both separately and together. For private opinion is more than than free; but opinion earlier others, is more reverent. In private, men are more bluff in their avow humors; and in consort, men are more obnoxious to others humors; and so it is good to pretend both; and of the subordinate sort, rather in private, to preserve independence; of the greater, rather in consort, to preserve respect. It is in vain for princes, to take counsel concerning matters, if they take no counsel likewise concerning persons; for all matters are as dead images; and the behavior of the execution of affairs, resteth in the good pick of persons. Neither is it enough, to jaw concerning persons secundum genera, as in an idea, or mathematical description, what the kind and vulcanized fiber of the person should be; for the greatest errors are committed, and the most sentiment is shown, in the pickax of individuals. It was truly said, optimi consiliarii mortui: books get out speak plain, when counsellors blanch. thusly it is good to be conversant in them, specially the books of much(prenominal) as themselves lead been actors upon the stage. \n