out a way by which they might judge by justice； and choose men by reason；
would； in this one thing； establish a perfect form of government。
〃Ay； but he brought that great affair to a very good pass。〃 This is；
indeed； to say something； but not to say enough： for this sentence is
justly received； 〃That we are not to judge of counsels by events。〃
The Carthaginians punished the ill counsels of their captains； though
they were rectified by a successful issue； and the Roman people often
denied a triumph for great and very advantageous victories because the
conduct of their general was not answerable to his good fortune。
We ordinarily see； in the actions of the world； that Fortune； to shew
us her power in all things； and who takes a pride in abating our
presumption； seeing she could not make fools wise； has made them
fortunate in emulation of virtue； and most favours those operations the
web of which is most purely her own； whence it is that the simplest
amongst us bring to pass great business； both public and private； and；
as Seiramnes； the Persian； answered those who wondered that his affairs
succeeded so ill； considering that his deliberations were so wise； 〃that
he was sole master of his designs； but that success was wholly in the
power of fortune〃； these may answer the same； but with a contrary turn。
Most worldly affairs are performed by themselves
〃Fata viam inveniunt；〃
＇The destinies find the way。〃AEneid； iii。 395＇
the event often justifies a very foolish conduct； our interposition is
little more than as it were a running on by rote； and more commonly a
consideration of custom and example； than of reason。 Being formerly
astonished at the greatness of some affair； I have been made acquainted
with their motives and address by those who had performed it； and have
found nothing in it but very ordinary counsels； and the most common and
usual are indeed； perhaps； the most sure and convenient for practice； if
not for show。 What if the plainest reasons are the best seated？ the
meanest； lowest； and most beaten more adapted to affairs？ To maintain
the authority of the counsels of kings； it needs not that profane persons
should participate of them； or see further into them than the outmost
barrier； he who will husband its reputation must be reverenced upon
credit and taken altogether。 My consultation somewhat rough…hews the
matter； and considers it lightly by the first face it presents： the
stress and main of the business I have been wont to refer to heaven；
〃Permitte divis caetera。〃
＇〃Leave the rest to the gods。〃Horace； Od。； i。 9； 9。＇
Good and ill fortune are； in my opinion； two sovereign powers； 'tis folly
to think that human prudence can play the part of Fortune； and vain is
his attempt who presumes to comprehend both causes and consequences； and
by the hand to conduct the progress of his design； and most especially
vain in the deliberations of war。 There was never greater circumspection
and military prudence than sometimes is seen amongst us： can it be that
men are afraid to lose themselves by the way； that they reserve
themselves to the end of the game？ I moreover affirm that our wisdom
itself and consultation； for the most part commit themselves to the
conduct of chance； my will and my reason are sometimes moved by one
breath； and sometimes by another； and many of these movements there are
that govern themselves without me： my reason has uncertain and casual
agitations and impulsions：
〃Vertuntur species animorum； et pectora motus
Nunc alios； alios； dum nubila ventus agebat；
Concipiunt。〃
＇The aspects of their minds change； and they conceive now such
ideas； now such； just so long as the wind agitated the clouds。〃
Virgil； Georg。； i。 42。＇
Let a man but observe who are of greatest authority in cities； and who
best do their own business； we shall find that they are commonly men of
the least parts： women； children； and madmen have had the fortune to
govern great kingdoms equally well with the wisest princes； and
Thucydides says； that the stupid more ordinarily do it than those of
better understandings； we attribute the effects of their good fortune to
their prudence：
〃Ut quisque Fortuna utitur；
Ita praecellet； atque exinde sapere illum omnes dicimus；〃
＇〃He makes his way who knows how to use Fortune； and thereupon we
all call him wise。〃Plautus； Pseudol。； ii。 3； 13。＇
wherefore I say unreservedly； events are a very poor testimony of our
worth and parts。
Now； I was upon this point； that there needs no more but to see a man
promoted to dignity； though we knew him but three days before a man of
little regard； yet an image of grandeur of sufficiency insensibly steals
into our opinion； and we persuade ourselves that； being augmented in
reputation and train； he is also increased in merit； we judge of him； not
according to his worth； but as we do by counters； according to the
prerogative of his place。 If it happen so that he fall again； and be
mixed with the common crowd； every one inquires with amazement into the
cause of his having been raised so high。 〃Is this he；〃 say they； 〃was he
no wiser when he was there？ Do princes satisfy themselves with so
little？ Truly； we were in good hands。〃 This is a thing that I have
often seen in my time。 Nay； even the very disguise of grandeur
represented in our comedies in some sort moves and gulls us。 That which
I myself adore in kings is the crowd of their adorers； all reverence and
submission are due to them； except that of the understanding： my reason
is not obliged to bow and bend； my knees are。 Melanthius being asked
what he thought of the tragedy of Dionysius； 〃I could not see it；〃 said
he； 〃it was so clouded with language〃； so most of those who judge of the
discourses of great men ought to say； 〃I did not understand his words；
they were so clouded with gravity； grandeur； and majesty。〃 Antisthenes
one day tried to persuade the Athenians to give order that their asses
might be employed in tilling the ground as well as the horses were； to
which it was answered that that animal was not destined for such a
service： 〃That's all one；〃 replied he； 〃you have only to order it： for
the most ignorant and incapable men you employ in the commands of your
wars incontinently become worthy enough； because you employ them〃； to
which the custom of so many people； who canonise the king they have
chosen out of their own body； and are not content only to honour； but
must adore them； comes very near。 Those of Mexico； after the ceremonies
of their king's coronation are over； dare no more look him in the face；
but； as if they had deified him by his royalty。 Amongst the oaths they
make him take to maintain their religion； their laws； and liberties； to
be valiant； just； and mild； he moreover swears to make the sun run his
course in his wonted light； to drain the clouds at fit seasons； to make
rivers run their course； and to cause the earth to bear all things
necessary for his people。
I differ from this common fashion； and am more apt to suspect the
capacity when I see it accompanied with that grandeur of fortune and
public applause； we are to consider of what advantage it is to speak when
a man pleases； to choose his subject； to interrupt or change it； with a
magisterial authority； to protect himself from the oppositions of others
by a nod； a smile； or silence； in the presence of an assembly that
trembles with reverence and respect。 A man of a prodigious fortune
coming to give his judgment upon some slight dispute that was foolishly
set on foot at his table； began in these words： 〃It can be no other but
a liar or a fool that will say otherwise than so and so。〃 Pursue this
philosophical point with a dagger in your hand。
There is another observation I have made； from which I draw great
advantage； which is； that in conferences and disputes； every word that
seems to be good； is not immediately to be accepted。 Most men are rich
in borrowed sufficiency： a man may say a good thing； give a good answer；
cite a good sentence； without at all seeing the force of either the one
or the other。 That a man may not understand all he borrows； may perhaps
be verified in myself。 A man must not always presently yield； what truth
or beauty soever may seem to be in the opposite argument； either he must
stoutly meet it； or retire； under colour of not understanding it； to try；
on all parts； how it is lodged in the author。 It may happen that we
entangle ourselves； and help to strengthen the point itself。 I have
sometimes； in the necessity and heat of the combat； made answers that
have gone through and through； beyond my expectation or hope； I only gave
them in number； they were received in weight。 As； when I contend with a
vigorous man； I please myself with anticipating his conclusions； I ease
him of the trouble of explaining himself； I strive to forestall his
imagination whilst it is yet springing and imperfect； the order and
pertinency of his understanding warn and threaten me afar off： I deal
quite contrary with the others； I must understand； and presuppose nothing
but by them。 If they determine in general words； 〃 this is good； that is
naught；〃 and that they happen to be in the right； see if it be not
fortune that hits it off for them： let them a little circumscribe and
limit their judgment； why； or how； it is so。 These universal judgments
that I see so common； signify nothing； these are men who salute a whole
people in a crowd together； they； who have a real acquaintance； take
notice of and salute them individually and by name。 But 'tis a hazardous
attempt； and from which I have； more than every day； seen it fall out；
that weak understandings； having a mind to appear ingenious； in taking
notice； as they read a book； of what is best and most to be admired； fix
their admiration upon some thing so very ill chosen； that instead of
making us discern the excellence of the author； they make us very well
see their own ignorance。 This exclamation is safe； 〃That is fine；〃 after
having heard a whole page of Virgil；