Councelles and Councellors.

A Wise man cannot be bought at too deare a rate.* It is very ne∣cessary for a Prince to haue many of his Councell, for the wi∣sest erre very often, eyther for that they are passionate in matters whereof they speake, through loue or hatred, or for that they will oppose one against another, and sometimes by the indisposition of persons, for we must not hold that for Councell which is done after dinner. Some may say, that men committing any of these er∣rors, should not be of a Princes Councell. To whom I must answer that we are all men, and he that would finde out such as should al∣waies speake wisely, and should neuer be moued nor distempered, must seeke them in Heauen, for they are not to bee found among men: but to recompence it, there may bee some one in Councell which shall speake very wisely, and much better then he hath beene accustomed, and so one helpes another.

There are few things secret in this world,* especiallie of those that are spoken.

About great Personages there are alwaies some Clarkes or Lawyers, as it is fit and reasonable when they are good, but verie dangerous when they are bad, they haue still the Law in their mouthes, or some Historie, and the best that can be found, may be turned to a bad sense: but wise men that haue read will neuer be a∣bused, neither will any be so hardy as to tell them lyes.

It is a great treasor for a Prince to haue a wise man in his compa∣ny, and very safe to giue him credite, and that he may haue libertie to speake the truth.