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THere 1 1.1 is much wisedome in that Prince who can iudge of the seuer all aduices giuen by his Counsel∣lors; yet greater is his vertue that can discerne and follow the best: but his sagacitie is singular, that can diue into their inward thoughts and pur∣poses who giue it. 2 1.6 Because it is dangerous to be car∣ried away with that counsell, which tendeth onely to the particular pro∣fit of the counsellor. 3 1.8 For where the Prince is of so easie and tractable a
nature, it were better for the State to haue him wicked, then for him to haue such wicked ministers.
The French armie is at Siena. The kings Councell aduiseth to make haste, before the confederates should haue leuied their forces, and be drawne to a head, to impeach their passage backe. The Florentines require againe with greater instance then be∣fore, the restitution of their cautionary townes. They offer him in consideration, the thirtie thousand Duckats yet behind, due by the treatie, as also to lend him three score thousand more. Moreouer to send him for his safe-gard out of Italie, three hundred men at armes, and two thousand foote, vnder their Ge∣nerall Francesco Secco, and to attend his army as farre as Asti. All the Councell thought these offers large, and most needfull for the king to accept, in this time of vrgent necessitie, and ex∣treame danger: as also their demand to be most honest, iust, and reasonable. Onely Ligny, an vnexperienced yong man, cousen∣germane
to the king by the mother, and now the onely fauou∣rite (in disdaine that the Florentines vsed the mediation of the Cardinall S. Malò, and not his, and to haue the gouernment of Siena, whereto he aspired) being seconded by Monsieur de Pienes, who also looked for the gouernment of Pisa and Ligorne, per∣swade the king to the contrary, and preuaile: to the breach of his promise and oath, and to the endangering of his person and whole armie in that iourney.
Saepe audiui eum primum esse virum, qui ipse consulat, quod in rem sit: se∣cundum eum, qui benè monenti obediat: Qui nec ipse consulere, nec alteri parêre * 1.2 scit, eum esse extremi ingenij.
Sapientissimum esse dicunt eum, cui quid opus sit, ipsi veniat in mentem: pro∣ximè accedere eum, qui alterius benè inuentis obtemperet. * 1.3
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. * 1.4 i.
Plurimùm sapit, qui sibi ipse per omnia sapit: etiam ille qui benè monenti obtem∣perat: at qui nec sibi sapit, nec alium audire monentem in animum induxit, inutilis prorsus hic vir est.
Rarò eminentes viros non magnis adiutoribus, ad gubernandam fortunam suam reperies. * 1.5
Liui. l. 22.
Cic. pro Clu.
Hesiod. l. 1.
Vellei. l. 2.
In aures Principum, fictè ac simulatè, quaestus sui gratia, insusurrant.
Ceux qui ne visent qu' à leur particulier, en seruent aux grands, se despensent * 1.7 aisement de leur foy.
Cic. ad Q. fra Am. Plu. Dē.
Melior est Respub. in qua Princeps malus, ea, in qua mali sunt Principis * 1.9 ministri.
Tiberius Princeps crudelis & auarus; Seruitia habuit modesta: Galba Prin∣ceps * 1.10 haud malus, praepotentes habuit libertos, omnia venalia offerentes. I mali dell' vna & dell' altera corte, erano egualmente graui, ma non egualmente scusati. * 1.11
Lam. in Alex
Tacit.
Amirat. ibid.