OBSERVATION.
THis rule of making tryall of the worth of an enemy, hath alwayes been observed by pru∣dent and grave commanders, as the surest princi∣ple whereon the true judgement of the event may be grounded. For if the doctrine of the old Phi∣losophers, which teacheth that the word non pu∣tabam, I wist it not, was never heard out of a wise mans mouth, hath any place in the course of humane actions; it ought especially to be re∣garded in managing these main points, whereon the State of Kingdoms and Empires dependeth. For, unlesse was be perswaded that blind Chance directeth the course of this world with an uncer∣tain confusion, and that no foresight can sway the ballance of our hap into either part of our for∣tune, I see no reason why we should not by all means endeavour to ground our knowledge up∣on true causes, and levell our proceedings to that certainty which riseth from the things them∣selves. And this is the rather to be urged, inas∣much as our leaders are oftentimes deceived when they look no further then to match an enemy with equality of number, referring their valour to be tried in the battell; not considering that the eye of it self cannot discern the difference between two champions of like presence and outward car∣riage, unlesse it see their strength compared toge∣ther and weighed as it were in the scale of triall: which Caesar omitted not diligently to observe, before he would adventure the hazard of battell. For, besides his own satisfaction, it gave great encouragement to his men, when they saw them∣selves able to countermatch an enemy, and knew their task to be subject to their strength. Neither did he observe it only at this instant, but throughout the whole course of his actions; for we find that he never incountered any enemy, but with sufficient power, either in number or in va∣lour, to make head against them: which equality of strength being first laid as a sure foundation, he used his own industry and skill, and the discipline wherein his men were trained, as ad∣vantages to oversway his adversarie; and so drew victory maugre fortune unto himself, and seldome failed in any of his battels.