The courtiers manual oracle, or, The art of prudence written originally in Spanish by Baltazar Gracian, and now done into English.
Gracián y Morales, Baltasar, 1601-1658.

MAXIME. XXIX.

The upright Man.

One ought always to be on the side of Reason, and that so constantly, that nei∣ther vulgar passion, nor any tyrannical violence may be able to make him aban∣don the party. But where is that Phoe∣nix of equity to be found? Sure, she has not many Adherents. There are many who publish her praises, but will not admit her into their Houses. Others follow her as far as danger will permit; but when they come to that, some like salse Friends deny her; and the rest, like Politicians, pretend they know her not. She, on the contrary, scruples not to fall out with Friends, with Powers, nay, and Page  26 with her own interest: and there lies the danger of mistaking her. The cunning stand neuter, and by a plausible and me∣taphysical subtilty, endeavour to recon∣cile their Conscience with reason of state. But an upright man looks upon that way of trimming as a kind of Treason, think∣ing it more honour to be constant, than to be a Statesman. He is always where truth is: and if he sometimes leave peo∣ple, it is not that he is fickle, but because they have first forsaken reason.