The arts of empire and mysteries of state discabineted in political and polemical aphorisms, grounded on authority and experience, and illustrated with the choicest examples and historical observations / by the ever-renowned knight, Sir Walter Raleigh ; published by John Milton, Esq.

CHAP. XVI. Of Princely Authority; Wherein it consists, and how far to be ex∣tended and delegated.

AUthority is a certain reverent Im∣pression in the Minds of Subjects and others touching the Princes Virtue and Government; it resteth chiefly in Admiration and Fear: Ingenita quibus∣dam gentibus erga reges suos veneratio. Curt.

Authority consisteth in three things; (viz.) the Form of Government, the Strength of the Kingdom, and the Con∣dition of the Prince; for in them all Re∣putation and Security resteth: Majest as Imperii, salutis tutela. Curt.

Whoso desireth to govern well, it be∣hoveth him to use Severity, Constancy and Restraint; for over much Lenity introduceth Contempt, and certain hope of Impunity; the Condition of Men be∣ing such as cannot be restrained by Shame, yet it is to be commanded by

Fear: Salutaris severit as vincit inanem speciem clementiae. Cic.

Yet ought Severity to be used with great respect and sparingly, because over great Terror breedeth Desparati∣on: Poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes per∣veniat. Cic.

To govern constantly is nothing else but to continue the old and ancient Laws in force without Change or Innovation unless exceeding great Commodity or ur∣gent Necessity shall so require: for where extream Punishments are used, Reforma∣tion is always needful: Nocet interdum priscus rigor & nimia severitas. Tac.

Also to restrain Authority is a matter of great Necessity and worthy a Wise Prince; else he maketh others partakers of the Honor and Power to himself only due, the same being also dangerous: Periculosam privati hominis nomen supra (immo & juxta) principes extolli. Tac.

It seemeth also perilous that great Au∣thority given to private Men should be∣long; for thereby oft-tentimes they are made Insolent and apt to Innovation: Libertatis sive principatus magna custodia

est, si magna imperio diuturna esse non sinas. Liv.

Authority is also reinforced and en∣larged by Power, without which no Prince can either take from others or defend his own: Parum tuta sine viribus Majestas. Liv.