The compleat courtier: or, The morals of the famous historian Cornelius Tacitus concerning flattery, &c. In above one hundred essays. Paraphras'd and illustrated with useful observations by the Sieur Amelo de la Houssaie and M. D'Ablancourt. Done out of French.

ESSAY. XXIX.

VArro the Consul gratifi'd the hatred of Sejanus, by the loss of his own Reputation.

The Consul Varro 〈◊〉〈◊〉 D'Ablancourt, became his own 〈…〉〈…〉 and was not asham'd to sacrifice 〈…〉〈…〉 and to the Interests of Sejanus.

Flatterers are always no less Servile then Cruel: And seeing they Sacrifice so willingly their Honour to Favour, 'tis no wonder we are so easily induc'd to sacrifice to the Interrest of Topping Fa∣vorites, the Objects of their Hatred. If the Favourite, says Commines, would lay an Imposition of a Penny, they cry two. If the Prince do but threaten a Man, they cry, let him be Hang'd. And be sure Sir, to render your self formidable; and for themselves, their Deportment and their

Frowns discover nothing but Pride and Seve∣rity, as if Authority and Power were their Inheritance. Observe by the way, that Tacitus when he mentions Flattery, fre∣quently associates with it Calumny, which is indeed one of the most usual means, that Flatterers make use of to the Ruine of others.