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 VIII.

THE Name of Father of his Country, frequently by the People crouded in among his Titles, Tiberius refus'd; Nor would he per∣mit any Oaths to be Sworn for the Observation of his Acts, alledging that all the Acts of Mortal Men were frail and uncertain, and the more he was advanc'd in Power, the more slippery was the Pinacle upon which he stood.

He excus'd himself, says D'Ablancourt, by urging the Inconstancy of Human Events, affirming that the higher he was Exalted, the more dangerous would be his Fall, and the more likely to happen.

Nothing better becomes a Great and Glorious Prince, then to withstand the assaults of Flattery. The Senate had decree'd, that all the Acts of Tiberius should be Sworn to; that is to say, that they should be bound to Confirm and Ju∣stifie,

whatever he did to be Legally and Warrantably done. But Tiberius was of a contrary Opinion; that he was so far from being Infallible, that he was more then others in danger of Failing in his Judgment, for that his High Employ∣ment, and the Burthen of the Ponderous Charge upon his Shoulders, was not only more difficult then any other to un∣dergo, but more Obnoxious also to Hu∣man Accidents.

Princes have always been accustom'd to have Flatterers at their Elbows, who Swear continually to all their Acts; In∣sinuating that God has given 'em a Uni∣versal Knowledge, and a Judgment that cannot err. So that we must not won∣der if so many Princes miscarry in their Government, for want of Faithful Ser∣vants that will open their Lips to tell 'em Truth. Therefore a Politic Spaniard, giving the Reason why it was the Cu∣stom for many Princes to carry their Je∣ster along with 'em where ever they went:* 1.1 Because, says he, they were Wise and Prudent Men; for they did not make use of those Jesters for Sport or Diver∣tisement,

but for Information. And in anothir Place,† 1.2 These Jesters, says he, are the Oracles of Truth, who fearlessly discover what others have unwarily ut∣ter'd in their Hearing.

Which is a great Assistance to Princes, who never can Correct the Fault before they know it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gracian in his 3d. Dialogue of his 3d. Part of his Critioon.
• † 1.2

  In his Ferdinand.