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CHAP. XXXI. (Book 31)
The Art of Calumniators and the chiefe meanes of detracting; To accuse one of a speech which in it self is true but fould, and not spoken by the accu∣sed; and by a ••••ew of relating the words of others, to reprove the evill actions of the Prince without punishment or danger.
THey who accuse another to have spoken e∣vill of the Prince, by how much they draw and heap up more evill words from those which are true, by so much the easie wil their accusations find credit and belief.
2. This evidently appeares in the example of Granius Marcellus whom (as Tacitus saith in the 1 book of his Annals) Coepio Crispinus accused to have uttered some sinister and unhappy words touching Tiberius, a crime inevitable, fith that the accuser chooseth something of the Prince's vicious actions, and objecteth them to the ac∣cused's charge to have spoken of. For because they were true, therefore were they believed to have been spoken by him.
3. Many Calumniators having followed this Example have upbraided and twitted the Empe∣rours with their faults, by a shew of relating other mens speches, without reproof. This alone, in a manner moved them, to be very sparing in giving ear to false accusers.
4. And truly Tiberius, as he was a hater of re∣proaches,