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CHAP. XXXVI. (Book 36)
Comforts in adverse fortune. The benefits of Princes are to be dispensed warily: His favour is not to be too much divided amongst others. By what means one may intercede for others. Favour is not ambiti∣ously to be boasted of. The free arbitrement of Princes in acting. What commands of his are to be obeyed & dispatched. The reason of a Princes dresse and sum∣ptuousnesse. How we are to deale with one that com∣plains to us of being offended and hurt by the Prince. Of the Court houshold service. What is the most especiall part and Office of Courtly wisdome.
BUt yet, as it is a great Comfort and consolati∣on in adverse fortune, to have communicated with others in our prosperity, and to have used the favour of the Prince to lift up and advance others: so is a Courtier also to be admonished that he dispense and bestow those benefits wari∣ly. For it is most certain, that whatever the Prince hath conferred on another at our request is in a great measure to be imputed to us. There∣fore his grace and favour, unlesse it be very great towards us, is not to be too much divided a∣mongst others; and very seldome are others who are not after some sort knowne to the prince, to be recomended unto him. That of Horace is to be observed.