Of wisdom three books / written originally in French by the Sieur de Charron ; with an account of the author, made English by George Stanhope ...

CHAP. IV. The Preface.

HAving dispatch'd, as you see, the several Directions necessary for that part of Civil Prudence, which is design'd to guide a Prince in the Administration of the Government, and the maintaining that Character which is altogether Publick: I design in the next place to allow that Prudence, which is personal, a distinct Consideration: That, I mean, which is necessary for the preserving himself under, or for applying proper Remedies to, the Difficulties, and Dangers, and Calamities that may happen. And this is the fitter to be spoken to apart, and by it self, be∣cause both the Rules themselves, and the Occasions which re∣quire the Practice of them, are agreeable to the Circumstan∣ces of all Conditions of Men, and sute both Prince and Subject; both them, in Publick, and those in Private Ca∣pacities.

Now the First thing to be done upon this Occasion, is the ob∣ser••ing and distinguishing duly that great Variety of Bu∣siness and Contingenties, which this Subject will engage us in the Consideration of: For they may be either Publick or Pri∣••••••. They may be Future, and such as threaten ••s at some ••••••ance; or they may be actual Hardships, and such as we la∣b•••• under at presons. They may be ••••••••cate and Ʋncertain; or they may be ovi•••••••• Dangerous and Difficult; and of great Concern to is too, 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Violence of the Pressure they put us under. And again, Those that are of the highest Consequence, and are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and encumbred with most per∣p••••xing Difficult 〈…〉〈…〉 Secret and Con••••••l'd, or Vist•••• and Open. Of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sort 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may ••••kon T•••••• Close Conspiracies against the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and lift of the Prince, or a∣gainst the Government in general, Or Treathery against any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or, Town, 〈…〉〈…〉, or some particuliar Body 〈…〉〈…〉 The 〈…〉〈…〉 such as are Manifest and Open, are 〈…〉〈…〉 sor•• For either they want the Formalities of War, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••tumultuous and disorderly; as Popular Commotions, 〈…〉〈…〉 Insurrections upon some slight Occasion of Offence; 〈…〉〈…〉 and 〈…〉〈…〉 into by some Subjects against the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the 〈…〉〈…〉 in these may be Numerous or Few, Great or 〈…〉〈…〉 Seditions or Mutinies against the

Prince or the 〈…〉〈…〉 the Authority, and 〈…〉〈…〉 self: Or else they are 〈…〉〈…〉 go by the 〈…〉〈…〉 and be of as many 〈…〉〈…〉 which are indeed 〈…〉〈…〉 and imperfect 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of such 〈…〉〈…〉 full Growth by 〈…〉〈…〉 every 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these, 〈…〉〈…〉 and to 〈…〉〈…〉 to Men's 〈…〉〈…〉 be 〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉 Those of the first 〈…〉〈…〉 those of 〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉 filent 〈…〉〈…〉 about him, without ever 〈…〉〈…〉 Blow. The Former of 〈…〉〈…〉 govern and order the 〈…〉〈…〉

Himself. The Former is the brisker Man, and plays a bolder; but the Latter is the surer, and plays a more saving Game. The Former is always in deep Anxiety and Suspense, agitated and toffed between Hope and Fear; the Latter puts himself under Covert, lies down upon the Ground, and satisfies himself with the Comfort that he can fall no lower. The Former takes pains to escape the Ca∣lamity; the Latter labours to endure and get through it; and it very often happens, That This Man hath the bet∣ter Bargain of it, and comes off with less Trouble and Loss We know Men are often at more Expence to de∣fend their Title by Law, than the whole thing they con∣tend for is worth: And thus it is very often in other Mat∣ters. The cheapest Course they can take is to fit down by the Loss; and many an Affliction is born with more Ease to the Sufferer, than it can be either avoided or strug∣gled with. The Covetous Wretch is a greater torment to himself, than He that is really Poor; and the Jealous Hus∣band feels more uneasiness, tho' his Jealousie be groundless and undeserv'd, than the Cuckold who hath been actually dishonour'd, but either knows it not, or regards it not. The peculiar Virtue of the Former, and that which is most ne∣cessary for his Circumstances is Prudence; for His is active Valour; That of the Latter is Temper, and Constancy, and Patience; for his part is purely passive. But indeed, why should a Man be confin'd to either of these singly? Wherefore should he not use and try both, in their Order and proper Season? For methinks Prudence and Vigilance should be the first Attempt; and when these are found in∣sufficient, then is the time for changing our Measures, and Patience should succeed in their Place. Thus much at least is certain and undoubted, that in all Publick Contingencies the Methods for Prevention and Remedy ought first to be try'd; Those that are in Trust and Office, and have it in their Power to serve and promote the Common Good, are indispensably obliged to it, and ought to stand in the Gap against all managable Difficulties and Misfortunes. In the Case of private Persons, I confess it is otherwise; there a Man hath none but himself to answer for; and it will be agreeable to Wisdom and Duty both, to consider the state of the Matter before him, and consult his own Abilities; and then to make a Choice of such Methods and Management, as appear most advantageous in the present Circumstances, and as he feels himself best qualify'd for.