The history of the government of France, under the administration of the great Armand du Plessis, Cardinall and Duke of Richlieu, and chief minister of state in that kingdome wherein occur many important negotiations relating to most part of Christendome in his time : with politique observations upon the chapters / translated out of French by J.D. Esq.

Politique Observation.

NOthing is so requisite in a Prince as to attempt all things with Justice, and such as are within his power, without this he will inevitably fall into confusion, and see himself exposed to as much shame, as he proposed glory. Imprudence is the spring of ill successe, and rashness throws a Prince into the Gulph of confusion; it inforceth the courages of those who have more heat than judgment, charming them with a certain show of glory, for which it makes them hope; but indeed, onely to engage them in greater disasters. True generosity consisteth not in a blind impe∣tuous rage, which adventures upon all, without considering the power, or weighing the design by the Laws of prudence; but it follows a medium between defect and excess; Holding the head too high doth oftentimes throw down into praecipices: and the want of prudence is no lesse dangerous, for it oftentimes obligeth to dis∣cover not onely a deficiency of power, but also of heart. That Prince is greatly to be blamed, who falls upon a King incomparably more powerful than himself, and who pretends with an handful of men to oppose that, which at last he will be forced

to grant. It is no shame for necessity to take the Law of one that is more powerful, but if power prevail, the who is forced to it, is discredited with interest: besides, in passages, how strait or difficult soever they be, he cannot be able to defend himself from the danger which is falling on him, unless he be very strong seeing that enemy, who comes to assault him with a great Army, will at last force him, although they loose some men in the gaining it: Commonly there is not above one or two diffi∣cult places in a passage, and it is impossible, but that a great Army of resolute men should gain them. In fine when they who defend them shall find an whole Army thundring in upon them, it strikes a terror into them so that they are forced to fly, and by that means destroyed, for this reason the Romans would never put them∣selves to the trouble of keeping any passes, unless they saw it necessary to expect the Enemy, because they who were in the chief Stands, should be alwayes assisted: but it is not the same thing when a Garrison hath nothing to second it, or where there are no reserves to assist those whom an Enemy shall first have routed.