Politique Observation.
A Man may say thus much in the behalf of those, who were Authors of this Truce, that whoever pretends to make a long and durable Peace, ought not to refuse some satisfaction to his enemies; who in case they be forced to conclude with dishonour and confusion presently break out again, as soon as they find them∣selves in a Condition of taking their revenge. Such was the opinion of Archida∣mus, when he would have perswaded the Lacedemonians, to make a Peace with the Thebans, upon the relation of Isocrates. And indeed it is impossible to make a good and firm establishment of a Peace, if one side hath all the advantages, and t'other be driven into desperation. And as nothing doth so much excite courage, as the losse of honour, so it ingageth them to new attempts, without any hopes of reducing them to a second Peace. If one hath not Forces infinitely above theirs, and be not absolutely assured of the victory. Necessity it self when a man find that he suffers with shame and discredit, makes one of them worth four; and for∣ceth him who before fled, to face about with fury. It snatcheth away all fears, and there is not any thing which it doth not perswade and lead him to. The Events of War are incertain, and it is in fights, as in other affairs of the World; sometimes he who negotiateth findeth himself reduced in certain conjunctures, to put himself upon an eminent hazard of losing all, to gain all the advantage to himself; so he who in a combat would carry away all the glory by a high hand, doth often see it reaped by his enemies, for that he attempted to reduce them to too great an extre∣mity.