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NO War is just but that which is necessary, according to the opinion of the wi∣sest Politicians: So that a Prince never ought to undertake it, but upon just considerations. War is know to be the source of all misfortunes, it filleth a State
with impieties, violences; extortions, and cruelties, it destroyeth the innocent, in∣commodateth the rich, and pulleth away the bread out of the hands of the poor, what reason therefore to commence it, unlesse upon good ground, and when ne∣cessity doth even inforce it ? Now of all Princes which fail of their designs in point of War none are more justly punished for their temerity, then those who build de∣signs disproportionable to their powers; such Princes are easily reduced either to a necessity of seeing their Army cut in pieces, or of making a Peace upon dishonou∣rable conditions. Perhaps they fancy an augmentation of credit power, and glo∣ry; but in conclusion, they are driven to exigencies and confusions, which had never befallen them, bad they but prudently remembred that the Creator of the Universe hath set bounds to all Empires; that he had before our births pre-ordai∣ned, what condition we should here injoy; that our lives and our fortunes are both limited, and that notwithstanding all our care, all our indeavours, we cannot in∣crease the one, or protract the t'other one tittle, unlesse Heaven concur to favour our attempts: They find by experience, that the most active and busie drive on their ends more slowly then other men; that those men whose minds are taken up with continual broyls, do often fall into the snare they had contrived for others; and that those Princes who think to be most wise and subtle in deceiving others, are commonly themselves mistaken and deluded. To conclude, they who are truly wise, do foresee at a distance what the issue of their attempts may be, and do re∣fer the management of affairs unto their Judgement, without following the impe∣tuousness of their emotions; they know, that who so is master of his passions, is master of his Fortune; and they imitate Caesar's Prudence, who never took the Field, until he had taken care for four things which seem to be the true foundation of Victory.
The first whereof is, To be fully inform'd of an Enemies Force, of his Advan∣tages, and of his Wants, before he encounter with him.
The second is, To have an Army in readiness, if possible, before he hear of it.
The third is, To have all Provisions both of Ammunition and Victuals in a rea∣diness.
And the fourth is, To have all sorts of Instruments and Warlike Engines at Command.
These were the things which gave Caesar the opportunity to prosecute his Con∣quests with success, and to bring great exploits to perfection, in a very small time. He who would imitate his Victories, ought to imitate the example of his Prudence, otherwise his misfortune will be as great as were his Quondam hopes of glory.