The prince vvritten in French by Mounsier Du Balzac ; now translated into English.

CHAP. XVI.

IN this, the clearnesse of his un∣derstanding hath chiefly appea∣red: To do extraordinary things, it is not enough to know how to

employ opportunities well, but also to know how to chuse them. Civill Prudence, as well as Judiciary Astro∣logie, is acquainted with good and bad houres, according to which it either rests, or labours. All Actions of men have their seasons; even the most vertuous may be done unseasonably. And forasmuch as that which is but an Accident to naturall, is Essentiall to Morall things, there needs nothing but a light Circumstance of time, or place, to spoyle a businesse which in it selfe was most profitable and reasonable. Sometimes to the ac∣complishing of our designe, there needs nothing but that the wic∣kednesse of our Enemies be at the full; That the bad influence which bare rule, beginning to be weakned, There is no more resistance in re∣spect of heaven, and that the mo∣ment be come in which it pleas∣eth God to suffer Men to be made. And as Travellers who rise at

Moon-light, supposing that it is day, are constrained to lye down a∣gaine, or venture the danger of missing their way if they goe on in their journey: In like manner those that follow the meer light of appearances, and who undertake things out of season, are in danger either to gain nothing, or else to be lost in their Enterprises.

Now if ever man knew to take the precise point of time, which is as hard to be met with as that just degree of heat which Chymists seek for in the operation of their Secret, If every man were able to discern the houre of execution, and to make his Benefit of the Opportuni∣ty, it must be confessed it is This Prince of whom I speak.

Assoon as ever this opportunity, which is so necessary in policy, be∣gins to appear, and he perceives that his affairs are ripe, he will not suffer the fruit to be spoil'd; He makes the least moments available

His Presence gives heat to the busi∣nesse; he animates the workmen by his very look, his voyce and incou∣ragements.

You see with what Courage and Magnanimitie he performes busi∣nesses, with what bravery he beares himself in danger: with what Confidence he considers Death, and prepares himself for all events; with what severitie of Countenance he rejects fearfull Counsells, trem∣bling and distrustfull wisdome. It is certain, that in the conduct of Affaires, Courage is no lesse neces∣sary to judgment to put it on, then judgment is necessary to Spi∣rit to hold it in. And as the Mind, all alone, commits many faults, and will unadvisedly remove heaven and earth; so judgment, all alone, is voyd of Action, and is the most idle and barren part of a man. It hinders him from falling, but it is by counselling him to sit still, and not goe at all: It makes a man a∣voyd

ill weather, but it is by cau∣sing him to keep his chamber: It spends dayes and nights in medita∣ting; and from these reasonings proceed nothing but doubts and suspicions, and a miserable unresol∣vednesse, which is the Cause that he never undertakes any thing, be∣cause he will enter upon nothing that is hazardous. Therfore it is, that Chance meets us every where, and there is no businesse so certain, over which Fortune hath not some right, and which is not subject at least to an Inconvenience.

He that alwaies observes the winds and the Clouds shall not sow, nor reape. The idle fellow be∣cause he will not go, sayth a Lyon is in the way, and a Lyonesse not far off.

The King contrarily, when he hath laid his design, troubles his mind no more with an impotunate reasoning, nor enters into conside∣rations which have no end: He

leaves off to deliberate, when it is time to be doing; He doth not o∣verthrow his first opinions by se∣conds, nor those by other new one. He is not troubled to combate him∣self, when he is to go against his e∣nemie: When he hath undertaken a journey, nothing is got by oppo∣sing him. He is as firme in his or∣dinary resolution, as men are in their ancient Habits: Obstacles which present themselves do not stop him, provided that humane force can vanquish them: Even those that come from a higher cause, from absolute necessity, have much ado to give him check; and if he be constrained sometimes to yield to the violence of grief, and that he be acquainted with the in∣firmitie of our condition, herein he is more tormented with his cou∣rage, then with his pain. In the ex∣treamity of a burning Feaver, he complains only of the daies and oc∣casions which he loseth; he is trou∣bled

at nothing, but the going back of his affaires. He will part with all his good intervals to it, instead of tarrying for the effect of reme∣dies, and the recovery of his health: he employes the stops of his disease to be convey'd to his Army; he leaves himself to be cured in the Warr; and with a Body, which hath but half its strength, he laieth the foundation of the hardest enter∣prise of this our Age. Knowing very well, that the same advantages seldome offer themselves twice to the same person; he puts not off af∣faires till to morrow, nor loses good successe by delay: He never saies ther's enough for this time, and we shall finish the rest at leisure. This is Gods proceeding, who is thus patient, because he is Eternall, and lets wicked men alone some∣times, because he hath another world wherein to punish them. But we must not propose an exam∣ple to men, which they cannot fol∣low;

They do not make occasions, but receive them: They do not command the times; they possesse but a small part of them, only the present, which is a point almost imperceptible, oppos'd to that vast extent of Eternity, which hath no bounds. To arrive at their butt, they must go apase and beginn be∣times. They must make hast thorow suddain and transitory things.

And that wise Prince, who be∣sides the knowledg which he might draw from his own experience and reason; was enlightned of God, said, speaking of himself, that he slew the wicked betimes in the morning; be∣cause, as I conceive, he was not as∣sur'd of the after-noon, and knew not if his good fortune would last so long.