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Essay LI: Of Faction
Essay LI: Of Faction
Many have an opinion not wise, that for a prince to govern his estate,
or for a great person to govern his proceedings, according to the respect of
factions, is a principal part off policy; whereas contrariwise, the chiefest
wisdom is either in ordering those things which are general, and wherein men
of several factions do nevertheless agree; or in dealing with correspondence
to particular persons, one by one. But I say not that the considerations of
factions is to be neglected. Mean men, in their rising, must adhere; but
great men, that have strength in themselves, were better to maintain
themselves indifferent and neutral. Yet even in beginners, to adhere so
moderately, as he be a man of the one faction which is most passable with the
other, commonly giveth best way. The lower and weaker faction is the firmer
in conjunction; and it is often seen that a few that are stiff do tire out a
greater number that are more moderate. When one of the factions is
extinguished, the remaining subdivideth; as the faction between Lucullus and
the rest of the nobles of the senate (which they called Optimates
[Aristocrats]) held out awhile against the faction of Pompey and Caesar; but
when the senate`s authority was pulled down, Caesar and Pompey soon after
brake. The faction or party of Antonius and Octavianus Caesar against Brutus
and Cassius held out likewise for a time; but when Brutus and Cassius were
overthrown, then soon after Antonius and Octavianus brake and subdivided.
These examples are of wars, but the same holdeth in private factions. And
therefore those that are seconds in factions do many times, when the faction
subdivideth, prove principals; but many times also they prove ciphers and
cashiered; for many a man`s strength is in opposition; and when that faileth
he groweth out of use. It is commonly seen that men once placed take in
with the contrary faction to that by which they enter: thinking belike that
they have the first sure, and now are ready for a new purchase. The traitor
in faction lightly goeth away with it; ^1 for when matters have stuck long
in balancing, the winning of some one man casteth them, and he getteth all
the thanks. The even carriage between two factions proceedeth not always of
moderation, but of a trueness to a man`s self, with end to make use of both.
Certainly in Italy they hold it a little suspect in popes, when they have
often in their mouth Padre commune [common father]: and take it to be a sign
of one that meaneth to refer all to the greatness of his own house. Kings
had need beware how they side themselves, and make themselves as of a faction
or party; for leagues within the state are ever pernicious to monarchies: for
they raise an obligation paramount to obligation of sovereignty, and make the
king tanquam unus ex nobis [like one of ourselves]; as was to be seen in the
League of France. When factions are carried too high and too violently, it is
a sign of weakness in princes; and much to the prejudice both of their
authority and business. The motions of factions under kings ought to be like
the motions (as the astronomers speak) of the inferior orbs, which may have
their proper motions, but yet still are quietly carried by the higher motion
of primum mobile. ^2
[Footnote 1: Gets an advantage.]
[Footnote 2: See Essay xv. n. 3.]
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