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Jonson, Ben, 1573-1637

"Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some Poems"

{14}
Mutua auxilia.--Learning needs rest: sovereignty gives it.
Sovereignty needs counsel: learning affords it. There is such a
consociation of offices between the prince and whom his favour
breeds, that they may help to sustain his power as he their
knowledge. It is the greatest part of his liberality, his favour;
and from whom doth he hear discipline more willingly, or the arts
discoursed more gladly, than from those whom his own bounty and
benefits have made able and faithful?
Cognit. univers.--In being able to counsel others, a man must be
furnished with a universal store in himself, to the knowledge of all
nature--that is, the matter and seed-plot: there are the seats of
all argument and invention. But especially you must be cunning in
the nature of man: there is the variety of things which are as the
elements and letters, which his art and wisdom must rank and order
to the present occasion. For we see not all letters in single
words, nor all places in particular discourses. That cause seldom
happens wherein a man will use all arguments.
Consiliarii adjunct. Probitas, Sapientia.--The two chief things
that give a man reputation in counsel are the opinion of his honesty
and the opinion of his wisdom: the authority of those two will
persuade when the same counsels uttered by other persons less
qualified are of no efficacy or working.


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