A tyrant, how great and mighty soever he
may seem to cowards and sluggards, is but one creature, one animal.
Nobilium ingenia.--I have marked among the nobility some are so
addicted to the service of the prince and commonwealth, as they look
not for spoil; such are to be honoured and loved. There are others
which no obligation will fasten on; and they are of two sorts. The
first are such as love their own ease; or, out of vice, of nature,
or self-direction, avoid business and care. Yet these the prince
may use with safety. The other remove themselves upon craft and
design, as the architects say, with a premeditated thought, to their
own rather than their prince's profit. Such let the prince take
heed of, and not doubt to reckon in the list of his open enemies.
Principum. varia.--Firmissima vero omnium basis jus haereditarium
Principis.--There is a great variation between him that is raised to
the sovereignty by the favour of his peers and him that comes to it
by the suffrage of the people. The first holds with more
difficulty, because he hath to do with many that think themselves
his equals, and raised him for their own greatness and oppression of
the rest.
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