Nay,
his honours are a great part of the honour of the times; when by
this means he is grown to active men an example, to the slothful a
spur, to the envious a punishment.
Divites.--Heredes ex asse. He which is sole heir to many rich men,
having (besides his father's and uncle's) the estates of divers his
kindred come to him by accession, must needs be richer than father
or grandfather; so they which are left heirs ex asse of all their
ancestors' vices, and by their good husbandry improve the old and
daily purchase new, must needs be wealthier in vice, and have a
greater revenue or stock of ill to spend on.
Fures publici.--The great thieves of a state are lightly the
officers of the crown; they hang the less still, play the pikes in
the pond, eat whom they list. The net was never spread for the hawk
or buzzard that hurt us, but the harmless birds; they are good
meat:-
"Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas." {81a}
"Non rete accipitri tenditur, neque milvio." {81b}
Lewis XI.--But they are not always safe though, especially when they
meet with wise masters. They can take down all the huff and
swelling of their looks, and like dexterous auditors place the
counter where he shall value nothing.
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