As that other voice of his was
worthier
a
headsman than a head when he wished the people of Rome had but one neck.
headsman than a head when he wished the people of Rome had but one neck.
Ben Jonson - Discoveries Made Upon Men, and Some Poems
--Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages
wherein they live and illustrate the times. God did never let them be
wanting to the world: as Abel, for an example of innocency, Enoch of
purity, Noah of trust in God's mercies, Abraham of faith, and so of the
rest. These, sensual men thought mad because they would not be partakers
or practisers of their madness. But they, placed high on the top of all
virtue, looked down on the stage of the world and contemned the play of
fortune. For though the most be players, some must be spectators.
_Mores aulici_. --I have discovered that a feigned familiarity in great
ones is a note of certain usurpation on the less. For great and popular
men feign themselves to be servants to others to make those slaves to
them. So the fisher provides bait for the trout, roach, dace, &c. , that
they may be food to him.
_Impiorum querela_. --_Augusties_. --_Varus_. --_Tiberius_. --The complaint of
Caligula was most wicked of the condition of his times, when he said they
were not famous for any public calamity, as the reign of Augustus was, by
the defeat of Varus and the legions; and that of Tiberius, by the falling
of the theatre at Fidenae; whilst his oblivion was eminent through the
prosperity of his affairs.
As that other voice of his was worthier a
headsman than a head when he wished the people of Rome had but one neck.
But he found when he fell they had many hands. 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. The latter hath no
upbraiders, but was raised by them that sought to be defended from
oppression: whose end is both easier and the honester to satisfy.
wherein they live and illustrate the times. God did never let them be
wanting to the world: as Abel, for an example of innocency, Enoch of
purity, Noah of trust in God's mercies, Abraham of faith, and so of the
rest. These, sensual men thought mad because they would not be partakers
or practisers of their madness. But they, placed high on the top of all
virtue, looked down on the stage of the world and contemned the play of
fortune. For though the most be players, some must be spectators.
_Mores aulici_. --I have discovered that a feigned familiarity in great
ones is a note of certain usurpation on the less. For great and popular
men feign themselves to be servants to others to make those slaves to
them. So the fisher provides bait for the trout, roach, dace, &c. , that
they may be food to him.
_Impiorum querela_. --_Augusties_. --_Varus_. --_Tiberius_. --The complaint of
Caligula was most wicked of the condition of his times, when he said they
were not famous for any public calamity, as the reign of Augustus was, by
the defeat of Varus and the legions; and that of Tiberius, by the falling
of the theatre at Fidenae; whilst his oblivion was eminent through the
prosperity of his affairs.
As that other voice of his was worthier a
headsman than a head when he wished the people of Rome had but one neck.
But he found when he fell they had many hands. 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. The latter hath no
upbraiders, but was raised by them that sought to be defended from
oppression: whose end is both easier and the honester to satisfy.
