and this
foole keeps company so much with all great wise men, that hardly
with a candle and lantern can they be discernd betwixt. The
greatest men are more subject to grosse and palpable flatteries;
and especially the greatest of men, who are Kings and Princes:
for many seek the Rulers favour. _Prov._ 28. 26. For there are
divers meanes whereby private men are instructed; Princes have
not that good hap: but they whose instruction is of most
importance, so soone as they have taken the government upon
them, no longer suffer any reproovers: for but few have accesse
unto them, and they who familiary converse with them, doe and
say all for favour. Isocrat, to Nicocles, All are afraid to give
him occasion of displeasure, though by telling him truth. To
this purpose therefore sayes one; a Prince excells in learning
to ride the great horse, rather than in any other exercise,
because his horse being no flatterer, will shew him he makes no
difference between him and another man, and unlesse he keepe his
seate well, will lay him on the ground. This is plaine dealing.
Men are more subtile, more double-hearted, they have a heart and
a heart neither is their tongue their hearts true interpreter.
Counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters; but a man of
understanding will draw it out. _Prov._ 20. 5. This
understanding is most requisite in a Prince, inasmuch as the
whole Globe is in his hand, and the inferiour Orbes are swayed
by the motion of the highest. And therefore surely it is the
honour of a King to search out such a secret: _Prov._ 25. 2. His
counsellours are his eyes and eares; as they ought to be dear to
him, so they ought to be true to him, and make him the true
report of things without disguise. If they prove false eyes, let
him pluck them out; he may as they use glasse eyes, take them
forth without paine, and see never a whit the worse for it. The
wisdome of a Princes Counsellours is a great argument of the
Princes wisdome. And being the choyce of them imports the
Princes credit and safety, our Authour will make him amends for
his other errours by his good advice in his 22 Chap. whether I
referre him.

CHAP. XXIV

Wherefore the Princes of Italy have lost their States.

When these things above said are well observ'd, they make a new Prince
seeme as if he had been of