can reasonably bear you a grudge in respect of the
advice given by you, since that advice was not adopted contrary to the
general opinion. For your danger lies in many having opposed you, who
afterwards, should your advice prove hurtful, combine to ruin you. And
although in taking this course you fall short of the glory which is
earned by him who stands alone against many in urging some measure which
succeeds, you have nevertheless two advantages to make up for it: first,
that you escape danger; and second, that when you have temperately
stated your views, and when, in consequence of opposition, your advice
has not been taken, should other counsels prevail and mischief come of
them, your credit will be vastly enhanced. And although credit gained
at the cost of misfortune to your prince or city cannot be matter of
rejoicing, still it is something to be taken into account.

On this head, then, I know of no other advice to offer. For that you
should be silent and express no opinion at all, were a course hurtful
for your prince or city, and which would not absolve you from danger,
since you would soon grow to be suspected, when it might fare with you
as with the friend of Perseus the Macedonian king. For Perseus being
defeated by Paulus Emilius, and making his escape with a few companions,
it happened that one of them, in reviewing the past, began to point out
to the king many mistakes which he had made and which had been his ruin.
Whereupon Perseus turning upon him said, "_Traitor, hast thou waited
till now when there is no remedy to tell me these things_?" and so
saying, slew him with his own hand. Such was the penalty incurred by one
who was silent when he should have spoken, and who spoke when he
should have been silent; and who found no escape from danger in having
refrained from giving advice. Wherefore, I believe, that the course
which I have recommended should be observed and followed.

CHAPTER XXXVI.--_Why it has been and still may be affirmed of the Gauls,
that at the beginning of a fray they are more than Men, but afterwards
less than Women_.

The bravery of the Gaul who on the banks of the Anio challenged any
among the Romans to fight with him, and the combat that thereupon ensued
between him and Titus Manlius, remind me of what Titus Livius oftener
than once observes in his history, that "_at the beginning of a fray the
Gauls are more than men, but ere it is ended show themselves less than
women_."

Tou