Of Counsel

the trust of giving counsel.  For in other con-

fidences, men commit the parts of life; their lands,

their goods, their children, their credit, some par-

ticular affair; but to such as they make their coun-

sellors, they commit the whole: by how much the

more, they are obliged to all faith and integrity.

The wisest princes need not think it any diminu-

tion to their greatness, or derogation to their suf-

ficiency, to rely upon counsel.  God himself is not

without, but hath made it one of the great names

of his blessed Son: The Counsellor.  Solomon hath

pronounced, that in counsel is stability.  Things

will have their first, or second agitation: if they be

not tossed upon the arguments of counsel, they

will be tossed upon the waves of fortune; and be

full of inconstancy, doing and undoing, like the

reeling of a drunken man.  Solomon's son found

the force of counsel, as his father saw the necessity

of it.  For the beloved kingdom of God, was first

rent, and broken, by ill counsel; upon which coun-

sel, there are set for our instruction, the two marks

whereby bad counsel is for ever best discerned;

that it was young counsel, for the person; and

violent counsel, for the matter.
 
 

The ancient times, do set forth in figure, both

the incorporation, and inseparable conjunction, of

counsel with kings, and the wise and politic use of

counsel by kings: the one, in that they say Jupi-

ter did marry Metis, which signifieth counsel;

whereby they intend that Sovereignty, is married

to Counsel: the other in that which followeth,

which was thus: They say, after Jupiter was mar-

ried to Metis, she conceived by him, and was with

child, but Jupiter suffered her not to stay, till she

brought forth, but eat her up; whereby he became

himself with child, and was delivered of Pallas

armed, out of his head.  Which monstrous fable

containeth a secret of empire; how kings are to

make use of their counsel of state.  That first, they

ought to refer matters unto them, which is the first

begetting, or impregnation; but when they are

elaborate, moulded, and shaped in the womb of

their counsel, and grow ripe, and ready to be

brought forth, that then they suffer not their coun-

sel to go through with the resolution and direc-

tion, as if it depended on them; but take the matter

back into their own hands, and make it appear to

the world, that the decrees and final directions

(which, because they come forth, with prudence

and power, are resembled to Pallas armed) pro-

ceeded from themselves; and not only from their

authority, but (the more to add reputation to them-

selves) from their head and device.
 
 

Let us now speak of the inconveniences of coun-

sel, and of the remedies.  The inconveniences that

have been noted, in calling and using counsel, are

three.  First, the revealing of affairs, whereby they

become less secret.  Secondly, the weakening of the

authority of princes, as if they were less of them-

selves.  Thirdly, the danger of being unfaithfully

counselled, and more for the good of them that

counsel, than of him that is counselled.  For which

inconveniences, the doctrine of Italy, and practice

of France, in some kings' times, hath introduced

cabinet counsels; a remedy worse than the disease.
 
 

As to secrecy; princes are not bound to commu-

nicate all matters, with all counsellors; but may

extract and select.  Neither is it necessary, that he

that consulteth what he should do, should declare

what he will do.  But let princes beware, that the

unsecreting of their affairs, comes not from them-

selves.  And as for cabinet counsels, it may be their

motto, plenus rimarum sum: one futile person,

that maketh it his glory to tell, will do more hurt

than many, that know it their duty to conceal.  It is

true there be some affairs, which require extreme

secrecy, which will hardly go beyond one or two

persons, besides the king: neither are those coun-

sels unprosperous; for, besides the secrecy, they

conunonly go on constantly, in one spirit of direc-

tion, without distraction.  But then it must be a

prudent king, such as is able to grind with a hand-

mill; and those inward counsellors had need also

be wise men, and especially true and trusty to the

king's ends; as it was with King Henry the Seventh

of England, who, in his great business, imparted

himself to none, except it were to Morton and Fox.
 
 

For weakening of authority; the fable showeth

the remedy.  Nay, the majesty of kings, is rather

exalted than diminished, when they are in the

chair of counsel; neither was there ever prince, be-

reaved of his dependences, by his counsel, except

where there hath been, either an over-greatness

in one counsellor, or an over-strict combination in

divers; which are things soon found, and holpen.
 
 

For the last inconvenience, that men will coun-

sel, with an eye to themselves; certainly, non

inveniet fidem super terram is meant, of the na-

ture of times, and not of all particular persons.

There be, that are in nature faithful, and sincere,

and plain, and direct; not crafty and involved; let

princes, above all, draw to themselves such na-

tures.  Besides, counsellors are not commonly so

united, but that one counsellor, keepeth sentinel

over another; so that if any do counsel out of fac-

tion or private ends, it commonly comes to the

king's ear.  But the best remedy is, if princes know

their counsellors, as well as their counsellors

know them:
 
 
 
 

Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos.
 
 

And on the other side, counsellors should not be

too speculative into their sovereign's person.  The

true composition of a counsellor, is rather to be

skilful in their master's business, than in his na-

ture; for then he is like to advise him, and not feed

his humor.  It is of singular use to princes, if they

take the opinions of their counsel, both separately

and together.  For private opinion is more free;

but opinion before others, is more reverent.  In

private, men are more bold in their own humors;

and in consort, men are more obnoxious to others'

humors; therefore it is good to take both; and of

the inferior sort, rather in private, to preserve free-

dom; of the greater, rather in consort, to preserve

respect.  It is in vain for princes, to take counsel

concerning matters, if they take no counsel like-

wise concerning persons; for all matters are as

dead images; and the life of the execution of af-

fairs, resteth in the good choice of persons.  Neither

is it enough, to consult concerning persons secun-

dum genera, as in an idea, or mathematical de-

scription, what the kind and character of the

person should be; for the greatest errors are com-

mitted, and the most judgment is shown, in the

choice of individuals.  It was truly said, optimi con-

siliarii mortui: books will speak plain, when coun-

sellors blanch.Therefore it is good to be conversant

in them, specially the books of such as themselves

have been actors upon the stage.
 
 

The counsels at this day, in most places, are but

familiar meetings, where matters are rather talked

on, than debated.  And they run too swift, to the

order, or act, of counsel.  It were better that in

causes of weight, the matter were propounded one

day, and not spoken to till the next day; in nocte

consilium.  So was it done in the Commission of

Union, between England and Scotland; which

was a grave and orderly assembly.  I commend set

days for petitions; for both it gives the sudtors more

certainty for their attendance, and it frees the

meetings for matters of estate, that they may hoc

agere.  In choice of committees; for ripening busi-

ness for the counsel, it is better to choose indifferent

persons, than to make an indifferency, by putting

in those, that are strong on both sides.  I commend

also standing commissions; as for trade, for treas-

ure, for war, for suits, for some provinces; for

where there be divers particular counsels, and but

one counsel of estate (as it is in Spain), they are, in

effect, no more than standing commissions: save

that they have greater authority.  Let such as are

to inform counsels, out of their particular profes-

sions (as lawyers, seamen, mintmen, and the like)

be first heard before committees; and then, as oc-

casion serves, before the counsel.  And let them not

come in multitudes, or in a tribunitious manner;

for that is to clamor counsels, not to inform them.

A long table and a square table, or seats about the

walls, seem things of form, but are things of sub-

stance; for at a long table a few at the upper end, in

effect, sway all the business; but in the other form,

there is more use of the counsellors' opinions, that

sit lower.  A king, when he presides in counsel, let

him beware how he opens his own inclination too

much, in that which he propoundeth; for else

counsellors will but take the wind of him, and in-

stead of giving free counsel, sing him a song of

placebo.