Of Faction

MANY have an opinion not wise, that for a

prince to govern his estate, or for a great

person to govern his proceedings, according to the

respect of factions, is a principal part of policy;

whereas contrariwise, the chiefest wisdom, is

either in ordering those things which are general,

and wherein men of several factions do neverthe-

less agree; or in dealing with correspondence to

particular persons, one by one.  But I say not that

the considerations of factions, is to be neglected.

Mean men, in their rising, must adhere; but

great men, that have strength in themselves, were

better to maintain themselves indifferent, and

neutral.  Yet even in beginners, to adhere so moder-

ately, as he be a man of the one faction, which is

most passable with the other, commonly giveth

best way.  The lower and weaker faction, is the

firmer in conjunction; and it is often seen, that a

few that are stiff, do tire out a greater number, that

are more moderate.  When one of the factions is ex-

tinguished, the remaining subdivideth; as the

faction between Lucullus, and the rest of the

nobles of the senate (which they called Optimates)

held out awhile, against the faction of Pompey

and Caesar; but when the senate's authority was

pulled down, Caesar and Pompey soon after brake.

The faction or party of Antonius and Octavianus

Caesar, against Brutus and Cassius, held out like-

wise for a time; but when Brutus and Cassius were

overthrown, then soon after, Antonius and Octa-

vianus brake and subdivided.  These examples are

of wars, but the same holdeth in private factions.

And therefore, those that are seconds in factions,

do many times, when the faction subdivideth,

prove principals; but many times also, they prove

ciphers and cashiered; for many a man's strength

is in opposition; and when that faileth, he groweth

out of use.  It is commonly seen, that men, once

placed, take in with the  contrary faction, to that

by which they enter: thinking belike, that they

have the first sure, and now are ready for a new

purchase.  The traitor in faction, lightly goeth

away with it; for when matters have stuck long in

balancing, the winning of some one man casteth

them, and he getteth all the thanks.  The even car-

riage between two factions, proceedeth not always

of moderation, but of a trueness to a man's self,

with end to make use of both.  Certainly in Italy,

they hold it a little suspect in popes, when they

have often in their mouth Padre commune: and

take it to be a sign of one, that meaneth to refer all

to the greatness of his own house.  Kings had need

beware, how they side themselves, and make

themselves as of a faction or party; for leagues

within the state, are ever pernicious to monarchies:

for they raise an obligation, paramount to obliga-

tion of sovereignty, and make the king tanquam

unus ex nobis; as was to be seen in the League of

France.  When factions are carried too high and too

violently, it is a sign of weakness in princes; and

much to the prejudice, both of their authority and

business.  The motions of factions under kings

ought to be, like the motions (as the astronomers

speak) of the inferior orbs, which may have their

proper motions, but yet still are quietly carried, by

the higher motion of primum mobile.