Of Honor AND REPUTATION

THE winning of honor, is but the revealing of

a man,s virtue and worth, without disadvan-

tage.  For some in their actions, do woo and effect

honor and reputation, which sort of men, are

commonly much talked of, but inwardly little

admired.  And some, contrariwise, darken their

virtue in the show of it; so as they be undervalued

in opinion.  If a man perform that, which hath not

been attempted before; or attempted and given

over; or hath been achieved, but not with so good

circumstance; he shall purchase more honor, than

by effecting a matter of greater difficulty or virtue,

wherein he is but a follower.  If a man so temper

his actions, as in some one of them he doth content

every faction, or combination of people, the music

will be the fuller.  A man is an ill husband of bis

honor, that entereth into any action, the failing

wherein may disgrace him, more than the carry-

ing of it through, can honor him.  Honor that is

gained and broken upon another, hath the quick-

est reflection, like diamonds cut with facets.  And

therefore, let a man contend to excel any competi-

tors of his in honor, in outshooting them, if he can,

in their own bow.  Discreet followers and servants,

help much to reputation.  Omnis fama a domesticis

emanat.  Envy, which is the canker of honor, is

best extinguished by declaring a man's self in

his ends, rather to seek merit than fame; and by

attributing a man's successes, rather to divine

Providence and felicity, than to his own virtue or

policy.
 
 

The true marshalling of the degrees of sovereign

honor, are these: In the first place are conditores

imperiorum, founders of states and common-

wealths; such as were Romulus, Cyrus, Caesar,

Ottoman, Ismael.  In the second place are legis-

latores, lawgivers; which are also called second

founders, or perpetui principes, because they gov-

ern by their ordinances after they are gone; such

were Lycurgus, Solon, Justinian, Eadgar, Alphon-

sus of Castile, the Wise, that made the Siete Parti-

das.  In the third place are liberatores, or salvatores,

such as compound the long miseries of civil

wars, or deliver their countries from servitude of

strangers or tyrants; as Augustus Caesar, Vespasi-

anus, Aurelianus, Theodoricus, King Henry the

Seventh of England, King Henry the Fourth of

France.  In the fourth place are propagatores or

propugnatores imperii; such as in honorable wars

enlarge their territories, or make noble defence

against invaders.  And in the last place are patres

patriae; which reign justly, and make the times

good wherein they live.  Both which last kinds need

no examples, they are in such number.  Degrees of

honor, in subjects, are, first participes curarum,

those upon whom, princes do discharge the great-

est weight of their affairs; their right hands, as

we call them.  The next are duces belli, great leaders

in war; such as are princes' lieutenants, and do

them notable services in the wars.  The third are

gratiosi, favorites; such as exceed not this scant-

ling, to be solace to the sovereign, and harmless to

the people.  And the fourth, negotiis pares; such as

have great places under princes, and execute their

places, with sufficiency.  There is an honor, like-

wise, which may be ranked amongst the greatest,

which happeneth rarely; that is, of such as sacri-

fice themselves to death or danger for the good of

their country; as was M. Regulus, and the two

Decii.