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Of Faction
by Francis Bacon |
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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
nevertheless 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 moderately, 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 extinguished,
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 likewise for a time; but when Brutus
and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after, Antonius and
Octavianus 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
carriage 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
obligation of sovereignty, and make the king tanquam unus ex nobis; as
was to be seen in the League of France. When factions are canied 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.
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contact: morgan at [email protected] page last modified: thu jan 12 01:37:48 2006 |
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