Of Faction

Many have an Opinion not wise; That for a Prince to Governe his Estate; Or for a Great Person to governe his Proceedings, according to the Respect of Factions, is a Principall Part of Policy: whereas contrariwise, the Chiefest Wisdome is, either in Ordering those Things, which are Generall, and wherein Men of Severall Factions doe neverthelesse agree; Or in dealing with Correspondence to Particular Persons, one by one. But I say not, that the consideration of Factions, is to be Neglected. Meane Men, in their Rising, must adhere; But Great Men, that have Strength in themselves, were better to maintaine themselves Indifferent, and Neutrall. Yet even in beginners, to adhere so moderately, as hee bee 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 seene, that a few, that are Stiffe, doe tire out, a greater Number, that are more Moderate. When One of the Factions is Extinguished, the Remaining Subdivideth: As the Faction, betweene Lucullus, and the Rest of the Nobles of the Senate (which they called Optimates) held out a while, against the Faction of Pompey and Cæsar: But when the Senates Authority was pulled Downe, Cæsar and Pompey soone after brake. The Faction or Partie of Antonius, and Octavianus Cæsar, against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a time: But when Brutus and Cassius were overthrowne, then soone after Antonius and Octavianus brake and Subdivided. These Examples are of Warres, but the same holdeth in Private Factions. And therefore, those that are Seconds in Factions, doe many times, when the Faction Subdivideth, prove Principals: But many times also, they prove Ciphars and Casheer'd: For many a Mans Strength is in opposition; And when that faileth, he groweth out of use. It is commonly seene, 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 Readie for a New Purchase. The Traitour in Faction lightly goeth away with it; For when Matters have stucke long in Ballancing, the Winning of some one Man casteth them, and he getteth all the Thankes. The Even Carriage betweene two Factions, proceedeth not alwaies of Moderation, but of a Truenesse to a Mans Selfe, 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 Signe of one, that meaneth to referre all, to the Greatnesse of his owne House. Kings had need beware, how they Side themselves, and make themselves as of a Faction or Partie: For Leagues, within the State, are ever Pernicious to Monarchies; For they raise an Obligation, Paramount to Obligation of Soveraigntie, and make the King, Tanquàm unus ex nobis: As was to be seene, in the League of France. When Factions are carried too high, and too violently, it is a Signe of Weaknesse in Princes; And much to the Prejudice, both of their Authoritie, and Businesse. The Motions of Factions, under Kings, ought to be like the Motions (as the Astronomers speake) of the Inferiour Orbs; which may have their Proper Motions, but yet still, are quietly carried, by the Higher Motion, of Primum Mobile.