motions[1] of envy. On the other side, nobility extinguisheth the passive envy from others towards them; because they are in possession of honour. Certainly, kings that have able men of their nobility shall find ease in employing them, and a better slide[2] into their business; for people naturally bend to them, as born in some sort to command.
XV. Of Seditions and Troubles.
Shepherds of people had need know the calendars of tempests in state; which are commonly greatest, when things grow to equality; as natural tempests are greatest about the Equinoctia.[3] And as there are certain hollow blasts of wind and secret swellings of seas before a tempest, so are there in states:
Ille etiam cæcos instare tumultus
Sæpe monet, fraudesque et operta tumescere bella.[4]
Libels and licentious discourses against the state, when they are frequent and open; and in like sort, false news often running up and down to the disadvantage of the state, and hastily embraced; are
- ↑ Motions. Natural impulses, especially of the mind or soul. "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death." Romans vii. 5.
- ↑ Slide. Smooth and easy passage.
- ↑ Equinoctia. Equinoxes.
- ↑ He even often warns that secret tumults are impending, and that treason and open wars are ready to burst forth. Vergil. Georgicon Liber I. 464–465.
