but the offender is executed; a suspicion arises,—the accused person
is put to death. And as naturalists affirm, that the lightning breaks
forth after the thunder as the blood follows the wound, but is seen
first, since whilst the ear expects the sound the eye discerns
the light; so under some governments the punishments precede the
accusation, and the condemnation prevents the proving of the crime.
Under such circumstances,
No human soul such license can withstand,—
As anchors strive in vain to hold in sand,
unless this exorbitant power be restrained and kept within its due
bounds by the force of sound reason. Therefore a prince ought to
imitate the sun, which being come to its greatest height in the
northern signs, moves slowest, whereby he renders his course the more
safe.
7. For it is not possible that the vices and faults of persons in
authority can be concealed in obscurity. But as people that are
troubled with the falling-sickness, if they walk about in a high place,
are seized with a giddiness in the head and a dimness in the sight,
which are the usual symptoms of that disease; so Fortune, when she hath
a little exalted illiterate and foolish men with riches, glory, or
authority, suddenly hastens their ruin. And as amongst empty vessels it
cannot easily be discerned which are whole and which are leaky, but by
the pouring in of any liquor; so corrupt and exulcerated minds, after
the infusion of power, are not able to contain it, but immediately
overflow with concupiscence, anger, arrogance, and folly. And what need
is there of mentioning these particulars, since the least faults and
miscarriages of renowned and famous men lie under the lash of slander
and calumny? Cimon was accused for being too much addicted to the
drinking of wine, Scipio was blamed for delighting in immoderate sleep,
and Lucullus for making too liberal and costly entertainments....