_Reason_ of _State_.
Upon the coming out of a Book Entituled _Reason_ of _State_, there
happen’d a warm Dispute in the Cabinet of a Great Prince, upon that
Subject. Some would have it to be, _The Skill of Erecting, Defending
and Enlarging a Common-Wealth_. Others were for changing the Title from
_Reason of State_ to _Reason of Policy_. And a Third Party was for
Correcting the former Definition, and rather running it thus, [_Reason
of State is a Rule Useful for Common-Wealths, how contrary soever to the
Laws both of God and Man_.] There was great Exception taken to the Plain
Dealing of this Latter Definition; but upon Consulting Presidents, it was
found very Agreeable to the Practical Truth of the matter.
The MORAL.
_Honesty may do well enough betwixt Man and Man, but the Measures of
Government and Righteousness are quite Different Things. The Question in
Reason of State is not Virtue, but Prudence._