XXXI. It is now time for us to treat of the inconvenience of low
policy. The celebrated Bacon, calls it the asylum of those, who
for want of talents, are incapable of pursuing the sublime path of
heroic policy: _Quid si quis ad hunc judicii, & discretionis gradum
ascendere non valeat, ei relinquitur tanquam tatissimum, ut sit rectus
& dissimulator_ (_de Inter. rer. cap. 6._). This maxim, coincides with
that which Plutarch cites of the General Lysander. The Lacedæmonians
remonstrated with him, that on account of his little faith and truth,
he degenerated from Hercules whom they boasted being the descendants
of. To which he answered wittily, alluding to the habit Hercules used
to wear, that for want of the skin of a lion, he was obliged to make
use of the skin of a fox.
XXXII. There are different degrees of low policy, some of which, are
worse than others. The first, is that of dissimulation and craft. The
second, is that of false appearances and lying. The third, is that of
wickedness and insolence. The first, if it does not come in contact
with the line of the second, is in the moral indifferent; but it is
very difficult to pursue a course of craft and reserve, without being
under the occasional necessity of telling many lies; because if a man
is pressed with questions, silence, by being unfavourably interpreted
with respect to the person questioned, is equivalent to, or makes as
much against him, as a positive answer; and the gift of being ready in
these streights with an ingenious come off, is bestowed on very few
people.
XXXIII. An habitual dissimulation proceeds, partly from a defect in
the understanding, and partly from the natural talents being vitiated.
Those who cannot distinguish when it is proper to observe silence, nor
when it is requisite, and when hazardous, to be open and explicit;
upon a short reflection, either decide upon keeping silence totally;
or else on all occasions, never to venture more than a very diminutive
explanation; like blind people, who even when they are walking on
plain ground, for fear of slipping, proceed with great caution.
This in some, is more the effect of pusillanimity than the want of
reflection, although they always mix one with the other; but be that
as it will, they lead but a weary and unpleasant life; for wearing a
padlock continually on the lips, is the same thing, as living with a
heart which is ever imprisoned. Such people, are ever in dread that
the secrets of their breasts should be laid open, or else, that some
words which they have made use of, have already discovered them. They
are destitute of the comfort of unbosoming to a friend, because all
pusillanimous people are distrustful and suspicious; they scarce think
any man sincere in friendship, or safe to put confidence in; they also
make themselves unpleasant and disgusting companions, because they
make a mystery of every thing; and the reciprocal communication of
souls, being the sweetest correspondence among men, they are unhappy,
because they cannot taste of this bliss; and they are disagreeable,
because as far as it depends on them, they deprive other people of that
happiness. We may add to this; that no prudent person confides in him
who has confidence in no one; because such a man, is ever suspected of
judging other people by himself. It also happens, that in consequence
of his not communicating his designs to any one, those afford him no
assistance, who might either be disposed, or have it in their power
to serve him, for want of being acquainted with what he aims at. This
was the case of Pompey, who although a daring warrior, was a timid
politician. His intention was the same as Cæsar’s, that is, to rule the
republic with an absolute sway. Cæsar succeeded in his scheme, because
he attempted the thing openly. Pompey, by hiding his designs from his
most affectionate friends, who were numerous; and by using occult
artifices, and endeavouring to disturb the republic, in order that it
might fall spontaneously into his hands, missed his aim; because his
friends, being ignorant of what he intended, knew not how to apply
their influence in assisting him. Tacitus comparing him with Marius and
Sylla, says, _Occultior non melior._ For all these reasons, it appears
very difficult, for men who are exceedingly deceitful to better their
fortunes. At least, they will hardly ever owe their doing it to their
genius.