ARistotle and other Philosophers teach us , and experience confirmeth it unto us , that there are two wayes to come unto the knowledge of th●●gs . The one , when from the causes and Maximes , men come to knowledge of the effects and consequences . The other , when contrarie , by the effects and consequences wee come to know the causes and Maximes . As for example , when we see the earth waxe greene , and trees gather leaves , we know by that effect , that the sunne ( which is the cause thereof ) approcheth nigh us : and we come to receive this Maxime , That the sunne gives vigour and force unto the earth to bring forth fruits : And by the contrarie also , when we have knowledge of this cause and Maxime , we come to know the effect , & to conclude the consequence ; which is , That that sunne comming nigh us , the earth bringeth foorth her fruits , and withdrawing from us , the earth leaveth to bring forth . The first of these two wayes is proper and peculiar unto the Mathematicians , which teach the truth of their Theoremes and Problemes by their demonstrations drawne from Maximes , which are common sentences allowed of themselves for true , by the common sence and iudgement of all men . The second way belongs to other sciences , as to Naturall Philosophie , Morall Philosophie , Physicke , Law , Policie , and other Sciences , whereof the knowledge proceeds more commonly , by a resolute order of effects to their causes , and from particulars to generall Maximes , than by the first way : although it is certaine , that sometimes they also helpe themselves , both with the one and the other way .

In the Politicke Art then ( whereof Plato , Aristotle , and other Philosophers have written bookes ) men may well use both these wayes . For from the effects and particulars of a civile government , men may come to the knowledge of Maximes and rules : and by the contrarie , by the rules and Maximes , men may have the knowledge of effects . So that when we see the effects of a politicke government , which is of no value , and which is pernitious and evill , men are hereby brought to the knowledge of the Maximes and rules which are of the same sort : and by the good and profitable effects , men are also led to the notice of good rules and Maximes . And on the other side , good or evill rules and Maximes do leade to the knowledge of like effects . Yet although the Maximes & general rules of the Politicke Art , may something serve to know well to guide and governe a publicke estate ( whether it bee principalitie or free cittie : ) yet can they not bee so certaine as the Maximes of the Mathematicians , but are rules rather very dangerous , yea , pernitious , if men cannot make them serve and apply them unto affaires , as they happen to come ; and not to apply the affaires unto these Maximes and rules . For the circumstances , dependances , consequences , and the antecedents of every affaire and particular businesse , are all for the most part divers and contrarie : insomuch , that although two affaires be like , yet must not men therefore conduct and determine them by one same rule or Maxime , because of the diversitie and difference of accidents and circumstances : For experience teacheth us , that in one same act , that which is good in one time , is not in another , but rather hurtfull : and that which is convenient for some nations , is not good for others ; and so of other circumstances . They then which deale in the affaires of publicke estate , had need to know not onely the Maximes and rules of the Politicke Art ; but also they must have a wise , quicke , and sharpe wit and iudgement , rightly and discreetly to ponder and weigh the circumstances and accidents of every affaire , prudently to apply them to the rules and Maximes , yea , sometimes to force and bend them to serve to the present affaire . But this science and habit of knowing well to weigh and examine the accidents and circumstances of affaires , and then to be able handsomely to apply unto them , their rules and principles , is a science singular and excellent , but rare and not given to many persons : For of necess●●● he that will come to this science ( at the least in any perfection to be able to mannage and handle weightie affaires ) had need first , to bee endowed with a good and perfect naturall iudgement : and secondly , he must be wise , temperate , and quiet , without any passion or affection , but all to publicke good and utilitie : and thirdly , hee must bee conversed and experimented in many and sundry affaires : These he cannot have and obtaine , unlesse hee himselfe have handled or seene them handled , or els by great and attentive reading of choise hystories , he have brought his iudgement to bee very stayed and well exeecised in such affaires .

We must not then thinke , that all sorts of people are fit to deale with affaires of publicke The scope of the Author . estate ; nor that every one which speaketh and writeth thereof , can say that which belongeth thereunto . But it may be , some will enqu●re if I dare presume so much of my selfe , as to take upon me effectually to handle this matter . Hereunto I answer , that nothing lesse and that it is not properly my purpose wherunto I tend , or for which cause I enterprise this Worke : But my intent and purpose is onely to shew , That Nicholas Machiavell , not long agoe a Secretarie of the Florentine commonweale ( which is now a Dutchie ) understood nothing or little in this Politicke science whereof we speake : and that he hath taken Maximes and rules altogether wicked , and hath builded upon them , not a Politicke , but a Tyrannicall science . Behold here then the end and scope which I have proposed unto my self , that is , to confute the doctrine of Machiavell ; & not exactly to handle the Politick science ; although I hope to touch some good points thereof in some places , when occasion shall offer it selfe . Vnto my aforesaid purpose I hope to come ( by the helpe of God ) with so prosperous a good wind and full sailes , as all they which reade my writings , shall give their iudgement , and acknowledge , that Machiavell was altogether ignorant in that science , & that his scope and intent in his writings , is nothing els , but to frame a very true and perfect tyrannie . Machiavell also never had parts requisit to know that science . For , as for expertence in managing of affaires , he could have none ; since during his time hee saw nothing but the brabblings and contentions of certaine Potentates of Italie , and certaine practises and policies of some cittizens of Florence . Neither had hee any or very little knowledge in hystories , as shal be more particularly shewed in many places of our discourse ; where ( God ayding ) we will marke the plaine , and ( as it were ) palpable faults & ignorances which he hath committed in those few hystories , which it pleaseth him sometimes by the way to touch : which also most commonly he alledgeth to evill purpose , and many times falsely . As for a firme and sound iudgement , Machiavell also wanted , as is plainely seene by his absurd and foolish reasons , wherewith for the most part he confirmes his propositions and Maximes which he sets downe : only he hath a certaine subtiltie ( such as it is ) to give colour unto his moct wicked and damnable doctrines . But when a man comes something nigh to examine his subtilties , then it truth it is discovered to be but a beastly vanitie and madnesse , yea , full of extreame wickednesse . I doubt not , but many Courtiers , which deale in matters of Estate , & others of their humor , will find it very strange , that I should speake in this sort of their great Doctor Machiavell ; whose bookes rightly may bee called , The French Courtiers Alcoran , they have them in so great estimation ; imitating and observing his principles and Maximes , no more nor lesse than the Turkes doe the Alcoran of their great Prophet Mahomet . But yet I beseech them not to be offended , that I speake in this manner of a man , whom I will plainely shew to be full of all wickednesse , impietie , and ignorance , and to suspend their iudgement , whether I say true or no , untill they have wholly read these my discourses : For as soone as they have read th●● , I doe assure my selfe , that every man of perfect iudgement will say and determine , th●t I speake but too modestly of the vices and brutishnesse , found in this their great Doctor .

But to open and make easie the intelligence of that should here be handled , wee must Of Machiavell and his writings . first search out , what that Machiavell was , and his writings . Machiavell then was in his time the Secretarie or common Notarie of the Common-weale of Florence , during the kingdome of Charles the eight , and Lewis the twelfth , kings of France ; Alexander the sixt , and Iulius the eleventh , Popes of Rome ; and of Henry the seventh , and Henry the eight , kings of England : in which time hee writ his bookes in the Italian language , and published them about the first beginning of Francis the first , king of Fraunce , as may be gathered by his owne writings . Of his life and death I can say nothing , neither did I , or vouchsafed I once to enquire thereof : because his memorie deserved better to be buried in perpetuall oblivion , than to be renewed amongst men . Yet I may well say , that if his life were like his doctrine ( as is to be presumed ) there was never man in the world more contaminated and defiled with vices and wickednesse , than hee was . By the Praefaci he made unto his booke entituled De Principe , Of the Prince , it seemeth he was banished and chased from Florence : For he there complaineth unto his Magnificall Lawrence de Medicis ( unto whom he dedicated his Worke ) of that hee endured iniuriously and uniustly , as he said . And in certaine other places he reciteth , That one while he remained in France , another time at Rome , and another while ( not sent embassadour ( for he would never have forgotten to have said that ) but as it is to be presumed ) as a fugitive and banished man . But howsoever it be , he dedicates the said booke unto the said Lawrence de Medicis , to teach him the reasons and meanes to invade and obtaine a principalitie : which booke for the most part containeth nothing but tyrannicall precepts , as shall appeare in the prosecution and progresse of this Worke . But I know not if they de Medicis have made their profit and taken use of Machiavels precepts , contained in his said booke : yet this appeares plainely , that they ( since that time ) occupied the principalitie of Florence , and changed that Aristocraticall free estate of that cittie , into a Dutchie , or rather into a manifest tyrannie , as will easily appeare unto them , which are advertised and have seene how Florence is at this day governed and ruled . Besides this booke of a Prince or of a Principalitie , Machiavell hath also written three bookes , of discoursing upon the first Decade of Titus Livius , with ( ilustrating the other booke of Principalitie ) is instead of a Commentary thereunto . Through all which discourses hee disperseth heere and there a few words out of Titus Livius , neither rehearsing the whole deede , nor hystorie of the matter , for which hee fisheth these words , and applyeth them preposterously , after his owne fantasie , for the most part forcing them to serve to confirme some absurde and strange thing . Hee also mixeth heerewith examples of small and pettie Potentates of Italy , happening in his time , or a little before , which are not worth the recitall , but are lesse worthie to bee proposed for imitation : Yet heerein is hee to bee excused , in that hee knew no better , for if hee had known : better , I doubt not but would have brought them to light , to have adorned his writings , and to have made them more authentike and receiveable . But out of those two bookes , namely of Principalitie , and out of Machiavels discourses , I have extracted and gathered , that which is properly his owne , and have reduced and brought it to certaine Maximes , which I have distinguished into three parts , as may bee seene heereafter . And I have beene as it were constrained so to doe , that I might revocate and gather every matter to his certaine heade and place , to the end , the better to examine them : For Machiavell hath not handled every matter in one same place , but a little heere , and a little there , enterlacing and mixing some good things amongst them , doing therin as poysoners doe , which never cast lumpes of porson upon an heape , least it bee perceived , but doe most subtillie incorporate it as they can , with some other delicate and daintie morsells : For if I had followed the order that hee houlds in his bookes , I must needes have handled one same point many times , yea confusedly and not wholy : I have then drawne the greatest part of his doctrine and of his documents , into certaine propositions and Maximes , and withall added the reasons , wbereby he muntaineth them : I have also set downe the places of his bookes , to leade them thereunto , which desire to try what fidelitie I have used , either in not attributing unto him any thing that is not his owne , or in not forgetting any reason that may make for him : wherein so much there wanteth , that I feare that any man may impose upon mee , to have committed some fault therein : that contrarie , in some places I have better cleared and lightened his talke , reasons and allegations , than they bee in his writings . And if any man say that ▪ I doe wrong him , in setting downe the evill things contained in his bookes , without speaking of the good things , which are dispersedly mixed therewith , and might bring honour and grace unto him : I answere and will maintaine , that in all his writings , there is nothing of any valew , that is his owne . Yet I confesse that there is some good places , drawne out of Titus Livius , or some other authors , but besides that they are not his , they are not by him handled fully , nor as they should . For as I have abovesaid , hee onely hath dispersed them amongst his workes , to serve , as with an honny sweet bait , to cover his porson . And therefore seeing that that which is good in his writings , is taken from other better authors , where wee may learne them , better for our purpose , and more whole and perfect than in Machiavell , wee have no cause to attribute honour vnto him , nor to thanke him , for that which is not his , and which wee possesse and retaine from a better shop than his . And as for his precepts concerning the militarie art , wherewith hee dealeth in his bookes , which seeme to bee new , and of his owne invention , I will say nothing but that men doe not now practise them , neither are they thought worthie of observation , by them which are well seene in that art , as wee may see in that which hee maintaineth , That a prince ought not to have in his service any strange soldiors , nor to have any fortresses against enemies , but onely against his subiects , when hee is in feare of them . For the contrary heereof is ordinarily seene practised , and in truth it sheweth an exceeding great pride and rashnesse in Machiavell , that hee dare speake and write of the affaires of warre , and prescribe precepts and rules unto them which are of that profession , seeing hee had nothing but by heare-say , and was himselfe but a simple Secrethrie or Towne-clarke , which is a trade as far different from the profession of warre , as an harquebush differs from a pen and inckhorne . Heerein it fals out to Machiavell , as it did once to the philosopher Phormio , who one day reading in the Peripateti●e schoole of Greece , and seeing arrive & Ci●ero de Orator . Plutarch in Anniball . enter thither Anniball of Carthage ( who was brought thither by some of his friends , to heare the eloquence of the philosopher ) he began to speake & dispute ( with much babling ) of the lawes of warre and the dutie of a good captaine , before this most famous captaine , which had forgotten more , than ever that proud philosopher knew or had learned . When hee had thus ended his lecture and goodly disputation , as Anniball went from the auditorie , one of his friendes which brought him thither , demanded what hee thought of the philosophers eloquence and gallant speach ? Hee said ; Truely I have seene in my life many old dottards , but I never saw so great an one as this Phormio . So I doe not doubt but such as have knowledge in the militarie art , will give the like iudgement of Machiavell , if they reade his writings , & will say according to the common proverbe , That he speaketh not like a clarke of armes . But I leave things touching this matter , unto them which have more knowledge therein than I : for it is not my purpose , any thing to touche that which Machiavell hath handled of the militarie art , nor such precepts as concerne the leading of an army .

By this which wee have before spoken , That Machiavell was , during the raigne of Charles the eight , and Lewis the twelfth , kings of France , and attained the beginning of At what time , and wherefore Machiavell was received into France . the raigne of Francis the first : It followeth that there hath not beene past fiftie or three-score yeeres since his writings came to light ; whereupon some may mervaile , why hee was not spoken of at all in France , during the raigne of king Henry the second , and that after them the name of Machiavell , did but beginne to bee knowne on this side the mountaines , and his writings into some reputation . The answere heereunto , is not very obscure to such as know how the affaires of France have beene governed , since the decease of king Henry the second of happie memorie . For during his raigne , and before the kingdome was governed after the meere French manner , that is to say , following the traces and documents of our French auncestors . But since , it hath governed by the rules of Machiavell the Florentine , as shall bee seene heereafter . Insomuch that since that time , untill this present , the name of Machiavell hath beene celebrated and esteemed , as of the wisest person of the world , and most cunning in the affaires of Estate , and his bookes held dearest and most precious , by our Italian and Italionized courtiers , as if they were the bookes of Sibilla , whereunto the Paynims had their recourse when they would deliberate upon any great affaire concerning the common wealth , or as the Turkes hould deare and precious their Mahumets Alcaron , as wee have said above .

And wee neede not bee abashed if they of Machiavells nation ( which hould the principall estates in the government of France ) have forsaken the ancient manner of our French ancestors government , to introduct and bring France in use , with a new forme of managing & ruling their countrie , taught by Machiavell . For on the one side every man esteemeth and priseth alwaies the manners , fashions , customes , & other things of his owne countrey more than them of an others . On the other side , Machiavell their great doctor , Cap. 3. De Princ. Discourse lib. 2. cap. 30. lib. 3. cap. 43. Machiavells slanders against the kings and the people of France . describes so well France and the goverment thereof in his time , blaming and reprehending the Frenchmens conduction of affaires of Estate , that it might easily persuade his disciples to change the manner of French government into the Italian . For Machiavell vaunteth , that being once at Nantes , and talking with the Cardinall of Amboise ( which was a very wise man ) in the time of king Lewis the twelfth , of publike & State affaires , hee plainly tould him , that the Frenchmen had no knowledge in affaires of Estate . And in many places speaking of French causes , hee reprehendeth the government of our abovenamed kings , Charles the eight , and Lewis the twelfth ; yea hee hath beene so impudent , speaking of that good king Lewis , & rebuking him for giving succours unto Pope Alexander the sixt , that hee gives him the plaine lie , saying hee belyes himselfe , having passed Italie at the Venetians request , & yet succoured the Pope against his intention : And in other places hee calls our kings , Tributaries of the Suisses , and of the English men . And often when hee speaketh of the Frenchmen , hee calleth them Barbarous , and saith , they are full of covetousnesse and disloyaltie . So also hee taxeth the Almaignes of the same vices . Now I beseech you , is it not good reason , to make so great account of Machiavell in France ? who so doth defame & reproove the honour of our good kings , & of all our whole nation , calling them Ignorant of the affaires of Estate , Barbarous , Covetous , Disloyall : But all this might bee borne withall , and passed away in silence , if there were not another evill . But when we see that Machiavell by his doctrine and documents , hath changed the good and ancient government of France , into a kind of Florentine government , whereupon we see with our eies , the totall ruine of all France : It infallibly followeth ( if God by his grace doe not remedie it soone ) that now it should be time , if ever , to lay hand to the work , to remit and bring France againe , unto the government of our ancestors .

Hereupon I humbly pray the Princes and great lords of France , to consider what is their duties in this case . Seemeth it ( most Ilustrious Lords ) seeing at this time poore France ( which is your countrey and mother ) so desolate and torne in sunder by strangers , that you ought to suffer it to be lost and ruinated ? Ought you to permit them to sowe Atheisme and Impietie in your countrey , and to set up schooles thereof ? Seeing your France hath alwaies been so Zealous in the Christian Religion , as our ancient kings by their pietie and iustice , have obtained that so honourable a title and name of Most Christian ? Thinke you , that God hath caused you , to be borne into this world , to help to ruinate your countrie , or coldly to stand still and suffer your mother to be contaminated and defiled , with the contempt of God , with perfidie , with sodomie , tyrannie , crueltie , thefts , strange usuries , and other detestable vices , which strangers sowe heere : But rather contrarie , God hath given you life , power , and authoritie , to take away such infamies and corruptions , and if you do it not , you must make account for it , & you can looke for but a greevous & iust punishment . If it be true , as the Civilian lawiers say , That he is a murderer , and culpable of death , which suffereth to die with hunger the person unto whom he oweth nourishment ; And shall not you be culpable before God , of so many massacres , murders , and desolations of your poore France , if you give it not succours , seeing you have the meanes , and that you are obliged thereunto by right of nature ? Shall you not be condemned and attainted of impietie , Athisme , and tyrannie , if you drive not out of France , Machiavell , and his government ?

Heere if any man will inquire , how it appeareth , that France is at this day ▪ governed by the doctrine of Machiavell , the resolution heereof is easie and cleere . For the effects which France governed by the doctrine of Machiavell . we see with our eies , and the provisions and executions of the affaires , which are put in practise , may easily bring us to the causes and Maximes , as we have abovesaid : which is one way to know things , by ascending from effects and consequences , to the knowledge of causes & Maximes . And whosoever also shall reade the Maximes of Machiavell , which we shall handle heereafter , and discend from thence into the particularities of the French government , hee shall see that the precepts and Maximes of Machiavell , are for the most part , at this day practised and put in effect and execution , from point to point : Insomuch that by both the two wayes , from the Maximes to the effects , and from the effects to the Maximes , men may clearely know , that France is at this day governed by the doctrine of Machiavell . For are they not Machiavelists , Italians or Italianized , which doe handle and deale with the seales of the kindgome of France ? Is it not they also , which draw out and stampe Edicts ? Which dispatch all things within and without the realme ? Which hould the goodliest governments and fermes belonging unto the Crowne ? Tea , if a man will at this day obtaine or get any thing in the Court , for to have a good and quicke dispatch thereof , hee must learne to speake the Messereske language , because these Messers will most willingly heare them in their owne tongue ; and they understand not the French , no not the tearmes of iustice and Royall ordinances . Whereupon every man may coniecture and imagine how they can well observe or cause to be observed the lawes of France , the tearmes whereof they understand not . Moreover , plains ynough it is , That within these fifteene yeares , Machiavels books were as familiar and ordinarie in the hands of the Courtiers , as the Breviaries are in the hands of Curates of parishes .

And as for the diversitie of auncient government ( which was ruled in following the traces , fashions , and customes of our auncestors ) from the moderne and present government , which is founded upon the doctrine of Machiavell , it is easily and apparently seene by the fruites and effects which doth proceed therefrom . For by the ancient French government , the kingdome was maintained and governed in peace and tranquilitie under the observation of auncient lawes , without any domesticke or civile warre , flourishing and enioyning a free trafficke : and subiects were maintained in the possessing and enioying of their goods , estates , franchises , and liberties . But now by the Italian government of this time , the good and auncient lawes of the realme are abolished and suppressed ; cruell warres and dissentions are maintained in France ; peace alwayes broken ; the people destroyed and eaten , and trafficke decayed ; subiects are deprived of their auncient liberties and franchises , yea , and brought into such confusion and disorder , that none knowes well what is his owne , and what is not ; but one plougheth and soweth , and another moweth and reapeth the same . And although this be so true and manifest , that it shall not bee needfull to shew more amply , that the manner of our auncestors government was otherwise , and better than the moderne , which at this present is in use ; yet for all that , I pretend hereafter upon every Maxime , clearely to demonstrate and by good examples , that our auncient Frenchmen guided and governed themselves by good reason and wisedome , cleane contrarie from the way of Machiavels precepts .

Yet I meane not to authorise my sayings by the allegation of examples of small potentates From whence these discourses are taken . and tyrannizers borne in one night like toad-stooles ( as Machiavell dooth ) but by the allegations of gallant and notable examples of our kings of France , confirmed and fortified , yea by other examples of good and auncient emperours , princes , and Romane captaines , and of the Senat of Rome . For I have chosen those two Monarchies , the Romane and the French , as the fairest and most excellent , from whence to draw true and good examples which are worthie for a prince to imitate , borrowing but few from other precedent Monarchies , as Medes , Assyrians , and Grecians , as lesse known unto us , concerning the management and governement of their affaires , as too farre from our time , and from our manners and customes . I have lastly chosen the best and most authenticke Hystoriographers , and especially , them which have written those things which were and fell out in their owne time , and of those affaires , the most part of which , they were spectators and actors . Of this sort and order of mine owne countrey Hystoriographers , were Froissart , Monstrelet , de Comines , du Bellay : and of Romanes , Salustius , Tacitus , Suetonius , Dion , Herodian , Lamptidius , Capitolinus , Iosephus , and certaine , which shall be alledged hereafter in their places . I also have drawne out some part of my allegations out of our Annales of France , out of Paulus Aemylius , Thucidides , Xenophon , and many other authours , all which are both authenticke and approoved , and that also , by prescript of auncient time and long continuance have gained that praise and reputation , to bee good witnesses , and that without reproch or diffamation . And for as much as Machiavell dare say , That the Frenchmen have no understanding or knowledge in matters or causes of Estate , I hope it shall appeare cleane contrarie , not onely by the good government which I shall shew to have been kept and observed by our auncestors in publicke causes , but also by the onely places and examples which I shall bring foorth and alledge out of M. Philip de Comines , Knight and Chamberlaine of king Lewis the eleventh : who lived even in Machiavels time , who also understood better how the affaires of a kingdome or Commonwealth should be ruled or governed , than ever Machiavell knew how to guide and rule a simple towne . Yet I cannot but confesse , that for the governing and guiding of a tyrannous Estate , Machiavell hath more cunning , than any other of whom I have read ; hee so well knewe all the points and precepts which were meete and convenient for the establishing of it , as hereafter shall bee seene in the handling of his Maximes .