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Author: Nannini, Remigio, 1521?-1581?
Title: Ciuill considerations vpon many and sundrie histories, as well ancient as moderne, and principallie vpon those of Guicciardin. Containing sundry rules and precepts for princes, common-wealths, captaines, coronels, ambassadours and others, agents and seruants of princes, with sundry aduertisements and counsels concerning a ciuill life, gathered out of the examples of the greatest princes and common-wealths in Christendome. Handled after the manner of a discourse, by the Lord Remy of Florence, and done into French by Gabriel Chappuys, Tourangeau, and out of French into English, by W.T.
Print source: Ciuill considerations vpon many and sundrie histories, as well ancient as moderne, and principallie vpon those of Guicciardin. Containing sundry rules and precepts for princes, common-wealths, captaines, coronels, ambassadours and others, agents and seruants of princes, with sundry aduertisements and counsels concerning a ciuill life, gathered out of the examples of the greatest princes and common-wealths in Christendome. Handled after the manner of a discourse, by the Lord Remy of Florence, and done into French by Gabriel Chappuys, Tourangeau, and out of French into English, by W.T.
Nannini, Remigio, 1521?-1581?, Traheron, W.,, W. T., fl. 1601,
At London: Imprinted by F[elix] K[ingston] for Matthew Lownes, and are to be sold at his shop vnder S. Dunstons Church in the west, 1601.
Alternate titles: Considerationi civili sopra l'historie di Francesco Guicciardini e d'altri historici. English Considerationi civili sopra l'historie di Francesco Guicciardini e d'altri historici. Civill considerations upon many and sundrie histories, as well ancient as moderne, and principallie upon those of Guicciardin.
Notes:
W.T. = W. Traheron?.
A translation of: Considerationi civili sopra l'historie di Francesco Guicciardini e d'altri historici.
Printer's name from STC.
The first leaf and the last leaf are blank.
Includes index.
C1.2 are a cancel bifolium, with chapter heading, C1r, "The aduise and counsell ..". Variant: with cancellanda C1,2; chapter heading, C1r, "To bring a secret enterprise ..".
Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
Lacking Y2,5; p. 230-52 from the British Library copy spliced at end.
Subject terms:
Guicciardini, Francesco, -- 1483-1540.
Political science -- Early works to 1800.
Kings and rulers -- Duties -- Early works to 1800.
URL: https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A07982.0001.001
How to cite: For suggestions on citing this text, please see Citing the TCP on the Text Creation Partnership website.

Table of Contents
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title page
TO THE NOBLE, VA∣LOROVS, AND MOST WOR∣THIE OF ALL HONOVR, SIR ROBERT SYDNEY KNIGHT, LORD GOVERNOVR OF FLVSHING, and the Castle of the Ra∣mekins, &c.
TO THE MOST HIGH AND MOST MIGHTY LORD, MY LORD ANNE DE IOYENSE, DVKE AND PEER OF FRANCE, FIRST GENTLE∣MAN OF THE KINGS CHAMBER, CAPTAINE OF an hundred men at Armes of his Ordenaunces, Admirall of France and Bretaigne, Gouernour and Lieutenant Gene∣rall for his Maiestie in his Countrey and Duchy of Normandie.
THE ORDER OF THE CHAPTERS AND ARGV∣MENTS HANDLED IN THESE CIVILL CONSIDERATIONS.
text
chapter 1
CHAP. 2. That it is very dangerous to be gouerned by the same example, without the same reason, and the same fortune.
CHAP. 3. VVhether it be lawfull in any occasion to forget good turnes receiued, and to shew forgetfulnes towards the benefactor.
CHAP. 4. He who by himselfe or another beginneth any dangerous en∣terprise, without consideration of the end, bringeth both himselfe and others into danger, and is often constrained to do things little to his Honour.
CHAP. 5. That the euill Genies or vncleane Spirits suffer themselues to be seene and heard by men, and haue appeared vnto sundry, foretelling them of many things to come.
CHAP. 6. That it is a dangerous matter to iest and scoffe with men which are of valour, and (as some say) which haue their blood in their nayles.
CHAP. 7. VVhich may be well considered by the doings of Lewes Sforce, when he committed Valencia to the guard of Donat Raffignin.
CHAP. 8. Jt is a great fault in any man to giue himselfe to robbing and pilling, when he ought to fight; which hath been the occasion of the ill successe of many faire enterprises.
CHAP. 10. Betweene reconciled friends, the least suspition breedeth great distrust, making them againe to become enemies.
CHAP. 11. It is an euill example in any Common-wealth to prescribe Laws, and not to obserue the same, and principallie in those who are the authors thereof, and doe not defend and main∣taine [ B] those Lawes against all such as would infringe them.
CHAP. 12. Jn our affaires and occurrences, we ought to settle and ground more trust and assurance in him, who expecteth good from vs, then in him, who alreadie hath receiued the same.
CHAP. 13. He which taketh more authoritie vpon him then belongeth to his degree and office, committeth an error, and seldome esca∣peth vnpunished.
CHAP. 14. VVhether a publike seruant of a Prince or Common-wealth, [ B] may passe the bounds of the commission giuen vnto him or no?
CHAP. 16. He who is disloyall and vnfaithfull to the first friend, may yet proue both trustie and faithfull to the second.
CHAP. 17. To denie to a people their first demaunds, is to make them the better content with what they receiue, and the more mode∣rate in their demaunds afterwards.
CHAP. 18. Jn chusing Generals and chiefe commaunders, their vertue ought more to be regarded, then the nobilitie of their blood or any priuate affection.
CHAP. 19. Jn time of dangerous warres, men of vertue and of worth ought to be preferred and placed in gouernments; and when a man in a small enterprise, hath not honourably dischar∣ged his office, and yet would intrude and make himselfe chiefe, and haue principall commaund in great matters, he deserueth to be repulsed.
CHAP. 20. How dangerous it is in two armies being enemies, to haue soul∣diers of one particular nation.
CHAP. 21. Lightnes of beleefe is a great fault in any man, and too much credulitie hath bred and caused many euils.
CHAP. 22. Jt is neither good nor sure to be too obstinate, and not to beleeue often aduertisements giuen by sundrie persons.
CHAP. 23. The obstinacie of those which are established in great authori∣tie, breedeth many disorders, which afterwards cannot be remedied.
CHAP. 24. Curtesies employed vpon obstinate enemies are to no purpose, but bestowed in vaine.
CHAP. 25. The suspitions increased and made greater by the euill speeches and reports of men in authoritie, is the occasion that men of∣tentimes become cruell.
CHAP. 26. A man ought not neither in iest or by any other meanes to put a Prince in iealousie of his estate, for that it is a matter full of danger.
CHAP. 28. Princes and great Lords ought not to despise those which desire audience of them, and especially such as may rise to some degree of honour.
CHAP. 29. Those estates which are not mightie and of power, are not to attempt great and hardie enterprises, and their resolutions are more often taken of force, than of their owne free [ B] wils.
CHAP. 31. He is not to be blamed, who by policie or industrie draweth vnto him pernicious and wicked persons, to the end to pu∣nish them for offences alreadie committed, and to stop them [ F] from proceeding further in their wickednes.
CHAP. 33. That enterprises executed by the perswasion of Rebels and ba∣nished men, are dangerous, and seldome come to good end.
CHAP. 35.Jt is a thing very dangerous for a Prince or Common-wealth, not to reuenge a publike iniurie.
CHAP. 36. He that is in prosperitie ought not to reproue him that is fallen from good to euill fortune, for that he little knoweth what may happen to himselfe. [ G]
CHAP. 37. That mightie Common-wealths and excellent personages ought not to be blamed, although they giue place to the force and oppression of fortune.
CHAP. 38. That he who of an enemie will become a friend, ought not onely to forget all iniuries past, but to put from him all things [ D] which may put him in minde thereof.
CHAP. 39. A man ought not to giue credit to an error which he seeth his [ C] enemie to commit, but rather to thinke that he doth it to some speciall purpose, and that vnder the same, there lieth hidden some ambush or deepe deceite.
CHAP. 40. A Captaine at all times and in all places in the warres ought to be so vigilant and in such readines, that he may auoyde the blame to haue warred preposterouslie, and not to haue done his enduour.
CHAP. 41. VVhen a man hath newes, and is aduertised of a victorie, it is better to pursue and assure the same, then to make good [ G] cheere for ioy.
CHAP. 42. That enterprise seldome faileth which is noysome and hurtfull to the enemie, and whereof a man well knoweth that he stan∣deth in feare.
CHAP. 43.To wrong the statues, images, and pictures of Princes in their life time is a poore reuenge, and oftentimes the cause of great hurt to him which doth the same.
CHAP. 44. A Prince or Common-wealth, which hath to deale with a mightie and well armed enemie, ought not to refuse any rea∣sonable and honest composition and agreement, by reason of [ B] the doubtfull and incertaine hope to preuaile.
CHAP. 45. Jt is a great fault when confederats are slow in helping one another in time of daunger, and the losse and dammage that riseth thereof.
CHAP. 46. VVhen succours sent to a friend or confederate are insuffici∣ent, to put him out of daunger and trouble, through being too weake, they bring daunger of losse and dishonour.
CHAP. 47. An Ambassadour ought not to care to be accounted importune by the Prince with whom he hath to deale, prouided that he satisfie his owne Prince in that which he desireth.
CHAP. 48. VVhat manner men they ought to be which are sent Ambas∣sadours and officers to other Princes.
CHAP. 49. A man ought euer to esteeme of his enemie: for whosoeuer doth despise him, doth commonly despise him to his owne hurt and dammage.
CHAP. 50. VVorthie acts are more often requited with ingratitude and reproch, then with reward and commendation.
CHAP. 51. Princes ought to giue eare to such as complaine of their Go∣uernours and Officers: for it is a dangerous thing, not to regard them.
CHAP. 52. Publike officers and ministers of Princes, ought to be punished [ D] for example when they are found to haue done iniustice.
CHAP. 53. To vse crueltie, is commonlie hurtfull to him that v∣seth it.
CHAP. 54. Let no man giue credit to the promises, sauegard or assurance of a cruell man, which desireth to rule and gouerne.
CHAP. 55. Jt is a pernicious thing for a Prince to haue two Generals in the warres, which striue for preheminence, or betweene whom is enuie and emulation.
CHAP. 56. No man ought to giue credit to the words and promises of Fu∣gitiues and runnawaies, for whoso reposeth trust in them, without being well assured of them, committeth a great [ B] error.
CHAP. 57. One word only being misunderstood, may breede great hurt.
CHAP. 58. VVho so will impart vnto his seruant any secret concerning his life or honour, must resolue with himselfe, neuer after to [ G] displease him.
CHAP. 59. Jt hath euer been held for a thing blame worthie, to vaunt and boast by word or writing; and he greatly erreth, who promiseth to himselfe any certaintie of a doubtfull enemie.
CHAP. 60. VVhich may be considered and learned by the Lords of Ʋe∣nice, who would not suffer a Gentleman of theirs, to kill Lewes Sforce Duke of Milan.
CHAP. 61.Jn time of warre it is not good to hold places which are ill and hard to be kept, and to stop passages.
CHAP. 62. How much it auaileth a Captaine to know, what state his ene∣mie standeth in.
CHAP. 63. Spies are necessarie for Princes or Generals of Armies, and in what sort a man ought to carrie himselfe with them.
CHAP. 64. Sundrie Captaines haue obtained very great victories in the warres, with very little losse of their owne troupes and Souldiers.
CHAP. 65. Speeches vsed without consideration, haue been the occasion of much euill, as well to them which vsed them, as to others.
CHAP. 66. ƲƲho so doth any euill, or offendeth another in secret, thin∣king that it shall not be reuealed, is commonly deceiued, and beareth the payne thereof.
CHAP. 67. Jt ill beseemeth a Prince or great Captaine, to say in truth J had not thought it, and enterprises to be put in execution, ought not to be grounded vpon vaine and deceiueable hopes.
CHAP. 68. To denie some requests to him to whom a man in some sort is bounden, doth not therefore yeeld a man ingratefull, al∣though by the ayde and assistance of the demaunder he haue attained vnto some great dignitie.
CHAP. 69. Good counsell, tending to the profit of the Prince or Common∣wealth, ought not to be concealed, for feare that it should not be put in execution.
CHAP. 70. Promises voluntarily made, are to be held and performed, and [ B] the euill which ensueth through default thereof.
CHAP. 71. Jn what case promises exacted perforce, ought to bee perfor∣med.
CHAP. 72. VVhen a Generall or chiefe Commander too much doubteth his enemie, and too much distrusteth his owne forces, he shall ne∣uer effect any laudable enterprises.
CHAP. 73. Princes ought to giue no charge to couetous Men.
CHAP. 74. Princes ought to suffer their seruants and familiars to grow rich, so as it be not through dishonest meanes.
CHAP. 75. Jt is very dangerous to let slip time, and not to execute what is determined, principally in the warres.
CHAP. 76. Those Princes which make no account of their Generals, which faithfullie serue them, but giue them occasion to forsake their pay and seruice, commit great faults.
CHAP. 77. A priuate Captaine seruing a Prince, or a Generall, ought not to receiue any present or gift from the Prince or Generall, which is enemie to his Lord and Master. [ G]
CHAP. 78. ƲƲhen an Ambassadour speaketh otherwise then as his Ma∣ster, he deserueth to be had in derision.
CHAP. 79. ƲƲhen an Ambassadour so handleth his Masters businesse, that it is at the point to be laught at, he cannot auoide the bearing of blame.
CHAP. 80. VVhen a Rebell or a banished man by his Princes grace and fa∣uour is pardoned, and permitted to returne againe into his countrie, he ought not to doubt of his Princes faith.
CHAP. 81. How that man ought to behaue himselfe, to whom is denyed the grace which is desired of his Prince.
CHAP. 82. That Captaine which leaueth a strong place ill garded to take another, committeth a fault.
CHAP. 83. Betweene Enemie and Enemie, courtesies may be vsed with∣out blame of either side.
CHAP. 84. Jt is a very dangerous matter to tell Princes of their faults and imperfections, not withstanding that at sometimes it be very necessarie so to doe.
CHAP. 85. It is a most notable folly to intermeddle with enterprises, with∣out consideration principally in the warres.
CHAP. 86. Jt more auaileth to prouide according to the aduertisements and rumours of daungerous accidents, which may happen [ F] to a Prince or Common-wealth, then to make no account thereof.
CHAP. 87. Jnnocencie and a cleere conscience make a man bold and har∣die, and giue him heart and courage to shew himselfe in all [ F] places and before all persons.
CHAP. 88.Euill speeches ought not to prouoke a man to do any thing with∣out iudgement and reason, especially in the warres.
CHAP. 89. To despise, backbite, and slaunder any Man, breedeth hatred against him which vseth it, who seldome escapeth vn∣punished.
CHAP. 90. Princes ought to punish backbiters and slaunderers, and in no case to endure them.
CHAP. 91. An innocent man accused of some great crime, ought not to put his innocencie to be tried by vncertaine proofes, for it may happen otherwise then he expected.
CHAP. 92. Jn ward familiars, and Secretaries of Princes may commit ma∣ny errors, by meanes whereof they are in danger to lose their fauour, or their owne liues.
CHAP. 93.Jt is both honourable and profitable to a Captaine, sometime to yeeld to the desire of his Souldiers, thereby to holde and maintaine himselfe in their loue and friendship.
CHAP. 95. A Generall or Commaunder in chiefe, ought not to be touched in his honour and reputation by those which made choise of him, and principally during the time that he is in Armes.
CHAP. 97. He which goeth into a forraine Countrie with charge of im∣portance, ought to frame himselfe according to the fashions of that Countrey wherein he is, for to liue after the manner of his owne countrey, it is not euery where secure.
CHAP. 98. Jt is a shamefull and dishonest thing to wrong and doe iniurie to strangers.
CHAP. 99. How blame-worthie the vice of ingratitude is, in all manner of persons.
A TABLE OF THE PRINCIPALL MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS BOOKE.