The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [228]
13. That controversialists are those who condemn other men’s writings, and seditiously stir up the quarrelsome masses against their authors, rather than those authors themselves,
14. Who generally write only for the learned, and appeal solely to reason.
15. Thus the real disturbers of the peace are those who, in a free state, seek to curtail the liberty of thought and expression,
16. Which they are unable to tyrannise over as they can with people’s actions.
Chapter 6
1. Among those who have studied the ways of government and rulers, there is much practical wisdom,
2. Which applies as much to the rule of what is less than a state than to states themselves.
3. Nothing makes leaders more esteemed than undertaking great enterprises and setting a fine example,
4. Or anyway an unusual example, gaining for themselves the reputation of being remarkable individuals.
5. A leader is also respected when he is either a true friend or a severe enemy,
6. When, without any reservation, he declares himself in favour of one party against the other;
7. Which course will always be more advantageous than standing neutral,
8. Because if others come into conflict, and are of such a character that one has either to fear the winner or not,
9. It will always be more advantageous to declare oneself and contend strenuously;
10. For those who win do not want doubtful friends, and those who lose will not befriend one who stood by as they endeavoured.
11. It will always happen that those who are not one’s friend will demand one’s neutrality,
12. While those who are one’s friend will entreat one to side withthem.
13. And irresolute leaders, to avoid present difficulties, generally follow a neutral path,
14. And are generally therefore ruined. But when a leader declares himself gallantly in favour of one side, if the party with whom he allies himself conquers,
15. Although the victor may be powerful and may have him at his mercy, yet he is indebted to him, and there is established a bond of amity;
16. And people are rarely so shameless as to become a monument of ingratitude later.
17. Victories after all are never so complete that the victor must not show some regard, especially to justice.
18. But if he with whom one allies oneself loses, one may be sheltered by him, and while he is able he may aid one, and become a companion to a fortune that may rise again.
19. In the second case, when those who fight are of such a character that one has no anxiety as to who may win, so much the more is it greater prudence to be allied.
20. But let it be noted that a leader ought to take care never to make an alliance with one more powerful than himself for the purposes of contending with others, unless necessity compels him;
21. Because if the more powerful leader wins, one is at his discretion,
22. And leaders ought to avoid as much as possible being at the discretion of anyone.
23. Never let any government imagine that it can choose perfectly safe courses.
24. Rather let it expect to have to take very doubtful courses, because it is found in ordinary affairs that one never seeks to avoid one trouble without running into another;
25. But prudence consists in knowing how to distinguish the character of troubles, and for choice to take the lesser evil.
Chapter 7
1. A leader ought to show himself a patron of ability, and to honour the proficient in every art.
2. At the same time he should encourage his followers to practise their callings peaceably,
3. And make them know that there is no risk that the reward of their efforts will be denied them or taken from them,
4. But they will receive reward and the enjoyment from it freely.
5. Further, he ought to fete his followers at convenient times, and show himself an example of courtesy and liberality;
6. Nevertheless, always maintaining the right relationship of his position,
7. For too great familiarity loosens the bonds between leader and led, and in the end undoes both.
Chapter 8
1. The leader must consider how to avoid what will make him disliked or contemptible, so that he