CONSIDERATIONS
Concerning the
LAKE
OF
VENICE.
Concerning the
LAKE
OF
VENICE.
CONSIDERATION II.
If the diſcourſing well about the truth of
things, Moſt Serene Prince, were as the
carrying of Burdens, in which we ſee
that an hundred Horſes carry a greater
weight than one Horſe onely; it would
ſeem that one might make more account
of the opinion of many men, than of
one alone; But becauſe that diſcourſing
more reſembleth running, than carrying
Burdens, in which we ſee that one Barb alone runneth faſter
than an hundred heavy-heel'd Jades; therefore I have ever more
eſteemed one Concluſion well managed, and well conſidered by
one underſtanding man, although alone, than the common and
Vulgar opinions; eſpecially, when they concern abſtruce and
arduous points: Nay in ſuch caſes the opinions moulded and
framed by the moſt ignorant and ſtupid Vulgar, have been ever
ſuſpected by me as falſe, for that it would be a great wonder if
in difficult matters a common capacity ſhould hit upon that
which is handſom, good, and true. Hence I have, and do hold
in very great veneration the ſumme of the Government of the
moſt Serene, and eternal Republick of Venice; which although,
as being in nature a Common-wealth, it ought to be governed by
the greater part; yet nevertheleſs, in arduous affairs, it is alwaies
directed by the Grave Judgement of few, and not judged blindly
things, Moſt Serene Prince, were as the
carrying of Burdens, in which we ſee
that an hundred Horſes carry a greater
weight than one Horſe onely; it would
ſeem that one might make more account
of the opinion of many men, than of
one alone; But becauſe that diſcourſing
more reſembleth running, than carrying
Burdens, in which we ſee that one Barb alone runneth faſter
than an hundred heavy-heel'd Jades; therefore I have ever more
eſteemed one Concluſion well managed, and well conſidered by
one underſtanding man, although alone, than the common and
Vulgar opinions; eſpecially, when they concern abſtruce and
arduous points: Nay in ſuch caſes the opinions moulded and
framed by the moſt ignorant and ſtupid Vulgar, have been ever
ſuſpected by me as falſe, for that it would be a great wonder if
in difficult matters a common capacity ſhould hit upon that
which is handſom, good, and true. Hence I have, and do hold
in very great veneration the ſumme of the Government of the
moſt Serene, and eternal Republick of Venice; which although,
as being in nature a Common-wealth, it ought to be governed by
the greater part; yet nevertheleſs, in arduous affairs, it is alwaies
directed by the Grave Judgement of few, and not judged blindly