That is of all loves the strongest and divinest, which
is by cities and states borne to any man for his virtue. But
those false-named honors and false testimonials of amity,
which have their rise from stage-plays, largesses, and fencings, are not unlike the flatteries of whores; the people
always with smiles bestowing an unconstant and short-lived
glory on him that presents them and gratifies them.
He therefore who said, the people were first overthrown
by him which first bestowed largesses on them, very well
understood that the multitude lose their strength, being
rendered weaker by receiving. But these bestowers must
also know that they destroy themselves, when, purchasing
glory at great expenses, they make the multitude haughty
and arrogant, as having it in their power to give and take
away some very great matter.
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