Two things are here represented as very absurd: 1. That men of no
repute should be dictators. What can be more unbecoming than for fools,
who are known to have little sense and discretion, to pretend to that
which is above them and which they were never cut out for? A fool, in
Solomon's proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does
not become, because his conversation gives the lie to his excellent
speech. What have those to do to declare God's statutes who hate
instruction? Ps. l. 16. Christ would not suffer the unclean spirits to
say that they knew him to be the Son of God. See Acts xvi. 17, 18. 2.
That men of great repute should be deceivers. If it is unbecoming a
despicable man to presume to speak as a philosopher or politician, and
nobody heeds him, being prejudiced against his character, much more
unbecoming is it for a prince, for a man of honour, to take advantage
from his character and the confidence that is put in him to lie, and
dissemble, and make no conscience of breaking his word. Lying ill
becomes any man, but worst a prince, so corrupt is the modern policy,
which insinuates that princes ought not to make themselves slaves to
their words further than is for their interest, and Qui nescit
dissimulare nescit regnare--He who knows not how to dissemble knows not
how to reign.