MANY have an opinion not wise, that for a prince to govern his estate, or for a great person to govern his proceedings, according to the respect of factions, is a principal part of policy; whereas contrariwise, the chiefest wisdom, is either in ordering those things which are general, and wherein men of several factions do nevertheless agree; or in dealing with correspondence to particular persons, one by one. But I say not that the considerations of factions, is to be neglected. Mean men, in their rising, must adhere; but great men, that have strength in themselves, were better to maintain themselves indifferent, and neutral. Yet even in beginners, to adhere so moderately, as he be a man of the one faction, which is most passable with the other, commonly giveth best way. The lower and weaker faction, is the firmer in conjunction; and it is often seen, that a few that are stiff, do tire out a greater number, that are more moderate. When one of the factions is extinguished, the remaining subdivideth; as the faction between Lucullus, and the rest of the nobles of the senate (which they called Optimates) held out awhile, against the faction of Pompey and Caesar; but when the senate's authority was pulled down, Caesar and Pompey soon after brake. The faction or party of Antonius and Octavianus Caesar, against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a time; but when Brutus and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after, Antonius and Octavianus brake and subdivided. These examples are of wars, but the same holdeth in private factions. And therefore, those that are seconds in factions, do many times, when the faction subdivideth, prove principals; but many times also, they prove ciphers and cashiered; for many a man's strength is in opposition; and when that faileth, he groweth out of use. It is commonly seen, that men, once placed, take in with the contrary faction, to that by which they enter: thinking belike, that they have the first sure, and now are ready for a new purchase. The traitor in faction, lightly goeth away with it; for when matters have stuck long in balancing, the winning of some one man casteth them, and he getteth all the thanks. The even carriage between two factions, proceedeth not always of moderation, but of a trueness to a man's self, with end to make use of both. Certainly in Italy, they hold it a little suspect in popes, when they have often in their mouth Padre commune: and take it to be a sign of one, that meaneth to refer all to the greatness of his own house. Kings had need beware, how they side themselves, and make themselves as of a faction or party; for leagues within the state, are ever pernicious to monarchies: for they raise an obligation, paramount to obligation of sovereignty, and make the king tanquam unus ex nobis; as was to be seen in the League of France. When factions are carried too high and too violently, it is a sign of weakness in princes; and much to the prejudice, both of their authority and business. The motions of factions under kings ought to be, like the motions (as the astronomers speak) of the inferior orbs, which may have their proper motions, but yet still are quietly carried, by the higher motion of primum mobile.
Many people unwisely believe that managing factions is a central part of political skill. They think a ruler should govern his state this way, and a powerful person should conduct his affairs likewise. In fact, the greatest wisdom lies in managing common concerns on which people from different factions agree. Or it lies in dealing with particular people individually. Still, I do not mean that factions should be ignored. People of little standing must join a faction as they rise. But powerful people with strength of their own would do better to remain impartial and neutral. Even beginners usually advance best by keeping their allegiance moderate. They should belong to one faction while remaining as acceptable as possible to the other. The weaker, less powerful faction is more firmly united. Often, a few unyielding people wear down a larger number of more moderate ones. When one faction is destroyed, the remaining faction splits. Lucullus and the other nobles in the senate, called the Optimates, resisted the faction of Pompey and Caesar for a time. But once the senate’s authority was overthrown, Caesar and Pompey soon broke with each other. Likewise, the alliance of Antony and Octavian Caesar against Brutus and Cassius lasted for a time. But after Brutus and Cassius were defeated, Antony and Octavian soon broke apart and formed separate factions. These examples concern wars, but the same holds true of private factions. Thus, second-ranking members often become leaders when their faction splits. But often they also become nobodies and are dismissed. Many people draw their strength from opposition. When that disappears, they are no longer useful. People who gain positions often join the faction opposed to the one that brought them into power. They apparently think their first supporters are secure, and they are now ready to gain new ones. Someone who betrays a faction usually carries off the prize. When the sides have long been evenly balanced, winning over one person can decide the outcome. That person then receives all the credit. Impartial conduct between two factions does not always come from moderation. It may come from loyalty to oneself, with the aim of using both sides. In Italy, people certainly regard popes with some suspicion when they frequently call themselves Padre comune, or common father. They take it as a sign that the pope intends to direct everything toward his own family’s greatness. Kings must beware of taking sides and making themselves members of a faction or party. Alliances within the state are always harmful to monarchies. They create a loyalty that overrides loyalty to the sovereign. They also make the king merely one of us, as could be seen in the League of France. When factions become too powerful and violent, this shows weakness in rulers. It also greatly harms both their authority and their affairs. Under kings, factions should move like the lower celestial spheres described by astronomers. These may have movements of their own. Yet they are still carried peacefully by the greater movement of the primum mobile, the outermost moving sphere.