COSTLY followers are not to be liked; lest while a man maketh his train longer, he make his wings shorter. I reckon to be costly, not them alone which charge the purse, but which are wearisome, and importune in suits. Ordinary followers ought to challenge no higher conditions, than countenance, recommendation, and protection from wrongs. Factious followers are worse to be liked, which follow not upon affection to him, with whom they range themselves, but upon discontentment conceived against some other; whereupon commonly ensueth that ill intelligence, that we many times see between great personages. Likewise glorious followers, who make themselves as trumpets of the commendation of those they follow, are full of inconvenience; for they taint business through want of secrecy; and they export honor from a man, and make him a return in envy. There is a kind of followers likewise, which are dangerous, being indeed espials; which inquire the secrets of the house, and bear tales of them, to others. Yet such men, many times, are in great favor; for they are officious, and commonly exchange tales. The following by certain estates of men, answerable to that, which a great person himself professeth (as of soldiers, to him that hath been employed in the wars, and the like), hath ever been a thing civil, and well taken, even in monarchies; so it be without too much pomp or popularity. But the most honorable kind of following, is to be followed as one, that apprehendeth to advance virtue, and desert, in all sorts of persons. And yet, where there is no eminent odds in sufficiency, it is better to take with the more passable, than with the more able. And besides, to speak truth, in base times, active men are of more use than virtuous. It is true that in government, it is good to use men of one rank equally: for to countenance some extraordinarily, is to make them insolent, and the rest discontent; because they may claim a due. But contrariwise, in favor, to use men with much difference and election is good; for it maketh the persons preferred more thankful, and the rest more officious: because all is of favor. It is good discretion, not to make too much of any man at the first; because one cannot hold out that proportion. To be governed (as we call it) by one is not safe; for it shows softness, and gives a freedom, to scandal and disreputation; for those, that would not censure or speak ill of a man immediately, will talk more boldly of those that are so great with them, and thereby wound their honor. Yet to be distracted with many is worse; for it makes men to be of the last impression, and full of change. To take advice of some few friends, is ever honorable; for lookers-on many times see more than gamesters; and the vale best discovereth the hill. There is little friendship in the world, and least of all between equals, which was wont to be magnified. That that is, is between superior and inferior, whose fortunes may comprehend the one the other.
Costly followers are best avoided. A man may lengthen his train of followers only to shorten his wings. By costly, I mean not only those who drain his purse, but those who tire him with persistent requests. Ordinary followers should expect no more than support, recommendations, and protection from mistreatment. Followers driven by faction are even less desirable. They attach themselves to a man not from affection, but from resentment against someone else. This commonly leads to the hostility we so often see between powerful people. Boastful followers, who trumpet the praises of those they follow, also cause much trouble. They spoil business by failing to keep secrets. They spread a man's fame and bring him envy in return. Another dangerous kind of follower is really a spy. Such people discover household secrets and report them to others. Yet they are often great favorites because they are eager to serve and usually bring gossip in exchange. Followers from a particular profession have always been considered proper and acceptable, even under monarchies. This applies when their profession matches that of the great person they follow, as soldiers follow an experienced commander. But such a following must avoid excessive display or courting popular support. The most honorable following gathers around someone known for promoting virtue and merit in people of every kind. Yet where ability differs little, it is better to choose the merely adequate person than the more capable. And, to speak plainly, in corrupt times, energetic men are more useful than virtuous ones. In government, it is good to treat men of the same rank equally. Giving some exceptional support makes them arrogant and leaves the rest dissatisfied, because they can claim equal treatment as their due. But when granting personal favors, it is good to be selective and make clear distinctions. This makes those preferred more grateful and the rest more eager to serve, because everything depends on favor. It is wise not to favor anyone too greatly at first, because that level of favor cannot be maintained. It is unsafe to let one person control you, as we call it. This reveals weakness and opens the way to scandal and damage to your reputation. People who would not criticize you directly will speak more boldly against someone so close to you. In this way, they wound your honor. Yet being pulled in different directions by many people is worse. It leaves you swayed by whoever spoke last and constantly changing your mind. Taking advice from a few friends is always honorable. Spectators often see more than the players, and a hill is best seen from the valley. There is little friendship in the world, and least of all between equals, though such friendship was once much praised. What friendship there is exists between people of higher and lower rank, whose fortunes can support each other.