THE winning of honor, is but the revealing of a man's virtue and worth, without disadvantage. For some in their actions, do woo and effect honor and reputation, which sort of men, are commonly much talked of, but inwardly little admired. And some, contrariwise, darken their virtue in the show of it; so as they be undervalued in opinion. If a man perform that, which hath not been attempted before; or attempted and given over; or hath been achieved, but not with so good circumstance; he shall purchase more honor, than by effecting a matter of greater difficulty or virtue, wherein he is but a follower. If a man so temper his actions, as in some one of them he doth content every faction, or combination of people, the music will be the fuller. A man is an ill husband of his honor, that entereth into any action, the failing wherein may disgrace him, more than the carrying of it through, can honor him. Honor that is gained and broken upon another, hath the quickest reflection, like diamonds cut with facets. And therefore, let a man contend to excel any competitors of his in honor, in outshooting them, if he can, in their own bow. Discreet followers and servants, help much to reputation. Omnis fama a domesticis emanat. Envy, which is the canker of honor, is best extinguished by declaring a man's self in his ends, rather to seek merit than fame; and by attributing a man's successes, rather to divine Providence and felicity, than to his own virtue or policy.
Winning honor is simply a matter of revealing a man's virtue and worth without putting him at a disadvantage. Some men deliberately court and gain honor and reputation through their actions. Such men are commonly much talked about but little admired in private. Others, by contrast, obscure their virtue in the way they display it. As a result, people undervalue them. A man may accomplish something never attempted before, or something others attempted and abandoned. Or he may achieve something under better circumstances than those who succeeded before him. This will earn him more honor than a harder or more worthy achievement in which he merely follows others. If he arranges his actions so that each faction or group is pleased by at least one, the harmony will be fuller. A man manages his honor poorly when he undertakes something whose failure could disgrace him more than success could honor him. Honor gained by surpassing another reflects back most brightly, like light from a diamond cut with facets. So a man should strive to surpass his rivals in honor by beating them, if possible, at their own game. Discreet followers and servants do much to help a man's reputation. All reputation flows from the household. Envy, which eats away at honor, is best extinguished by showing that one's aim is merit rather than fame. A man should also credit his successes to divine providence and good fortune rather than his own ability or strategy.
The true marshalling of the degrees of sovereign honor, are these: In the first place are conditores imperiorum, founders of states and commonwealths; such as were Romulus, Cyrus, Caesar, Ottoman, Ismael. In the second place are legislatores, lawgivers; which are also called second founders, or perpetui principes, because they govern by their ordinances after they are gone; such were Lycurgus, Solon, Justinian, Eadgar, Alphonsus of Castile, the Wise, that made the Siete Partidas. In the third place are liberatores, or salvatores, such as compound the long miseries of civil wars, or deliver their countries from servitude of strangers or tyrants; as Augustus Caesar, Vespasianus, Aurelianus, Theodoricus, King Henry the Seventh of England, King Henry the Fourth of France. In the fourth place are propagatores or propugnatores imperii; such as in honorable wars enlarge their territories, or make noble defence against invaders. And in the last place are patres patriae; which reign justly, and make the times good wherein they live. Both which last kinds need no examples, they are in such number. Degrees of honor, in subjects, are, first participes curarum, those upon whom, princes do discharge the greatest weight of their affairs; their right hands, as we call them. The next are duces belli, great leaders in war; such as are princes' lieutenants, and do them notable services in the wars. The third are gratiosi, favorites; such as exceed not this scantling, to be solace to the sovereign, and harmless to the people. And the fourth, negotiis pares; such as have great places under princes, and execute their places, with sufficiency. There is an honor, likewise, which may be ranked amongst the greatest, which happeneth rarely; that is, of such as sacrifice themselves to death or danger for the good of their country; as was M. Regulus, and the two Decii.
The proper ranking of the highest honors for rulers is as follows. First come the founders of states and commonwealths, such as Romulus, Cyrus, Caesar, Ottoman, and Ismael. Second come the lawgivers, also called second founders or perpetual rulers. They continue to govern through their laws after they are gone. Examples include Lycurgus, Solon, Justinian, Edgar, and Alfonso the Wise of Castile, who created the Siete Partidas. Third come the liberators or saviors. They end the prolonged suffering of civil wars or free their countries from foreign rule or tyranny. Examples include Augustus Caesar, Vespasian, Aurelian, Theodoric, King Henry VII of England, and King Henry IV of France. Fourth come those who expand or defend their realms. They enlarge their territories through honorable wars or mount a noble defense against invaders. Last come the fathers of their country. They rule justly and make their times prosperous and happy. These last two groups need no examples, since there are so many. Among subjects, the highest honors go first to those who share the burdens of government. Rulers entrust them with the greatest weight of public affairs. We call them their rulers’ right hands. Next come great military leaders, who serve as rulers’ deputies and perform outstanding services for them in war. Third come favorites, whose role goes no further than comforting the ruler without harming the people. Fourth come those equal to their responsibilities, who hold high offices under rulers and perform their duties competently. There is another honor that ranks among the greatest, though it is rarely found. It belongs to those who give their lives or face danger for their country’s good. Examples include Marcus Regulus and the two Decii.