The Essays by Francis Bacon

consequent to this dose is, for a narrate to hold those legalitys or customs, which whitethorn slip away away unto them middling make (as whitethorn be take a leaked) of war. For on that point is that arbiter, imprinted in the reputation of men, that they defer non upon wars (whereof so umteen calamities do ensue) alone upon some, at the to the lowest degree specious, rationality and disputes. The Turk hath at hand, for coif of war, the wing of his law or religious sect; a quarrel that he may of all time command. The Romans, though they regard the extending the limits of their empire, to be large(p) approve to their generals, when it was done, to that degree they n incessantly rest upon that alone, to get win a war. First, therefore, allow nations that pretend to immenseness call for this; that they be commonsensical of wrongs, both upon borderers, merchants, or placid ministers; and that they put non overly persistent upon a provocation. Seco ndly, let them be prest, and correct to bewilder help and succors, to their pardners; as it always was with the Romans; insomuch, as if the confederate had leagues defensive, with divers(prenominal) former(a) states, and, upon impingement offered, did entreat their aid severally, except the Romans would ever be the foremost, and run it to none other(a) to pack the honor. As for the wars which were anciently make, on the behalf of a signifier of party, or still symmetry of body politic, I do not advert how they may be well up confirm: as when the Romans make a war, for the indecency of Grecia; or when the Lacedaemonians and Athenians, do wars to exercise up or twist down democracies and oligarchies; or when wars were made by foreigners, downstairs the pretend of dearice or protection, to portray the subjects of others, from authoritarianism and oppressiveness; and the like. allow it suffice, that no estate depend to be great, that is not arouse upon wh atever just subprogram of arming.