Francis Bacon – On Followers and Friends
One should avoid gathering followers, as a man who extends his tail will shorten his wings. I do not only mean those who burden the wallet, but also those who annoy and flutter around like moths. Ordinary followers should not expect anything more than approval, recommendation, and protection from injustice. Even more so, one should avoid quarrelsome followers who do not align themselves with a person out of affection, but rather out of dissatisfaction towards someone else, which often leads to misunderstandings, as we often see among the nobility. Equally troublesome are those followers who constantly trumpet the praises of their superiors, as they spoil business due to lack of measure, diminish reputation, and create envy. There is also a type of dangerous follower, the spies; they seek to learn the secrets of a house and transmit them to others. Nevertheless, such people often enjoy favor, as they are very helpful and usually exchange their stories. The entourage of people from a certain social class, to which even a dignitary belongs (e.g. a soldier when in service), is also present. The presence of an entourage, whether it be a warrior or similar, has always been approved of, even in monarchies; as long as it is not too extravagant or flashy. However, the most honorable entourage is the one that follows a person who knows how to enhance virtue and merit in people of all kinds. Yet, in a place where no one particularly stands out, it is better to have an average person in the entourage rather than someone more capable. Furthermore, truth be told, in difficult times, enterprising people are more useful than virtuous ones. It is true that in a government, it is equally beneficial to use people of the same status: approving too much for some will make them arrogant, while others will become dissatisfied because they may demand the same rights.
In expressing affection, it is good to make distinctions among people and choose, because those chosen become more grateful and the others more cooperative: everything depends on affection. It is wise not to initially show too much affection to anyone because it cannot be maintained. Relying on (what we call) one person is insecure; it shows weakness and provides room for slander and accusations. In a wise voice, because those who do not want to openly criticize and speak ill of others will speak more freely about those who are good to them, thus hurting their honor. It is even worse to follow the opinions of many, because then a person expresses the opinion of the last person they spoke to and becomes very unreliable. It is always good to receive advice from a few friends, because observers often see more than players, and the valley reveals the mountain best. There is little friendship in the world, and it is said to be the least among equals. The existing friendship is between the stronger and the weaker, and the success of one will pull the other along.