It is not vnknowen to youre maiestie, moste soueraigne lorde, what great disceptacion hath been amongest the wyttie men of all nacions, for the exacte knoweledge of true felicitie, bothe what it is, and wherein it consisteth: touchynge whiche thyng, their opinions almoste were as many in numbre, as were the persons of them, that either disputed or wrote thereof. But and if the diuersitie of opinions in the vulgar sort for placyng of their felicitie shall be considered also, the varietie shall be found so great, and the opinions so dissonant, yea plainly monsterouse, that no honest witte would vouchesafe to lose time in hearyng thẽ, or rather (as I may saie) no witte is of so exact remembrance, that can consider together the monsterouse multitude of them all. And yet not withstãdyng this repugnant diuersitie, in two thynges do they all agree. First all do agre, that felicitie is and ought to be the stop and end of all their doynges, so that he that hath a full desire to any thyng how so euer it be estemed of other mẽ, yet he estemeth him self happie, if he maie obtain it: and contrary waies vnhappie if he can not attaine it. And therfore do all men put their whole studie to gette that thyng, wherin they haue perswaded them self that felicitie doth consist. Wherfore some whiche put their felicitie in fedyng their bellies, thinke no pain to be hard, nor no dede to be vnhonest, that may be a meanes to fill that foule panche. Other which put their felicitie in play and ydle pastimes, iudge no time euill spent, that is employed thereabout: nor no fraude vnlawfull that may further their winning. If I should particularly ouerrũne but the common sortes of men, which put their felicitie in their desires, it wold make a great boke of it self. Therfore wyl I let them al go, and conclude as I began, That all men employ their whole endeuour to that thing, wherin thei thinke felicitie to stand. whiche thyng who so listeth to mark exactly, shall be able to espie and iudge the natures of al men, whose conuersaciõ he doth know, though thei vse great dissimulacion to colour their desires, especially whẽ they perceiue other men to mislyke that which thei so much desire: For no mã wold gladly haue his appetite improued. And herof cõmeth that secõnde thing wherin al agree, that euery man would most gladly win all other men to his sect, and to make thẽ of his opinion, and as far as he dare, will dispraise all other mens iudgemẽtes, and praise his own waies only, onles it be when he dissimuleth, and that for the furtherãce of his own purpose. And this propertie also doth geue great light to the full knowledge of mens natures, which as all men ought to obserue, so princes aboue other haue most cause to mark for sundrie occasions which may lye them on, wherof I shall not nede to speke any farther, consideryng not only the greatnes of wit, and exactnes of iudgement whiche god hath lent vnto your highnes person, but also y^e most graue wisdom and profoũd knowledge of