1. One Qualification of Rulers whence they may properly be denominated strong Rods, is great Ability for the Management of public Affairs. When they that stand in Place of public Authority are Men of great natural Abilities, when they are Men of uncommon Strength of Reason and Largeness of Understanding; especially when they have remarkably a Genius for Government, a peculiar Turn of Mind fitting them to gain an extraordinary Understanding in Things of that Nature, giving Ability, in an especial Manner, for Insight into the Mysteries of Government, and discerning those Things wherein the public Welfare or Calamity consists, and the proper Means to avoid the one and promote the other; an extraordinary Talent at distinguishing what is right and just, from that which is wrong and unequal, and to see through' the false Colours with which Injustice is often disguised, and unravel the false and subtle Arguments and cunning Sophistry that is often made Use of to defend Iniquity; and when they have not only great natural Abilities in these Respects, but when their Abilities and Talents have been improved by Study, Learning, Observation and Experience; and when by these Means they have obtained great actual Knowledge; when they have acquired great Skill in public Affairs, and Things requisite to be known, in Order to their wise prudent and effectual Management; when they have obtained a great Understanding of Men and Things, a great Knowledge of human Nature, and of the Way of accommodating themselves to it, so as most effectually to influence it to wise Purposes; when they have obtained a very extensive Knowledge of Men with whom they are concerned in ⟨p. 9⟩the Management of public Affairs, either those that have a joint Concern in Government, or those that are to be governed; and when they have also obtained a very full and particular Understanding of the State and Circumstances of the Country of People that they have the Case of, and know well their Laws and Constitution; and what their Circumstances require; and likewise have a great Knowledge of the People of Neighbour Nations, States, or Provinces, with whom they have Occasion to be concerned in the Management of public Affairs committed to them; these Things all contribute to the rendering those that are in Authority fit to be denominated strong Rods.
1. One Qualification of Rulers whence they may properly be denominated strong Rods, is great Ability for the Management of publick Affairs. When they that stand in Place of publick Authority are Men of great natural Abilities, when they are Men of uncommon Strength of Reason and Largeness of Understanding; especially when they have remarkably a Genius for Government, a peculiar Turn of Mind fitting them to gain an extraordinary Understanding in Things of that Nature, giving Ability, in an especial Manner, for Insight into the Mysteries of Government, and discerning those Things wherein the publick Welfare or Calamity consists, and the proper Means to avoid the one and promote the other; an extraordinary Talent at distinguishing what is right and just, from that which is wrong and unequal, and to see thro' the false Colours with which Injustice is often disguised, and unravel the false and subtil Arguments and cunning Sophistry that is often made Use of to defend Iniquity; and when they have not only great natural Abilities in these Respects, but when their Abilities and Talents have been improved by Study, Learning, Observation and Experience; and when by these Means they have obtained great actual Knowledge; when they have acquired great Skill in publick Affairs, and Things requisite to be known, in Order to their wise prudent and effectual Management; when they have obtain'd a great Understanding of Men and Things, a great Knowledge of human Nature, and of the Way of accommodating themselves to it, so as most effectually to influence it to wise Purposes; when they have obtained a very extensive Knowledge of Men with whom they are concerned in ⟨p. 9⟩the Management of publick Affairs, either those that have a joint Concern in Government, or those that are to be governed; and when they have also obtain'd a very full and particular Understanding of the State and Circumstances of the Country of People that they have the Case of, and know well their Laws and Constitution; and what their Circumstances require; and likewise have a great Knowledge of the People of Neighbour Nations, States, or Provinces, with whom they have Occasion to be concerned in the Management of publick Affairs committed to them; these Things all contribute to the rendring those that are in Authority fit to be denominated strong Rods.
