Ferdinand the King |
He knows all serious or insignificant matters of the kingdom, and everything passes by his hands. And even if he seems to listen well to everyone’s views, he is the one that resolves everything…He is skillful in handling weapons, and has shown this before and after being king. He seems to be very religious, since he talks with great reverence about God and always refers to Him. He demonstrates great devotion in religious services and ceremonies, which by the way are very common in the entire nation. He is illiterate but very urban. It is easy to reach him, and his answers are welcoming and very attentive. Few are those who leave unsatisfied with his words. However, fame has it that in his acts he is far off from his promises, whether he makes them knowing he will not keep them, or whether because when things happen he changes his mind and does not regard what he previously had promised.
When I was ambassador of Spain close to Don Ferdinand the King of Aragon, a very prudent and pious prince, I noticed that when he would meditate about new and important undertakings, far from announcing it first to then justify after, he would cleverly get ready so as the people would say: “the king should do this and that for these and so reasons”. It was then that he would proceed to publish his resolution, saying that he had to do what everyone considered necessary. It was incredible how everyone was favorably pleased and praised his projects.
One of the most precious fortunes is to have the occasions of showing that the idea of the common good has determined the actions being carried out due to particular interests. This is what gave so much brilliance to the king’s undertakings: always carried out his own business in view of his own greatness and security, however, seemingly for the defense of the Church and the spread of the Christian faith.
Guicciardini.
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