THE BRAVE ADVISOR

All of Henry VIII’s advisors were obsequious. Their counsel was tantamount to groveling agreement with his every impulse. Whenever they entered his refulgent presence, the pressure was insuperable; they dissolved into jelly, too pusillanimous to offer even the slightest opposition. At last, one man dared to vituperate Henry to his face, excoriating him for his disastrous war in Europe. Henry, unexpectedly halcyon, listened without anger. It is not recondite to understand why. He was sanguine at last—here was someone willing to give him frank, unvarnished truth.

All of Henry VIII’s advisors were fawning. Their advice was nothing more than groveling agreement with his every impulse. Whenever they entered his glittering presence, the pressure was unbearable; they melted into jelly, too timid to offer even the slightest opposition. Finally, one man scolded Henry to his face, raking him over the coals for his disastrous war in Europe. Henry, unexpectedly, remained calm. It’s not hard to see why—he was hopeful at last to receive an unbiased, forthright view from someone unafraid to speak plainly.

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