From The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel:
The king believes that even if he were not king, he would still be a great man. This is because God likes him.
He needs to be liked and he needs to be right. But above all he needs to be listened to, with very close attention.
Never enter a contest of wills with the king.
Do not flatter him. Instead, give him something he can take credit for.
Ask him questions to which you know the answers. Do not ask him the other sort of question.
The Mirror and the Light (2020), p.336
A few pages earlier, “ars longa, vita brevis” was given by Henry as, “Life is short and art is long, the opportunity sudden and fleeting: experiment dangerous, judgment difficult.” Later (and more pithily) by Chaucer, “The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.”
Core Assay 