CHAPTERXIII
　　CONCERNINGAUXILIARIES，MIXEDSOLDIERY，ANDONE’SOWN
　　Auxiliaries，whicharetheotheruselessarm，areemployedwhenaprinceiscalledinwithhisforcestoaidanddefend，aswasdonebyPopeJuliusinthemostrecenttimes;forhe，having，intheenterpriseagainstFerrara，hadpoorproofofhismercenaries，turnedtoauxiliaries，andstipulatedwithFerdinand，KingofSpain，[*]forhisassistancewithmenandarms。Thesearmsmaybeusefulandgoodinthemselves，butforhimwhocallsthemintheyarealwaysdisadvantageous;forlosing，oneisundone，andwinning，oneistheircaptive。
　　[*]FerdinandV（F。IIofAragonandSicily，F。IIIofNaples），surnamed"TheCatholic，"born1542，died1516。
　　Andalthoughancienthistoriesmaybefullofexamples，IdonotwishtoleavethisrecentoneofPopeJuliustheSecond，theperilofwhichcannotfailtobeperceived;forhe，wishingtogetFerrara，threwhimselfentirelyintothehandsoftheforeigner。Buthisgoodfortunebroughtaboutathirdevent，sothathedidnotreapthefruitofhisrashchoice;because，havinghisauxiliariesroutedatRavenna，andtheSwitzershavingrisenanddrivenouttheconquerors（againstallexpectation，bothhisandothers），itsocametopassthathedidnotbecomeprisonertohisenemies，theyhavingfled，nortohisauxiliaries，hehavingconqueredbyotherarmsthantheirs。
　　TheFlorentines，beingentirelywithoutarms，senttenthousandFrenchmentotakePisa，wherebytheyranmoredangerthanatanyothertimeoftheirtroubles。
　　TheEmperorofConstantinople，[*]toopposehisneighbours，senttenthousandTurksintoGreece，who，onthewarbeingfinished，werenotwillingtoquit;thiswasthebeginningoftheservitudeofGreecetotheinfidels。
　　[*]JoannesCantacuzenus，born1300，died1383。
　　Therefore，lethimwhohasnodesiretoconquermakeuseofthesearms，fortheyaremuchmorehazardousthanmercenaries，becausewiththemtheruinisreadymade;theyareallunited，allyieldobediencetoothers;butwithmercenaries，whentheyhaveconquered，moretimeandbetteropportunitiesareneededtoinjureyou;theyarenotallofonecommunity，theyarefoundandpaidbyyou，andathirdparty，whichyouhavemadetheirhead，isnotableallatoncetoassumeenoughauthoritytoinjureyou。Inconclusion，inmercenariesdastardyismostdangerous;inauxiliaries，valour。Thewiseprince，therefore，hasalwaysavoidedthesearmsandturnedtohisown;andhasbeenwillingrathertolosewiththemthantoconquerwiththeothers，notdeemingthatarealvictorywhichisgainedwiththearmsofothers。
　　IshallneverhesitatetociteCesareBorgiaandhisactions。ThisdukeenteredtheRomagnawithauxiliaries，takingthereonlyFrenchsoldiers，andwiththemhecapturedImolaandForli;butafterwards，suchforcesnotappearingtohimreliable，heturnedtomercenaries，discerninglessdangerinthem，andenlistedtheOrsiniandVitelli;
　　whompresently，onhandlingandfindingthemdoubtful，unfaithful，anddangerous，hedestroyedandturnedtohisownmen。Andthedifferencebetweenoneandtheotheroftheseforcescaneasilybeseenwhenoneconsidersthedifferencetherewasinthereputationoftheduke，whenhehadtheFrench，whenhehadtheOrsiniandVitelli，andwhenhereliedonhisownsoldiers，onwhosefidelityhecouldalwayscountandfounditeverincreasing;hewasneveresteemedmorehighlythanwheneveryonesawthathewascompletemasterofhisownforces。
　　IwasnotintendingtogobeyondItalianandrecentexamples，butIamunwillingtoleaveoutHiero，theSyracusan，hebeingoneofthoseI
　　havenamedabove。Thisman，asIhavesaid，madeheadofthearmybytheSyracusans，soonfoundoutthatamercenarysoldiery，constitutedlikeourItaliancondottieri，wasofnouse;anditappearingtohimthathecouldneitherkeepthemnotletthemgo，hehadthemallcuttopieces，andafterwardsmadewarwithhisownforcesandnotwithaliens。
　　IwishalsotorecalltomemoryaninstancefromtheOldTestamentapplicabletothissubject。DavidofferedhimselftoSaultofightwithGoliath，thePhilistinechampion，and，togivehimcourage，Saularmedhimwithhisownweapons;whichDavidrejectedassoonashehadthemonhisback，sayinghecouldmakenouseofthem，andthathewishedtomeettheenemywithhisslingandhisknife。Inconclusion，thearmsofotherseitherfallfromyourback，ortheyweighyoudown，ortheybindyoufast。
　　CharlestheSeventh，[*]thefatherofKingLouistheEleventh，[]
　　havingbygoodfortuneandvalourliberatedFrancefromtheEnglish，recognizedthenecessityofbeingarmedwithforcesofhisown，andheestablishedinhiskingdomordinancesconcerningmen—at—armsandinfantry。Afterwardshisson，KingLouis，abolishedtheinfantryandbegantoenlisttheSwitzers，whichmistake，followedbyothers，is，asisnowseen，asourceofperiltothatkingdom;because，havingraisedthereputationoftheSwitzers，hehasentirelydiminishedthevalueofhisownarms，forhehasdestroyedtheinfantryaltogether;
　　andhismen—at—armshehassubordinatedtoothers，for，beingastheyaresoaccustomedtofightalongwithSwitzers，itdoesnotappearthattheycannowconquerwithoutthem。HenceitarisesthattheFrenchcannotstandagainsttheSwitzers，andwithouttheSwitzerstheydonotcomeoffwellagainstothers。ThearmiesoftheFrenchhavethusbecomemixed，partlymercenaryandpartlynational，bothofwhicharmstogetheraremuchbetterthanmercenariesaloneorauxiliariesalone，butmuchinferiortoone’sownforces。Andthisexampleprovesit，forthekingdomofFrancewouldbeunconquerableiftheordinanceofCharleshadbeenenlargedormaintained。
　　[*]CharlesVIIofFrance，surnamed"TheVictorious，"born1403，died1461。
　　[]LouisXI，sonoftheabove，born1423，died1483。
　　Butthescantywisdomofman，onenteringintoanaffairwhichlookswellatfirst，cannotdiscernthepoisonthatishiddeninit，asI
　　havesaidaboveofhecticfevers。Therefore，ifhewhorulesaprincipalitycannotrecognizeevilsuntiltheyareuponhim，heisnottrulywise;andthisinsightisgiventofew。AndifthefirstdisastertotheRomanEmpire[*]shouldbeexamined，itwillbefoundtohavecommencedonlywiththeenlistingoftheGoths;becausefromthattimethevigouroftheRomanEmpirebegantodecline，andallthatvalourwhichhadraiseditpassedawaytoothers。
　　[*]"ManyspeakerstotheHousetheothernightinthedebateonthereductionofarmamentsseemedtoshowamostlamentableignoranceoftheconditionsunderwhichtheBritishEmpiremaintainsitsexistence。WhenMrBalfourrepliedtotheallegationsthattheRomanEmpiresankundertheweightofitsmilitaryobligations，hesaidthatthiswas’whollyunhistorical。’HemightwellhaveaddedthattheRomanpowerwasatitszenithwheneverycitizenacknowledgedhisliabilitytofightfortheState，butthatitbegantodeclineassoonasthisobligationwasnolongerrecognized。"——PallMallGazette，15thMay1906。
　　Iconclude，therefore，thatnoprincipalityissecurewithouthavingitsownforces;onthecontrary，itisentirelydependentongoodfortune，nothavingthevalourwhichinadversitywoulddefendit。Andithasalwaysbeentheopinionandjudgmentofwisementhatnothingcanbesouncertainorunstableasfameorpowernotfoundedonitsownstrength。Andone’sownforcesarethosewhicharecomposedeitherofsubjects，citizens，ordependents;allothersaremercenariesorauxiliaries。Andthewaytomakereadyone’sownforceswillbeeasilyfoundiftherulessuggestedbymeshallbereflectedupon，andifonewillconsiderhowPhilip，thefatherofAlexandertheGreat，andmanyrepublicsandprinceshavearmedandorganizedthemselves，towhichrulesIentirelycommitmyself。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THATWHICHCONCERNSAPRINCEONTHESUBJECTOFTHEARTOFWAR
　　Aprinceoughttohavenootheraimorthought，norselectanythingelseforhisstudy，thanwaranditsrulesanddiscipline;forthisisthesoleartthatbelongstohimwhorules，anditisofsuchforcethatitnotonlyupholdsthosewhoarebornprinces，butitoftenenablesmentorisefromaprivatestationtothatrank。And，onthecontrary，itisseenthatwhenprinceshavethoughtmoreofeasethanofarmstheyhavelosttheirstates。Andthefirstcauseofyourlosingitistoneglectthisart;andwhatenablesyoutoacquireastateistobemasteroftheart。FrancescoSforza，throughbeingmartial，fromaprivatepersonbecameDukeofMilan;andthesons，throughavoidingthehardshipsandtroublesofarms，fromdukesbecameprivatepersons。Foramongotherevilswhichbeingunarmedbringsyou，itcausesyoutobedespised，andthisisoneofthoseignominiesagainstwhichaprinceoughttoguardhimself，asisshownlateron。
　　Becausethereisnothingproportionatebetweenthearmedandtheunarmed;anditisnotreasonablethathewhoisarmedshouldyieldobediencewillinglytohimwhoisunarmed，orthattheunarmedmanshouldbesecureamongarmedservants。Because，therebeingintheonedisdainandintheothersuspicion，itisnotpossibleforthemtoworkwelltogether。Andthereforeaprincewhodoesnotunderstandtheartofwar，overandabovetheothermisfortunesalreadymentioned，cannotberespectedbyhissoldiers，norcanherelyonthem。Heoughtnever，therefore，tohaveoutofhisthoughtsthissubjectofwar，andinpeaceheshouldaddicthimselfmoretoitsexercisethaninwar;
　　thishecandointwoways，theonebyaction，theotherbystudy。
　　Asregardsaction，heoughtaboveallthingstokeephismenwellorganizedanddrilled，tofollowincessantlythechase，bywhichheaccustomshisbodytohardships，andlearnssomethingofthenatureoflocalities，andgetstofindouthowthemountainsrise，howthevalleysopenout，howtheplainslie，andtounderstandthenatureofriversandmarshes，andinallthistotakethegreatestcare。Whichknowledgeisusefulintwoways。Firstly，helearnstoknowhiscountry，andisbetterabletoundertakeitsdefence;afterwards，bymeansoftheknowledgeandobservationofthatlocality，heunderstandswitheaseanyotherwhichitmaybenecessaryforhimtostudyhereafter;becausethehills，valleys，andplains，andriversandmarshesthatare，forinstance，inTuscany，haveacertainresemblancetothoseofothercountries，sothatwithaknowledgeoftheaspectofonecountryonecaneasilyarriveataknowledgeofothers。Andtheprincethatlacksthisskilllackstheessentialwhichitisdesirablethatacaptainshouldpossess，foritteacheshimtosurprisehisenemy，toselectquarters，toleadarmies，toarraythebattle，tobesiegetownstoadvantage。
　　Philopoemen，[*]PrinceoftheAchaeans，amongotherpraiseswhichwritershavebestowedonhim，iscommendedbecauseintimeofpeaceheneverhadanythinginhismindbuttherulesofwar;andwhenhewasinthecountrywithfriends，heoftenstoppedandreasonedwiththem：
　　"Iftheenemyshouldbeuponthathill，andweshouldfindourselvesherewithourarmy，withwhomwouldbetheadvantage？Howshouldonebestadvancetomeethim，keepingtheranks？Ifweshouldwishtoretreat，howoughtwetopursue？"Andhewouldsetforthtothem，ashewent，allthechancesthatcouldbefallanarmy;hewouldlistentotheiropinionandstatehis，confirmingitwithreasons，sothatbythesecontinualdiscussionstherecouldneverarise，intimeofwar，anyunexpectedcircumstancesthathecouldnotdealwith。
　　[*]Philopoemen，"thelastoftheGreeks，"born252B。C。，died183
　　B。C。
　　Buttoexercisetheintellecttheprinceshouldreadhistories，andstudytheretheactionsofillustriousmen，toseehowtheyhavebornethemselvesinwar，toexaminethecausesoftheirvictoriesanddefeat，soastoavoidthelatterandimitatetheformer;andabovealldoasanillustriousmandid，whotookasanexemplaronewhohadbeenpraisedandfamousbeforehim，andwhoseachievementsanddeedshealwayskeptinhismind，asitissaidAlexandertheGreatimitatedAchilles，CaesarAlexander，ScipioCyrus。AndwhoeverreadsthelifeofCyrus，writtenbyXenophon，willrecognizeafterwardsinthelifeofScipiohowthatimitationwashisglory，andhowinchastity，affability，humanity，andliberalityScipioconformedtothosethingswhichhavebeenwrittenofCyrusbyXenophon。Awiseprinceoughttoobservesomesuchrules，andneverinpeacefultimesstandidle，butincreasehisresourceswithindustryinsuchawaythattheymaybeavailabletohiminadversity，sothatiffortunechancesitmayfindhimpreparedtoresistherblows。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　CONCERNINGTHINGSFORWHICHMEN，ANDESPECIALLYPRINCES，AREPRAISEDORBLAMED
　　Itremainsnowtoseewhatoughttobetherulesofconductforaprincetowardssubjectandfriends。AndasIknowthatmanyhavewrittenonthispoint，IexpectIshallbeconsideredpresumptuousinmentioningitagain，especiallyasindiscussingitIshalldepartfromthemethodsofotherpeople。But，itbeingmyintentiontowriteathingwhichshallbeusefultohimwhoapprehendsit，itappearstomemoreappropriatetofollowuptherealtruthofthematterthantheimaginationofit;formanyhavepicturedrepublicsandprincipalitieswhichinfacthaveneverbeenknownorseen，becausehowonelivesissofardistantfromhowoneoughttolive，thathewhoneglectswhatisdoneforwhatoughttobedone，soonereffectshisruinthanhispreservation;foramanwhowishestoactentirelyuptohisprofessionsofvirtuesoonmeetswithwhatdestroyshimamongsomuchthatisevil。
　　Henceitisnecessaryforaprincewishingtoholdhisowntoknowhowtodowrong，andtomakeuseofitornotaccordingtonecessity。
　　Therefore，puttingononesideimaginarythingsconcerningaprince，anddiscussingthosewhicharereal，Isaythatallmenwhentheyarespokenof，andchieflyprincesforbeingmorehighlyplaced，areremarkableforsomeofthosequalitieswhichbringthemeitherblameorpraise;andthusitisthatoneisreputedliberal，anothermiserly，usingaTuscanterm（becauseanavariciouspersoninourlanguageisstillhewhodesirestopossessbyrobbery，whilstwecallonemiserlywhodepriveshimselftoomuchoftheuseofhisown）;oneisreputedgenerous，onerapacious;onecruel，onecompassionate;onefaithless，anotherfaithful;oneeffeminateandcowardly，anotherboldandbrave;oneaffable，anotherhaughty;onelascivious，anotherchaste;onesincere，anothercunning;onehard，anothereasy;onegrave，anotherfrivolous;onereligious，anotherunbelieving，andthelike。AndIknowthateveryonewillconfessthatitwouldbemostpraiseworthyinaprincetoexhibitalltheabovequalitiesthatareconsideredgood;butbecausetheycanneitherbeentirelypossessednorobserved，forhumanconditionsdonotpermitit，itisnecessaryforhimtobesufficientlyprudentthathemayknowhowtoavoidthereproachofthoseviceswhichwouldlosehimhisstate;andalsotokeephimself，ifitbepossible，fromthosewhichwouldnotlosehimit;butthisnotbeingpossible，hemaywithlesshesitationabandonhimselftothem。Andagain，heneednotmakehimselfuneasyatincurringareproachforthoseviceswithoutwhichthestatecanonlybesavedwithdifficulty，forifeverythingisconsideredcarefully，itwillbefoundthatsomethingwhichlookslikevirtue，iffollowed，wouldbehisruin;whilstsomethingelse，whichlookslikevice，yetfollowedbringshimsecurityandprosperity。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　CONCERNINGLIBERALITYANDMEANNESS
　　Commencingthenwiththefirstoftheabove—namedcharacteristics，I
　　saythatitwouldbewelltobereputedliberal。Nevertheless，liberalityexercisedinawaythatdoesnotbringyouthereputationforit，injuresyou;forifoneexercisesithonestlyandasitshouldbeexercised，itmaynotbecomeknown，andyouwillnotavoidthereproachofitsopposite。Therefore，anyonewishingtomaintainamongmenthenameofliberalisobligedtoavoidnoattributeofmagnificence;sothataprincethusinclinedwillconsumeinsuchactsallhisproperty，andwillbecompelledintheend，ifhewishtomaintainthenameofliberal，toundulyweighdownhispeople，andtaxthem，anddoeverythinghecantogetmoney。Thiswillsoonmakehimodioustohissubjects，andbecomingpoorhewillbelittlevaluedbyanyone;thus，withhisliberality，havingoffendedmanyandrewardedfew，heisaffectedbytheveryfirsttroubleandimperilledbywhatevermaybethefirstdanger;recognizingthishimself，andwishingtodrawbackfromit，herunsatonceintothereproachofbeingmiserly。
　　Therefore，aprince，notbeingabletoexercisethisvirtueofliberalityinsuchawaythatitisrecognized，excepttohiscost，ifheiswiseheoughtnottofearthereputationofbeingmean，forintimehewillcometobemoreconsideredthanifliberal，seeingthatwithhiseconomyhisrevenuesareenough，thathecandefendhimselfagainstallattacks，andisabletoengageinenterpriseswithoutburdeninghispeople;thusitcomestopassthatheexercisesliberalitytowardsallfromwhomhedoesnottake，whoarenumberless，andmeannesstowardsthosetowhomhedoesnotgive，whoarefew。
　　Wehavenotseengreatthingsdoneinourtimeexceptbythosewhohavebeenconsideredmean;theresthavefailed。PopeJuliustheSecondwasassistedinreachingthepapacybyareputationforliberality，yethedidnotstriveafterwardstokeepitup，whenhemadewarontheKingofFrance;andhemademanywarswithoutimposinganyextraordinarytaxonhissubjects，forhesuppliedhisadditionalexpensesoutofhislongthriftiness。ThepresentKingofSpainwouldnothaveundertakenorconqueredinsomanyenterprisesifhehadbeenreputedliberal。Aprince，therefore，providedthathehasnottorobhissubjects，thathecandefendhimself，thathedoesnotbecomepoorandabject，thatheisnotforcedtobecomerapacious，oughttoholdoflittleaccountareputationforbeingmean，foritisoneofthoseviceswhichwillenablehimtogovern。
　　Andifanyoneshouldsay：Caesarobtainedempirebyliberality，andmanyothershavereachedthehighestpositionsbyhavingbeenliberal，andbybeingconsideredso，Ianswer：Eitheryouareaprinceinfact，orinawaytobecomeone。Inthefirstcasethisliberalityisdangerous，intheseconditisverynecessarytobeconsideredliberal;andCaesarwasoneofthosewhowishedtobecomepre—eminentinRome;butifhehadsurvivedafterbecomingso，andhadnotmoderatedhisexpenses，hewouldhavedestroyedhisgovernment。Andifanyoneshouldreply：Manyhavebeenprinces，andhavedonegreatthingswitharmies，whohavebeenconsideredveryliberal，Ireply：
　　Eitheraprincespendsthatwhichishisownorhissubjects’orelsethatofothers。Inthefirstcaseheoughttobesparing，inthesecondheoughtnottoneglectanyopportunityforliberality。Andtotheprincewhogoesforthwithhisarmy，supportingitbypillage，sack，andextortion，handlingthatwhichbelongstoothers，thisliberalityisnecessary，otherwisehewouldnotbefollowedbysoldiers。Andofthatwhichisneitheryoursnoryoursubjects’youcanbeareadygiver，aswereCyrus，Caesar，andAlexander;becauseitdoesnottakeawayyourreputationifyousquanderthatofothers，butaddstoit;itisonlysquanderingyourownthatinjuresyou。
　　Andthereisnothingwastessorapidlyasliberality，forevenwhilstyouexerciseityoulosethepowertodoso，andsobecomeeitherpoorordespised，orelse，inavoidingpoverty，rapaciousandhated。Andaprinceshouldguardhimself，aboveallthings，againstbeingdespisedandhated;andliberalityleadsyoutoboth。Thereforeitiswisertohaveareputationformeannesswhichbringsreproachwithouthatred，thantobecompelledthroughseekingareputationforliberalitytoincuranameforrapacitywhichbegetsreproachwithhatred。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　CONCERNINGCRUELTYANDCLEMENCY，ANDWHETHERITISBETTER
　　TOBELOVEDTHANFEARED
　　Comingnowtotheotherqualitiesmentionedabove，Isaythateveryprinceoughttodesiretobeconsideredclementandnotcruel。
　　Neverthelessheoughttotakecarenottomisusethisclemency。CesareBorgiawasconsideredcruel;notwithstanding，hiscrueltyreconciledtheRomagna，unifiedit，andrestoredittopeaceandloyalty。Andifthisberightlyconsidered，hewillbeseentohavebeenmuchmoremercifulthantheFlorentinepeople，who，toavoidareputationforcruelty，permittedPistoiatobedestroyed。[*]Thereforeaprince，solongashekeepshissubjectsunitedandloyal，oughtnottomindthereproachofcruelty;becausewithafewexampleshewillbemoremercifulthanthosewho，throughtoomuchmercy，allowdisorderstoarise，fromwhichfollowmurdersorrobberies;forthesearewonttoinjurethewholepeople，whilstthoseexecutionswhichoriginatewithaprinceoffendtheindividualonly。
　　[*]DuringtheriotingbetweentheCancellieriandPanciatichifactionsin1502and1503。
　　Andofallprinces，itisimpossibleforthenewprincetoavoidtheimputationofcruelty，owingtonewstatesbeingfullofdangers。
　　HenceVirgil，throughthemouthofDido，excusestheinhumanityofherreignowingtoitsbeingnew，saying：
　　"Resdura，etregninovitasmetaliacoguntMoliri，etlatefinescustodetueri。"[*]
　　Neverthelessheoughttobeslowtobelieveandtoact，norshouldhehimselfshowfear，butproceedinatemperatemannerwithprudenceandhumanity，sothattoomuchconfidencemaynotmakehimincautiousandtoomuchdistrustrenderhimintolerable。
　　[*]……againstmywill，myfateAthroneunsettled，andaninfantstate，Bidmedefendmyrealmswithallmypow’rs，Andguardwiththeseseveritiesmyshores。
　　ChristopherPitt。
　　Uponthisaquestionarises：whetheritbebettertobelovedthanfearedorfearedthanloved？Itmaybeansweredthatoneshouldwishtobeboth，but，becauseitisdifficulttounitetheminoneperson，itismuchsafertobefearedthanloved，when，ofthetwo，eithermustbedispensedwith。Becausethisistobeassertedingeneralofmen，thattheyareungrateful，fickle，false，cowardly，covetous，andaslongasyousucceedtheyareyoursentirely;theywillofferyoutheirblood，property，life，andchildren，asissaidabove，whentheneedisfardistant;butwhenitapproachestheyturnagainstyou。Andthatprincewho，relyingentirelyontheirpromises，hasneglectedotherprecautions，isruined;becausefriendshipsthatareobtainedbypayments，andnotbygreatnessornobilityofmind，mayindeedbeearned，buttheyarenotsecured，andintimeofneedcannotbereliedupon;andmenhavelessscrupleinoffendingonewhoisbelovedthanonewhoisfeared，forloveispreservedbythelinkofobligationwhich，owingtothebasenessofmen，isbrokenateveryopportunityfortheiradvantage;butfearpreservesyoubyadreadofpunishmentwhichneverfails。
　　Neverthelessaprinceoughttoinspirefearinsuchawaythat，ifhedoesnotwinlove，heavoidshatred;becausehecanendureverywellbeingfearedwhilstheisnothated，whichwillalwaysbeaslongasheabstainsfromthepropertyofhiscitizensandsubjectsandfromtheirwomen。Butwhenitisnecessaryforhimtoproceedagainstthelifeofsomeone，hemustdoitonproperjustificationandformanifestcause，butaboveallthingshemustkeephishandsoffthepropertyofothers，becausemenmorequicklyforgetthedeathoftheirfatherthanthelossoftheirpatrimony。Besides，pretextsfortakingawaythepropertyareneverwanting;forhewhohasoncebeguntolivebyrobberywillalwaysfindpretextsforseizingwhatbelongstoothers;butreasonsfortakinglife，onthecontrary，aremoredifficulttofindandsoonerlapse。Butwhenaprinceiswithhisarmy，andhasundercontrolamultitudeofsoldiers，thenitisquitenecessaryforhimtodisregardthereputationofcruelty，forwithoutithewouldneverholdhisarmyunitedordisposedtoitsduties。
　　AmongthewonderfuldeedsofHannibalthisoneisenumerated：thathavingledanenormousarmy，composedofmanyvariousracesofmen，tofightinforeignlands，nodissensionsaroseeitheramongthemoragainsttheprince，whetherinhisbadorinhisgoodfortune。Thisarosefromnothingelsethanhisinhumancruelty，which，withhisboundlessvalour，madehimreveredandterribleinthesightofhissoldiers，butwithoutthatcruelty，hisothervirtueswerenotsufficienttoproducethiseffect。Andshort—sightedwritersadmirehisdeedsfromonepointofviewandfromanothercondemntheprincipalcauseofthem。ThatitistruehisothervirtueswouldnothavebeensufficientforhimmaybeprovedbythecaseofScipio，thatmostexcellentman，notonlyofhisowntimesbutwithinthememoryofman，againstwhom，nevertheless，hisarmyrebelledinSpain;thisarosefromnothingbuthistoogreatforbearance，whichgavehissoldiersmorelicensethanisconsistentwithmilitarydiscipline。ForthishewasupbraidedintheSenatebyFabiusMaximus，andcalledthecorrupteroftheRomansoldiery。TheLocrianswerelaidwastebyalegateofScipio，yettheywerenotavengedbyhim，norwastheinsolenceofthelegatepunished，owingentirelytohiseasynature。
　　InsomuchthatsomeoneintheSenate，wishingtoexcusehim，saidthereweremanymenwhoknewmuchbetterhownottoerrthantocorrecttheerrorsofothers。Thisdisposition，ifhehadbeencontinuedinthecommand，wouldhavedestroyedintimethefameandgloryofScipio;
　　but，hebeingunderthecontroloftheSenate，thisinjuriouscharacteristicnotonlyconcealeditself，butcontributedtohisglory。
　　Returningtothequestionofbeingfearedorloved，Icometotheconclusionthat，menlovingaccordingtotheirownwillandfearingaccordingtothatoftheprince，awiseprinceshouldestablishhimselfonthatwhichisinhisowncontrolandnotinthatofothers;
　　hemustendeavouronlytoavoidhatred，asisnoted。
　　CHAPTERXVIII[*]
　　CONCERNINGTHEWAYINWHICHPRINCESSHOULDKEEPFAITH
　　[*]"ThepresentchapterhasgivengreateroffencethananyotherportionofMachiavelli’swritings。"Burd，"IlPrincipe，"p。297。
　　Everyoneadmitshowpraiseworthyitisinaprincetokeepfaith，andtolivewithintegrityandnotwithcraft。Neverthelessourexperiencehasbeenthatthoseprinceswhohavedonegreatthingshaveheldgoodfaithoflittleaccount，andhaveknownhowtocircumventtheintellectofmenbycraft，andintheendhaveovercomethosewhohavereliedontheirword。Youmustknowtherearetwowaysofcontesting，[*]theonebythelaw，theotherbyforce;thefirstmethodispropertomen，thesecondtobeasts;butbecausethefirstisfrequentlynotsufficient，itisnecessarytohaverecoursetothesecond。Thereforeitisnecessaryforaprincetounderstandhowtoavailhimselfofthebeastandtheman。Thishasbeenfigurativelytaughttoprincesbyancientwriters，whodescribehowAchillesandmanyotherprincesofoldweregiventotheCentaurChirontonurse，whobroughtthemupinhisdiscipline;whichmeanssolelythat，astheyhadforateacheronewhowashalfbeastandhalfman，soitisnecessaryforaprincetoknowhowtomakeuseofbothnatures，andthatonewithouttheotherisnotdurable。Aprince，therefore，beingcompelledknowinglytoadoptthebeast，oughttochoosethefoxandthelion;becausethelioncannotdefendhimselfagainstsnaresandthefoxcannotdefendhimselfagainstwolves。Therefore，itisnecessarytobeafoxtodiscoverthesnaresandaliontoterrifythewolves。Thosewhorelysimplyontheliondonotunderstandwhattheyareabout。Thereforeawiselordcannot，noroughtheto，keepfaithwhensuchobservancemaybeturnedagainsthim，andwhenthereasonsthatcausedhimtopledgeitexistnolonger。Ifmenwereentirelygoodthispreceptwouldnothold，butbecausetheyarebad，andwillnotkeepfaithwithyou，youtooarenotboundtoobserveitwiththem。Norwillthereeverbewantingtoaprincelegitimatereasonstoexcusethisnon—observance。Ofthisendlessmodernexamplescouldbegiven，showinghowmanytreatiesandengagementshavebeenmadevoidandofnoeffectthroughthefaithlessnessofprinces;andhewhohasknownbesthowtoemploythefoxhassucceededbest。
　　[*]"Contesting，"i。e。"strivingformastery。"MrBurdpointsoutthatthispassageisimitateddirectlyfromCicero’s"DeOfficiis"：
　　"Namcumsintduogeneradecertandi，unumperdisceptationem，alterumpervim;cumqueilludpropriumsithominis，hocbeluarum;
　　confugiendumestadposterius，siutinonlicetsuperiore。"
　　Butitisnecessarytoknowwellhowtodisguisethischaracteristic，andtobeagreatpretenderanddissembler;andmenaresosimple，andsosubjecttopresentnecessities，thathewhoseekstodeceivewillalwaysfindsomeonewhowillallowhimselftobedeceived。OnerecentexampleIcannotpassoverinsilence。AlexandertheSixthdidnothingelsebutdeceivemen，noreverthoughtofdoingotherwise，andhealwaysfoundvictims;forthereneverwasamanwhohadgreaterpowerinasserting，orwhowithgreateroathswouldaffirmathing，yetwouldobserveitless;neverthelesshisdeceitsalwayssucceededaccordingtohiswishes，[*]becausehewellunderstoodthissideofmankind。
　　[*]"Nondimancosempreglisuccederonogliinganni（advotum）。"Thewords"advotum"areomittedintheTestinaaddition，1550。
　　Alexanderneverdidwhathesaid，Cesareneversaidwhathedid。
　　ItalianProverb。
　　ThereforeitisunnecessaryforaprincetohaveallthegoodqualitiesIhaveenumerated，butitisverynecessarytoappeartohavethem。AndIshalldaretosaythisalso，thattohavethemandalwaystoobservethemisinjurious，andthattoappeartohavethemisuseful;toappearmerciful，faithful，humane，religious，upright，andtobeso，butwithamindsoframedthatshouldyourequirenottobeso，youmaybeableandknowhowtochangetotheopposite。
　　Andyouhavetounderstandthis，thataprince，especiallyanewone，cannotobserveallthosethingsforwhichmenareesteemed，beingoftenforced，inordertomaintainthestate，toactcontrarytofidelity，[*]friendship，humanity，andreligion。Thereforeitisnecessaryforhimtohaveamindreadytoturnitselfaccordinglyasthewindsandvariationsoffortuneforceit，yet，asIhavesaidabove，nottodivergefromthegoodifhecanavoiddoingso，but，ifcompelled，thentoknowhowtosetaboutit。
　　[*]"Contrarytofidelity"or"faith，""controallafede，"and"tuttofede，""altogetherfaithful，"inthenextparagraph。Itisnoteworthythatthesetwophrases，"controallafede"and"tuttofede，"wereomittedintheTestinaedition，whichwaspublishedwiththesanctionofthepapalauthorities。Itmaybethatthemeaningattachedtotheword"fede"was"thefaith，"i。e。theCatholiccreed，andnotasrenderedhere"fidelity"and"faithful。"Observethattheword"religione"wassufferedtostandinthetextoftheTestina，beingusedtosignifyindifferentlyeveryshadeofbelief，aswitness"thereligion，"aphraseinevitablyemployedtodesignatetheHuguenotheresy。SouthinhisSermonIX，p。69，ed。1843，commentsonthispassageasfollows："ThatgreatpatronandCoryphaeusofthistribe，NicoloMachiavel，laiddownthisforamasterruleinhispoliticalscheme：’Thattheshowofreligionwashelpfultothepolitician，buttherealityofithurtfulandpernicious。’"
　　Forthisreasonaprinceoughttotakecarethatheneverletsanythingslipfromhislipsthatisnotrepletewiththeabove—namedfivequalities，thathemayappeartohimwhoseesandhearshimaltogethermerciful，faithful，humane，upright，andreligious。Thereisnothingmorenecessarytoappeartohavethanthislastquality，inasmuchasmenjudgegenerallymorebytheeyethanbythehand，becauseitbelongstoeverybodytoseeyou，tofewtocomeintouchwithyou。Everyoneseeswhatyouappeartobe，fewreallyknowwhatyouare，andthosefewdarenotopposethemselvestotheopinionofthemany，whohavethemajestyofthestatetodefendthem;andintheactionsofallmen，andespeciallyofprinces，whichitisnotprudenttochallenge，onejudgesbytheresult。
　　Forthatreason，letaprincehavethecreditofconqueringandholdinghisstate，themeanswillalwaysbeconsideredhonest，andhewillbepraisedbyeverybody;becausethevulgararealwaystakenbywhatathingseemstobeandbywhatcomesofit;andintheworldthereareonlythevulgar，forthefewfindaplacethereonlywhenthemanyhavenogroundtoreston。
　　Oneprince[*]ofthepresenttime，whomitisnotwelltoname，neverpreachesanythingelsebutpeaceandgoodfaith，andtobothheismosthostile，andeither，ifhehadkeptit，wouldhavedeprivedhimofreputationandkingdommanyatime。
　　[*]FerdinandofAragon。"WhenMachiavelliwaswriting’ThePrince’itwouldhavebeenclearlyimpossibletomentionFerdinand’snameherewithoutgivingoffence。"Burd’s"IlPrincipe，"p。308。
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　THATONESHOULDAVOIDBEINGDESPISEDANDHATED
　　Now，concerningthecharacteristicsofwhichmentionismadeabove，I
　　havespokenofthemoreimportantones，theothersIwishtodiscussbrieflyunderthisgenerality，thattheprincemustconsider，ashasbeeninpartsaidbefore，howtoavoidthosethingswhichwillmakehimhatedorcontemptible;andasoftenasheshallhavesucceededhewillhavefulfilledhispart，andheneednotfearanydangerinotherreproaches。
　　Itmakeshimhatedaboveallthings，asIhavesaid，toberapacious，andtobeaviolatorofthepropertyandwomenofhissubjects，frombothofwhichhemustabstain。Andwhenneithertheirpropertynortheirhonoristouched，themajorityofmenlivecontent，andhehasonlytocontendwiththeambitionofafew，whomhecancurbwitheaseinmanyways。
　　Itmakeshimcontemptibletobeconsideredfickle，frivolous，effeminate，mean—spirited，irresolute，fromallofwhichaprinceshouldguardhimselfasfromarock;andheshouldendeavourtoshowinhisactionsgreatness，courage，gravity，andfortitude;andinhisprivatedealingswithhissubjectslethimshowthathisjudgmentsareirrevocable，andmaintainhimselfinsuchreputationthatnoonecanhopeeithertodeceivehimortogetroundhim。
　　Thatprinceishighlyesteemedwhoconveysthisimpressionofhimself，andhewhoishighlyesteemedisnoteasilyconspiredagainst;for，provideditiswellknownthatheisanexcellentmanandreveredbyhispeople，hecanonlybeattackedwithdifficulty。Forthisreasonaprinceoughttohavetwofears，onefromwithin，onaccountofhissubjects，theotherfromwithout，onaccountofexternalpowers。Fromthelatterheisdefendedbybeingwellarmedandhavinggoodallies，andifheiswellarmedhewillhavegoodfriends，andaffairswillalwaysremainquietwithinwhentheyarequietwithout，unlesstheyshouldhavebeenalreadydisturbedbyconspiracy;andevenshouldaffairsoutsidebedisturbed，ifhehascarriedouthispreparationsandhaslivedasIhavesaid，aslongashedoesnotdespair，hewillresisteveryattack，asIsaidNabistheSpartandid。
　　Butconcerninghissubjects，whenaffairsoutsidearedisturbedhehasonlytofearthattheywillconspiresecretly，fromwhichaprincecaneasilysecurehimselfbyavoidingbeinghatedanddespised，andbykeepingthepeoplesatisfiedwithhim，whichitismostnecessaryforhimtoaccomplish，asIsaidaboveatlength。Andoneofthemostefficaciousremediesthataprincecanhaveagainstconspiraciesisnottobehatedanddespisedbythepeople，forhewhoconspiresagainstaprincealwaysexpectstopleasethembyhisremoval;butwhentheconspiratorcanonlylookforwardtooffendingthem，hewillnothavethecouragetotakesuchacourse，forthedifficultiesthatconfrontaconspiratorareinfinite。Andasexperienceshows，manyhavebeentheconspiracies，butfewhavebeensuccessful;becausehewhoconspirescannotactalone，norcanhetakeacompanionexceptfromthosewhomhebelievestobemalcontents，andassoonasyouhaveopenedyourmindtoamalcontentyouhavegivenhimthematerialwithwhichtocontenthimself，forbydenouncingyouhecanlookforeveryadvantage;sothat，seeingthegainfromthiscoursetobeassured，andseeingtheothertobedoubtfulandfullofdangers，hemustbeaveryrarefriend，orathoroughlyobstinateenemyoftheprince，tokeepfaithwithyou。
　　And，toreducethematterintoasmallcompass，Isaythat，onthesideoftheconspirator，thereisnothingbutfear，jealousy，prospectofpunishmenttoterrifyhim;butonthesideoftheprincethereisthemajestyoftheprincipality，thelaws，theprotectionoffriendsandthestatetodefendhim;sothat，addingtoallthesethingsthepopulargoodwill，itisimpossiblethatanyoneshouldbesorashastoconspire。Forwhereasingeneraltheconspiratorhastofearbeforetheexecutionofhisplot，inthiscasehehasalsotofearthesequeltothecrime;becauseonaccountofithehasthepeopleforanenemy，andthuscannothopeforanyescape。
　　Endlessexamplescouldbegivenonthissubject，butIwillbecontentwithone，broughttopasswithinthememoryofourfathers。MesserAnnibaleBentivogli，whowasprinceinBologna（grandfatherofthepresentAnnibale），havingbeenmurderedbytheCanneschi，whohadconspiredagainsthim，notoneofhisfamilysurvivedbutMesserGiovanni，[*]whowasinchildhood：immediatelyafterhisassassinationthepeopleroseandmurderedalltheCanneschi。ThissprungfromthepopulargoodwillwhichthehouseofBentivoglienjoyedinthosedaysinBologna;whichwassogreatthat，althoughnoneremainedthereafterthedeathofAnnibalewhowasabletorulethestate，theBolognese，havinginformationthattherewasoneoftheBentivoglifamilyinFlorence，whouptothattimehadbeenconsideredthesonofablacksmith，senttoFlorenceforhimandgavehimthegovernmentoftheircity，anditwasruledbyhimuntilMesserGiovannicameinduecoursetothegovernment。
　　[*]GiovanniBentivogli，borninBologna1438，diedatMilan1508。HeruledBolognafrom1462to1506。Machiavelli’sstrongcondemnationofconspiraciesmaygetitsedgefromhisownveryrecentexperience（February1513），whenhehadbeenarrestedandtorturedforhisallegedcomplicityintheBoscoliconspiracy。
　　ForthisreasonIconsiderthataprinceoughttoreckonconspiraciesoflittleaccountwhenhispeopleholdhiminesteem;butwhenitishostiletohim，andbearshatredtowardshim，heoughttofeareverythingandeverybody。Andwell—orderedstatesandwiseprinceshavetakeneverycarenottodrivethenoblestodesperation，andtokeepthepeoplesatisfiedandcontented，forthisisoneofthemostimportantobjectsaprincecanhave。
　　AmongthebestorderedandgovernedkingdomsofourtimesisFrance，andinitarefoundmanygoodinstitutionsonwhichdependthelibertyandsecurityoftheking;ofthesethefirstistheparliamentanditsauthority，becausehewhofoundedthekingdom，knowingtheambitionofthenobilityandtheirboldness，consideredthatabittotheirmouthswouldbenecessarytoholdthemin;and，ontheotherside，knowingthehatredofthepeople，foundedinfear，againstthenobles，hewishedtoprotectthem，yethewasnotanxiousforthistobetheparticularcareoftheking;therefore，totakeawaythereproachwhichhewouldbeliabletofromthenoblesforfavouringthepeople，andfromthepeopleforfavouringthenobles，hesetupanarbiter，whoshouldbeonewhocouldbeatdownthegreatandfavourthelesserwithoutreproachtotheking。Neithercouldyouhaveabetteroramoreprudentarrangement，oragreatersourceofsecuritytothekingandkingdom。Fromthisonecandrawanotherimportantconclusion，thatprincesoughttoleaveaffairsofreproachtothemanagementofothers，andkeepthoseofgraceintheirownhands。Andfurther，I
　　considerthataprinceoughttocherishthenobles，butnotsoastomakehimselfhatedbythepeople。
　　Itmayappear，perhaps，tosomewhohaveexaminedthelivesanddeathsoftheRomanemperorsthatmanyofthemwouldbeanexamplecontrarytomyopinion，seeingthatsomeofthemlivednoblyandshowedgreatqualitiesofsoul，neverthelesstheyhavelosttheirempireorhavebeenkilledbysubjectswhohaveconspiredagainstthem。Wishing，therefore，toanswertheseobjections，Iwillrecallthecharactersofsomeoftheemperors，andwillshowthatthecausesoftheirruinwerenotdifferenttothoseallegedbyme;atthesametimeIwillonlysubmitforconsiderationthosethingsthatarenoteworthytohimwhostudiestheaffairsofthosetimes。
　　ItseemstomesufficienttotakeallthoseemperorswhosucceededtotheempirefromMarcusthephilosopherdowntoMaximinus;theywereMarcusandhissonCommodus，Pertinax，Julian，SeverusandhissonAntoninusCaracalla，Macrinus，Heliogabalus，Alexander，andMaximinus。
　　Thereisfirsttonotethat，whereasinotherprincipalitiestheambitionofthenoblesandtheinsolenceofthepeopleonlyhavetobecontendedwith，theRomanemperorshadathirddifficultyinhavingtoputupwiththecrueltyandavariceoftheirsoldiers，amattersobesetwithdifficultiesthatitwastheruinofmany;foritwasahardthingtogivesatisfactionbothtosoldiersandpeople;becausethepeoplelovedpeace，andforthisreasontheylovedtheunaspiringprince，whilstthesoldierslovedthewarlikeprincewhowasbold，cruel，andrapacious，whichqualitiestheywerequitewillingheshouldexerciseuponthepeople，sothattheycouldgetdoublepayandgiveventtotheirowngreedandcruelty。Henceitarosethatthoseemperorswerealwaysoverthrownwho，eitherbybirthortraining，hadnogreatauthority，andmostofthem，especiallythosewhocamenewtotheprincipality，recognizingthedifficultyofthesetwoopposinghumours，wereinclinedtogivesatisfactiontothesoldiers，caringlittleaboutinjuringthepeople。Whichcoursewasnecessary，because，asprincescannothelpbeinghatedbysomeone，theyought，inthefirstplace，toavoidbeinghatedbyeveryone，andwhentheycannotcompassthis，theyoughttoendeavourwiththeutmostdiligencetoavoidthehatredofthemostpowerful。Therefore，thoseemperorswhothroughinexperiencehadneedofspecialfavouradheredmorereadilytothesoldiersthantothepeople;acoursewhichturnedoutadvantageoustothemornot，accordinglyastheprinceknewhowtomaintainauthorityoverthem。
　　FromthesecausesitarosethatMarcus，Pertinax，andAlexander，beingallmenofmodestlife，loversofjustice，enemiestocruelty，humane，andbenignant，cametoasadendexceptMarcus;healonelivedanddiedhonoured，becausehehadsucceededtothethronebyhereditarytitle，andowednothingeithertothesoldiersorthepeople;andafterwards，beingpossessedofmanyvirtueswhichmadehimrespected，healwayskeptbothordersintheirplaceswhilsthelived，andwasneitherhatednordespised。
　　ButPertinaxwascreatedemperoragainstthewishesofthesoldiers，who，beingaccustomedtolivelicentiouslyunderCommodus，couldnotendurethehonestlifetowhichPertinaxwishedtoreducethem;thus，havinggivencauseforhatred，towhichhatredtherewasaddedcontemptforhisoldage，hewasoverthrownattheverybeginningofhisadministration。Andhereitshouldbenotedthathatredisacquiredasmuchbygoodworksasbybadones，therefore，asIsaidbefore，aprincewishingtokeephisstateisveryoftenforcedtodoevil;forwhenthatbodyiscorruptwhomyouthinkyouhaveneedoftomaintainyourself——itmaybeeitherthepeopleorthesoldiersorthenobles——youhavetosubmittoitshumoursandtogratifythem，andthengoodworkswilldoyouharm。
　　ButletuscometoAlexander，whowasamanofsuchgreatgoodness，thatamongtheotherpraiseswhichareaccordedhimisthis，thatinthefourteenyearsheheldtheempirenoonewaseverputtodeathbyhimunjudged;nevertheless，beingconsideredeffeminateandamanwhoallowedhimselftobegovernedbyhismother，hebecamedespised，thearmyconspiredagainsthim，andmurderedhim。
　　TurningnowtotheoppositecharactersofCommodus，Severus，AntoninusCaracalla，andMaximinus，youwillfindthemallcruelandrapacious——
　　menwho，tosatisfytheirsoldiers，didnothesitatetocommiteverykindofiniquityagainstthepeople;andall，exceptSeverus，cametoabadend;butinSeverustherewassomuchvalourthat，keepingthesoldiersfriendly，althoughthepeoplewereoppressedbyhim，hereignedsuccessfully;forhisvalourmadehimsomuchadmiredinthesightofthesoldiersandpeoplethatthelatterwerekeptinawayastonishedandawedandtheformerrespectfulandsatisfied。Andbecausetheactionsofthisman，asanewprince，weregreat，Iwishtoshowbrieflythatheknewwellhowtocounterfeitthefoxandthelion，whichnatures，asIsaidabove，itisnecessaryforaprincetoimitate。
　　KnowingtheslothoftheEmperorJulian，hepersuadedthearmyinSclavonia，ofwhichhewascaptain，thatitwouldberighttogotoRomeandavengethedeathofPertinax，whohadbeenkilledbythepraetoriansoldiers;andunderthispretext，withoutappearingtoaspiretothethrone，hemovedthearmyonRome，andreachedItalybeforeitwasknownthathehadstarted。OnhisarrivalatRome，theSenate，throughfear，electedhimemperorandkilledJulian。AfterthisthereremainedforSeverus，whowishedtomakehimselfmasterofthewholeempire，twodifficulties;oneinAsia，whereNiger，headoftheAsiaticarmy，hadcausedhimselftobeproclaimedemperor;theotherinthewestwhereAlbinuswas，whoalsoaspiredtothethrone。
　　Andasheconsidereditdangeroustodeclarehimselfhostiletoboth，hedecidedtoattackNigerandtodeceiveAlbinus。Tothelatterhewrotethat，beingelectedemperorbytheSenate，hewaswillingtosharethatdignitywithhimandsenthimthetitleofCaesar;and，moreover，thattheSenatehadmadeAlbinushiscolleague;whichthingswereacceptedbyAlbinusastrue。ButafterSeverushadconqueredandkilledNiger，andsettledorientalaffairs，hereturnedtoRomeandcomplainedtotheSenatethatAlbinus，littlerecognizingthebenefitsthathehadreceivedfromhim，hadbytreacherysoughttomurderhim，andforthisingratitudehewascompelledtopunishhim。AfterwardshesoughthimoutinFrance，andtookfromhimhisgovernmentandlife。
　　Hewhowill，therefore，carefullyexaminetheactionsofthismanwillfindhimamostvaliantlionandamostcunningfox;hewillfindhimfearedandrespectedbyeveryone，andnothatedbythearmy;anditneednotbewonderedatthathe，anewman，wasabletoholdtheempiresowell，becausehissupremerenownalwaysprotectedhimfromthathatredwhichthepeoplemighthaveconceivedagainsthimforhisviolence。
　　ButhissonAntoninuswasamosteminentman，andhadveryexcellentqualities，whichmadehimadmirableinthesightofthepeopleandacceptabletothesoldiers，forhewasawarlikeman，mostenduringoffatigue，adespiserofalldelicatefoodandotherluxuries，whichcausedhimtobebelovedbythearmies。Nevertheless，hisferocityandcrueltiesweresogreatandsounheardofthat，afterendlesssinglemurders，hekilledalargenumberofthepeopleofRomeandallthoseofAlexandria。Hebecamehatedbythewholeworld，andalsofearedbythosehehadaroundhim，tosuchanextentthathewasmurderedinthemidstofhisarmybyacenturion。Andhereitmustbenotedthatsuch—
　　likedeaths，whicharedeliberatelyinflictedwitharesolvedanddesperatecourage，cannotbeavoidedbyprinces，becauseanyonewhodoesnotfeartodiecaninflictthem;butaprincemayfearthemthelessbecausetheyareveryrare;hehasonlytobecarefulnottodoanygraveinjurytothosewhomheemploysorhasaroundhimintheserviceofthestate。Antoninushadnottakenthiscare，buthadcontumeliouslykilledabrotherofthatcenturion，whomalsohedailythreatened，yetretainedinhisbodyguard;which，asitturnedout，wasarashthingtodo，andprovedtheemperor’sruin。
　　ButletuscometoCommodus，towhomitshouldhavebeenveryeasytoholdtheempire，for，beingthesonofMarcus，hehadinheritedit，andhehadonlytofollowinthefootstepsofhisfathertopleasehispeopleandsoldiers;but，beingbynaturecruelandbrutal，hegavehimselfuptoamusingthesoldiersandcorruptingthem，sothathemightindulgehisrapacityuponthepeople;ontheotherhand，notmaintaininghisdignity，oftendescendingtothetheatretocompetewithgladiators，anddoingothervilethings，littleworthyoftheimperialmajesty，hefellintocontemptwiththesoldiers，andbeinghatedbyonepartyanddespisedbytheother，hewasconspiredagainstandwaskilled。
　　ItremainstodiscussthecharacterofMaximinus。Hewasaverywarlikeman，andthearmies，beingdisgustedwiththeeffeminacyofAlexander，ofwhomIhavealreadyspoken，killedhimandelectedMaximinustothethrone。Thishedidnotpossessforlong，fortwothingsmadehimhatedanddespised;theone，hishavingkeptsheepinThrace，whichbroughthimintocontempt（itbeingwellknowntoall，andconsideredagreatindignitybyeveryone），andtheother，hishavingattheaccessiontohisdominionsdeferredgoingtoRomeandtakingpossessionoftheimperialseat;hehadalsogainedareputationfortheutmostferocitybyhaving，throughhisprefectsinRomeandelsewhereintheempire，practisedmanycruelties，sothatthewholeworldwasmovedtoangeratthemeannessofhisbirthandtofearathisbarbarity。FirstAfricarebelled，thentheSenatewithallthepeopleofRome，andallItalyconspiredagainsthim，towhichmaybeaddedhisownarmy;thislatter，besiegingAquileiaandmeetingwithdifficultiesintakingit，weredisgustedwithhiscruelties，andfearinghimlesswhentheyfoundsomanyagainsthim，murderedhim。
　　IdonotwishtodiscussHeliogabalus，Macrinus，orJulian，who，beingthoroughlycontemptible，werequicklywipedout;butIwillbringthisdiscoursetoaconclusionbysayingthatprincesinourtimeshavethisdifficultyofgivinginordinatesatisfactiontotheirsoldiersinafarlessdegree，because，notwithstandingonehastogivethemsomeindulgence，thatissoondone;noneoftheseprinceshavearmiesthatareveteransinthegovernanceandadministrationofprovinces，aswerethearmiesoftheRomanEmpire;andwhereasitwasthenmorenecessarytogivesatisfactiontothesoldiersthantothepeople，itisnowmorenecessarytoallprinces，excepttheTurkandtheSoldan，tosatisfythepeopleratherthesoldiers，becausethepeoplearethemorepowerful。
　　FromtheaboveIhaveexceptedtheTurk，whoalwayskeepsroundhimtwelvethousandinfantryandfifteenthousandcavalryonwhichdependthesecurityandstrengthofthekingdom，anditisnecessarythat，puttingasideeveryconsiderationforthepeople，heshouldkeepthemhisfriends。ThekingdomoftheSoldanissimilar;beingentirelyinthehandsofsoldiers，itfollowsagainthat，withoutregardtothepeople，hemustkeepthemhisfriends。ButyoumustnotethatthestateoftheSoldanisunlikeallotherprincipalities，forthereasonthatitisliketheChristianpontificate，whichcannotbecalledeitheranhereditaryoranewlyformedprincipality;becausethesonsoftheoldprincearenottheheirs，buthewhoiselectedtothatpositionbythosewhohaveauthority，andthesonsremainonlynoblemen。Andthisbeinganancientcustom，itcannotbecalledanewprincipality，becausetherearenoneofthosedifficultiesinitthataremetwithinnewones;foralthoughtheprinceisnew，theconstitutionofthestateisold，anditisframedsoastoreceivehimasifhewereitshereditarylord。
　　Butreturningtothesubjectofourdiscourse，Isaythatwhoeverwillconsideritwillacknowledgethateitherhatredorcontempthasbeenfataltotheabove—namedemperors，anditwillberecognizedalsohowithappenedthat，anumberofthemactinginonewayandanumberinanother，onlyoneineachwaycametoahappyendandtheresttounhappyones。BecauseitwouldhavebeenuselessanddangerousforPertinaxandAlexander，beingnewprinces，toimitateMarcus，whowasheirtotheprincipality;andlikewiseitwouldhavebeenutterlydestructivetoCaracalla，Commodus，andMaximinustohaveimitatedSeverus，theynothavingsufficientvalourtoenablethemtotreadinhisfootsteps。Thereforeaprince，newtotheprincipality，cannotimitatetheactionsofMarcus，nor，again，isitnecessarytofollowthoseofSeverus，butheoughttotakefromSeverusthosepartswhicharenecessarytofoundhisstate，andfromMarcusthosewhichareproperandglorioustokeepastatethatmayalreadybestableandfirm。