THE Quintesence of Wit, being A corrant comfort of conceites maximies, and poleticke deuises, selected and gathered together by Francisco Sansouino. Wherin is set foorth sundrye excellent and wise sentences, wor­thie to be regarded and followed.

Translated out of the Italian tung, and put into English for the benefit of all those that please to read and vnderstand the works and worth of a worthy writer.

AT LONDON Printed by Edward Allde, dwel­ling without Cripple-gate at the signe of the gilded Cuppe. Octobris. 28. 1590.

¶ To the right Worshipfull Maister Robert Cicell Esquire, one of the Sonnes of the right hono­rable the Lord high treasurer of England.

IN reading and reuiewing the manifolde discourses and famous works of sundry worthie writers, (right Worshipfull) some translated out of French, Italian, and some reduced in­to our English tung, by learned Lati­nestes and Grecians, (whose studies and labours benefites a multitude) I happened on a book written to Rodolphus the second, (a mighty, graue and wise Emperour) which book treated on so many mat­ters, and touched with quick conceites and sentences, such a num­ber of rare arguments and politicke deuises, that it seemed not only a register of wit, but a naturall quintesence of knowledge, gathered and collected out of the highest and deuine spirites of Philosophie, the value and varietie of the worke is so excellent: that it argues of it selfe to be a rich store-house of precious com­poundes, fraught and furnished full of deep insight and profound reasons. Then to hide or keep secret the same worke, were an vn­pardonable error, and a wilfull offence and fault committed a­gainst the common societie of men, that dayly and hourely are nourished and fedde with the sweet and sugred taste of Histories, and vnderstanding of true nouelties, penned out with painefull studie, and printed to exercise wise iudgements with matters of great moment. So vnder your fauour good Sir, the hope of your [Page] towardnes and good bringing vp, and the desire I suppose you haue to aduaunce learning and good letters, (the sensible sap of life) commaunds me by a bond of causes, to honor you with a work not only worthy the reading, but likewise worthie the no­ting and bearing in minde, a burthen so pleasant to embrace and delectable to carry in memory, as shall vnload and make light a heauie hart, and discharge a waighty imagination of disquiet thoughts. For the dissoluing of doubts, and discouering o [...] secret sentences: breedes a lightsomnes in man, and puts away the wea­rines of time, and labour of the spirites, such care and foresight of our commoditie had our fore-fathers and auncient writers, that alwaies they filled the Printers shops full of great vollumes, and maintained the worldes knowledge with an innumerable number of bookes, and neuer in any age bookes were more sought for and better esteemed (if the authors therof be of sound iudge­ment) then in these our florishing daies, where flowing wittes a­bound and reapes the reward of well dooing and vertuous dispo­sition. The praise, preferments, great fame and good fortunes they haue found: is such a gazing glasse to looke in, that thousands therby seek after vertue and learning, to shun the rebuke of vici­ous idlenes and sloath, none more disliked then ignorant Idiots, nor more admired then the worthie wits of our world. Who is not abashed to follow a painted shadowe? and who takes not great glo­rye to waite where some substance is looked for? though the wise for their wisedome are enuied of the foolish, yet the fond for their folly are derided and pointed at by all kinde of people, wisdome is honoured in his meanest attire, and fondnes is but scorned in his brauest garments, the bare presentation of the honorable, brings gladnes to the beholders, and the proud pomp of the vain-glori­ous, are both irckesome and disdained, golde is more made off for his goodnes then his cullour, and men look more into the perfect­nes of things then to the outward apparance, this book though it be printed in common paper, yet was it not penned in ordinarye discourses, it spreadeth it self like a tree that hath many braun­ches, whereon some bowe is greater then another, and yet the [Page] fruit of them all are alike in taste, because no soure crabbes were graffed where sweet Apples should growe, nor no bitter Oranges can be gathered where sweet Powngarnets are planted, the ex­cellency of this fruit, must be sencibly felt and tasted with a well seasoned minde and iudgement, and the delicatenes therof must be chewed and chawed with a chosen and speciall spirite of vn­derstanding, not greedily mumbled vp and eaten as a wanton eates Peares that neuer were pared. Philosophie and farre fet­ched knowledge may not be handled and entertained like a Can­terbury tale, nor vsed like a riding rime of sir Topas, (this spo­ken to the generall iudgements of men) for I know to whose hands this woork is commended, and I doubt not the vsage therof, be­cause I see some good sparkes of a noble Father, shining in the eyes of a happie Sonne, wherefore this booke needes not feare (as I hope and beleeue) who barketh against it, nor the writer thereof (if he were aliue) neeeds not to doubt who looketh on his labours, for generally and absolutely (in a most louing phrase and manner) he bountifully hath imparted his secrets te a mul­titude, and bestowed a great deale of thankeful paines on the wise, if the worlde be not ingrate and forgetfull of a good turn offred, he setteth foorth to sale, no speeches farssed full of fables, but pre­senteth to our viewe (in an open manner) heapes of hidden se­crets, that none but noble and venerable aucthors did euer open before, and in a manner leaues neither peace, warre, pollicy, prac­tice nor any thing vntouched, that is fit for a publike state or common weale to knowe, his golden booke beautified with a thou­sand graces, is translated out of the Italian tung, though not in such beauty as becomes the grauitie thereof, yet stripped gentlye out of his gaye garments, it is clothed and plainely apparelled in such comely weeds and cleane roabes, as euery parte and proporti­on of the booke may easily be seene and well perceiued, and albeit that a fine Italian in an English groce gaberdine is not fashioned in all formes to please euery strangers fancye, yet the personage may be passable when all comelines is vsed for the setting forth of the same. Thus presuming that Francis Sanssouino is no whit [Page] disfigured to walke openly in such English habit as is found fitte for him (crauing fauour that he may speak his owne minde) I hope you of curtesie will let him passe through our Countrey, that all kinde of people may see and heare what opinion he was of, in matters of state and mighty affaires of this worlde, the booke is dedicated vnto you, for many good considerations, one is that by your meanes a second life may be breathed into Sansouinoes col­lections through your good liking, and being reuiued (or awake­ned out of a long sleep) when it lay dead from our common know­ledge, it may shewe some such singular spirit: as shall reioice both men of greatest capacitie and meanest iudgements, so commit­ting the worthines of the matter to your censure and protection, (alwaies hoping my good will and good meaning shall be well ac­cepted) I take my leaue, leauing you to the blessing of God, and to iudge fauourably of my boldenes, and wishing you encrease of woorship and credit, euen such as your selfe can desire.

Yours at commaundement in that he may. Robert Hichcock.

Francisco Sansouino to the Empe­rour Rodolph the second.

MOst happie and fortunate Emperour, there is nothing more necessary for a Prince in this world thē Histories, for so much as being the mirrours & maisters of our life: they shew and teach vs what the gouernment of a cittie and Prouince ought to be, what lawes we ought to institute & cause our subiects to obserue, in what manner to increase & maintain diuine worships, in what sort to ex­ercise morall vertues, and how to reape benefit of counsell in our affaires of importance: heerof it came to passe, that histories were called of wise men most noble, for their antiquitie, for so much as by them we receiue the creation of this huge worlde, and the origi­nall of mans generation. For their perpetuitie: because they haue endured with the world, and shall continually endure, alwaies wri­ting vp humaine Actions, for the benefit of our posteritie. For their dignitie: in respect they befit to be read and known, as the proper art and science of Emperours, of Kings, of common weales, and of great Lords and captaines, for their generalities: considering that in histories we finde written, in euery tung, in euerie Prouince, and in euerie age, those things that haue falne out either well or euil. For their iustice: because they do honour and dishonour, whosoe­uer doth merite & deserue the same: giuing due praise to the excel­lencie of vertue & valour, and dispraise to the vile filth of vice and idlenes. For their subiect: for that they do entreate of great things, the acts of great men which they haue accomplished to the intent to enlarge, to preserue, and to sway rule. For their end: because the same is no other, thē to sacrifice trueth to eternitie. For their profit: for the making vs to beholde thinges past, we may prudentlye by their meanes foresee that which is to come, and therfore it came to passe in former & auncient time, many excellent Princes and Em­perours not content with the glory they had gotten through their wise and valiant acts: did greatlye desire also to ioyne vnto their name this other glory, that is: eloquently to haue written histories, as did Augustus, after him Adrianus, and finally Gordianus the pre­decessours of your Maiestie. To this therfore hauing applied my studie, not to obserue onely what the cuntries, the mountaines, and [Page] the riuers and flouds of this world are, or to haue knowledge, how embassages were sent, of Parlaments, of the managing and hand­ling of affaires, or to vnderstand the voyages of armies, their order in ranging battailes, their encamping, their Stratagems, their be­seegings, their expugnations & their victories, but rather to drawe and suck out of all these particular things, the sap, the sweete and marrow, reducing them into precepts, for the commoditie of great persons, that being otherwise busied, neither haue they time, nei­ther can they well, continually apply thēselues in reading of histo­ries, which was the onely motiue that made me take in hand this book, wherinto if any prince or gouernour will looke, he may (as though it were in a bright christal glasse) incontinently beholde the substance that fully is contained, in the volumes of the most com­mendable auncient and moderne writers. And for so much as so worthie and noble food appertaines vnto Princes, and for that a­mongst Princes, your Emperiall Maiestie is of highest degree and dignitie: therfore comming toward your Maiestie with no lesse affection of minde, then that wherwithall I was enflamed, when I applyed my selfe about this profitable enterprise: I present the same most humbly at the feete of your Maiestie, to the intent, that with your sacred name, due & perfect honor may be giuen to this worke, since it shalbe vnder the protection of your Emperiall ma­iestie, who carying in his noble person, the greatnes and felicity of so many famous Emperours and Heroes, of that worthie house of Austridge, which through a long course of worlds, haue gouerned and shall gouern heerafter the sacred Empire, who being no lesse benigne and affable, then high in blood and honour▪ I assure my self, that he will not disdaine to look vpon the same, for although it be little in quantity, yet notwithstanding it is very great in quali­tie, since it containes in it self a Quintesence of those thinges that haue been written for the profit and commoditie of men, gouer­nours and Princes. Venice the 24. of February. 1578.

The most humble and dutifull seruant of your Emperiall Maiestie, Francisco Sansouino.

¶ The Author to the Reader.

I Could imparte vnto you many thinges touching this my present trauaile, excusing my selfe, for that I haue not called the same rather experiments, ad­uertisements, maximies, axiomies, precepts or sentē ­ces, thē cōceits: And therin to haue entermixt some morall and priuat matters, if I had not been assured that I should not preuaile. For I know very wel, that it is almost a general rule (by that I haue obserued in things past) that euery writer what good intent soe­uer hath moued him, or what trauail soeuer he hath endured for the vniuersall profit of all, yet is he euer taxed of criticall persons: forsomuch as our tunges being moued and stirred through enuie or hate, or through a certaine corruption which is brought in amongst vs, not to haue any taste but onely in our own proper matters we are much more easie drawne to speak euill, then the wisedome of him that is mo­ued, is prompt and readie to doo well. Therfore re­ferring all my excuses to your vpright iudgement (when it is not driuen forward with any passion) I will onely say this that I holde for a certain, that this worke howsoeuer it be, will be of great helpe and aide to those that be studious, for that I imagine, it will enriche the priuat discourses, and the publicke actions of those that shall chaunce at any time to vse and handle these conceits in humain actions, which almost haue been euer the selfe-same in all times and amongst all men: and for that in the working and negotiating of affaires, as wel in publick as in priuat, they will minister vnto them many conditions and partes, the which conceites although they be some­what generall, yet neuerthelesse they will giue no [Page] small light partitie: how to knowe the partes and conditions of greatest aduauntage in particular things, as well of publicke actions, as of priuate af­faires. And although these accidents, which doo at vnawares chaunce vnto men in their affaires, and v­pon the deed dooing, are so many and so vnknowen, that they cannot be comprehended within the com­passe of precepts: therefore some vulgare persons do reprehend the studie of them: neuerthelesse, for that I presuppose I shal helpe and yeeld aide to men of ac­complishment, as my intent was, when I tooke this matter first in hand, drawing the substance (the finall end of this studie) foorth of histories, therby to take away from others, the length, tediousnes of reading and toyling themselues: I perswade my selfe, that al­though all accidents cannot be brought vnder pre­cepts, yet that man that hath any meane assistance of diligence, & that in working & perfourming of thē, he be not moued nor altered more then is conueni­ent (either by his nature, or by any other newe acci­dents) to dispose otherwise then well and aptly these actions which he meanes to bring to an end; he by great reason may receiue many benefits and commo­dities, by hauing his minde fullye replenished with these aduertisements and conditions, which he in any parte hath exercised in other operations, or ra­ther studiously read in some good and chosen wri­ters, and stirred vp in his memory, only in this mat­ter this hath been somewhat noisome vnto me: that I could not finde any full or perfect meanes (by rea­son of the varietie of the subiect) to put them vnder firme and infallible titles for your commodities: and although I haue oftentimes conferred this difficultie [Page] with those excellent Gentlemen, Maister George Gradenigo and Maister Alui di Michele, as of great learning, who did enter into the same, and did dis­course vpon it with great prudence, of Histreogra­phie, and in matter of state, and of whom I haue re­ceiued great counsell in this enterprise, neuertheles they could not resolue me according to my desire. And although the foresaid gentlemen put me in me­morie, that it would do well if I did place them vn­der six titles, vnder which are accustomed to light the consultations which are made in the counsels of common weales, and are drawn therinto by the law­giuers, and wherof Aristotle writ in his Rethorick: although they did not immediatlye come vnto the same, but as it were in consequence: at any time when the vnderstander therof would apply thēselues to their places, neuertheles I did dispose my selfe to make the table heereunto annexed, as a thing more perfect, and perchaunce more easie and short: The which although vnto some it seemes not able to serue the turne, to finde out sufficiently the particu­lars of those conceites that are fit for him, or wherin he hath need about his affaires: neuertheles, it will shewe you a way how to attain to your intent, if not in all things, yet at the least in some parte. Receiue therfore with a beneuolent minde this my good wil, to the intent, that perceiuing your ametie, I may with a feruent desire, bring ende to the second and third book of conceits, which I still am about to gather.

Farwell.

The names of those Authors and writers, forth of whom the conceites of this present booke be gathered.

IT would no doubt very much haue preuailed to those that are studious, that I should haue placed the names of the Authors at the foote of euery conceite, but for that it was not my mea­ning, when I first begun this worke, to publish the same, I did not remember in that my studie to vse the foresaide diligence. Ther­fore if any one will serue his turne with these conceites, he maye saye: to giue force to his reason, by alleadging some of these or such like woords, as wise men say, as antiquitie haue written, as pru­dent men declare, and such other manner of speaches, neuerthe­les, I assure ye, that when I returne againe to read ouer the same Authors, perchaunce in the second impression they shall be added according to your desires. Notwithstanding, I haue thought good to put in this place, the names of the writers, which I haue vsed in this my first book, and these be they that followe.

  • Aristotle.
  • Appian Alexandrine.
  • Ammiano Marcellino.
  • Antonie Gueuarra.
  • Bernard Iustinian.
  • Caesar the Emperour.
  • Cornelius Tacitus.
  • Cosmo Bartol.
  • Dione Casio.
  • Francisco Guiciardini.
  • Galeazzo Capello.
  • Giouanne dalla Casa.
  • Gabriello Fiamma.
  • Gian Battista pigna.
  • The historie of Florence.
  • The Historie of Naples.
  • Iosephus the Hebrewe.
  • Iustine.
  • Leonardo Aretino.
  • Marc. Antonio Sabellico.
  • Marcus Tullie Cicero.
  • Niceta Aconiate.
  • Philippe Argentone.
  • Polibius Historiens.
  • Plutarchus Cheronensis.
  • Paulus Emilius.
  • Pietro Bembo.
  • Paulus Iouius.
  • Plato.
  • Procepius.
  • Remigio the Florentine.
  • Salust.
  • Suetonius.
  • Thucidides.
  • Titus Liuius.
  • Zenophon.

Politick conceites and sentences, Gathered by M. Francisco Sansouino, out of the most famous writers in the Greek, Latin, and Italian tongues, to benefit those that commaund in matters of State and Ciuill gouernment.

1 IT is the wunted Nature of men chéefelye to doubt those dan­gers that be nearest at hand, to e­stéeme more then is conuenient, those thinges that be present: and to haue in lesse account then they ought, those that be farre off: by reason that in these last we may hope for many remedies, by the meanes of Time and o­ther sundry accidents.

2 WHen we suspect our confederates or those y t we cre­dit & trust, it is requisite we excuse vnto them those things that be apparent, deny those that be doubtfull, and indeuour our selues with great diligence to mittigate the most mighty of them: and so by flatteryes and promises, please and assure sometimes one, sometimes an other, as­well to make them more negligent, as to hope, that by such sortes of practise they being seperated, there may growe and arise amongst them suspicion, breach & discord.

3 THat curious prudence of minde, which ouerstrictly cōsi­ders & desiphers matters to come, is often discōmenda­ble, forsomuch as worldly affairs are subect to so many & so sundry accidents, that sildome times those things succéed, [Page] which wise men haue imagined ought of necessitie to fall out. And therfore, he that dooth for-goe present benefites, for feare of future perrilles (when in such cases the danger is not most certain and neere at hand) plainely perceiues that he hath lost sundry occasions full of profit and glorye, for feare of those perilles which after fall out to be vaine.

4 WHen a wise man for some occasion, is drawn by any person whosoeuer, to a iust disdaine and anger: yet ought he to moderate the same asmuch as he is able with his mature iudgement, hauing respect not to his perticu­lar right and benefit: but to the profit and right of the common wealth: specially, if by his wrath and anger, he maye become hurtfull and domeageable to the gouerne­ment and state.

5 THe deliberations of Common-wealthes require no base and priuate respectes: neither that all things shall be referred to profitte, but to most magnanime and hau­tie endes, wherby their glorie may be augmented, and re­putation kept: the which nothing dooth so much exstin­guish and deface, then that men should enter into conceit, that they haue neither y e minde or power to perceiue and remember iniuries, neither to be prompt and ready to re­uenge them. A thing chéefly necessarie for to perform thē, not so muche to take pleasure in reuenge, as that the punishment of those that offend: may be such an exam­ple to the rest, that they shall not dare to prouoke them a­gaine. And so consequently it will come to passe that glo­ry shall be lincked with vtilitie, and that those deliberati­ons which proceede of generositie and magnanimitie, shall arise to be full of profite and commoditie.

6 A Great power vnited wholy together, is much more to be feared, then the powers & forces of many y t are dis­seuered, the which as they haue sundry mouings and pro­ceedings, so haue they seuerall & disagréeing operations.

7 ALthough some hold for a maxime. That these cōmon-wealths which are not gouerned by one mans appetite [Page 2] but by the consent of many, procéede with more modera­tion and with greater respects then a Prince can doo: nei­ther doo so out of reason depart from that which hath some appearance of honesty, as oftentimes they doo, yet dooth it fall out to be a farre better gouernment when the com­mon-wealth makes the bodie and the members, and the Prince the head, so that being incorporated together as one bodie, the dignitie, maiestie and state of the common-wealth, falles out to be of a farre greater perfection.

8 A Wise man ought alwaies to draw commodities out of occasions, therfore a Prince should not cast away the instruements of encrease, neither slack them when he hath the fauours of fortune propetious.

9 COuncelles not well measured of Princes, are perni­tious not onlye to themselues, but also to their peo­ple, when as hauing only before their eyes, either vain er­rours, or present ambitions, not remembring the often change of fortune, and conuerting into damage the pow­er of others, graunted them for common commoditie: they are made, either through want of prudence, or through o­uer-great ambicion, the authors of new troubles.

10 PRinces are to their great domage disceiued, when in making election of persons, vnto whome they commit the execution of important affaires: they haue greater cō ­sideration to the fauour of them they choose, then to their valour and vertue.

11 GReat Princes thinke themselues iniured when they are denied that thing they desire, and become disple­sed against euery one, which followe not their willes, and that together with their fortune, doo not put forward to them, their owne proper fortune.

12 SUch as the custome of Princes be, such likewise be the gouernment of their affaires. If the Prince be of small discretion, and lesse estimation they runne into ruine. If good and valerous, they florish, for God doth prosper al­waies the good, and for the most part doth throwe downe [Page] headlong those that b [...] wicked.

13 A New Empire not well ordered, nor prudently gouer­ned, doth rather burden then make more mighty him that hath gained it, besides that, no man hath at any time born himself well in gouerning a state which hath béene e­uill gotten.

14 EUen as in the sustenance of the body, it is not only ne­cessary that the head be well and in good state, but al­so it is requisite that the other members do their duety, so it is not enough that a Prince be faultles, if his officers do not proportionally doo their dueties with diligence and vertue.

15 THe nature of great Princes, cannot easily resist their appetites like priuate persons: for being accustomed to be reuerenced, vnderstoode, and obeyed by signes, they become not onelye hautie and insolent, but also they can­not beare nor tollerate to be denied or not to obteine that which séemes iust vnto them: and in their sight that ap­peares iust which they desire, perswading themselues that they are able to smoothe and make easie all impediments, and to ouercome the nature of thinges, with one onelye woorde or looke.

16 PRinces and common wealths ought to consider in their enterprises, what difference is betwixt making warres against others, or exspecting that they come to be made against them: to practice and worke the deuision of an other mans state, or abide vntill his own be deuided: to be accompanied against one alone, or to remaine post a­lone against many that are knit in league togeather. And after the consideration héereof, to determine which will turne best to his particular profit.

17 IT is a note of high prudence and reputation, in a great Prince, to procéed in such sorte in all his causes: that of the actions he workes, those that obey him haue not any cause to enter into suspect, either that he doth it cunningly to disceiue, or feinedly for some other sinister end.

18 [Page 3]WHere many Princes that pretend to be equalles doo consort and kéepe company together, there dooth ea­silye spring vp amongst them suspitions and contentions, by reason whereof, those enterprises which they haue be­gun with great reputation, doo fall into many difficulties, and finally become vaine.

19 TO giue good hopes to augment as much as is possible the fauours and reputations of an armye, with arte and with industrie: to remain ready to make agréements and concords according to occasions, are affaires fit to be perfourmed of a Prince.

20 TO gouerne and raigne: dependes onely on fortune, but to be a King that doth preferre for his finall end, the safetie and felicitie of his people: doth onlye depend of him selfe and of his proper vertue.

21 IT appertains to wise Princes in their difficill and dan­gerous determinations, to approue for easie and plauci­ble those that be necessary, or that are subiect to lesse diffi­culties and perilles then the rest.

22 BY how much more a King is great and mightye, by so much more is it glorious for him to shewe his power, for the maintaining of iustice & faith, nothing being more vnworthie for him, and for his [...]ommon-wealth, then to want and faile in faith.

23 ALl people by nature imitate y e customes of their prin­ces, and follow his footsteps, and according to his pro­céedings doo either hate him or loue him: but when once he begins to be odious, whither his actions be good or bad, all things be accounted euill, but if once he haue begun to get the loue of them, euery thing how euill soeuer it be doon, is attributed to vertue: as though he would not goe a­bout to doo euill, if he were not occasioned vpon some groū ­ded reason.

24 A Prince in duetifull causes must hang in suspition and reserue to himselfe so much as is possible, the meanes and facultie to take these deliberations, that by the pro­céeding [Page] of generall and vniuersall causes, he dooth discern to be his best.

25 A Prince can haue no greater felicitie, then that his de­liberations (wherof dooth arise his own greatnes and glory) may be accompanied with such consequences & cir­cumstances, that they may appeare that they are doone, no lesse for an vniuersall safetie and benefite, then for the ex­altation of the whole Christian Common-wealth.

26 IT is the custome of Princes, artificiallye to entertaine one another, with vaine hopes and dissembling practi­ses, besides that, they be couetous and greedy to embrace counterfeite cullours, to the intent they maye with more apparant honestie disturbe and vexe (although oftentimes wrongfully) the states and dominions of others. And if a man goe about to perswade them that which is good, he renues molestation and trauaile: but when he dooth flat­ter them, and dooth vse a contrarye course, he maye doo it without any trouble in the world.

27 THe counsells of Captains oftentimes fall out to be full of fallacies, vnlesse they be fauoured by the force of for­tune: And although they be diligent and prudent, yet for all that they become vnprofitable, when the execution of their enterprises, procéedes with negligence and im­prudence.

28 A Politick Generall and Captain, wil rather (to the in­tent he may with securitie obtaine the victorie) haue little or no respect to the length of the time, neither to the taking of too much toyle and trauaile, either to proceed in the spare of expences, without much prouision, rather thē by obteining glorye by ouercomming with facilitye and speed, to put in perill and hazard together with his armie, the euent of his quarrell and action.

29 IT almost comes euer to passe through the corrupt iudg­ment of men, that prodigalitie is more praised in a King (although thereunto rapine be annexed) then sparing ioy­ned to forbearing from other mens goods.

30 [Page 4]NO sollicitations, no benefites, no knot of coniunction is sufficient to remoue from the brest of Princes the smal confidence and mistrust they haue one with an other: and although it be fit and proper for them, alwaies to pre­ferre in their deliberations, profit, and beneuolence, be­fore hate and other couetous humours, yet neuerthelesse, it is the office and duety of a wise Prince, to the intent he may shame the greater, to imbrace for profitable, for good, and for the very best, the election of the lesse euill: neither ought he to frée him selfe from one perill, and one disorder, to run into an other, of more importance, and of greater infamie.

31 HOnestye maye sometimes and in some respectes giue place to profit, rather then by maintaining with ob­stinate pertenacie, the giuen faith to perseuer in mole­stations.

32 Men kéep longer in memory an iniury, then a receiued benefite, for when they call to minde the benefite, in their imagination they make it lesse then it is, reputing themselues to haue merited much more. The contrarye doth arise of iniuries, for it gréeues euery one more then of reason they ought to be agréeued: therefore where the bad estate and degree is alike, keep thee from doing those plea­sures, which of necessitie worke displeasures to auoid losse and damage.

33 A Tirant doth enforce himselfe to performe thrée things to maintain his estate, the first is to kéep down, and to kéep the mindes of his citizens weak and feeble, for he that is of smal courage doth neuer rise vp against a tirant. The second is to procure that the most mightye Citizens doo liue in discorde amongst themselues, to the intent they shall not conspire against him, being vnited together. The third, is to kéepe them disarmed and in idlenes, for he that neither can nor knowes how to doo any thing: will not be enflamed, neither once enter into thought to assault him that is of great power.

34 [Page]THat place is not called a Cittie, which hath a great number of men to inhabite it, but rather that which is furnished with such Citizens which are of sufficiencye to liue well and happily, for Lordship and Signorie is main­tained with prudence and with valour, and with him that is a good man, and a good gouernour: and good he cannot be vnlesse he be prudent.

35 ALl these things for the which men do toyle themselues in this world, are reduced and drawne into two heads and titles: that is to say, to profit, and to honor, vnder the title of profit is to be vnderstood all that which appertains to the body, vnder the title of honor: al that which belongs to the minde.

36 A Prince ought to be graue, not in hautines of counte­nance, but in the order of his life: gouerning him selfe moderately in all his affaires and actions, and obseruing those promises he hath made: let him be rather affraide not to doo euill, then that euill should be doon vnto him, and let him remember, that being a man as others are, he hath graunted him by God almost deuine power, to the intent he may place in his gouernment thinges that be iust and honest.

37 THat Citizen that dooth begin to manage the affaires of the Common-wealth, dooth liue according to the customes vsed of the other Citizens, and dooth accommo­date himselfe to their nature, and with art and prudence doth leane to those things that are wonted to bring plea­sures and delight to the people, and by the which they are accustomed to be taken into a snare, to the intent, that by so doing, gayning an opinion of valour and faith, he maye obtaine authoritie.

38 THose that manage the affaires of a frée state: ought to haue in minde two precepts of Plato, the one, that they defend and maintaine the profit of their Citizens in such sort, that whatsoeuer they doo may tend to that end, setting aside their own commodities: the other, that they [Page] haue an eye to the whole body of the Common-wealth, to the intent, that whilste they haue care of one parte, they doo not abandon another: for euen as in the Tuter of a ward, so the gouernment of a Common-wealth is to be handled and ordered, to the benefite of those for whome it is committed and recommended, and not for thē to whom it is committed.

39 IT is the proper charge of a Magistrate, to vnderstand that he carries vpon him, and dooth exercise the person of the Cittie: and that he ought to maintain his decorum and his dignitie, to obserue the lawes, and to be mindefull of those things that are committed to his fidelitie, and not only to look into that which is doon, but also to prouide for that which ought to be doone, and to vse all possible inde­uours to prouide that the Common-wealth after his death may be no lesse rightly administred, thē it is during the gouernment of his life.

40 LIberty is nothing else but full power, to doo as a man will. And that man liues as he will, the which doth follow those things that be right and well doon, and which dooth reioyce in him selfe to doo pleasures and benefites to others, and that in his liuing is aduised and prudent, and that dooth obey the lawes, not through feare, but doth ho­nor and obserue them like others, and who neither dooth think nor doo any thing, but fréelye and with a good will, whose councelles and whose operations, doo arise and take end in him selfe, not hauing any thing that maye accom­plish more in him then his will and his iudgement, and vn­to which likewise fortune her selfe may giue place.

41 THat warre is iust that is necessarye, and those armes and weapons are godly and happye, in the which there resteth no other hope thē in the said weapons and armes. And that warre is iust which is commaunded of y e Prince, either in respect to recouer that which is lost, or to defend himselfe from other mens iniuries: but that is an vnhap­py and wicked warre, in the which it is necessarye, that he [...] [Page] to liue in seruitude, since that amongst all worldly things the best is liberty: whose name is a note of vertue, as ser­uitude and bondage is a note of infelicitie.

51 WHen a noble personage dooth degenerate from the vertuous actions of his predecessors, let him remem­ber, that how much the more famous the life of his Aun­cestours hath been, so much more shamefull & slaunderous shal his be: forsomuch as the glorie of our fore-fathers, is as it were a light to those that discend from them, the which doth discouer thē to the eyes of others, that vertue or that vice which they haue.

52 IT is a goodly thing in a victorious Prince, when as cal­ling him selfe to memory, he dooth rather goe about that which is worthie of him selfe, then that which he may with reason doo against his ouercome and vanquished enemy.

53 HE dooth assuredlye liue and enioy a staide and perfect minde, who being intentiue about any busines or ac­tion, doth procure himselfe a fame of woorthy Princes, of good art or letters.

54 ALthough flatterie be reprehended of wise men, as a wise contrary [...] woorthy wit: yet did Cicero saye, it is necessary in the obtaining of office and gouernment in a free Common-wealth.

55 THe life and behauiour of the people is corrupted by the customes of the Prince: who beholding his licentious lecherie, despise the merites of his chastetie, Indeuouring thēselues to imitate his vices, as most vertuous actions: for that it séemes vnto them that they cānot commend the deedes of their Prince, if they themselues doo not likewise practise and vse the same.

56 IT is a manifest thing, that he that is mighty is alwaies accompanied and followed with enuy, not of the least, for those cannot much harme him, but of his cōpetitoures, carriualles and his péeres: therefore to shun the same in my opinion, he should aduise himselfe well, if in matters [Page 7] of importance he did vse that parte and meanes of pro­céeding, which dooth most asswage, and is contrarye to enuye.

57 HE that is not altogether aleuated from peace, is ne­uer hindered or kept from making the same by mul­titude of complaintes and damages, for so much as these differences and debates are cut off (although they be ma­ny) by the force and vertue of vpright iustice, or by means of recompencing, waying one iniurie with an other, or by counterpesing and ballancing this reason and right with that, or else (for a lesse domage, or to giue end to the grea­ter trauailes or troubles) let the one yéelde vnto the other some parte of his right, as vnto these wise men by consi­deration of the importance or subiect of the cause, it shall séeme conuenient.

58 IT is fitte for euery well gouerned Common-wealth, to take order that all the causes, or at least the greatest part of them if it be possible, may be de [...]i [...]hered and discided by the lawes, rather then left to y e [...] of the Iudge: for there be very fewe to be found that haue good and ma­ture vnderstanding, knowledge and abilitie, to minister and ordaine lawes, and to giue right iudgement in doubt­full causes: for so much as lawes through the long vse of thinges, and through many and sundry considerations, are brought to full perfection, but the iudgementes of man by his own nature, being apt to bende either to loue or hate: is corrupted, spoyled, and made partiall, vnlesse it be vn­der propt with the strong piller of Lawe.

59 THose which haue iudgement falling into considerati­on of the riches and power of any other State, doo not meruaile, neither at their power, neither at their ri­ches: but admiring the good forme of the order of the saide State, vnder which such power and riches dooth florishe, desire the good gouernment of their Common-wealth, by being and suffering their Prince: and be very vigilant to kéepe themselues from offending him at any time, neither [Page] with déeds nor with woords, to the intent not to imitate him.

60 AMongst the rest of these goods that fortune bestowes vpon vs, he dooth gaine most worthy praise, that being rich doth not aspire to rule and Signorie: that is not in­solent by reason of his money, that dooth not preferre him­selfe before others arrogantly, and that doth behaue him­selfe in such sort, that others may iudge, that that aboun­dance of riches haue giuen him meanes to become sober and modest, and not malepert and hawtie.

61 EUery one knowes that those discordes which arise a­mongst the people, are occasioned by inequalitie of goods and riches: for those that be of meane estate would make thēselues equall with their betters, but those which spring vp amongst noble and great men, be occasioned by meanes of honours: for those y e be equalles would make themselues greater then the rest.

62 MEn when they draw néere to their future mischéefes do principall [...] their discourse, discretion and pru­dence with the which they might easily bring impediment and hinderance to their destinies.

63 IT is a great impudence for a man to binde himselfe to a perpetuall perrill, vpon foundations not perpetuall: and through vncertaine hopes to begin an assured warre with an enemy more mighty then himselfe.

64 NOthing is more necessarie in hard and difficult deli­berations then counsell, nothing on the other side more perillous then to demaund counsell: and it is no doubt, but that counsell is lesse necessary to prudent men, then to those that be imprudent: and yet notwithstanding those that be wise do reap much more profit by counsel thē the ignorant, for who is he y t is so perfect in prudence, that doth alwaies consider & know euery thing of himselfe, and in contrary reasons, doth euer discern and cull out the best parte? but what assurance hath he y • doth demaund coun­sell, to be faithfully counselled? forsomuch as he that dooth giue [Page 8] counsell, if he be not very faithfull and much affectioned to him that doth demaund y e same: moued not only through notable respectes of profitte, but for euery small commo­ditie, or euerye light satisfaction: dooth oftentimes direct his counsell, to that ende that dooth turne most to his purpose, or that wherein he dooth take most pleasure, and therefore these ends and tearmes being for the most parte so much vnknowne to him that séekes for counsell, he dooth not remēber nor perceiue if he be not prudent, the infideli­tie of the councell.

65 A Prince that by the means of his embassadour would deceiue an other Prince, must first deceiue the Ambas­sadour, to the intent that he may woorke and speake with greater efficacie, perswading himselfe and beléeuing that such is the mind [...] of his prince, the which though he would not nor could not doo, if he did imagine himselfe to be a dis­sembler, and this practise euerye one dooth vse, that by the meanes of an other, would perswade that which is false vnto an other.

66 IT is proper to fortune so often as [...]ctorie is not made assured with moderation and prudence, to blot and stain the glorie that is gained, with some thing vnlooked for: therfore it is not requisite in the managing of matters of moment, to suffer things to be carried away and marshald by chaunce.

67 HE that will hang in suspence, and ballance thinges a­mongst Princes, and become a newter, it is necessary for him very circumspectly to abstaine not only from déeds but from all those demonstrations that maye bring him into suspect of his greater inclination, more vnto one part then vnto an other.

68 TO doo and not to doo an action although it seeme to bee of small effect, yet oftentimes there dooth depend vppon the same moments of matter of impor­tance: And therefore in the managing of thinges that be more profitable, he must alwaies be well aduertised, [Page] and haue many good considerations.

69 THe nature of the people is, to incline themselues to hope more then they ought: to be of lesse telleration, to take alwaies against hart thinges that be present, and to attribute vnto themselues not to desire and challenge that which they ought rather to attribute to their disabi­litie: besides this, those that be fearefull, and which deter­mine not to oppose themselues against perils, but to flie: fall to consolations, but to people that are warlicke and hardy: it appertaines to charge and to present themselues to the enemy, so soon as they haue had sight of him.

70 AS there is no age which doth naturally more abhorre infamie, and is more couetous of honor and prowesse then is youth: so there is no age that is so apt neither of more power and force to tollerate trauailes, to supporte discommodities, difficulties and wants, that of necessitie are suffered in warres. And if we doo rightlye enter into consideration of the matter, men doo not differ one from another, by reason [...]: but through pollicie in wit, through quicknes in iudgement, through their study, their industrie, their experience, and their vertue.

71 IT is follye to become angrye with those persons against whome, by reason of their greatnes thou canst not hope to reuenge thy selfe, therefore if it seeme vnto thée that thou hast receiued iniurye at their handes, dissemble and suffer.

72 IN matters of warfare, there springes vp from time to time, infinite varieties, therefore we must not put vpon vs ouer-great haughty hate for late prosperities, nor ouer­great abiect mindes, for aduerse calamities: for often­times there dooth arise mutations. Therefore héereby we must learne, that when occasion dooth present it selfe, let vs not lose or let slippe the same, for she is of small con­tinuance.

73 WE ought well to consider that, which the beginnings of things may be able to bring foorth, and to obserue [Page 9] and beware at the first to giue place to vniust and perniti­ous demaundes: for so much, as when once any one hath obteined their desired things, they doo not deminish at all, but doo alwaies encrease our determinations and desires with a greater better will, and with greater conceites then before.

74 HOw much more any accidents comes at vnawares, and vnlooked for, by so much more it dooth amase and put men in terrour: and therefore a wise man ought to be aboundantly stored with able meanes, to prouide that dis­cordes doo not ensue, or that if they should ensue, that they doo not continue: and he must foresee euen from this pre­sent state, all future perilles, remouing them with pru­dence and with counsell: not suffering thinges to runne headlong.

75 IN ciuell States and conuersations, an offence cannot be chasticed, or a vertuous action rewarded: but that the Citizens shall receiue that common profit that dooth ther­by arise: neither was there any [...]medye found better, more apt, nor of greter effect to maintain a cōmonwealth in good and happie estate, then a counterpose of punishmēt and reward vsed vprightly.

76 ALl the Securitie that may be had of an enemie, either of faith, either of fréends, either of promises, and of o­ther, some bonds are good: but through the wicked conditi­on of men, and through the varying of times, there is no­thing thought better and more firme, then so to accom­modate our selues, that the enemy cannot haue power to offend vs.

77 THe maner of procéeding in moderne warrefare is far vnlike to the antiquitie, who did not suborne secret murtherers, but did discouer vnto the enemy, if any such wicked treason was wrought against him, hauing confi­dence to be able to ouercome with vertue.

78 IT is a more secure & glorious resolution, with asmuch equalitie of hope as may be: to make experience of for­tune, [Page] then by flying and leauing the same to consume by little and little, and to giue to the enemy the victory with­out blood and without perrill, forsomuch as in thinges that fall out contrarye, the feare and difficultie of him that is ouercome, dooth become euerye day grea­ter.

79 IN difficulties a man must sometimes, not denying but prolonging, indeuouring himselfe to cause others to ac­cept and imbrace hope in stead of effects.

80 IT is a most true and commendable Prouerbe amongst the antiquitie, that Dignities disciphers mens qualities, for through experience and measure thereof, is not onelye knowne by their weight, what ability or insufficiencie is in them, but also by reason of the power and libertye they haue, are discouered the affections of their mindes and of what nature they are: by how much the greater a man is, so much lesse respect hath he to suffer and keep himself from being guided according to his own nature.

81 INdeuour thy selfe not to be euill thought of by him that is thy superiour in the Countrie, neither put trust in the good gouernment of thy owne life: but let it be such, that thou maist imagine not to fall into his hands, for there a­rise infinite causes, not thought vpon, wherein thou maist haue need of him, and Et e conuerso.

82 IF a superiour haue desire to punish or reuenge himselfe against his inferiour, let him not doo it in a headlong and rashe manner, but let him expect time and occasion, the which without doubt shall in such sorte fall out that not discouering himselfe for a passionate and ma­lignant person, hee shall be able to satisfie his de­sire.

83 TOuching the managing of warfare, the counsell of the olde dooth little helpe, if in putting the same in execution, the courage, the valour, and the gallant lusti­nes of youthes doo not set their handes to the dooing, who for the moste parte are of a very quicke vnderstan­ding, [Page 10] and haue their spirites and wittes in such a readi­nes, that oftentimes they ouercome the difficulties of the affaires, with greater discretion and prudence then others can beléeue: for we must not expect the processe of yéeres, when the vertue of valour and force is to be shewed: for so much as the race and course of force and vertue is much more swift, then that of age.

84 IT is requisite that Gouernours doo rather followe the substance then the appearance of thinges, measuring more with prudence then with proper will, and not giue ouermuch faith or credit to themselues, for it is a great infamie to States, when ignorance is accompanied with losse.

85 THe order of occasions to obtaine any high matter, is necessary to be taken when things are in reuolucion neither is it good for a man to stand to looke about him so oftentimes as he knowes it more perillous to stand still, then to aduenture.

86 MAtters of warrefare consist rather in obedience then in will: intruding themselues to knowe the circum­stances and reasons of the Generall & Captains affaires, and that army aboue all other is of greatest valour, in pe­rilles, at the encounter and charge, that before the encoū ­ter and stroke of the battaile, is more then any other in tranquilitie and quiet.

87 ALl they that would determine and resolue them­selues vpon any thing of importance, ought to con­sider whither that which they enterprise and take in hand to doo, is to fall out profitable to the Common-welth, honourable to himselfe, and easie to be brought to passe: or at leastwise not very difficill.

88 IN all enterprises it is necessary to haue an eye & be ad­uertised if any one perswade, beside giuing of counsell, whether likewise he put himself in peril, & whē fortun hath brought y e enterprise to an end, who it is y e ought to haue [Page] the principall degrée and honour.

89 IN discordes and tumultes, those haue alwaies most force and power, that amongst all the rest be most wic­ked, In peace and quietnes those are of most valour, that doo shine and are decked with good and commendable dis­ciplines.

90 ALl men naturally are good when they reape no profit or take no delight in euill, but so greatly dooth varrie the corruption of this world & their fragilitie, that easilye and very often for their owne profit they encline to euill. Therefore the rewarde of vertue and punishment of vice, was found out and inuented by wise Lawe-giuers, for the foundation of Common-wealth, not to destroye men, but to the intent they might followe the inclination of nature.

91 HE that hath to gouerne Citties & peoples, and would haue them corrected: let him punishe the offenders in them, after the rate of thirtéene pence halfepeny, and let him in effect chastise all faultes, he may very well vse mer­cy, but not in hainous causes, for in those it is requisite to giue example to the rest.

92 GLorie, for that it is the proper and true reward of hu­maine trauails, is that which doth enflame and prick forward woorthye mindes to honourable enterprises, nei­ther can we finde out any thing that is of greater effect to cause any man to raise vp his mind, to quicken his vnder­standing, and to make sharpe his industrie, then the desire to obtaine glory, and the hope of immortallity.

93 SO long as men shall be in the world, so long shall there be found vices, these neuerthelesse, not alwaies, nor continually, but the good and the euill shall come in their turnes: and by the comming of better thinges, they shall recompence and redresse themselues amongst themselues.

94 EUen as discord in a Cittie doth discouer and giues oc­casion to those that lye in waite to betray, to perform their practises well: so vnitie dooth knit together the di­uersities [Page 11] of opinions, and of many making one body alone doth kéepe gouernments and States vncorrupted.

95 NO lesse doth a kingdom take her beginning of a King, then a king of a kingdome: for the King giues lawes and orders to the kingdome, and not the kingdome to the King: the pardons, the gifts, the warres, the peace, the pu­nishments and the rewardes, doo procéede from the King to the kingdome, and not in contrary course, for onely vn­to an emperiall maiestie appertaines to commaund, and the Common-wealth to obay.

96 AS in a building of importance there is greater perrill when a stone falles foorth of the foundation, thē fifty tiles from the roofe: so it is a greater faulte once to diso­baye iustice, then to commit a hundreth errours against the Common-wealth: for we haue oftentimes séene, that there hath sprung vp scandalles of great importance in a Common-wealth through a very small disobedience.

97 IN doubtfull causes we cannot haue recourse to any bet­ter thing then to counsell, for the piller and remedye of doubt is counsell, but in trueth leauing counsel aparte, we ought to put ende to the execution thereof: and with so much greater speede followe and performe that thing that is assuredly determined, by how much more we perceiue it to be frée, and secure from all perilles, and to serue to the purpose, and is apt and good for our intention.

98 WE ordaine and commaund that to that man, which doth not rule his life aright, which doth not gouerne his house well, which dooth not administer well his owne affaires, and which dooth not vse discipline towardes his famulie, liuing in debate with his neighbours, shall haue giuen vnto him a gouernour, which may haue charge o­uer him like a foole, and that he be chased from amongst the people like a vagabound: for Common-wealthes are ne­uer disturbed, but by those that haue no methode and ma­ner of rule in their life.

99 [Page] AMongst mortall men there is nothing more common and therewithall more perillous, then to giue place to that imagination, wherby wee beleeue that the state of one man, is better then that of an others, and heereby it comes to passe, that humain malice dooth so blinde men, that they rather seeke to haue that with trauaile, which appertaines vnto another, then to enioye with rest and quietnes that which is his owne. The state of a Prince assuredlye is good, if of them it be vsed to a good end: and the being of the people is likewise good, if they be content with the same. So in like sorte, that of religious men is best, if they reape that profite thereby which they ought: To be rich is very good, if therein they vse temperaunce: in like manner, the poore man, if he haue patience, his e­s [...]ate falles out to be good: for to merrite, doth not consist in suffering many trauailes and discommodities: but by hauing in them great patience.

100 TO threaten and manace a mightye enemye, and to make him mindful that thou aboundantly retaines in memorye, the iniuries receiued of him▪ is no other then to inuite and stir him vp to a greater offence, for either thou art such a one, that thou hast to be ashamed, that thou art inflamed to contend with him and cannot suffer it, or thou art such a one that he maye in what or whensoeuer be a­fraide of thy power, And if he be wise he will neuer expect that time, so all those threatninges shall fall out to be to thy damage.

101 IF Subiects did know what it costes the Prince to com­maund and rule, or if the Prince did knowe how sweet a thing it is to liue in peace, the meaner sorte would haue more compassion towardes the greater, and the greater would not beare enuye towards the meaner, for much lesse be the pleasures that Princes inioye, in respect of the dis­pleasures they suffer: but as the state of a Prince is grea­ter then all others, can performe more then all others, is [Page 12] more woorth then all others, doth support more then all o­thers, and to conclude, doth ouerpasse and excell the go­uernment of all others. So is it most necessarye that the Court, the person, and the life of a Prince, be ordered and corrected more then that of all others: for euen as with the length of an elme all the whole goods of a Marchant is measured, so with the life of the Prince all the whole com­mon-wealth is measured.

102 PRinces that are wise indéed, doo neuer glorye in any thing more then to kéepe about them valiant men, to defend their state, and prudent men to gouerne their com­mon-wealth.

103 THose which are to counsell, to instruct, and to giue rule to the life of Princes: ought to haue their iudgement, their vnderstanding, their woords, their doctrine, and their manner of liuing very cleare, very vpright, very sound, and without blot or any suspition at all: for to goe about to handle and discourse of great thinges, without hauing ex­perience▪ is no other then that a man that is starke blinde should goe about to guide an other that dooth see verye well.

104 WHen a man is brought to those tearmes, that either standing still or going forward, he remaines in the selfe perrill he ought to apply himself to practise or woorke somwhat, for whilste he standes lingering: the same acci­dents which doo holde him in perrill, doo stand in the same state, whereas by endeuouring himselfe to practise some actions, either he may finde out somewhat that may saue him, or at leastwise, not finding the same, he hath shewed that he hath carried a minde and courage, to knowe how to seek for his safetie.

105 HE is very presumpteous y t dooth dare to giue counsell to a prince, for as princes in many matters carry lofty imaginations, and many of them giue libertie to y e reines of their own will & desires: so we finde them, (thinking thē [Page] to haue them propitious) more incensed against vs: for counsell is rather more damegeable then commodious, if he that giues the same be not of excellent iudgement, and he that receiues it of very great patience.

106 GReat is that worke of Fortune, whē a notable man dooth rise vp more at one time then at an other: for if a valiant man come in the time of a couragious Prince: he shall be holden in great estimation, and shall be sent to performe worthie enterprises, but if he come in the time of a doutfull and fearefull Prince, he will make more ac­count of him that dooth encrease his rents, then of him that dooth ouercome a mighty warre, or makes his honor great and famous. The very same falles out, in respect of wise and vertuous men, who if they chaunce to come in the time of a vertuous and wise Prince, they shal be estée­med and honoured, but if they spring in the time of a viti­ous Prince, small account is made of them: for it is an auncient and olde custome amongst vaine men, not to ho­nour those that be profitable to the Common-wealth, but rather those that are most gratefull and acceptable to the Prince.

107 PRinces that desire much to be good, ought liuelye to know euen at the fingers ends, what the procéeding of good Princes hath beene: for we must not despise all that which is blamed of wicked men▪ neither accept all y • which is spoken of men abroade in the worlde.

108 AS there be certaine lawes sometimes made for other occasion then to punishe vice, so there be some rather chastised to the intent that they may receiue losse, then for any desire that the lawes which condemnes them should be obserued: the which is easily knowne, when it is discer­ned and séene, that neither the Prince his fauourites o [...] [...]gnius, doo leaue off that vice, the which they chastice in others, and héereof in time doo spring such pernitious ef­fects, as scarse are to be credited, besides that it is of it selfe a thing of most wicked example.

109 [Page 13]NO man ought to be more carefull of any thing, then to searche out those that maye aduise and coun­sell him how to gouerne the Common-wealth well, and how to maintaine his estate with iustice, the which is not to be perfourmed with woordes that terrifie, neither with déedes that scandalize, but gentlenes and curtisies that may embolden their harts, and with good woorks that may edifie them, for a woorthye, noble and gentle hart cannot make resistance, if he that commaunds be of good life and behauiour.

110 AS in the head of a man are placed the sence of smelling and hearing, so a Prince which is the head of the com­mon-wealth must giue eare to al those that are oppressed, and know all those that serue him, to the intent to reward them for their seruice.

111 I Haue many times séene large experience of one thing in this worlde worthie to be noted, that as there is to be found one amongst the good, which is of marke for his sin­guler goodnes: so amongst the wicked there dooth appeare one extreamely wicked, but the wurst is, that the vertu­ous man doth not obteine so much glorie for his vertue, as the wicked through his wickednes, possesseth impudence: for vertue makes a man naturally discreet, and vice makes him dissolute.

112 AMongst wicked men the tippe and height of their euill is, that forgetting themselues to be men, and treading reason vnder foot, they wander farre astray from y e trueth and from vertuous men, and let slacke their raines with liberty to followe vice: for if it be an euill thing that one should be wicked, it is much more euill to procure that an other should not be good.

113 PRinces in aduerse times ought not to become ter­rified, amased or ameruailed, but rather resist their enemies, alwaies with the firme and staide counsell of mature men, and with the counsell of those that be olde and wise.

114 [Page] THat man which is oppressed, dooth ordinarily cry after the change of Fortune: And there is nothing more ab­horred of a man in felicitie, then to thinke how full For­tune is of mutabilitie: for the oppressed doth imagine, that by changing oftentimes, his state may growe to be better: but the man that is in felicitie, dooth think y • one change of Fortune, may throw him down headlong into y e deapth of disgrace and miserie.

115 CErtaine wise men giue this rule, that when the Com­mon-wealth will choose a Gouernour, let them haue care, that he haue béen before hand at the least tenne yeeres in the warres, for he only is able to maintaine the desired peace: who by experience hath tryed the toiles and the troubles of warrefare.

116 THere is no doubt but that a Prince when hee measu­reth his forces, dooth playe a very wise parte, for if he possesse but small and consumes much, he shall be as­sured either to loose his principalitie, or else become a Tirant.

117 IT dooth much consist in the handes of the people, that their Gouernours be good or euill: for there is no Prince that is so humble or lowlye, that he can al­waies dissemble his euill and wickednes, neither any such a tirant, but that sometimes hee will take notice of that which is good.

118 THere is nothing in this worlde which dooth more make Common-wealths to runne into ruine, then when the prince giues consent or permits that nouelties arise in his kingdome, and y t those which ought to obeye, liue in grea­ter securitie then Princes and great Lords.

119 PRinces doo not gaine honour for going enuironed with wicked men, for heaping vp treasures, for killing the innocents, for taking from others their goods: but for being conuersant with those that be good, for straite fami­liaritie with the wicked, bringes the life of a good man [Page 14] to be suspected. For spending his riches in good woorkes (it beeing a thing by proofe verye manifest, that that man which makes account of his fame, estéemes little of mony) for routing out tirants, (for that the good hermonye in the gouernment of a Prince dooth consist in chastesing of the wicked and rewarding the good) and for the giuing fréelye of that which is his own, for nothing dooth make more no­table the maiestie of a Prince, then to shew his greatnes in helping of others, and not to be gréedy to be ouerpassed, and aduauntaged by others.

120 TWo things makes a cittie safe and secure, and brings vnto those that gouernes the same, praise and honour: the one is, when it is garded by the most mighty, and kept and conserued with due defence: the other is, if the Go­uernours doo ioyne and knit themselues together in ami­tie with their neighbours, without the which they cannot fréely conduct victua [...]les and other necessarye thinges from one place to another in safetie.

121 A Prince or Lord that desires to be obeyed, it is neces­sary that what he commaundes be first obserued to be in his owne person: for no Lord or Prince can well with­drawe or exempt himselfe from vertuous opperations, for so much as a Prince being an example to others, is bound to vse such actions and opperations, that he may become a woorthye and notable example to those that he go­uernes.

122 IF a Prince would knowe for what end he is a Prince, I would tell him to gouerne well and to be patient when he is tolde that men murmure at his dooinges, for­somuch as finallye they are men, and become handled like men, neither can they shunne the miseries of men: and neuer was there any Prince in this worlde, but that he was touched yea and torne with the tunges of wicked persons, for they are subiectes to those two euents, that if they be wicked: they incurre the e­uill will of those that be good, and if they be good: [Page] soddainly all those that be wicked murmure.

123 THere be two thinges amongst the rest that woorke great effectes against the State: the one is ambiti­on, the other is desperation, neuerthelesse, the second is much woorsse then the first: for so much as ambition may expect occasion and oppertunitie, but so cannot desperati­on: it being a Subiect vnto the which there beeing no time permitted or graunted it, neither can nor is able to graunt it to others.

124 TO receiue losse, is neuer good of his owne nature, yet it is very true that it may sometimes accidently helpe and benefite when it is receiued and dooth chaunce vnto men that be of good vnderstanding: for it is an occasion to bring them to be of great experience, since there is a fewe if once they haue not proued the euill, will enter into con­ceite or beléeue that the same is such as it is: whereof it a­riseth that those that be vnexpert and ignorant in their af­faires, doo euer procéede either with ouer-great rashenes, wheras if once they haue tasted the wrath of fortune, they become more warie, carefull, and prouident.

125 PRinces ought to studye to indeuour themselues to vse such conuersation with their Subiects, that they may make choise rather to serue them for their good wills, then for wages and rewardes, for when money begins to de­minish, their seruice likewise beginnes to diminish, and a thousand troubles dooth folowe them, which doo not serue with a good hart, for he that dooth loue with all his whole affection, dooth not become arrogant in propertie: doth not withdraw himselfe in aduerse fortune, dooth not complain of his pouertye▪ dooth not grudge at y e small fauour which is vsed towardes him, neither dooth departe from him in time of persecution, and bréefly that course of life and loue doth neuer take end vntill the houre of death.

126 PRinces without doubt haue greater néede to haue a­bout them more wiseand prudent men, (to the intent [...] preuaile by them, and to vse their counsell) then any o­ther [Page 15] whosoeuer: for since they are to stand in centernell and watch to beholde and discouer what the dooings of all others be, they haue lesse liberty or licence then their sub­iects haue to commit errours, for euen as they haue liber­ty to beholde and iudge of others, euen so are they behelde and iudged of others: without any licence or liberty gran­ted them so to doo.

127 EUery state ought to desire peace, and thereof to make demonstrations both with déeds and with woords: but for al that they ought to shew themselues in military pre­parations and prouisions most warlicke, for a disarmed peace is weake and féeble: neither dooth there séeme to be contradiction betwixt the desiring of peace, and to arme our selues: since there is nothing more fréend to ease and peace, then knowledge and specculation: to the antiquitie it did seeme conuenient that the image of Pallace which is the Goddesse of science, should be portraited and figured armed.

128 DUetie requires that a fréend doo indeuour him selfe to yéeld helpe vnto an other freend, and must not expect and tarry vntill he be requested, for he that dooth so, dooth not only offer it thankfully, but dooth also cause it to be re­ceiued as thankfully: preuenting and taking away in his fréend a certaine shamefastnes and feare which dooth al­waies accompany y e demaunder, wherby it comes to passe that he receiues it with a more gratefull minde, and with greater disposition to yéelde the like againe in exchange.

129 A Prince dooth playe a verye wise parte, when he dooth procure to haue prudent and valiant Captaines for the warres, but without comparison it is much better to kéepe in his Courte wise men, for the victories of battailes dooth finally consist in the force of many, but the gouerne­ment of the Common-wealth sometimes is referred and credited, to the aduise and iudgement of one alone.

130 THat particular loue that princes very often shew more to one then to another, is a thousand times occasion of [Page] gréeuous alterations in kingdomes, for by reason that one is in disgrace and out of fauour, and another in loue and credit: there dooth spring vp harmefull hates, perniti­ous thoughtes and great enuye, the end whereof is wic­ked woordes, and finallye wicked déedes. And therefore that Prince that dooth make any difference in conuersati­on with those that be equall, dooth kindle and set fire in his Common-wealth.

131 AMongst all other offices, there is none wursse, then to take charge to chastise other mens vices▪ and therefore a wise man ought to flée this care, like the infection of the plague, for to reprehend vices: dooth spring greater hate a­gainst him that dooth chastice, thē there doth grow amend­ment in him that is chasticed.

132 PRinces and wise men ought to prohibite that seditious persons doo not disturbe the quiet of the people, for whē the people doo rise, the desire of riches is wakened, coue­tousnes doth encrease, iustice doth fall of it selfe, wicked persons preuaile, good men are reprehended: and finally, euery one dooth reioyce to liue to the preiudice of others, to the intent they may set forward their déeds to prefer their own proper commodities.

133 ALthough we excuse ordinarilye the fault of any man that hath cōmitted the same, notwithstanding there is no man found faultie, nor any fault which dooth not me­rite punishment: for if he did commit the same in his rage vpon the suddaine, it was a great euill and offence: but if he committed the same, pondering the case before hand, and with deliberation, it was much wursse.

134 IT is very good that we goe about to doo all thinges with reason, and it is good that we doo guide all our enterpri­ses in order▪ but yet in this there falles out to be great dif­ficulties. For wise and staid men in perfourming their af­faires, doo consider, reuolue & compasse with such diligence those inconueniences that may spring in y e same, that they neuer almost determine to resolue vpon any finall end.

135 [Page 16]REason requires, that that Cittizen which is in the state of a priuate person, is affable and curteous with his frends when he doth arise afterwards to beare the ti­tle of a Magistrate, that he should maintaine himself with them in the selfe-same degrée of humanitie: for euen as to become proude through the obtaining of perpetuall ho­nours newly gotten either by Fortune or by valour: is a demonstratiue signe of a vile & abiect minde. So to become hautie through the office of a Magistrate, which is shortly to take ende: is the signe of a minde that dooth possesse small modesty and vertue, for although honours do change manners and humours of men, yet for all that they ought to change them not into wursse, but into better.

136 ALl persons of iudgement that desire to obtaine any thing that is difficile to attaine vnto, procure to haue meanes to be able to obtain it, for many things are broght to passe if a man haue any great or good facility & dexterity in thē, which we lose whē we go about to get thē by force.

137 A Man must (so farre as is possible) kéep himself from e­mulations which are of most naughty nature, and en­dowed with apparēt customes, which haue in their mouth the contrarye to that which is their minde: and must double their tung, not suffering it vnaduisedlye to breake the bonds and the two bulwarkes of the teeth and the lips, amongst which nature hath shut vp the tung as in y e midst of a strong and double Fortresse.

138 HE that doth inuade & occupie a state, must gain the fa­uour of the souldiers with rewards and gifts, the good willes and grace of the people with the abundance of the Cittie, the beneuolence of the vniuersall cuntrie, with ease and with peace, and afterwards draw vnto him the affairs and actions of the old gouernment, that of the magistrats, and togither with the same: the authoritie of the lawe.

139 TO a general & captain besides his knowledge in the art of wars, it appertains to him to be indewed w t magna­nimity, temperance, fortitude, liberality & prudence, to him it is requisit to carry authority in his déeds, grauity in his [Page] woords, and to kéep faith in his promise, moreouer he must disgest and discourse vpon his affaires with great aduise­ment, deliberate vpon them with mature iudgements: and execute them with great celeritie. In his countenaunce he must shewe himselfe vnto his Souldiers wilde, alegre and sterne, he ought to be pleasant, humaine and benigne to­wards men, neuertheles, obseruing alwaies together with that manner of behauiour, his degrée and y e decorum of his dignitie: that he neither with his ouer-much familiaritie and homelines make his armye become dissolute and of small obedience, neither with ouer-much severitie bring them to be his enemies: and for so much as the beneuo­lence of the Souldiers is the most certaine hope to obtaine victorie, he must so frame his actions, that not onelye they may carry towards him a due respect and reuerence, but that they may more-ouer loue one another greatlye, and him especially, therefore he ought alwaies to reward and honour those that merites and contrariwise reproche and punish those that are faultie.

140 THe power of Fortune is very great in all humain ope­rations, yet greater in military affaires then in any o­ther, but vnstable, vnmeasurable and infinite in the deedes of armes. Where a commaundement euill vnderstoode, an appointed order euil executed, one rash temeritie, one vain voice euen of the meanest souldier, dooth oftentimes carry the victorie to them which appeare to be ouercommen, where at vnawares doo rise innumerable Accidents, which are impossible to be foreséene or gouerned by the counsel of the Generall or Captaines.

141 HE dooth most easilye deceiue others, who is reported neuer to deceiue, and which dooth couer with falshood that which is true.

142 ONe Iudge alone dooth very well and easily discearne matters, as well those that be true, as those that be sinisterly enterpreted, for so much as hate and enuy where they are many, may perfourme much more.

143 [Page 17]HOw much greater, and how much more important things are: so much more they are spoken of, and so muche lesse we doo gather and groape out the trueth, in respect that one sorte of men beleeue and declare for true, those things that they haue heard, whether they be true or false: othersome, although part of those things be true, yet alwaies they reporte them otherwise thē they are, and so with time they encrease, and those that come after to those things that they haue heard of their Auncestours, do alwaies adde and ioyne some-thing more.

144 THe heauens doo seldome times graunt that y e great­nes of priuat persons neare vnto Princes, doo endure perpetually, for that the one or the other dooth washe them away, hauing thē graunted the whole: there rests no more for them to gape after.

145 AT the hands of the Prince is alwaies expected some­thing more high and greater then of others: And as euerye one in particular dooth receiue a good parte, those thinges that be well doone of him: so contrariwise, the Prince is onely the man vpon whom doth fall all the hate and euill will of vniuersall errours.

146 TO procure fauours and authorities, sometimes with pompe and libertye, somtimes with watchfulnes and industrie, are harmfull and pernitious meanes when they are vsed fainedlye, to open the way to principalitye, and therfore it is the sayings of wise men, that the pathes that leades other men to principalities is very rough and diffi­cil, but when once a man is entred and slipt into them, the fauours and helpes of many doo concurre on all sides.

147 I Oftentimes doubt in my selfe, whether it be giuen to Princes from their birth (as in other thinges it is) to be­come propitious and fauourable towards these, and fro­ward and cruell towards these others: or that is infused and placed in our industrie, by means wherof it is graun­ted vs to walke in a meane path, to the intent that ouer obstinately we doo not oppose our selues against those that [Page] rule: and yet neuerthelesse, we are not to suffer our selues to fall headlong into a shamefull flatterie and seruitude, but we ought to procéed in such sorte, that neither through ambition, neither through ouer great couetousnes of glo­ry, we yéeld our selues ouercome, and therfore with grea­ter security we doo leade our liues, and with lesse perrill, if we make our selues subiect.

148 THe number of those was alwaies verye small, that knew how with prudence to distinguish & discearne the good from the euil, or the profitable from the damageable, but are accustomed for the most part by other mens euēts and chaunces to become better and more prudent.

149 THings that are not premeditated, doo hurt much more without comparison, then those y t are foreseen, therfore I call the mind of him great, couragious & experte, which doth wel gouern himself, and is not astonished at these pe­rils & accidents which chaunce vpon a sodain & vnawares.

150 THat common saying which is in the mouth of wise men of our time, did neuer please the antiquitie, if it be true: that is, that we ought to enioye the benefite of time, for that they did choose rather to enioy prudence and vertue, for so much as time dooth choose before it al things, and may come with it aswell the euill as the good, but pru­dence and vertue doth bring foorth nothing but that which is good.

151 ALthough to know the particular thoughts of man, be a thing proper to God: neuertheles, to know in generall the naturall inclination of a people or of any other Pro­uince, is a most easie thing, for the workes and operations therof being publike, it is requisite that they shew of force their mindes and desires, forth of the which afterwardes wise men doo gather either more or lesse then perticular draughts and determinations, according to the capacity of him, that hath the charge to penetrate and enter so farre.

152 I Was of opinion that I could not perseuer and discouer with often reuoluing and thinking vpon y t which I could [Page 18] not discearne at the first sight: but I knowe by proofe that how much the more a man doth think vpon his affaires: so much the better they are vnderstoode, and so much the bet­ter they are perfourmed.

153 PRinces haue soddainlye and spéedily that which comes in their appetite to desire, and therefore onelye this a­boue all other things, and without any stay they ought to procure, that their praise and glory maye at all times and specially if their posteritie be celibrated: for if there be any one that dooth goe about to dispraise the fame and memo­rye of the posteritie, he makes shewe that he is not studi­ous in that vertue by the which the same is obtained.

154 PRiuat men in their determinations ought to haue con­sideration of that which may be profitable for thē, but the condition and qualitie of a Prince is of an other sorte, for in their actions they are to haue respecte to their fame and good name.

155 PRinces were not first created to benefite themselues: for by that means no man should be put to so gréeuous seruilitie, but to profit the people, to the intent they might be wel gouerned, therfore when a prince hath more respect to himself thē to his people, he is no more a Prince but a Tirant.

156 SUbiects are better content to haue the prince néer hand then far off, for desiring to be good they haue more occa­sion to loue him, and delighting to be wicked more occasion to feare him: besides that there doth arise an other benefit that whosoeuer goes about to assault y e State, doth remain therby the more duetifull, and if he should resolue vppon the same, yet can he very hardly ouercome▪ for the presence of the prince doth woorke greater & more liuely effect in the mindes of those that obay, then the memory together with the hope y t is had of his comming can be able to performe.

157 GReatnes of State is better kept with discréete and moderate counsell, then with ouer-braue rash & head­long handling of our affaires.

158 [Page] A Generall or Captaine that dooth take glorye and ho­nour for his full scope and finall ende, ought to inde­uour himselfe to obtain fame: not with the toyle and with the perrils of others (as many are vsed to doo) but with the sweat and danger of his own person, and by the means of his proper vertue: and since it is a déed worthy of no lesse praise to extinguishe y e warres with counsel, then to end it by armes: he must goe about sometimes to doo y e one, som­times to doo the other: and let him carrye well in minde that the first successe of things, are those that doo make him fearefull to the enemy: and contrariwise, to be despised, and to be had in small consideration: for such as is the be­ginning, such oftentimes is the end accustomed to be. Let him likewise be circumspect in vsing of artificiall deceites, for small sinceritie or faithfull procéeding is suspected of him, that men once haue conceiued in opinion to be wun­ted to gouerne himselfe with doublenes and artificiall meanes.

159 WE ought euer to carry this consideration in all cau­ses to maintaine our dignitie, the which we often­times loose with haste to shew to be resolute in any thing, for those that haue to resolue vs doo estéeme (beholding our instance and care) that our necessitie is greater, then per­chaunce it is, wherby it comes to passe, that the standing vpon their punctor, and make shewe to doo vs a pleasure, as though it did proceed of great frendly curtesie, although indéed it fall out to be for their profit, many times there ariseth a certain pertinacie in them, of whom those things he demaunded, which indéed dooth woork their owne losse, for by reason of our haste, and of the great instance made to them, they become more proud, and doo not take the of­fered occasions.

160 AS it is a thing most certain, that warres are ouercome by preuentions & by diuersions, so it is most true that he receiues naughty counsell, that w tout euident necessity, makes an other mans warres, his own proper quarrell.

161 [Page 19] A Capable wit that knows how to make choise of time hath no occasion to lament him selfe that his life should be shorte, for he that can applye himselfe to infinite things, and spend his time profitably dooth gaine time.

162 MAny preache liberty, that if they did hope to haue a benefite more of a State that is straite, then of a free: they would run thither in poaste, for euery one hath respect to his owne proper profit, and fewe are to be found that haue knowledge of glory and honour.

163 EUery one in this worlde commits errours, forth of the which doth arise damage either more or lesse, according to the accidents and chaunces that dooth followe the same, but those haue very euill hopes that abase and intangle themselues in things of small importance, wherof succeeds small losse and as small dishonour.

164 HE that desires, to be beloued of his Superiours, it is requisite that he shewe himselfe to vse respect and re­uerence towards them▪ For nothing doth more offend the mindes of our betters, then that it should séeme vnto them that we doo not carry that respect and that reuerence to­wards them, that they iudge dooth appertaine vnto them.

165 WHosoeuer hath the charge of a Cittie that is to be besieged or assaulted, ought to make most mightye foundations and grounds vpon all those remedies which prolong the time, and to estéeme very muche euerye thing (although it be verye small) that takes away time from the enemy: for oftentimes one day, one hower of aduaun­tage doth bring foorth some accidents that may set thē frée and at liberty.

166 HE deceiues himselfe that resolues vpon the firste ad­uertisementes that come and are brought him tou­ching his affaires, for they alwaies ariue with greater heate and with greater terrour, then they fall out to be, when they grow to effect: therfore he that is not constrai­ned by necessitie, let him alwaies expect the second aduer­tisements, and the rest one after another.

167 [Page] IT is almost impossible, but that he which with a great and wonderfull efficacie dooth affirme a thing: should raise some ambiguitie, to beleeue the contrary, yea in the mindes of those that are resolutely determined.

168 WHen we proceed to giue beginning to the execution of any new, great and difficill thing although it be al­ready thorowly determined vpon: but diuers reasons pre­sent themselues vnto the mindes of men, which in contra­ry sence may be considered.

169 IT is very perilous to gouerne our selues by examples, if the selfesame reasons doo not concurre as well in the generall as also in the particular pointes, if the affaires be not ruled with the same prudence, and if besides that, in all the other grounds and foundations the verye selfe fortune doo not play his parte to woorke the like effects.

170 EUen as to suffer our selues to be ouercome by our af­fections, is a seruile act: so to restraine our rage & ire which is an impediment to our counsell, to vse victorye temporatly, which of it owne nature is proude and inso­lent: to rule our selues and appetites, which is the parte of a staide and woorthy hart, and to be humaine, benigne, and liberall towardes our enemie: is truelye a most fa­mous and princelye qualitye, woorthye of diuine and e­ternall memory.

171 THere is nothing more proper, more conuenient, more necessary, or more profitable to a Prince, then to be iust, liberall and benigne, for it appertaines to their pow­er and greatnes: to be mindefull of the oppressed, and to releeue other mens calamities, and speciallye for Kinges who are the liuely images of God.

172 WIcked and naughty persons haue power to doo euill, and although they doo it not, it is not so gratefull to behold that they doo it not, as it is noisome to thinke that they may doo it: and therefore without doubt it is a mise­rable thing to haue before our eyes that person that with­out any feare, alwaies when he will maye harme. And it [Page 20] most séems an impossible thing that he dooth not hurt, For knowing that the good cannot keepe companye or consorte with him, it is behouefull for him to beare them hatred, and knowing that they are followed and fauoured of all the rest that be good: it behoues him likewise to stand in feare of thē. Now therfore to escape from him that hates, that feares, and that hath power to doo euill: dooth arise more of aduenture then reason.

173 MY opinion is, that if nobilitie and grauitie (I speak of that, wherof men superficially make such estimation) doo not consist in any other thing then in the long successi­on of our auncestours beginnings and euents, and of good counsel: He may be called most noble & most graue, whose knowledge and whose counsell doth spring from these ac­cidents that are borne from the beginning of the world euen vntill this present time.

174 EUen as it is a great offēce for vs to praise those things that are of wicked and pernitious example: so it is no lesse sinne and shame to burye those in obliuion the which through their merites of vertue, deserue to be most highly celebrated.

175 THat Common-wealth where iustice is found for the poore, chastisement for those that be insolent & tirants, weight and measure in those things that are solde for the vse of man, exercise and discipline amongst yong men, small couetousnes amongst olde persons: can neuer pe­rishe.

176 A Prince ought not to beléeue, that to make choise of a good maister for his sonne is of small importance, for if in this point he doo not vse very great diligence, he dooth burden himselfe with a great fault: my opinion therefore is, that he ought not to giue the office of instructing his Sonne in such sort as other offices are giuen, that is either for requestes, either for giftes, either for importunitie, [Page] either for ametie, either else in respect to reward some ser­uice, for although some of his subiects haue béen Ambassa­dours in strange and forraine Countries, or the Generall of his armye, or that he hath borne in his royall Courte great offices, yet for all that it followes not, that he should be apt to instruct the Sonne of his Prince. For to be a good Generall, it is requisite for him to be ful of valour, and ve­rye fortunate: but to be the maister and instructour of a Prince, it is necessary that he be indowed with great ver­tue, ioyned together with a setled and staide minde.

177 IN the aduerse chaunces of our life, and in the persecuti­ons of fortune, where industrie and force dooth a little helpe, it is the best remedy to esteem of them like men, and to disseemble them like prudent persons.

178 HE that takes in hand to performe any enterprise, and afterwardes dooth not know how to issue foorth of the same, or to bring it to an end, either he shall faile in Con­science, or it is ouer troublesome and tedious, for he that is afraide of shame, and dooth possesse a worthie & noble hart, either must make an end of that enterprise he hath taken vpon him, or else declare the occasion that moues him to giue it ouer.

179 THis difference is discerned betwixt one Prince and an other, that he that is euill is onely obeyed, but he that is good, is both obeyed and loued, and besides that a good and vertuous prince, makes hard enterprises to séem light but with a tirant those that be light are made most hard, through their pernitious naughtines. Happy is he there­fore that is obeyed, but most happy the other that is both obeyed and loued, for the bodie becomes weary to obeye, but the minde is neuer wearied, neither euer satisfied wit [...] louing.

180 A Good Prince ought neuer to laye handes vpon an [...] man, for what iniurie soeuer he hath doone him, for hi [...] hands ought neuer to be exercised in the reuenging of in [...]iuries doon against him, but in defending and reuengin [...] [Page 21] the iniuries of those that obey him.

181 ONe of those things y t a wise Prince ought to haue an eye vnto: is, that his Gouernours or iudges, doo not consent, that in their Common-wealth y e auntient lawes be broken: and that they induce not new and strange cu­stomes, for the people is so variable and light, that euerye daye they would haue a newe Prince, and change newe lawes.

182 A Prince ought to make reckoning of his reuēn [...]es, but if he forget to redresse those offences and faultes that are committed in his Territories, and makes no account of them: he is woorthy of reprehension, for the people paye their tribute to the Prince, to the intent he may set them frée from their enemies, and defend them from Tirants.

183 THose things that terrifie procure enmitie, and against the encrease and proceeding therof, euery one dooth op­pose himselfe, but the prowesse of the hart and the bountye of the minde, and these things that are magnificently doon, with their shining quallities and beautie▪ doth moue euen our aduersaries and enemies to loue vs, and meruaile at vs, or rather to worship and reuerence vs.

184 NOthing is more easie, then in our thought and imagi­nation to drawe and set downe in what manner it is bettter to doo a thing after one sorte, then after another sorte, but to put it in execution is not so light a matter, for that there be many things, the which empeche, disturb and draw back those that execute the same.

185 IT is an honest parte to pardon those that be poore when they doo erre, and to examine himselfe to see if in his minde any di [...]fect peraduen ture dooth lye hid, to the in­tent he giue not to others that blame which he dooth me­rite himselfe: for oftentimes it comes to passe, either through lightnes or ouerthwartnes, or through y e haste or rage of our superiours, that those thinges that be well or­dained, are spoyled: and those enterprises, that with diligence and discretion are put in execution: fall out [Page] to the contrarye.

186 THose that doo sharpe and bitterly commaund, and for euery small foreseeing that falles out, become furi­ouslye angrye and in no case can be pacified, besides that they doo vniustly▪ they must think that they are enuironed with more enemies then fréends.

187 THere is great difficultie placed in endeuouring our selues in all things, not only to obserue measure: but also to establish in our thoughtes what measure is, for so much as offices and dueties doo change according to the persons, the times, the age▪ the nature, and the customes of men: the vse of places, countries, and according to other things, which are almost without matter: the which va­rietie he that would on a sodaine see and vnderstand, it is conuenient that he be of a sharp wit & quick consideration.

188 CErtainlye the substance of riches makes him verye proud and insolent, that possesseth the same as Ari­stotle doth say in his Rethorick, but he that doth wiselye beholde this parte, wil say with Senecca, that none is more woorthy or neere vnto God, then he that despiseth and scof­feth at riches: The which I doo not denye saith Senecca, that thou shouldest possesse: but I would haue thée to pos­sesse it not fearefullye, the which thou shalt doo by this one­ly meanes▪ if thou perswade thy selfe to liue happilye and in felicity without it, and if thou dost hebolde it with eyes, which are alwaies to faile thee.

189 THe antiquity doo hold, that wise men onely can do that which they desire, and y e wicked that which they haue appetite vnto, but not that which they desire, for they doo all thinges whilste by these thinges in which they delight they think to quiet them selues in that good which they de­sire, but they cannot obtaine it, for those that are wicked can neuer arise to fortitude.

190 WH [...]n any man doth go about to bring a wrathfull and furious person into the tearms of reasō and iustice▪ he doth shew himself that either he is not very wise, or ouer [Page 22] diligent: forsomuch [...]s when ire is enflamed and that it hath blinded the vnderstanding of many, he cannot be qui­eted through any consolation that he can haue: neither through any reason that can be tolde him.

191 WHen men of base qualitie doo approche and ioyne in amitie with the chéefest of the Cittie and contrari­wise when the riche and the mightye receiue those persons that be base and poore into their house: it seemes that both of them doo not care for the perfection of vertue, but onely intentiue about profite or pleasure: the which may be knowne by this, that they doo not goe about to procure themselues the seruice of honest men, iust, well mannered, and full of valour▪ but those that be liberall and rich, if the one and the other may be found: the rich in contrary sorte do not search for others, but such as be painefull, craftye, diligent, profitable and sparing, commending such more then any vertuous quality.

192 EUen as the pride of any person with familiaritie, with often discourses, and with pleasantnes, is asswaged and made more modest: so with hautines, with melancholye and with taciturnitie it is made more lofty and rude.

103 FRéends of base qualitye ought to dispise themselues in such sort with their bettters, that not only they doo not touch and iniuriously moue the ouer-great familiaritye of the mightye in their iestes: but also confesse that they are bound vnto them for that they are so domestically vsed.

194 LEt no man estéem so much his own proper counsel, but that he suffer himselfe sometimes to be gouerned ac­cording to the aduice of others: for that man which dooth despise and make no account of other mens opinions, and will onlye followhis owne: let him hold himselfe assured, that he shall commit errours in many things.

195 IT is no prudence to iudge things by their effects: for ma­ny times affaires that haue been well managed in coun­sell, [Page] haue had no good end: and those that haue béene euill counselled haue had a good end. And if we should commend pernitious counselles, for their good end: we should doo no­thing else, but giue courage to men to erre, which dooth greatly turne to the damage of Common-wealthes, for alwaies euill counsell falles not out happily, so should we erre if we did reprehend a wise determination, which hath not a ioyfull ende: for that it takes awaye the courage of Citizens to giue counsell to the Cittie, and to speake that which they vnderstand.

196 WHen it dooth chaunce vnto vs to denye anye thing through necessitie, to assure the person that dooth de­maund the same of his good will, it is requisite immediat­ly to set an other abroache (if you haue one) to offer him and that largely: in such sorte, as he may knowe that you make account of him, and that you desire to pleasure him▪ and by this meane vsed with respect, he is sooner satisfied, if he haue any ioynt of humanitie, then by any other means, by the which should be graūted him that he did demaund. So men doo suffer thēselues to be ouercome by the nature of curteous woordes, and become angrye at those actions which are not accomplished with curtesie.

197 DEtraction and flatterie are two vices to be shunned of euery honest person, but much more of those that make profession of good & of exemplar life: for that in such, euerye small diffect that is discouered, is sufficient to per­swade, that their other good operations haue béen alwaies doon fainedly, and for any other end then to doo good▪ but in others that are not bound to so straite a life, but haue al­waies remained in a certaine honest liberty: it seemes that they are noted for lesse vitious, when speciallye they are directed to doo good, for when we goe about by flatterie to make any one the more our freend, and not that he by the meanes of our flatterie should become wicked: it is more to be borne withal. So detraction or speaking euill of any person, when it is doone against any one, which dooth [Page 23] manifestlye empeche principall determinations: and then when any vice of his is di [...]couered, and speciallye of those that doo harme vertue, wherof he of whome euill is spoken doth greatly make profession as should fall out: if of a good profession, he make some naughty and wicked practise, if of liberall, some signe of couetousnes: For all that it is neces­sary it should be doone with so great modesty, and in things so manifest, that it may appeare rather that occasion doth force thée, then that it dooth arise of thy owne will and pleasure.

198 IT may be saide with reason, that there is no diffect, but that occasion may cause it to be accepted for lesse euill: for time is the head and foundation that makes vs able to conclude euerye qualitye of busines, how difficile soeuer it be: as contrariwise, to woorke any thing out of time, is an occasion that those that be easie, become almoste impossible.

199 PEople ground themselues vpon vaine hope and fallible determinations, hardie when they are farre off from perrilles, fainte harted and weake minded when per­rilles are neere at hand: doo obserue no moderation in their dooings.

200 IT is very hard to answer or concur with the conceites of men, wherfore the most parte are not of a due & mature consideration: neither measuring things with their right proportions.

201 IN publick affaires we ought diligentlye to consider of the beginnings, for that it is not after in the power of men, to part from the deliberations alreadye made, and in the which they haue perseuered long time, without disho­nour and perrill.

202 THe hope of forraine persons measured rather with de­sire then with reason, doo almost alwaies fall out to be fallible and most vaine.

203 THe authority of those that reprehend things that haue succeeded vnluckelye, would be oftentimes lesse: if in [Page] the selfesame time we could know, that which would haue faulne out if we had proceeded diuerslye.

204 WArres are made with the weapons of Souldiers and with the counsell of Captaines, they are accom­plished by fighting in Campania, not with the draughtes which those men that are vnexpert in warfare do set down vpon papers, and doo paynte out with their Pencilles, or with their fingers or a rod in the dust.

205 THat which is desired of many dooth seldome times suc­ceede, for the effects of humaine actions doth commonly depend vpon the willes of fewe, and the finall end and in­tention of these, being almost alwaies diuers and varying from the ends and intention of many: the things can very hardly succéed otherwise then according to the intention of those, that giue them their first motion.

206 IT is a rash temeritie to determine to enter into warres by the which if it fall out vnfortunately, we are to par­ticipate of parte of all y e euills, more then our rates comes to: but succéeding prosperouslye, not to haue any portion therof, euen of the least parte of the benefites.

207 NEwtralitie in the warres of others, is a commenda­ble thing, and by the which molestations and expen­ces are shunned, when thy forces are not so weake that thou art to feare the victories of euerye one of the par­ties: for then it brings vnto thée great securitie, and ve­rye often their greatnes, meanes for thee to encrease thy state.

208 Manye beleeue that death is a thing to be desired of those that are in the height of prosperitie, but it is a most happie death of him that dyes, hauing gained a glo­rious victorie.

209 WIse men doo not alwaies discearne and iudge per­fectly: it behoues that oftentimes that there be shewed signes of weakenes in humaine vnderstanding.

210 HE that hath to make lawes to sundrye persons that haue sundry endes not conformable to his owne: can [Page 24] no long time make foundation in y e confederations made with them, forsomuch as the affaires in confederations, may be by aduerse and sundry chaunces reduced into ma­ny difficulties.

211 CElestiall predictions in prosperity are smally credited, but when aduersities begin to appeare, they are ouer­much beleeued.

212 IT is a greater difficultie without comparison, to kéepe and conserue from the lesse perrils that which remaines when once we begin to decline, then it is to him that dooth enforce & endeuour himselfe to maintain his own dignity and degrée, if he turne himselfe spéedilye against him that dooth go about to oppresse him, without making any signe that he is willing to giue place.

213 IN those warres commonly made of many Princes, a­gainst one alone: is accustomed to arise greater feares then effectes: for the firste furies are soone spéedily asswa­ged, whilste there dooth spéedily beginne to spring varietie of opinions, which dooth amongst them weaken their leage of faith.

214 IN the action of armes, the condition and partie is farre better of him that stayes and expectes to be assaul­ted, then of him that dooth goe about to assault an other.

215 THe clemencie of Princes hath alwaies brought them beneuolence and reputation. Cruelty (where it is not necessarye) hath alwaies wrought contrary effectes, nei­ther as many dooth vnprudently beléeue, hath it remoued the impediments and difficulties: but encreased them, and made them greater.

216 IN the armyes of leages, prouisions do neuer concur to­gether in one selftime: And amongst so many wills, whē there is sundry interests and sundry ends, there dooth easi­ly arise, disorders, discords, displeasures & mistrustes, and [Page] neuer is there found any prompt spéedines to execute gal­lantly when the fauour of fortune dooth shew her selfe be­nigne and fauourable, neither of disposition to resist con­stantly when she dooth li [...] to frowne.

217 IT is a most perrilous parte, to consorte our selues in a­ny warre, in the which the mighty prouisions of the con­federates may as well hurt as benefit.

218 IT is a more prudent and a more easie counsell to goe a­bout to establishe amitie with him that vnwillinglye would become thy enemye, then with him that at no time can become thy freend.

219 HE is to be blamed that through ouer aboundant su­spition and mistrust, dooth depriue himselfe of those great occasions which he with difficulties and perrils hath gained, but much more he is to be reprehended which doth it through a fearefull and base minde, then he that doth it through generositie and greatnes.

220 IT comes by nature, that a [...]ter suspect followes hate, af­ter hate followes harmes, after harmes followes the familiaritie and confederations with the enemies of him that hath offended, and the determination not onely to as­sure himselfe, but to gaine: Moreouer, with the ruine of the endamaged, the memory of the iniurye, greater with­out doubt and more displeasant in him that dooth it then in him that receiues it.

221 THe principall grounds in determining vpon any enter­prise be, the iustice and right of the cause, the facilitie and easines to ouercome, the fruit and commodity of the victorie.

222 THe desire of liberty almost a thing naturall in al men ought to consist in the equall proportion of the condi­tions, artes, and qualities of the Citizens, a most necessary foundation in populare gouernment.

223 AS the distribution of Magistrates, and the determi­nation of the lawes dependes vpon the arbitriment of fewe: the Citizens then being intentiue, not about pub­like [Page 25] profites, but about couetous and priuate affaires, there dooth arise particular sects and conspiracies, with the which the deuisions of the Cittie doo ioyne themselues, a most assured plague and death to the Common-wea [...]h [...]s of empires and gouernments.

224 IT was neuer accounted wisdome to determin vpon any matter of moment, without long consultation and with­out reuoluing and disgesting the same in our mindes, [...]n infinite number of times.

225 OF his owne nature nothing is more shorte, nothing doth liue a lesse while then the memory of ben [...]ites, and so much the greater they be: so much the more they a [...]e paid with the partes of ingratitude, for he that cannot nor will not blot them out with requitalles: dooth oftentimes goe about to deface them, by perswading himselfe that they haue not been so great as they were, and those which become ashamed that they were brought into such tearms that they haue had néed of benefites, growe to be displesed that they haue receiued them: in such sorte that hate is of more effect in them, through the auntient memory of their necessitie, into which they did fall: then the bond of the ob­ligation through the confederation of the curtesie which hath béen vsed vnto them.

226 WHere insolence is: there is blindenes, where vaine lightnes is: there is no knowledge of vertue, no iudgement to discearne the actions of others, neither no grauitie to measure that which is conuenient to him selfe.

227 THe practises, the preparations, and the opperations of confederates: are differred, interrupted broken off, and varied, according to the forces, according to the ends, and according to the counselles of Princes, whereby it is not easie to make an assured and firme knotte and vnion, where there be diuersities of mindes, variety of wils, and change of conditions and qualities:

228 [Page] PRinces that bend of their owne proper inclination to preferre vtilitie before fidelitie, are easilye perswaded the selfesame that other Princes are.

229 THe common people of his nature is couetous alwaies of new things, who are easie to be filled [...] er­rours and with false perswaisions, euen as [...] waues of the Sea are rouled forward with the blast [...] [...] winde.

230 AS of an vnexpert and vncapable iudge, we cannot look for a right sentence: so of a people that is full of con­fusion and ignoraunce, we cannot look for but by meare chaunce, an election and deliberation of reason and dis­cretion.

231 IT is the nature of men when they departe from one ex­treme in the which they haue béene holden violentlye, to runne voluntarily without staying in the meane, into o­ther extremeties.

232 THe successe of warres depend for the most parte of re­putations: the which when they decline, the valour and vertue of the Souldiers likewise decline, the fidelitye of the people deminishe, the reuenues appointed to sustain the warres grow to be nothing, & contrariwise the minde of the enemies encrease, doubts are nourished, and al sorts of difficulties doo augment infinitely.

233 IN all humaine actions it is oftentimes requisite to ac­commodate and frame our counsell to our necessitie, neither for the desire we haue to obtaine that part which is ouer difficile and almost impossible to put all to the ha­zard of manifest perrilles.

234 THose leages wherin there chaunceth to be many po­tentates, are not so firme or of such concord, but that we may hope that they wil become colder, or some of them to dis-vnite himselfe from the rest.

235 IT is the nature of men, that those things which in the beginning present themselues verye teriblye: doo in [Page 26] such sorte can [...]ell and diminish the same from day to day, that if no newe accidents doo arise that may make freshe and quicken the terrour and feare they haue: They make themselues in the processe of small time, almost assured.

236 EUery one that dooth perceiue and smelles out, that there is no account made of him: becomes angry, an­ger makes him bolde, or else somtimes to applye himselfe to thinke moste perrillous thinges the which oftentimes comes to passe: and cheefely if to audacitie, any authority be ioyned to some singular quality that is in the person of him that is growne so audatious.

237 PErrillous determinations and practises, so much the more they are considered of, so much the vnwillinglye they are taken in hand: wherupon it dooth alwaies come to passe, that those commorations and rebellions that giue space of time to the execution of them: are dis­couered.

238 THe name of liberty is so woorthy a thing, that no force can tame it, no time can consume it, and no merite can counterpese it: in so much as to go about to maintain ser­uilitie in a frée Citie: forrain forces are not sufficient, and of those within the same, a man can put no confidence, for those that be now freendes, and comfort others to take v­pon them the Signorie: when they haue by the authori­tie of their new Lord ouerthrowen their enemies, they go about afterwardes as they can or maye, to thrust out the Prince, and make themselues Lords.

239 TO one that is accustomed to liue lose and at libertye, e­uery chaine is waighty, and euery bond dooth pinch, al­though to finde a violent state with a good Prince, is al­most impossible: for of necessitie it is conuenient, either that they become like, or else that spéedilye the one or the other doo ruinate.

240 [Page] THat Cittie that would maintaine it selfe more by sects and factions then by lawes: when one sect doth remain at home without opposition: of necessity it comes to passe, that it deuide it selfe, for from these priuat meanes it can­not defend it self, the which for her safetie she had firste or­dained.

241 TIme is not euer altogether commodious to woorke a thing in, in such sort, that whosoeuer doth expect all the commodities, or else dooth neuer attempt any thing: or if he doo attempt it, doth performe it for the most parte to his disaduauntage.

242 AS Er [...]onices which otherwise should be smal, become in warres capitall, hauing against him a prepared e­nemy, which giues no time to vnderstand them, but dooth indeuour himselfe to encrease them with industrie, sear­ching alwaies to drawe the victorie wholye vnto him: so in like sorte, small errours made in demaunding of ho­nours, become most gréeuous and heauye, and a small mutation of our willes dooth engender in vs great ef­fectes.

243 IT is apparentlye séene, that when anye resolution is made, either with ouer spéedye or wich ouer great affec­tion: alwaies we doo that which is euill, for so much as the one dooth not giue vs time to finde out and discipher those things that ought to be cōsidered of before we conclude: the other dooth so busie and occupy our mindes that it doth not suffer vs to know any thing, but that which doth vrge at that instant. To these two sorts of men two other may be ioyned, and that is that we finde some, that although they haue sufficient time to be able to consider and are voyde of affection: neuerthelesse, through a certain natu­rall folly or incapacity, or through a continuall negligence they vse in their affaires: do neuer perform any good thing or accomplishments to the purpose.

244 WHen our affaires are reduced into such tearmes, that there remaines no other hope then the proui­dence [Page 27] of God: to hazard and aduenture, enter in, to sup­plye the place of reason and of prudence, in such sorte that we ought not to leaue off to attempt those thinges that séeme vnto vs to be of small foundation, in respect of hu­maine prudence: for so much as our most blessed Sauiour and God, many times, to the intent to make the wise­domes of the worlde appeare vaine, suffers a some certain sorte of people, to runne into great calamities: for that he dooth giue and send vs his mercie, in those causes in the which the grounds of reason dooth faile vs.

245 EUen as melancholly and heauines of the minde vnder which Ielosie is comprehended: euen as suspition, feare, and such other humours chaunce vnto men and to their mindes: so likewise dooth the very same fall out in the negotiation of our affaires, for so much as after be­ginning is giuen to any enterprise, the minister & executor therof be not patient to conserue it whole: then will arise vnto him infinite accidents, which will be apt to bring him into infirmitie, and moreouer to make him dye. Therfore it is necessary before things are moued, to consider well of all those contraries that may fall out, as well of the Am­bassadours parte, as of his Princes parte, and as well of those with whome he shall negotiate, as of euerye other person.

246 IT is a wonderful and very perilous parte for him that goes about to set at liberty any people, that in any case desires to remaine in seruitude and slauerie.

247 IT is a perillous matter to nourish one that hath great reputation vniuersallye, for as it is easie to oppresse and withstand disorders at the beginning, so suffering them to encrease, it is a more hard matter to yéeld remedye.

248 GOod Citizens, in the gouernment of Common-wealthes, ought to take so much as is giuen them of men and the lawes: and in so dooing they shall neither in­curre perrill nor enuie: for that which a man dooth take, and not that which is giuen vnto a man, dooth cause him [Page] to be hated, and such persons shal obtaine more then those that going about to get other mens portions lose their own: and before they lose the same, liue in continual gréef and sorrowe.

249 FOr that seruilitie dooth drawe after it the effectes and humoures of feare, and that by so much the more, by how much it is violent and base, it falles out of necessitie, that no lesse the Tirant then he that is tirannised, should be full of terrour and feare: for he that commaunds ouer seruile persons is not frée, and a Tirant being such a one, it followes that he should be seruile as well as his people: and so both of the one side and the other dooth arise forcible actes and great indignities, in such maner that feare dooth alwaies spring and encrease.

250 ARmes, Lawes, and diuine honours in a wel gouerned Citie or Common-wealth, can neuer be seperated but with destruction of euery one of them, for that being vni­ted together, they are maintained entire ruling one an o­ther, and so soone as they are disseuered: that which per­aduenture without his two companions, did séeme by it selfe to be sufficient: dooth speedilye fall if it be not succou­red, wherfore it is requisite that they haue the three qua­lities of the soule or minde of man: which is Uigilatiue, Sensatiue, and Intellectiue: which are not to make three soules, but one onlye act by the operation of thrée powers, and so consequentlye we are of no value in humaine per­fections: without reciprocall aide and helpe.

251 IN warfare, valour and art are of great woorthines, but their perfection consistes in knowing how to vse morrall vertues: and vnderstanding poleticke affaires: and in treading the footsteppes of ancient and good Captaines.

252 IN the times and cases important in warfare, we ought to giue intire authoritie to him that dooth merite the [Page 28] same, and to put in him the full managing thereof, yet with this prouiso, that he haue about him Counsellers of good vnderstanding, with whome he may conferre all the whole course of his enterprises.

253 IN the accidents of humaine chaunces, doubtfull causes are alwaies consulted vpon: for it appertaines not to make any consultation vpon those that be certaine: for doubts doo spring of that which is within the compasse and power of chaunce, and not of prudence: wherefore we ought to consider how many partes there is within the one and the other: for in consultation when a man is not constrained by necessitie, and his beginning dooth depend wholye of his owne will, which is altogither frée: he dooth tosse in his minde touching the succession of his en­terprise, whither is greater, his hope or his feare: and takes resolution not to attempt the same, when mear [...] chaunce is to haue greatest force: and contrariwise to at­tempt the same when prudence ought to haue the greater swaye.

254 HE that is meanelye wicked, and likewise he that is meanelye good, dooth euill in the handes of one that is verye mightilye wicked, but the verye mightye good person, dooth ouercome the very mighty euill person.

255 WHen Common-wealthes are well administred, the persecutions of the enuious which through our good woorkes they practise against vs, doo fall out to be to our greater aduauncement: for being constrained by the trueth, to bring foorth and perfourme actes contrarye to their motions and procéeding: they doo that against vs, which a Racket dooth against a tennice ball, the which by how much the more it is stricken, by so much the more it doth rebound in height, and therefore in stead of abasing vs, they doo exalte vs.

256 [Page]IT is no doubt but that other mens continuall seueritie, dooth exasperate our mindes, but euen as the ouer-much fatherly pardoning suffers the childe to runne astraye to a licentious and a disobedient life: euen so the ouer-great abundance of pleasures in a Prince, dooth spoyle his Citi­zens and his Souldiers, and is yet an occasion of greater domage, when it is vsed with persons of account & degree: for those that be heads and principalles by offering things not lawfull, take possession and become maisters of their administrations: and besides that by little and litle to be their superiours: And moreouer, their insolence maye woorke more pernitious effects then can that of the multi­tude, it being very easie to knowe, whither many persons gathered together bend themselues, as it is a thing of difficile vnderstanding to discipher the secrets of one man alone.

257 WE may graunt vnto our fréends and vnto good Prin­ces, the entire possession of our goods & of our liues, but not of our soule: if they cause vs to doo vniust and dis­honest actions.

258 WHen the multitude are not well pleased with their Prince, by beholding the like slacknes in others, and that they all remain in y e selfesame tearms, they are much lesse afflicted, and likewise for that not without great cause they vnite themselues to rebell against a good & legitimate Prince, they supporte and beare his displeasure: After through the aboundance of people in a state of sundrie and diuers humours, and that for the most part are of a weake vnderstanding, by little and little they forget the same: But when a man of great account dooth not rest satisfied touching any his important request, he retaines the dis­daine in the deapth of his minde: and according to the oc­currence, may conuert it into a pernitious execution.

259 WHen a Prince is sought vnto by any great perso­nage, for any thing of importance: and that he will [Page 29] not graunt the same: he ought to consider of two things. The one is the necessarye circumstances, that is to saye, those things wherof dooth spring euill satisfaction, the per­son that is euill content, and the time wherein the same dooth occurre: the other is to be aduertised and haue in memory, to counterpease one benefite with one that hath been refused and reiected.

260 THe administration of a peaceable state, is that which dooth conserue those things that are gained in time of war, & as the studies of peace yeeld ciuil prudence, y t which dooth accommodate our discourse touching the maner how to make warres: so likewise they maintaine them, after we haue brought backe victorie: For the facultie to ex­ercise warres against our enemies, foiling those men that are not good, but in the same: come to hands together, to contend and to exercise in some sort their wittes and their forces, in the which they are of value, being constrained by their nature and discipline, to woorke according to their knowledge, and according to their abilitie.

261 A Good Souldiour is like vnto bright Stéele the which dooth keep his bright shining glosse whilste it is in con­tinuall exercise, but being not wrought withall takes rust: rust bréeds to an eating cancker, and cancker makes con­tagion, in such sort, that right Souldiours which are not good: to any other end then to manage and handle wea­pons, in times of peace they suffer great damage in them­selues: and cause others to be pertakers therof.

262 CIuilitie and warfare, ought necessarily to be ioyned together: for constraining the wicked to take armes, if we be not well prouided and of good vnderstanding either the common quiet will be continually disturbed, or else we must chase them out of the Citie and State: al­though the same be ruled with a very good gouernment.

263 IT falls out often in cōtentions that he which seeth him­selfe excluded, or that is fauoured of himselfe, doth runne headlong (setting aparte all respects) rather to some third [Page] person, then to giue place vnto him that dooth oppose him­selfe against his intention.

264 MEn haue no greater enemies then ouer-great pro­sperities, for that it makes them impotent of themselues: licentious, and bolde to commit euill, and desirous to desturbe their proper benefites and goods, with new deuises.

265 THe infamie of timeritie: hurtes Generalls and Cap­taines, more then the glory of victorie dooth benefite them: for temeritie commits many errours, and is attri­buted wholy to the Captaine, but the prosperous successe in matters of warfare at the least, according to the opini­on of men, is communicated to many.

266 IT is the office and parte of a wise Generall casting in his minde, how often it is necessarye in warres to varie deliberations, according to the varietie of the accidents: to feare and accommodate from the beginning so much as lyes in him, prouidently for all chaunces, and for all coun­selles, for euen as the happie successe of enterprises, gaine to the Generall the beneuolence of y e Armie: so those that are vnfortunate get him hate and euill will.

267 A Prudent man ought not to suspect that smal credit and faith is giuen vnto him: and if he suspect the same, he must so order the matter, that the wicked doo not knowe that he hath suspition of thē: to the intent that through feare, licence doo not increace in them, and that they take not away their diligence & promptnes from others.

268 TOuching newe doubts, it is either good to faigne not to knowe them, or else cloake them, not confirming them by beléeuing them: for so much as for the most parte either they are altogither false, or else much lesse then that which is beleeued of them.

269 THose which exhort vs to doo any thing in the night, are oftentimes moued to commit some licētious errours, [Page 30] for that the night couers in them that which the daye doth discouer, which is either feare or shame.

270 PRinces in the hands of whom, God did place for no o­ther end, rule & empire, but to the intent men might haue recourse from the vnmoueable and dead lawes, vn­to the quick and breathing: if with the adorned woorke of charitie they doo not searche to imitate them: they are not onely gréeuouslye reprehended of euery one, but they doo deseruedlye incurre the displeasure and hatred of his de­uine maiestie.

271 WArres at home are much more difficille and perril­lous then abroade: for defence is made more easilye abroade and a farre off, then at home by our owne doores: but if it be at home, it is no sound counsell to remoue it further, before that which is néere and at hand be exstin­guished.

272 THe malignitie and the imprudence of ministers and officers about Princes, maye doo muche that other through negligence doo not apply their affaires, or through wante of capacitie doo not discearne of them-selues good counsell from euill.

273 THe euent of things is commonlye had in considerati­on of men, by the which sometimes with praise some­times with infamie, according as they be either happye or ouerthwart, doo alwaies attribute to councell that which oftentimes procéeds of fortune.

274 THe first and the cheefest praise in militarie discipline, consists more in not putting our selues in perill with­out necessitie, in making the indeuours of our aduersaries vaine: by industrie, by patience, and by arte: then by figh­ting most couragiously or furiously.

275 THe multitude haue béene accustomed to take pleasure in swéete and delicate counselles, rather then in those that be mature and ripe, and oftentimes account them for woorthie persons that doo not measure their affaires prudently.

276 [Page] TO doo benefites to him that doth perswade himselfe, to haue receiued many iniuries: are not sufficient to can­sell out of his euill disposed minde the memorye of the of­fences: cheefely when the benefite is doon in such a time, that it séemes it proceedes more of necessitie then of any voluntary desire.

277 THe counselles and the secret grounds of Princes af­faires & actions, are dispersed abroade for y e most parte in a farre disagreeing sort from that which is true in ef­fect: for it falles to be commodious for them to doo one thing, whilste the worlde doth beléeue another thing.

278 PEace is a most desired and sacred thing, when it dooth assure vs from suspitions, when it dooth not augment perrilles, when it doth induce men to be able to rest, and to lighten them of expences: but when it brings foorth con­trarie effects, and pernitious warres vnder the name of a traiterous and disceitfull peace, it is a pestiferous venome vnder the name of a hoalesome medicine.

279 AMbassadours are the eyes and the eares of States, and the other offices the eyes of Princes, but woe be vnto that Prince, that sometimes doth not sée without those eyes.

280 THere is great difference betwixt hauing of the Sub­iects desperate, and the hauing of them mal-content: for the first doo not thinke vpon any other thing then vpon the change and the mutation of the State, the which they goe about to performe, with the hazard of many perrils: the second desire newe thinges, but they doo not stirre vp occasions, but expect the comming of them by them­selues.

281 WE ought to look for effectes and not for demonstrati­ons, and superficiall showes and proceedings in cau­ses: and yet neuerthelesse it is an incredible thing, what grace & fauour, curtesie and humanity doth obtaine vs a­mongst men, I iudge the reason is, for that euery one doth beleeue and estéeme himselfe to merite much more then he [Page 31] doth deserue or merite▪ and therefore he becomes displea­sed when he perceiues, that that account is not made of him that seemes to appertaine vnto him.

282 SUubiects can not be well gouerned without seueritie, but it ought to be mixt with dexteritie; by making great demonstrations, to the intent the people may be­leeue that crueltie doth not please thée, but that thou doost vse it of necessitie, for the commoditye of the Common-wealth.

283 A Man must alwaies kéepe and restraine himselfe from those things that doo hurt or not benefite: therefore he ought not to speake any thing that dooth displease, neither in presence nor in absence, without necessitie: for it is a great follie to make people our enemies without purpose.

284 HE that enters into perrilles without considering of those things that may importe, is to be called beast­lye; but he that dooth knowe them before hand, and dooth enter into them franckly, either through necessitie or for some honourable occasions, is to be called a most coura­gious man.

285 HE dooth erre and is much disceiued that dooth say that letters and study spoile the braines of men, although perchaunce it be true in those that haue weak and vnstay­ed heads: but where learning findes a good naturall wit, it makes it perfect: for a good nature ioyned with a good ac­cident, makes an excellent composition.

286 THat glory is to be accounted vaine the which is gained or sought out by the iniruie of others: but that is the true, honest and immortall glorye, which is gained not by the destruction of people, and the ouerthrowe of Citties: but by y e knitting and vniting them in good concord, dooth giue them assured quietnes, and dooth deliuer them from the sorrowes and miseries that dooth afflict them.

287 NEw and vnaccustomed counselles, at the firste sight séeme to be good and glorious, but they fall out after­wards [Page] without doubt, to be more fallible and more perri­lous, then those that reason and experience hath approued in all ages, and amongst all men.

288 ALl the fruite that is reaped by hauing ouercome, consistes in the well vsing of the victorie, and not to vse the same well: the infamie is so much greater then not to ouercome, by how much the more it is a greater faulte to be deceiued of those thinges that are in the power of them that are deceiued, then of those that depend of Fortune.

289 THe common people neither haue nor vse any mean, for when they doo not doubt, they endeuour themselues fo make others afraide: and when they are afraide them­selues, then they may without perrills be managed.

290 DOubtfull and headlong determinations, appertaine vnto him that hath difficile and sinister state, or vnto him that is pricked forward with ambition and couetous­nes to make his name famous, and dooth feare that he shall want time.

291 IT is fit for prudent men, to consider the perrilles which lye hid vnder hope and couetousnes, and much more the end then the beginning of any thing.

292 WOrldly affaires are all of them subiect to many per­rilles, but wise men know that all that which is euil and may chaunce, comes not euer forward, for either by the benefite of fortune or of chaunce, many perils become vaine, many vanishe awaye through prudence and in­dustrie, and therefore we ought not to confound feare with prudence.

293 THose are not to be reputed for wise, that presuppose for certaine all those perrils that are or séeme doubtful, and being afraide all thinges rule themselues in their de­terminations, (as if all were to succeed and come to passe) or rather in no case, can we call those prudent and wise, that are more affraide of future things then they ought: For to deserue the name of wise and to be had in praise, ap­pertaines [Page 32] muche more to those that be couragious. For knowing and considering the perrilles, they discourse and reuolue in thēselues, how often men sometimes haue by chaunce, sometimes by force, valour and vertue, made free themselues from many difficulties.

294 WIse men, that in their deliberations doo call no lesse into counsell, hope then feare: neither presuppose and take for certaine, vncertaine euents: doo not so easilye refuse and reiect profitable and honourable occasions, as rash men doo.

295 WHen as the desire to enlarge, or the ielousie to main­tain, or the feare to loose, dooth once enter into the minde of a Prince, he neuer thinkes vpon, either the cir­cumstances of giuen faith, the bonds of freendship, or recei­ued benefites: an example heereof may be taken of Lodo­wick S [...]orce, who in change to shewe himselfe gratefull to Charles the eight, for the benefites receiued of him: not onely, did not defend him from the perrill of loosing the state, but did helpe to chase him out of Italye, by violating the faith of amitie: breaking in sunder the league, and ioy­ning himselfe to his enemies, only in respect to kéepe and preserue his estate, and for feare of the ouer great rising, might and power of King Charles.

296 IT is an imprudence and a pusillanimitie, where the health and safetie of all persons is touched and had in discourse, to bring indignities into consideration: and not to knowe how to force himselfe to performe the consi­deration of the State, before his proper will and af­fections.

297 IN taking of counsell, many thinges are to be had respect vnto, but principallye two, prudence in him that hath to receiue counsell, and fidelitie in him that is to giue coun­sell: for so much, as counsell being nothing else but a well considered discourse of certaine thinges, whither they are to be doone, or not to be do [...]e: if he that [Page] is to receiue counsell be not prudent, he will not receiue that which shalbe offered him as for the best: but will fol­lowe that which is most agreeable to his owne minde: for if he be not prudent, foolishe thinges will please him: and not being capable of that which is good and true, he will followe that which is naught and foolishe: and so peruer­ting all order, it will neuer be possible for him either to per­forme woorks, or giue end to any action that will fall out well. And on the other side, if he that giues counsell be not faithfull: he will so cunningly with a thousand cullours, couer and shadowe the truethes, drawing him back to his intent, end, and purpose: and winding in the receiuer with counsel, that he beléeuing him, in the ende shall finde himselfe to be disceiued: and so hauing taken and tas [...]ed wicked and naughtye counsell, for that which is good: he will call to memorye, but ouer-late, the vnfaithfulnes of his Counsellour.

298 IMportant consultations in matters of state, are con­tained vnder fiue subiectes and rules, about the which Gouernours make discourse. That is, either touching the reuennues of the State or Prouince, or touching peace or warres, or touching the garde of Prouinces, or touching victua [...]les that are to be brought into or taken out of the saide Prouinces, or touching the lawes, vpon which af­faires he that dooth consult, cannot doo it well, vnlesse he be well informed therof: and moreouer, of all the circum­stances touching which he is to giue counsell.

299 A Man ought to take care, not onely: not to take coun­sell of him that hates him, but also of those persons that carrye hate to others: although they were the ene­mies of him that is counselled. To the intent, that he by accepting such counsell, it chaunce not vnto him to cha­stice any one of his enemies, or peraduenture more then he that counsells him, that he fall not into some inconue­nience, not able to be remedied.

300 [Page 33]AFter that any potentate hath well consulted vpon the affaires and prouisions for warres, he ought not to varie from his purpose, but ought to be resolute in his enterprises: for so much, as to remaine in a doubtfull minde and to hang in suspence, bending himselfe somtimes to doo one thing, sometimes another, doth cause many dis­orders, but y t which doth greatly importe, is: that he giues time to the enemy, not so much to thinke vpon the waies how to defend himselfe, as to make preparations to enda­mage and offend thée.

301 IT is necessary, that he that sets forward or doth moue any warres, remaine alwaies prepared and watchfull, and intentiue in his minde, to euerye accident or chaunce that ariseth: and be making of prouisions for all such things as may chaunce to occurre, and for his first intenti­on, he must beware he moue not warres vniustlye: and that he prouide he be not alone, to consider against what Potentate he dooth moue the same, that is to say: that the enemy haue not the protection of a Prince that is more mightye then he that makes [...]he warres: to examine the forces of his aduersaries, and of his own: and moreouer of those that may be induced to vnite themselues with the one parte or the other.

302 A New Prince in making prouision of monye, hath greater difficultie then hath a Common-wealth: for­somuch, as it is not possible for him that his ordinarie re­uennewes, should suffice to maintaine him in his estate, as well for the new expences that are necessary for him to make, and for the preparations and fortifications to defēd his State, as in respect that he must entertaine many cap­taines in time of peace to serue him selfe withall in future warres: and moreouer, to maintaine himselfe towards great princes, of whom a new Prince is constrained to de­pend: and to intertaine other Princes, wherin besides the conuentions that is made with them, there dooth occurre sundry other expences: for so much as the officers of great [Page] persons, think that they may be able alwaies reasonablie to enrich themselues by meanes of the giftes of new prin­ces: whilste it seemes vnto them, that to draw from those is not so much profitable to them, as it is vnto the Prince they serue: but in a Common-wealth many doo willingly contribute infinite thinges: carried forward with a desire to procure themselues greater honours, the which often­times falles out, by receiuing due and woorthy rewardes: and if it chaunce they impose and appoint necessarie taxes and paiments to be made: It séemes that euery one dooth supporte it easily, whilst it appeares vnto them, that they disbursse the same for their own proper profit.

303 WHen the charge and care of the Common-wealth is set vpon the shoulders of one person alone, it séemes vnto euery man that it is reasonable, that a prince abounding in riches, make all the costs and expence that chaunce out of his owne store, considering the profite of the enterprise ought likewise to redownde to himselfe alone: and the mindes of men are naturally most prompt and readie to examine with extreame diligence, all the re­uenues of the Prince, and to magnifie them, without ma­king computacion or defaulting the expences, and very of­ten in reprehending many of these things as ouer-aboun­dant: and not knowing many of their causes, neither ex­amining well the degrée or the necessitie of the Prince, be­come in their paiments recusants and slowe, besides that many doo beware and kéepe themselues, some for that the fame shall not go abroad that he is rich, and othersome for that they wil not haue their prince to grow into suspition.

304 AMbition in the Generall of an Army, dooth oftentimes ruinate whole States and Prouinces, for y t they giue no end to their warres, whilste with their honour or with thier aduauntage they may make them: to the intent he may endure the longer in his Generallship, or else some­times they doo demaund such honours or such authorities that it is farre ouermuch: And verye often if they doo not [Page 34] obtaine the same, they become displeased, and doo nothing that is good, or else, obtaining the same, they become ouer proud or damageable to the States they serue.

305 THere is nothing more perilous, in respect of what po­tentate soeuer, then the contention, emulation and the strife for first and chéefest preferments amongst many Captains, or to send his souldiers to any enterprise with­out a head: for so much, as in warres it importes to haue a head that knowes how to commaund, and officers that will obay and put in execution those things that are com­mitted vnto them: for that the one or the other of these thinges being taken away, there ariseth confusion, able not onely to driue in disorder what armie soeuer, although most valiant: but also, what other thing soeuer that were more mighty.

306 ONe of those principall thinges that a Generall ought to haue next vnto force and valour, I would wishe it should be fidelitie: that which is to be preferred aboue all other things, who ought not neither for displeasure, anger, or for anye thing else, faile of that which is looked for he should doo: and chéefely towards that Prince or potentate which he serues, to the intent nothing may come vnto him that should be his ruine or his shame.

307 MEn ought to haue care to doo their thinges well and vertuously, if they will become glorious and woorthy praise, for so much, as of glory, vertuous actions doo not a­rise: but of vertuous déeds, dooth spring glory.

308 THe desire of goods dooth spring of a base and euill com­pounded minde: if it be for any other consideration, then that we may enioy y e same, but the life of men in this world being so corrupted as it is, whosoeuer desires repu­tation, it is necessary that he desire goods, for that by them vertue dooth shine and is had in estimation, whereas in a [Page] poore man it is smally knowne and lesse estéemed.

309 MAny doo agrée that the state of one man alone is bet­ter when it is good, then that of many or of fewe, al­though likewise good: so in like maner, we maye conclude that, that of one alone maye become more easilye wicked, then that of many: and when it is wicked, then becomes it wurst of all▪ and so much the more wicked is i [...], by how muche it goes forward in succession, for it comes verye ra [...]ely to passe, that vnto a good and wise Father doth suc­ceed a Sonne like vnto him. Therfore I would that those that make profession of pollicie and gouernment, would resolue me of a doubt, (all the conditions, qualities, and perrilles, being considered) which state is most to be desi­red in a Cittie or a Common-wealth, either to fall vnder the gouernement of one alone, or of many, or of fewe.

310 IT is no great matter for an Emperour or King, vsing oftentime the sharpenes and effect of seueritie, to make himselfe redoubted: for that Subiectes become easilye a­fraid of those that be able to force, ruinate, and ouerthrow them with any easie execution: but I commend those muche, that with little sharpenes and executions, knowe how to obtaine and to maintaine the name of terrible and seuere.

311 THose selfesame enterprises, which being attempted out of due time, are most difficile and impossible, whē they are accompanied with time and occasion, are most easie to be doone: therefore they are not to be attempted but in their due times, for by dooing them out of their time: they doo not onely not succeed, but it makes the mat­ter perrillous to fall out, in that they haue beene attemp­ted, that they should spoyle that time, in the which they might easily haue béen perfourmed. Therfore those that be patient are accounted for wise men.

312 THese remembrances or records are not alwaies to be obserued indistinctlye, for that in some particular cau­ses, that haue sundry reasons they should fall out not to [Page 35] be good, and what those cases be, cannot be comprehended vnder any rule, neither can there any booke be found that can teach the same: but it is necessarie that this light be first had of nature, and afterward of experience.

313 TO finde out notes and records for the profit of one per­son, is a hard and difficull thing: but it is much more difficile to execute the same: for that oftentimes a man knowes them, but knowes not how to put them in action and execution: therefore whosoeuer will vse them, let him force his nature, and therin to make a habite, by y e meanes whereof he shall performe so much as is taught him: and besides that there shall fall out to be perfourmed and doon, without trauaile, all that whatsoeuer reason dooth com­maund him, or that experience dooth teach him.

314 THere be two times that are cheefely good to doo our af­faires in: the one, when we sée the enemye occupied in other affaires: and the other when he is afflicted, as I haue oftentimes comprehended by experience.

315 AMbition doth enforce many Persons to become false, to shut vp one thing close in their breast, and to haue an other prompt and ready in their tung to iudge of amity and of emnetie, not by the measure of effects, but by pro­fit: And to cary greater bountie in their countenance then in their mindes.

316 AMbition is a vice néerer to vertue, then couetousnes: for that men of valour and men of vile disposition, doo desire and encrease equally, glorye, honour, and signorye, but the first dooth direct his pace to the true way, and this other, because he wants good arts, dooth woork by deceites and fraude.

317 THe amitie of the Common-wealth, ought to preserue it selfe, rather in publick then in priuate: leauing off, to giue gifts or presents to any one: for not without per­rill, that is bought of fewe, which appertaines to many.

318 MAny by fraude and by theftes rather then by good artes enforce themselues to attaine to rule, empire [Page] and honours, as though supreme and chéefest offices are of themselues cleare and magnificent, and not reputed to be such, as the vertue of those be that sustaine and beare them.

319 MAny doo seek for the offices of Maiestrates, not after one maner and one selfe arte: and in like sorte after they haue obtained the same, they gouerne the same: firste they are industrious, suppliant, modest, and after with pultronorie and in pride doo lead their age.

320 A Generall or Captaine, dooth attend and take respect with prudence and with carefulnesse to his affaires, and to the enemies, and dooth know that which is good, or that which is pernicious in the one and the other: he spies out his proceeding, his counselles, and dooth preuent his trappes and deceites: neither suffer any thing negligent­ly about himselfe, nor assured about them.

321 A Generall or Captaine ought to prouide for euerye thing, no otherwise thē if he had not giuen in charge a­ny of his affairs, not so much in respect y t he should mistrust or doubt that his commaundemēt should not be executed: but to the intent his Souldiours should willinglye séek to match and imitate his, in trauaile and paines taking.

322 A Generall or captain, although death were present be­fore his face, yet ought he rather to stay himselfe reso­lutely. Then betraying and abandoning those that he dooth leade, giue pardon to his vncertaine life with a shamefull flight.

323 VNto a Generall comes greater sorrowe and gréefe through the wicked customes and behauiours of his Souldiours, then helpe or good hope through their multi­tude, the which is confirmed much more by shunning then by chas [...]sing of errours.

324 ALl thos [...] y t are to giue counsell vpon any matter, ought to be [...]oid of hate, without amitie in that respect, with­out anger & without mercy, I may saye that the like is to be obserued when iudgement is to be giuen vpon the cause of any one.

325 [Page 36]IT is a thing truely very difficile to be full of valour in battaile, and good in counsell, for the one is accustomed for the most part to bring feare through prudence, and the other small consultation through audacitie.

326 SOuldiers if fortune do enuie, their valour ought not to faile in hart and courage without reuenge, neither suf­fer themselues, being taken like beasts, rather to be cut to peeces, then fight like valiant men, and leaue vnto their e­nemies the victorie, lamentable and bloodye.

327 HE that is to prognosticate and diuine of other mens determinations, ought if he will not to deceiue him­selfe, to haue in consideration not so much that, that a wise man would think meet to be doon, as what the braine and nature of the person is which hath to determine.

328 ENuie is a sorrow and gréefe that we haue at the goods which other men possesse, and cannot be shunned but of those that be miserable, yet neuertheles it may be much diminished, and sometimes altogither exstinguished, with the vsing of humanitie and curtesie, as contrariwise, with ouermuch and proude ostentation and bragging, it is infi­nitely kindled and encreased: but hate which is a desire that an other man should incurre damage, is auoided ei­ther with remaining altogether solitarily and quiet apart (which appertaines not to a noble personage, borne in the Common-wealth) or by obtaining that which to our pow­er we ought to indeuour our selues to obtain, which is the good grace and beneuolence of all persons vniuersally.

329 THe Earle Francisco Carmignuola was accustomed to saye, that y e principall rule that men ought to obserue towards Princes, was not to beleeue verye easilye that which they speake with their mouth, and that which they make outward apparance of: but it is necessary to cōsider and to discipher that which with all reason they may ima­gine they think in their mindes, that is, that which will turne most commodious for their profit, and vpon this they maye make the foundations of their desires and thoughts more then vpon their woords: and likewise we [Page] ought not to haue regarde to the ametie, to the emnitie, to the parentage, or to any thing else whatsoeuer amongst them: for when they perceiue any future profit to arise, they forget all amitie, they quiet all disdaine, and make small account of any brotherhood or parentage, and do per­mit euery respect, so y t therin may be found some small co­lome of honestie sufficient to salue y e apparent shew therof.

330 EUen as a good Phisition, when he hath to cure the infirmitie of any particular member, it is conuenient that he haue care that, that medicine be not hurtfull to an other member: Euen so a man of State ought alwaies to put his Prince in memory of those things which wil serue the Common-wealth for the preseruation therof.

331 WHat great diuersitie and difference there is betwixt those déeds that spring of feare and of errour, and be­twixt those that are moued of fraud and of euill intent, is manifest to euery one.

332 THe liberty of Citties do chéefely please God, for that in them more then in any other sort of gouernment, com­mon benefites are conserued: wherein iustice is admini­stred more without destinction, and much more kindles and inflames the mindes of the Citizens, to vse honourable and vertuous actions: and finally they haue more respect to obserue religion then other gouernments.

333 HE is an vnprofitable Citizen, that for any occasion dooth withdrawe himselfe to perswade vnto others that which in himselfe he dooth féele to be the benefit of the Common-wealth.

334 FOr a man to moderate himselfe and to ouercome those proper desires his hart couets: is so much more woor­thy of praise, by how much it is a rare thing to be able to do it, & by how much the occasions are more iust wherwith­all the anger and appetite of men is stirred vp and moued.

335 THe silence of a Prince giuen to demaundes and re­quests: is tollerable, when it is not doone or procéedes in a despising maner: and moreouer oftentimes doth help, [Page 37] for that the lawes, amities, and such other like things, are nourished in him: moreouer, it dooth helpe ouer much whē a naughty answere is fearde, and it is taken for a despising of the Prince, and if it be a iust quarrell, armes is taken, and dooth flie the fault, in that he hath not demaunded the thing, to abtaine it.

336 THe coniectures of all elections, the which depend of the free will of many, is difficile and incertain: forso­much as nothing is more difficile, then to penetrate and enter into the willes of men, altogether shut vp from all persons, and open onely to God: and nothing more vncer­taine, then to establish and set downe, in so great a motion and reuolution of mindes, vpon what they wil settle their determinations: neuerthelesse, so farre as mans wit may attaine vnto, a wise officer ought to indeuour himselfe so much as he is able, to doo his duetie, and not become terri­fied with the greatnes of the act, to the intent to make him selfe knowne for prudent, the busines taking effect: or of a willing minde or diligence, by not abandoning any due meanes to obtaine the end of his desire.

337 THe opinions of men are so sundrye and so contrarye to things: And we haue besides in vs a certaine necessity which doth force vs to attempte fortune, although we per­ceiue that there rest in vs a small foundation in demaun­ding of the thing: neuerthelesse, drawne by a certaine in­spiration, we put our selues in perrill to demaunde those benefites that we are not woorthy to obtaine. This thing besides the examples of histories, hath likewise his reason, if not through the iniurie of him that demaunds the same, to those vnto whome the requests are made, through their nature, carrying a resemblance of God: whose mercye is poured vpon those that séek for it: many times in our own demerites, in our own infelicities, in our miseries, a cer­taine spirit which is called of the antiquitie Genio, doth prick vs forward to attempt thinges contrarie to all hu­maine prudence: And they fall out in such sorte as we are [Page] not able to finde out the reason therof.

338 IT is no infamie to retire our selues, when it is doone by prudence, neither is it pusilanimitie when it is doone to refuse and shun to put in doubtfull tearmes, those thinges that be certain: when as the approching end of the warres hath to shew to all the world, the mature ripenes of coun­sell: forsomuch as no victorie is more profitable, more fa­mous, or more glorious, then that which is gained with­out losse, and without shedding the blood of Souldiours.

339 EUen as the minde which cōmonly ought to be mistresse ouer the body, should become a Tirant ouer the same: and knowing the excellency of her selfe, should onlye think and care for herselfe, and would graunt no parcell of the time to the body, he would become weak and féeble: euen so contrariwise, those that make their bodies Lordes ouer their mindes, in satisfiyng their appetites, not graunting any parte thereof to their minde: they can neuer become vertuous, neither haue any valour in them.

340 COuetousnes without doubt is a thing more to be de­tested in a Prince then in a priuate person, not onelye for that hauing more liberty to distribute, he dooth depriue a man thereof, so muche the more: but also, for that, that which a priuat person hath, is all to his own vse, and may be disposed as it pleaseth himselfe, without the iust com­plaint of any person: but that which a Prince hath, is gi­uen him for the vse and benefite of others. Therefore if he retaine it for him selfe, he defraudeth men of that which he dooth owe vnto them.

341 THe affaires of this worlde are so variable, and depend vpon so many chaunces and accidents, that very hard­lye, we shall be able to giue iudgement of that which is to come: and therfore it is séene by experience, that almoste alwaies the coniectures of wise men are vain and fallible. I doo not therefore commend the counsell of those which leaue off the commoditie of a present benefite, although lesse for feare of a future euill although it be greater, vn­lesse [Page 38] it be very néer and very certaine, for that, those things not falling out oftentimes, which thou diddest doubt of through a vaine feare, it comes into thy memorye, that thou hast left off those things that did please thée, and ther­fore that is a wise Prouerb which saith: Di cosa nasce cosa et il Tempo le gouerna, Affaires spring foorth of affaires, and Time dooth gouerne them.

342 THose which giue iudgement in matters of state, I haue séen oftentimes to erre, for that men doo with rea­son examine that which a Prince hath to doo, but not that which he will doo.

343 WEll ordered Common-wealths doo not vse to suffer that their confederates, who together with them haue well plaide their partes in their occasions, should be abandoned in their necessities.

344 MIghty Common-wealths be accustomed not only to desire and will that their confederates and freendes doo not loose any thing: but y t euerye day they may encrease and make themselues greater in fauours, in mightines, and in honours.

345 WHen a Prince dooth followe vertue, he dooth merite to be praised: for that Princes more then any other persons are inclined to their appetites: forsomuch, as they hauing béene nourished with small chastisement in their Childehood, most men endeuour themselues to please thē, and to follow them in their waies.

346 PRinces for the most part are more suspitious thē other men, for y t they are giuen to vnderstand sundry doubts and aduertisements, and very often are [...]lattered.

347 THat Prince that can gaine persons with well dooing, besides his being in the grace of God: he shewes that he is not blotted with the vice of pride, the which procu [...]es hate to follow the vertues of persons.

348 WHen in a Common-wealth any dooth obtaine & take vpon him the name of Singuler in what matter soeuer (although therein he be ignorant) it is a very hard [Page] thing to remoue that opinion, for that men naturallye conceiue and become grosse with the first impressions, the which waxing olde, cannot so easilye be defined and plucked out.

349 HE that is sent to entreate of peace, ought to be faith­full vnto his Prince, and of a meane age: to y e intent that his weakenesse induce him not to doo things that are not fit, or at his returne to terrifie his Maister, more then is necessarie: and that man is rather to be imployed ther­in, which hath receiued fauours and benefits of his Prince then any other.

350 TO know the natures and dissimulations of those that are in election to haue great honors, as it is a thing very easie, so is it a thing very wise: therefore the inclina­tions and the discourses of such persons ought alwaies to be obserued, hauing neuerthelesse an eye, not so much to affection as to common profit.

351 WHen any persons doo departe from thy enemye to come to enter into thy seruice great profit is rea­pe [...] by them, if they be faithfull: for that the forces of thy aduersarie are diminished much more with those that flie from him, then by those that are slaine: although y e name of a fugitiue to the new freend be suspitious, and to the old odious.

352 IN warres for the most parte the good fortune of a victo­rious Prince is nothing else but the euill counsell & base minde of his aduersarie: and therfore very hardly may he be [...]uercome that can measure and knowe both his owne and his enemies forces: besides that, the valour and ver­tue of the Souldiours is of more valewe, then the multi­tude: and the cituation of the ground doth somtimes more help their valour and vertue.

353 HE that is most vigilant in warres to marke and ob­serue the determinations and plattes of the enemie, and can endure greatest trauaile to exercise his people: shall incurre least perrilles, and may the more hope for vic­torie, [Page 39] but it is requisite in warres to know how to discern occasion, and to take héede of her, for that she dooth helpe more then any other thing.

354 THe ambition of honor and glory, is a thing commen­dable and profitable to the worlde, for that it giues men occasion to woork great and high effects: but the am­bition of power and greatnes is not so, for that she is ta­ken of others for an Idole, and will in any case obtaine all things, either lawfullye or vnlawfullye▪ and is the occasi­on of many euils: and therefore we apparentlye perceiue, that whosoeuer dooth possesse ambition to this ende, haue no stay of themselues, and makes their life and their goods equall.

355 ENterprises and other affaires that are to fall in decay, not through fury and force, but are first to consume thē ­selues, draw out more in length, then would haue béen re­léeued at the first: for that when men growe obstinate to suffer, they suffer and supporte much more then we would haue imagined. Therefore we see, that any warres which is to take end through famine, or through any other dis­commoditie, drawes out further in length then we would think.

356 HE that first gaue vnto the people this woord Popolo, would verily haue tearmde it vn Pazzo, A Foole, for that he is a monster replenished with confusion and er­rours: forsomuch as his opinions are so farre off from the trueth, as according to Tolome, the East Indies is from Spaine.

357 I Can neuer flatter my selfe, to make shew of those things that are not so in effect: neuertheles, it should be much more profitable to doo the contrarye, for it is an incredible thing to be spoken off, what benefit the reputation and the opinion that men haue that thou art great, will woorke, then for that onely by the means of this rumour they run after thee, without needing to clime to the height to make showe of thy selfe.

358 [Page] THe libertie of a Common-wealth, is the administra­tion of iustice, for that the foundation therof is laide to no other end, but that the one be not oppressed of the o­ther: Therefore he that might be assured that in the state of one alnoe, or of many, Iustice would be obserued: should haue no occasion to desire liberty. This was the occasion wherfore the wise men of olde time did not praise the go­uernement of those that liue in liberty, more then the rest: but those in which there was best prouision made for the preseruation of the lawes and iustice.

359 MEn, Iron, Money, and Bread, are Sinewes of the warres, but of these foure the firste two are most ne­cessarye: for that Men and Iron will be able to get mony and Bread, but money and bread doo not prouide so easily for Men and Iron.

360 NEw and soddaine thinges make afraide and terrifie Armies, those that are accustomed and sloe, are smallye estéemed of them, therefore a Generall ought to practise and make knowne to his Army, with light & small encounters, a newe enemy, before he come to a day of bat­taile with him.

391 A Prince when he hath about him his familiares, dooth distribute his fauours amongst them that are most gratefull and most conformable to his honour, but when a time of necessitie and occasion of affaires falles out: then the diuersitie and difference that is amongst them is ap­parently known.

392 A Wise personage, which hath the meanes to entertain ten thousund Footmen, is more to be feared and estée­med, then ten confederates together, which haue euerye one of [...]hem sixe thousand: for that very sildome agréeing togither, by reason of their sundrie and diuersitie of ends: the one halfe of the time is lost and spent, before they re­solue vpon any thing.

363 [Page 40]IF a man would serue a great person, let him rather choose him wise then ignorant: for about a wise man there be many meanes to be found, by the which his fauour is ob­tayned, but about one that is ignorant: there can no way be found that is good, for that he hath no vnderstan­ding.

364 THe true note of the ruine of a Prouince, dooth appeare when those that ought to vnite themselues together, become deuided amongst themselues, and doo band them­selues, to be abandoned.

365 HE that gaue this rule, that a wise man cannot com­mit errour in speaking, had no iudgement: for that either because he is affectioned to the matter which is spo­ken off, either for loue, either for hate, or for that he would be contrarie to another: and sometimes through the in­disposition of his person, he is subiect to commit errours in his woords.

366 THe affaires of the world doo not alwaies remain sta­ble and firme: but are euer in continuall motion to go forward into that way and path into the which by rea­son they are to goe, and where by their nature they are to take end: but oftentimes they make longer staye then we would beléeue, for that we doo measure them according to our life, which is shorte: and not according to their time which is long, for that their féete be more sloe then ours be, and farre sloe themselues by nature, for although they moue, yet oftentimes we doo not perceiue their motion, by meanes whereof it dooth arise, that those iudgements, which we make: fall very oftentimes to be false and fal­lible.

367 IN matters of importance, he that dooth not very well knowe all the perticulars, can giue no right iudge­ment, for that one circumstance although it séeme very lit­tle, dooth change and varie all the whole cause that ought to be iudged, yet is it true that oftentimes [Page] he may giue good iudgement, that hath knowledge of no other then of Generalities, and knowing more perticu­lars, giues woorsse iudgement, forsomuch as he that hath not his braine very perfect, and cleane and free from passi­ons, vnderstanding many particulars, dooth verye easilye varie and confound himselfe.

368 A Man ought aboue all thinges in this worlde to desire and to attribute to his owne felicitie, to see his enemie stricken prostrate to the ground, and brought into such s [...]ate, that he may vse him at his discretion: but by how much the more happie he is vnto whom this aduēture doth befall: by so much the more ought he to make himselfe glo­rious, by vsing the victorie commendable, in pardoning and in vsing of clemencie: a thing proper and perticular to great and woorthy mindes.

369 AN inferiour Prince ought neuer to put his state in ha­zard of one battaile, for if he ouercome, he gaines no­thing but glory, and if he loose: he is spoyled.

370 GReat personages are often much enclined to their own willes, without hauing any respect at all to rea­son, and that which is woorst, they are for the most part en­vironed with men that cast their eyes vpon nothing else, then to praise and congratulate their good and euill déeds, whither soeuer they be, and if there be any that would doo the contrary, he findes him selfe deceiued.

371 THose Princes which are equalle in power, (although they be not young, for at such times they thinke onely vpon pleasure) doo not well to meet and come to speak per­sonally together, forsomuch as, besides that they doo not without perrill, euil wil dooth spring vp betwixt them, and enuie growes to be greater.

372 ALthough the issuing and fallying foorth of Souldiers, out of a Cittie besiedged, be necessarie: yet neuerthe­lesse, they be perrilous for those within: for that it improts them much more to loose ten of their infantrie, thē it is for them without to loose an hundreth.

373 [Page 41]IT is a manifest thing to euery one, that he that dooth al­waies holde his Prince in tearmes of suspition, and feare, with aduertisements stuffed with feare and suspi­tion: either will become to be mortallye hated of him, or in the ende shall fall into some other euill incon­uenience.

374 HE that dooth possesse authoritie and rule, maye like­wise exstend the same ouer his owne forces, for that his subiects doo not measure exquisitlie, that which de can doo, but rather imagining his power to be much more then it is, yéeld to those thinges vnto which the Prince can not constraine them.

375 IT is to be discerned in those differences, that doo arise with vrbanitie amongst Citizens, and in those malici­ous humours, into which men do incurre, alwaies to haue recourse to those iudgements or to those remedies, that of the antiquitie haue been ordained: for that the ciuill lawes is nothing else, then Sentences giuen by the ancient law­giuers, the which being brought into order, do instruct our present Lawyers how to iudge: and Phisicke likewise is nothing else, but the experience which hath beene made by auncient Phisitions, vpon which the Phisitions in these our daies doo ground their iudgements: neuerthelesse, in the ordering of a Common-wealth, in the maintaining of States, in the gouernement of Kingdomes, in the milita­rie institutions, in the administration of warfare, in iudg­ing the Subiects, and in the encreasing of the Empire and State: There is to be found, neither Prince, neither Common-wealth, neither Generall or Captaine, nei­ther Cittizen, that haue recourse to the examples of the antiquitie.

376 THere be infinite persons that read Histories, and take pleasure to hear the varietie of accidents, that are con­tained in them, but they neuer thinke vpon the imitation of them: for they imagine and iudge the imitation, not onely difficile, but also impossible, as if the Heauens, the [Page] Sunne and Starres, the elements and men, were chan­ged in their mouing, order, and power, from that that they were in auntient time.

377 MEn doo woork their affaires, either by necessitie or by choise: and for that it is séene, that vertue is greater where choise hath least authoritie: it is to be considered, whither it should be better to choose a barraine place for the building of a Cittie, then a fertile: to the intent that men being tonstrained by industrie, being lesse subiect to idlenesse, may liue the more vnited togeather, hauing by reason of the place lesse occasion of discorde: This election or choise might be accounted wise, if men would be con­tent to liue of their own, and would not goe about to com­maund ouer others: and forsomuch as men cannot assure themselues but by power, it is necessary to shun those bar­rain places, and to plant our selues in a most fertile Cun­trie, where they may be able through the aboundance of the ground, to enlarge their bounds and limits, to defend their bounds and limits, to defend themselues from those that assault them, and oppresse them, whosoeuer would withstand and oppose themselues against their greatnes.

378 MEn doo neuer agree to any newe Lawe, which bring a newe order into the Cittie, if it be not apparentlye shewed vnto them, that of necessitie it is requisite it should be doon: now then, that necessitie not being able to come without perrill: that Common-wealth dooth easily runne into ruine, before the Lawe be brought to the perfection of a right order.

379 EUen as amitie betwixt particular Gentlemen is con­tracted by a mutuall agréeing of their mindes, and by the similitude of their good customes: so amongst Princes amitie is wrought, either through their owne correspon­dence of nature, or through the iudgement they haue, that [Page 42] it falles out to their commoditie to be fréendes, or else through necessitie and Fortune: which againste their own willes, constraines them to remaine vnited.

380 MY opinion is that aduersse fortune, is the touch-stone of our fréendes and followers. For that those that re­maine, are such as are good, faithfull, and full of constancy. The rest that fall away: are vnprofitable, naught, and an example of lightnesse, and I beléeue that of aduersitie this profit is reaped: That without vsing a staffe, a man may driue away from him, the whole trayne of those men that are base of minde and body, replenished with cou [...]tousnes and ingratefulnes. And those only remaine with vs: that desire to showe by the vertue and valour of their minde, that they cannot be ouercome by aduersse fortune.

381 ALl those that discourse of the manner of Ciuill life, and all Histories are full of examples: That he which hath the disposing of a Common wealthe, and dooth or­daine Lawes in the same: it is necessarye that he presup­pose, that all such men as be wicked: will euer apply them­selues to be malignant, so often as occasion is offred. And when any malignitie dooth remaine hid for a time: it dooth procéed of some occasion, the which because experience hath not beene séene to be made of the contrarye, comes not to be knowne, but time dooth afterwards discouer the same, which is the father of all trueth.

382 MEn doo neuer perfourme any action well, vnlesse it come through necessitie, for where choise doth abound and that liberty may be vsed: suddainly all things is filled with confusion and disorder. Therefore it is saide that hunger and pouertie makes men indus [...]rious: and the Lawes makes them good: and where any thing of it selfe dooth wexe well, there is no necessitye of Lawe, [Page] but when that good custome dooth faile, immediatly lawes are necessarie.

383 EUen as Saylers haue for their guide, the South and the North, who sometimes do trauerse and crosse their way, and yet for all that do not altogither lose their guide: Euen so in matter of State, it is necessarye to haue for guide, and for principall and chéefe foundation, the know­ledge how to pearce into the nature and endes of those with whome we haue to entreat: for that by this means a man very rarely shall rest deceiued, and without this ground he takes his iourney at auentures, and all the di­ligence he dooth vse is vaine.

384 THe nature of neutralitie is such, that she is most hurt­full and full of perrilles: for she offends both the par­ties, the Superiour for that he iudgeth that we ought to sustaine and fauour his greatnes, the inferiour for that he is not defended, reputes himselfe offended: therefore the one doth neither assure vs from our enemies, nor the other dooth maintaine freendship towards vs.

385 ALthough it appeares that newtralitie makes a man secure and quiet amidst other mens trauailes, yet tru­lye it dooth not fall out so afterwards: for that she dooth feed others with a false securitie and quiet, considering that in short time the damages therof doo discouer themselues, no otherwise then it is accustomed to chaunce, to those who haue taken money to vsurie, for although they enioy the same well for a certaine time, not tasting any bitter­nesse at all, being afterwares consumed, and the day and time to restore them being come: they make apparent proofe of that greeuous damage which they haue procured with so short a commoditie.

386 AT all times wise Princes ought to discourse of their affaires, with mature counsell, and prudentlye to re­solue ther-upon: but when they are in yéeres and times that be full of trauaile and troublesome, then haue they much more néed therof then in times that be ful of rest and [Page 43] quiet: for that in these the greatnes of his principalitie dooth gouerne and holde him vp, without muche trauaile and toyle: in the other they are enuironed with many perrilles, and supposed with infinite difficulties, from the which to defend and keepe themselues, dooth for the most parte procéede of the rare and hye vertue of a prudent Prince, who can with a good and resolute execution shunne the euill, and cleaue to that which is good, but no good exe­cution can be made, without good prouidence: neither that without a good resolution, neither can resolution be made without good counsell, the which is the head, fountain, and originall of all good operations.

387 A Man ought not to departe from the first purposed plot and forme of his life, without euident and most necessa­rye occasions, as did Cato Vticenses, who did rather choose to kill himselfe, then to fall into the hands of Caesar, ther­fore a wise Prince ought to doo the very same, holding al­waies firme and fast his first and his good resolution.

388 THat Prince which dooth remaine a neuter, euerye one dooth goe about to imbrace him: and to drawe him to their partie, for that the desire they haue to haue him for a freend, causeth euery one to make account of him and to honor him, thinking to gaine him with benefites, and so by the meanes of neutralitie, he dooth enioy great securi­tie: wheras if he should declare himselfe, he should make one of them his manifest enemie, and should thrust himself into expresse perrilles.

389 MEn doo more easily remember iniuries, then receiued benefites, therfore that Prince which dooth declare himselfe, dooth much more harme then helpe himselfe, for that he with whome he doth confederate himselfe, is neuer so whot to defend him, as he against whom he is declared, shall be redy to endamage and offend him: it being a natu­rall effecte that men should become muche more stirred vp and moued with iniuries, then with benefites: besides that, in receiued benefites euery one dooth attribute them [Page] a parte of his enemie, but iniuries are all attributed to him that hath been iniurious.

390 IT is a most certaine thing that warres draw after them many difficulties, and most great expences, which are occasions of many euils: in respect, that first of all it emp­ties the princes pursse, and makes him weake. Since mo­neye is not onely the sinewes and strength of the warres, but of all other humaine actions, next after it constraines them, so much to oppresse the people with new and sharpe exactions, that it dooth bréede them extreame hate: from which euery wise prince ought to kéepe him selfe. For that the hate of the people is the roote of that which bringes ru­lers to ruine.

391 IT is disputed amongst some, who is most ambitious: ei­ther he that would maintaine, or he that would obtain: for that both the one and the others appetite, maye be an occasion of great Tumultes, and it is concluded that for the most parte those tumults are caused of them that pos­sesse, for that the feare they haue to loose dooth engender in them, the selfesame will that is in those which desire to gaine: for that men think they cannot surely possesse any thing, if they make no newe gaines: And moreouer, by possessing much, they maye with greater power and with greater motions and stirre make alterations and change: besides all this their corrupt and ambitious behauiours, kindling vp in the brest of them that haue possessions, a will and desire to possesse, and to reuenge themselues of them, by spoyling them, makes them to be able also to en­ter into those riches and those honours, that they perceiue to be euill vsed of others.

392 IN all humaine causes this is perceiued (whosoeuer dooth examine it well) that we can neuer race out one incon­uenience, but that an other dooth followe: And therfore if we desire to make a people to encrease to great numbers, and to be armed: to the intent to set vp a great empire, [Page 44] we make it of such qualitie, as we shall not be able to ma­nage it after one discretion and maner: and if we main­taine it small and disarmed, to the intent we may guide it the better: if we gaine any dominion, we are not able af­terwards to kéepe it: or else we shall become so vile, that we shall fal to be a spoile & pray to whosoeuer doth assaulte vs. Therfore in all our opinions and determinations, we ought to consider, where the inconueniences are least, and to make choise of the best partie: for that they be neuer found to be altogither cleare, altogither secure, and alto­gither without suspition.

393 IT is requisite that those that are principall and publicke Maiestrates, haue thrée things in them: One is, that they loue the state of their Cittie and Common-wealth, another is, that they haue authoritie as may be sufficient if neede require to force men: the third is, that they be knowne for persons that be iust and full of valour, but it is necessarye to haue in minde, that if such as these would beare rule and commaund, it behoues them whilste they are young, to learne to be gouerned and commaunded of those that be olde.

394 WHilste Princes are at hostilitie together, and spend out of all measure in their warres: he that re­maines neuter, maye gather together a great summe of money, and strengthen himselfe in such sort, that y e warres being ended, they shall become weake through many ex­spences, and be gallant and mighty. The consideration of which thing maye be an arbitrament of their difference and discentions.

395 ALthough to remaine neuter is not a thing verye frée, yet at the least it cannot be denyed, but that the resolution of the contrarye is verye doubtfull in this case, the wisest parte is for vs not to moue at all, for that when there ariseth a doubt whither any new deliberation be good or not: we cannot doo better then followe the olde [Page] determinations, and chéefelye when the other are found to be hurtful, in summe, the old and woonted way is rather to be followed, then the new and vnaproued way.

396 WHen a Prince is instantly required to vnite himselfe with the one of any two that makes warres, and that he makes refusall both to the one and the other: he enters into suspition with them both, that he hath secret intelligence with some one of them: and eche of them both doth imagine & esteeme him to be against himselfe. In such sort, that which soeuer of them doth ouercome, makes a pray of the newter, wherupon it will arise, that he shall holde both of them for suspect, and neither of them for fréend.

397 IN that Prince which dooth declare himselfe, it is conue­nient that one of these thrée thinges doo followe: Either that he with whom he ioynes himselfe remaine vanqui­sher, or that he loose, or that the matter be managed in such sorte, that he neither loose nor winne: in the first case he proceedes to expresse gaine, by entring into parte of the victorie, in the second he encurres perrill to lose, but yet therin is this difference, that at the least he hath a fréend for his colligate and confederate, who although he haue losse, his case is not such, that he cannot or that he ought not to minister helpe, and it followes not, that his fortune may not rise vp againe: in breefe, it is better to hazard our fortune with a good fréend, then to remaine in feare to be offended and iniuried of both of them: In the third case, more is to be gained then to be lost: for that we obtaine a good fréend that may much profit vs: and he that we make our enemye, dooth harme vs no more then that he did him whilste we remained neuter, although apt occasion did offer it selfe.

398 IN all the resolutions of the world, both good and euill is mixed amongst them, ordained of God, to the intent to shewe foorth the imperfections of humaine causes, but pru­dent counselles ought to compare the euill with the good, [Page 45] and counter pease them in equall ballance, and on that side where the least euill is and the most good, to cleaue to that parte.

399 MEn hauing for finall end goodnes, and the conseruati­on of their good, they cannot by any reason be called inconstant: for so much as when affaires doo change, it is conuenient also that a man doo change his thoughtes, for all that foreseeing the selfesame finall end, euer remaines firme: And in this case it is necessary we imitate the good gouernour of a Ship, who ordering and setting the sayles after one sort, to bring him to a determined place, when afterwards the time dooth change, and contrary windes arise: he also dooth change his firste order, hauing al­waies for finall ende the good and the benefite of the Ship.

400 THat rule which is giuen to remaine neuter, to the in­tent to weaken other, and to strengthen our selues: for the most parte dooth not fall out to be true, for that the victorie of one of the parties doth draw with her so much reputation, so many partakers, and such a train of fauou­rers, that alwaies the ouercommer shewes himselfe to be strong and gallant, whereby he maye rather iniurye his companion, then that he should be afraide of other mens threatnings.

401 IT is euer good to ioyne & knit our selues with those that haue the heauens benigne and fauorable vnto them, for that therby a man doth alwaies perticipate of y e qualitie of his companion, whither soeuer it be good or euill.

402 FOr that humain affairs are almost all subiect to chance and haue no assured stay in them: a wise man ought to cleaue to that which carries most apparent likelyhood, and therin to take order with all due meanes, for that for the most part it will fall out to be well, and shalbe besides ac­counted prudent, and if it should haue an vnlucky end: yet in such a case it would appeare to wise men, that fortune had greater power therin, then prudence.

403 [Page]GOod Souldiers haue néede of a good Generall Cap­taine, who may be their guide in all things, of whose actions dooth depend for the most parte, the exaltation and ruine of an Armie: therefore the Gréeke Prouerb did say, That an armie of Hartes that hath a Lyon to their Cap­taine, is more terrible then an armie of Lyons which is guided with a Hart. But it is requisite that in an Armye there be both good souldiers and a good Captain generall, to the intent y t like may not be spoken therof, that Caesar spake: who going against Pompei saide: he went against a Captaine without Souldiers: and afterwardes going against Afranius in Spaine, saide: that he went against an Armie without Captaines.

404 MOney without doubt is the nourishment of an army, the which giues measure to euery thing, and is con­uerted into euery thing: therfore that wise auntient man saide, the Captaines, the souldiers, their armes and wea­pons, the instruements and engines of warre, the artille­rie: and excluding money, were like vnto a bodye which had a head, armes, neck, brest, legges, feet, but no belly, for euen as the bellie giues nourishment to all the bodye: so mony dooth giue substance to an Armye. And that King of Sparta did call it the sinewes of warre, for euen as the Si­newes giues mouing to the bodye, so monye giues life to an Armie.

405 TO doubt of the fauour and good grace of our Lord and Prince, although a man haue not faulted against him, is a thing common to manye, neither is it necessarye that, that feare which is had of our Lord & maister should be attributed to basenes of minde, neither much lesse to the lightnes of nature, for that the diuersitie and crueltie of our desire caused through the diuersitie of accidentes, (whilste our woorkes and actions, dooth manifest a cer­taine courage and constancie) ought either to be reputed for the signe of a bolde and constant person.

406 [Page 46]IN my opinion he hath no great reason to lament himself, that at any time hath béene contented to make himself e­quall to others, referring himselfe to chaunce: The which for no other respect, hath béene induced and brought into a Commonwealth, but only to take away, all sortes of con­currences & inequalities: and to content equally euery one.

407 MEn doo very rarely complaine of themselues, but very often of others: and for the most parte, doo willingly rage against Chance. Forsomuch as since euery day there doo succéed newe and strange chaunces, and not vnderstan­ding the occasion, neither the meanes by which they are wrought: Sodainlie we giue the praise or the blame vnto Fortune.

408 THe Affaires of men being in reuolution & motion, and not béeing able to stand firm & stedfast: it is conuenient that they arise vp, and discend downe. And to name things that reason dooth not induce vs, necessitie dooth induce vs: In such sorte, that hauing ordered and fashioned a Com­monwealth, apt to maintaine it selfe without enlarging of it, and that if we were constrained, by necessitie to en­large it: It would come to passe, that we should remooue our foundacions, and make the Common wealth sooner to ruinate. So on the other side, if the heauens were so bene­ficiall vnto vs, that our state should haue no néede to make warres: It would ensue, that idlenes would either woorke deuision amongst vs, or make vs effinate. The which two thinges together, or either of them by her selfe, would be an occasion of our ruine. Therfore since we cannot (as I beléeue) ballance these thinges, neither precisely kéepe the middle path: it is necessary that in the directing of a Com­monwealth, we should think vpon the most honorable par­tie, and order it in such sorte: that when through necessitie we should be brought to enlarge it: we may be able to kéep that which we haue gotten.

409 THe offence and damage of a priuate person againste a priuate person: dooth engender feare, feare séekes for [Page] defence, defence dooth procure partakers. And immediatly parties and factions arise vp in a Citie or state, and such partakings doth ruinate the same.

410 WHen it appéeres or is perceiued that forrayne forces be called in by parte of those men that liue in one selfe Citie or state: It may be thought, that it springeth of the naughtie orders therin vsed, for that there is no or­ders that can (without extraordinary meanes) extinguish those malignant humours that arise in any person. Ther­fore we ought to prouide by the way of accusation, but as accusations be profitable to a Commonwealth: so detra­ctions are damageable.

411 DEtractions or calumnies haue no néed of testimonies or any other perticuler circumstances to prooue them, In such sorte that euery one may be detracted of any: but not accused. Forsomuch as accusations haue need of proofes and of circumstances that may showe the trueth of the ac­cusation.

412 WEe ought to obserue this generall rule, that neuer or very seldome it dooth chaunce: That any Com­mon weale or Kingdome, is at the first well instituted, or at all, beeing made newe and reformed out of the olde con­stituted Lawes, if it be not set in due rule and order by one alone. Therfore it is necessary that one alone, may be the man that may set downe the manner, and of whose minde may depend what institution or ordinance soeuer. For a prudent commaunder of a Common weale, which caries a minde to benefit, not himselfe but the comminaltie: ought to endeuour himselfe to sw [...]ie alone the whole Authoritie, and a wise man would neuer reprehend him, that to consti­tute a kingdome or Common weale: did vse any extraor­dinary action.

413 WE ought to reprehend him that is violent to spoyle, but not him that is violant and of a forward nature to adorne and polish: For that the violence to adorne be comes [...] vertue, and to destroye: a vise.

414 [Page 47]MEn are accustomed to iudge largelye of themselues, and of their proper merites, and beholding the suc­cession of thinges as we doo for the most parte, and séeing some out of all expectation and peraduenture without me­rite, without reason, or at the least without proportion: and by contrary waies & procéedings, to be placed in high degrees and estate: their hope doth awaken in such sorte, and they proceede so far in their thoughts, that measuring with their eyes the height whither they determine to as­cend, suddainly they flye thither with their imagination, and doo place themselues vpon the tipe and height thereof, but afterwardes being entred into the troublesome & croo­ked path, and the way euery day encreasing, they become afflicted, fall into lamentations, and sometimes also di­spaire to be able to attain vnto the same.

414 NOt onely the good being, but also the simple being of things doth principally depend vpon the conseruation of the forme and finall ends: and the one and the other is maintained in the Common-weale by two means, that is to say, by the lawes and by Magistrates: And therefore where these things are not obserued, and wheras in these cases such men as are not fit for such like charges are vsed in maneging the same: it falles out of necessitie, that there must follow great alteration.

415 MEn doo for the most part settle and staye themselues in things present, as well for that euerye one dooth not pearce and enter with the eyes of his discretion into the nature and future state of things, as also for that the remedies of damages are not endowed with glory, when they are neither doubted nor knowne: and few there be to be found that in publick causes wil recompēce their present trauailes with common commodities that are to come: or rather which at the least do not suffer themselues to be de­ceiued with the great and large hopes, which future acci­dents doo promise.

419 [Page] THe very same dooth chaunce vnto Common-weales, which is accustomed to fall out in the body of man, vnto whome his euill minded appetite is an occasion of disor­ders, wherof after spring infirmities, with the trauail and greefe of the body and of the minde together: so it falles out, that a certaine sensualitye (to tearme it so) hath pro­duced and dooth produce many defectes in a Common-weale.

417 TO giue without reputation, is a losse without gaine, it being estéemed a paiment that proceedes of duetye, and not a gift comming of curtesie: so that it rather giues courage to him that hath receiued y e same, still to demaund other thinges, rather then to recompence those he hath re­ceiued.

418 WHen for what occasion soeuer alterations is once made in the States, and that they s [...]raye aside from their finall ends: infinit difficulties rise vp togither with the same, and alwaies goes forward, encreasing amongst the gouernements: Example heereof was giuen by the Common-wealthes of Candie and Sparta, which were in­stituted and instructed in warrefare The very same did the Romane Common-weale, who for the remedie of their troublesome state, were constrained to goe abroade conti­nually to make warres: to the intent that those euill hu­mours might be consumed, that with rest did spring vp a­mongst the Citizens: at the ende when they had no more to ouercome, ouercomming and ruiniting themselues: they reduced themselues vnder another forme of state, for­somuch as the end being once changed, it is an impossible thing to stand firme and fast, in the obseruation of y e mean and of the auntient institutions.

419 THe way how to manage States although it ought to be somewhat the more open, because it is to receiue in­to it the greater number of persons, neuerthelesse, in the beginning (for that much trust is required) the entraunce thereof is very difficile, and it is much more conuenient for [Page 48] vs to be called vnto the same, then presumptuouslye to in­trude our selues therinto, if a man doo not make profession therof, he is neither knowne nor reputed for sufficient, and if he make profession therin, the same is on the one side odi­ous, and the other side is also hurtfull to his owne iudge­ment: and he that makes this profession, doth oftentimes discourse so much, that he dooth ouer-passe his bounds, and dooth foreshewe many false propositions: and finally is re­puted of wise men, like vnto those souldiers that braue and bragge it out in the time of peace.

420 HE that doth serue a Prince a farre off, hath very hard meanes to satisfie him: for that those errours which are committed are of the greater importance, and cannot be so easi [...]ye remedied: besides that, in the managing of them we cannot comprehend all the particuler actions of the instructions, by reason that the state of thinges doo change vpon a soddaine: besides that, this maner of being is a life very full of discommodities and perrilles, and lesse néere vnto rewards▪ the which be for the most part preuen­ted and obtained before hand of those that remaine about the presence of the Prince.

421 THe way and path of the goodnesse and bountye of ex­emplare life, hath her difficulties, for that it hath néed of a firm and great staiednes, and of one perpetuall forme and order: with bond of obligation to sustain at all times and in all actions, one selfe person: forsomuch as if a man be not vnfainedly good, he leads a troublesome and an vnhappye life aboue all others, dooing so many thinges and abstaining from so manye other, against their owne proper apetite: and to faine long is an impossible thing, for y t euen as a lame person by any equall encrease which he procureth to those partes that are shorter then the rest, or through any other rel [...]efe vsed to the same, can neuer co­uer the matter so closely, but that in going he shall disco­uer his diffect: so those persons in their procéedinges, can­not go in such measure, but that with some exteriour signe [Page] they will shew their wants and inward lamenesse.

422 EUery one that placeth himself to serue in Courte: ought not so much to trust in his prudence, that he should presume to be able to ouercome euerye aduersitie. Neither so much neglect his affaires, that he altogether cōmit himself to chaunce: but let him think y t the same is a voyage vpon the Sea: in the which although prudence may doo much and makes the greatest parte of the windes fauorable, neuer­thelesse, he cannot prescribe any determined or certaine time to ariue safe there, whither others haue directed their course. Forsomuch as some in the midst of Sommer, in a gallant and well furnished ship, doo sincke, or else forsloe ve­ry much: others in winter, in a weake & vnfurnished Bark goe speedily and safely.

423 HEe which hath the onely authoritie: ought, to be so ex­actly prudent and vertuous: That, that authoritie which he hath obtained, be not left vnto an other as an In­heritance. For that men beeing more prone to euill then to goodnes, his successor may vse that ambitiously, which was of him vsed vertuously. Besides this, although one be apt to order the thinges instituted and ordained, yet is it not to endure long, when it dooth remaine vpon the shoulders of one alone: but otherwise it falles out to be well, when it remaines vnder the care of many, and that it appertaines to manye to maintaine the same. For that euen as ma­ny are apt to order and rule one thing, for that they doo not knowe the goodnes of the same: occasioned through the sundrie opinions that are amongst them: So when they once knowe it, they do not easily agrée to leaue it.

424 AMongst all those men that are had in commendation, those are moste worthy commendation, which are the chéefe heads and institutors of Religion. Next vnto these, those that haue laide the foundacions of Common weales or Kingdoms. After these, those that haue enlarged them, and next vnto them, those that be learned. Contrarywise, those men are infamous and detestable, which haue béene [Page 45] the destroyers of Religion, that haue disseuered kingdoms, and are enemies to learning, vertue, and valour.

425 THere was neuer any institutor of extraordinary lawes amongst any people, but that he made his refuge to the helpe of God: For otherwise they should not haue béen ac­cepted, forsomuch as of a prudent person, many good things are knowne, who haue not in themselues any euident reason, able to showe and perswade the same to others. Ther­fore wise men that will take away this difficultie, doo re­mit the whole to God. So did Licurgus, so did Solon, and so did that most holy and diuine Moses.

426 REligion causeth good orders, good orders bring good fortune, fortune makes good successe to arise in all enter­prises. Therfore the obseruing of deuine honours and de­uine woorships: is the occasion of the greatnes of the Com­mon wealth. And where the feare of God doth fayle: it is conuenient that, that kingdome be sustained with a Prince that with feare may supplye that defect where there is no Religion.

427 THat people which is vsed to liue in bondage, béeing set at libertie: is like in all respects to a sauage Beast, the which hath béene nourished in a grate or close place. The which béeing by chaunce afterwards set at libertie abroad in the Féeldes: not béeing vsed to séeke for his owne proui­sion, not knowing whither to flie: he becomes the praye of the first, that goes about to entrap or entangle him.

428 THat common vtilitie that is drawne of liuing feare: As to enioy fréely that which is our own without suspicion not to dout of the honour of women and of our Children, not to be affraid of our selues, is not knowne of any whilst that we possesse the same. For that there is no man that will euer confesse to be bound to him, that he doth not offend.

429 HEe that takes in hand to gouerne a multitude, either by waye of libertie, or by waye of principalitie, and [Page] doth not assure himself of those that doo oppose themselues against this new order and institution: makes a state of small endurance. True it is, that I iudge those Princes vnhappie, that to assure their state, are constrained to hold extraordinary waies, hauing the multitude for enemie, for so much as he that hath fewe for his enemies, easilye and with little scandale dooth assure himself, but he y t hath an vniuersall people for his enemy, shall neuer be assured: and by how much the more he vseth crueltye, by so much the more his principalitie becomes weake.

430 WEe must presuppose it to be a most true thing, that a corrupted Citie which dooth liue vnder a Prince, although that that Prince with all his stock be exstingui­shed, cannot reduce it self into liberty, but rather it is con­uenient that one Prince exstinguish another, and without the creation of a new Prince it neuer ramaines in rest: if alreadie the bountie of the one, together with his great vertue, doo not kéep it frée, but the liberty is to remaine so long as the life of him dooth continue.

431 WHere the ground and subiect of the matter is not cor­rupted, tumultes and other scandales cannot bring vs any damage: but where the subiect is corrupted, there Lawes well instituted doo not helpe, if it were not already set forward by some person, that with extreame force did cause it so well to be obserued, that the subiects should be­come good: it is true, that this may fall out whilste his life dooth indure, but when he is dead, it returnes to his olde and former state, and the vertue and force of the vniuer­sall subiect being alreadye corrupted, we cannot sustaine good orders.

432 A Man cannot be of so long a life, as shalbe of sufficient time to accustome to goodnes, a Cittie that hath a long time béene accustomed to euill. And if a man that is of long life, or two vertuous successions togither dooth not prick them forward, when one of them begins to faile, it [Page 50] dooth ruinate, if that with many perrilles and much blood, he doo not cause it to arise againe, for that such corruption and so small aptnes of free life, dooth spring of an inequali­tie which is found in that Cittie or State: and desiring to reduce it to equall tearmes, it is necessarie to vse great ex­traordinaries the which fewe other knowe or will vse.

433 WE ought to praise all persons modestlye, for by how much infamie and slaunders doo offend those against whome they be spoken: so much more doo the praising of any one (besides that we commend with great perrill to the iudgement and bountie of him of whome we speake) dooth oftentimes offend him that dooth heare the same: in respect that through the selfe loue that dooth go­uerne vs, the good or the euill that we heare reported of o­thers, is immediatly reuolued in our mindes, and is com­pared to our selues: wherupon it ariseth, that euerye one that is of such defects or merites, calles to memorie, and is agréeued that his praise is past ouer with silence, or else dooth feare that his defects be not discouered: and it often comes to passe, that we offend man, onely with carrying lesse respect to one of the same, or one of greater quality, he iudgiug that asmuch or perchaunce more shalbe doone to him.

434 WHen a Prince hath fortified himselfe with confede­rates, with good Captains, with valiant souldiers, with weapons, with money, and with strong places: it fol­lowes that he endeuour himselfe to weaken the force, and to interrupt and break asunder the aduersaries determi­nations: the which thing may be perfourmed speedilye or late, according as occasion shall offer it selfe, the which is the fountaine and originall of all glorious acts.

435 AS good customes to the intent they may be maintained haue néede of the lawes: so the lawes in respect they [Page] may be obserued, haue need of good customes.

436 THose institutions and lawes that were made in a Common-weale, in the beginning thereof when men were good: doo not serue after to the purpose, when they are once become wicked: and if lawes doo varrie in a Cit­tie according to the accidents, the institutions thereof doo sildome or neuer varie: the which thing makes that the newe lawes doo not suffise, by reason that the institutions that stand firme, doo break them.

437 AMongst the Romanes the chéefest degrees of the Cit­tie were not giuen but to those which did demaund them: this order at the beginning was good, for that none did demaund them but those Citizens which were iudged woorthie: and to haue the repulse was an ignominious thing, wherupon it did arise, that to the intent they might be iudged good, euerye one did perfourme good actions.

438 IN the institution of a Cittie or State to a politicke life, presuppose in your minde a good man. And to become a Prince by violence, presuppose in your minde a wicked man: By this meanes you shall sildome finde that it falles out that a good man becomes a Prince by wicked meanes although the end were good: and that one that is wicked being become a Prince, will performe good actions, & that it will fall at any time into his minde to vse the authori­tie well, which he hath by euill meanes obtained.

439 HE that succéeds in state, although he be not of so great valour and vertue as his predecessour, yet maye he maintaine the saide state through the force and vertue of him that gouerned the same before him, and maye enioye the fruites of his trauailes: but if it should come to passe that he were not of a long life, or that after him there did not spring vp another, which dooth put vpon him the va­lour and vertue of the first, that Kingdome is constrained to fall into ruine: So in contrary sorte, if [...]ery one after the other, are of great vertue, it oftentimes appeares, that they accomplish great things and that they mount vp [Page 51] with their fame euen to the highest heauens.

440 IT is a thing most certaine, that if where there be men there be no Souldiers: it dooth spring through y e fault of the Prince, and not through the defect or any want in na­ture, or of the scituation of the Countrie: for that, a wise Prince doth vse in time of peace the orders of warfare and militarie discipline.

441 THere be two sortes of flatterie, the first ariseth of a ma­licious craft: the second of an vnaccustomed vse in con­uersation: the first with purpose to profit, is pricked for­ward artificially, and doo vse all studie to deceiue: the se­cond, hath for his purposed end, a care and feare not to of­fend, and therfore dooth vnwillingly follow the other, who for all that becomes his guide, but yet he is drawne by her as though it were by feare, with putting in obliuion cer­taine humilitie, certain seruile respects and most vaine ti­tles, which are made proper and fit, and such as are requi­red of all sorts and qualitie of persons, in such sort, as they cannot be shunned euen of vertuous men, and such as re­maine written in these tearmes of vse.

442 IT was neuer iudged a wise resolution, to put in perrill all thy fortune & not all thy forces: those do fal into this inconuenience, which determine when y e enemie comes, to defend y e difficile places, & to kéepe the passages: forsomuch as it is a thing of great damages, if in that difficilplace we cannot cōmodiously place all our forces: and in y • case we ought to take that resolution, but if the place be rough and ragged, and so strait that we cānot plant al our strengths: our resolution is naught: therefore if we loose that passage which we did presuppose to kéep, and in the which the peo­ple and our armie did put their confidence: there dooth en­ter for the most parte into the people, and into all the rest of the armie so great terrour, that without making triall or experience of their valour and vertue, doo giue ouer thē ­selues to loose all. And so it comes to passe that we forgoe all our whole fortune, and ouerthrowe parte of our forces.

443 [Page] NO well ordered Common-wealth dooth at any time cansell out the demerites of her Citizens, with their merites, but hauing appointed rewardes, for a good deede, and punishments for a wicked: and hauing rewarded some one for that he hath doone well, if that the same man do af­terwards commit any thing that is euill: he is to be cha­stised without any respect of his good d [...]eds, for that if vnto a citizen that hath performed and doone any famous thing for his Cittie, be ioyned (besides the reputation that such a one hath gained) a certaine audacitie, confidence & trust, to be able without feare to doo any thing that is not good: he will in time become so insolent, that he will dissolue all the order of ciuill life.

444 HE that would reforme the state of a Cittie, desiring to haue that reformation accepted, and to haue it likewise maintained with the satisfaction of euery one: It is necessary that he retaine at the least the shadowe of the auntient customes, to the intent that it may not appeare to the people that he hath changed the olde orders and in­stitutions, although in effects the ordinances were newe, and altogither alienated from those that were before: for that the vniuersall mindes of men is so fed with that out­ward shew which it séemes to carrie, as if it were the very same indéede, so that they are muche more mooued with th [...]se things of outward appearance, thē with that which they are in effect.

445 THe vice of ingratitude dooth spring either of couetous­nes or of suspect, for that, when any people or any Prince doo send foorth any Generall or Captaine, into what importunate expedition soeuer, where he gaines sufficient glorye: that Prince or people is afterwardes bound to rewarde him, and if in change they dishonour or endamage him, moued thereunto by couetousnes: they commit an errour which cānot be excused, but rather they loade their backs with a perpetuall infamie.

446 [Page 52]THe nature of men is ful of ambition and suspition, and cannot giue any staye or meane to none of their For­tunes: therfore it is an impossible thing but that, that su­spition which dooth arise in a Prince immediatly after the victorie of his Captaine Generall: should be caused by the encrease of some maner or fashion of behauiour vsed inso­lently in the said Captaine: so that a Prince can enter in­to no other thought, then how to assure himselfe, either by putting him to death, or by taking from him his reputati­on, or to make shewe with all industrie, that that victorie did arise not by his valour and vertue, but by Fortune, or through the vile basenes of his enemie, or by the pru­dence of some other of his Captaines, that were in that faction.

447 SUspition is so naturall in Princes, that they cannot de­fend themselues from the same: wherupon it is impos­sible that they should shew gratefulnes to those that haue vnder their Ensignes gained victorie, and that which a Prince cannot defend himselfe from: it is no miracle al­though the people doo not defend thēselues from: for that a Citie which haue lawes frée, hauing two finall endes, the one to settle commodities, and the other to maintain their freedome: it falles out of necessitie, that through ouer­much loue, they should erre both in the one and the o­ther case.

448 THat Captaine which will auoide ingratitude, it is ne­cessarie that he doo one of these two thinges: either that immediatly after the victorie he put al into the hands of his Prince, or that he kéepe himselfe from committing any insolent or ambitious act, to the intent that the Prince being made voyde of all suspition, he may haue no occasion either to punishe him, or to doo him any hurt, but when the Generall dooth not so: let him couragiouslye take holde of all those meanes, to make those thinges that he hath gained, hisowne.

449 [Page]FLatterie is chéefelye found in Courtes, Pallaces, and [...]ouses, and also in Common-wealthes, and in euerye place, touching the person of him that dooth flatter, and of h [...]m that is flattered: the flatterer hath néede or desire of something the which may be for his gaine, or else to con­serue, to obtaine, or not to loose, by the meanes of him that he dooth flatter: forsomuch as the person that is flattered is alwaies more mightye then he that flatters, or at the least such a one as in some respects may fauour him: And therfore it is vsed in Common-weales amongst those that be equalles, and also of the superiours towards the infe­riours: only it rests, that those that be miserable and base men, which are not thought to be able in any case either to harme or helpe, doo not flatter and in like sorte as well those that are endowed with magnanimitie, and are in happie estate, as those that be presumptuous, and those that content themselues with their estate, be not flat­terers.

450 MEn to obtaine their intents vse their meanes, that is to say: either force, either recompence, or the amiable willes of others: the two first doo not appertaine to flatte­rers: for, he that will vse force, or giue due recompence, dooth neuer flatter: besides that, force belonges to the mighty, where flattery appertains more to the weakned. And recompences makes men, at the least in that act, e­quall amongst themselues. Where flatterie makes them vnequall: amitie remaines, the which is gained with bene­uolence, and is maintained with fréendship, or with the si­militude of the one and the other.

451 THe reputation of dignitie the which doth spring of ver­tue & valour of magnificence, of studies, of thoughtes, of woords, and of such customes, that they doo not disagrée from the state wherein a Gentleman dooth remaine, and that togither they are not farre seperated from that vnto which he maye attaine: the which thing ought to be al­waies [...]efore the eyes of a Gentleman, as well for that he [Page 53] may neuer be reputed vnwoorthie, as also for that he ne­uer come to be suspected that he is not apt to become a Maiestrate.

452 WHosoeuer dooth possesse a state, ought to consider be­fore aduerse times doo chaunce, that he maye haue néede of sundrye men, and after this consideration to liue amongst them in such sorte, that he shall iudge (whensoe­uer that time shall fall out) that he of necessitie must liue: and he that gouernes himselfe otherwise, and after when the perrill comes vpon him, dooth think to gaine men with benefites: he is disceiued, for he cannot only, not assure him selfe, but dooth rather hasten his ruine.

453 WHen any inconuenience dooth arise in a Common-weale, caused by inward, or outward, or for vain oc­casions, is become so great, that it begins to strike feare in the hartes of euery one: it is a more sure resolution, to temporise y e same, thē to attempt to exstinguish it, for that those that goe about to choake and kill it, doo almost al­waies make the forces therof greater, and doo hasten that euill which is suspected of the same.

454 IF there be seene to arise in a Common-weale, a noble person, that hath extraordinarie vertues, the eyes of the Citizens turning their sight vpon him, doo concurre and runne without any respect to honour him, in such sort, that if there be in him any ambition at all, those fauours that nature and these accidentes haue giuen him, being vnited together, comes immediatly in place: that when the Citi­zens perceiue their errour, they haue small remedye to re­sist the same: and going about to doo so, they performe naught else but to hasten forward his power.

455 IF a Citizen would be able to endamage and to take v­pon him extraordinarye authoritie: it is requisite he haue many partes and qualities which he can neuer haue, in a Common-weale not corrupted: for that it is necessa­rie that he be very rich, that he haue sufficient store of per­takers and adherents which he cannot haue where the [Page] lawes are obserued, and although he had, yet such men are so timerous, that those frée fauours doo not concurre in them.

456 WHen the auntient gouernours of State, did sée the Common-weale quiet and in good case, they did al­waies finde out something although feinedly to the intent the Citizens might be afraide: for that by this feare they might arise to be more carefull, and the more watchful for the preseruation of their safetie: forsomuch as those wise aun [...]ient fathers did very well know, that y e vniuersall de­fect of men, is willing to become idle and negligent, & ne­uer by their good wils to apply themselues in a life y t is in­du [...]trious, but only when necessitie constraines them.

457 LEagues are accustomed not to endure long, whose force and fury is at the beginning: therfore it necessa­rily falles out, that they take in hand enterprises that en­dure but a small time.

458 IT is a manifest thing that the force of Leagues not vsed in their heate, doo soone vanish away: for that immediat­ly suspition makes entry, which doth coole and dissolue thē, and as at one instant they are disseuered: so they cannot be knit againe togither, without a long space of time.

459 AMbition is of so mightye power in the brest of men, that it neuer doth abandon them: the occasion is, for that nature hath created men, that they maye desire all thinges, but not obtaine all thinges: in such sorte, that al­waies our desires being greater then our power to obtain: it doth turne to the euill contentation and small satisfacti­on of him that dooth possesse. Of this doth arise the varying and changing of fortune, for that men desiring, some to haue more, and some fearing to lose that they haue alredy gotten, fall out to vse iniuries, and finally warres, wherof the ruine of one prouince doth arise, and the exaltation of another.

460 A Prince in the managing of his estate, doth not onelye seek to redresse present scandales, but also those that [Page 54] are future, and to prouide for the same with all industrye, for that prouiding for the same a far off, he may easilye re­medie them, but expecting vntill the euill drawe neere: the phisick comes not in time, forsomuch as not being known, it both growes olde and to be without cure.

461 WHen a Prince would maintain his state in a Pro­uince, disagreeing in customes and lawes, from his nature: finding therin much difficultie, it is requisite that he haue great fortune and great industry but the most as­sured way is: that he goe to remaine there in person, to the intent y e possession may be assured, and those disorders maye be discerned, vnto which remedye maye be giuen, be­sides that, the subiects hauing their Prince néere at hand, and carrying willing mindes to be good, they haue greater cause to loue him, and being the contrary, to feare him: and he that goes about to assault him, shall remaine more doubtfull, and although he determine to doo so, yet he ouer­comes with greater difficultie.

462 HE that is in a Prouince with his regiments or colonies that consist of many footmen, and of many inhabitours therin: ought to make himselfe the head and defendour of his neighbours that are of lesse power then he is himselfe, or rather to indeuour himselfe to weaken the most mighty of them, and he ought to haue care and regarde▪ that for no accident no Strangers doo enter into his slate, forsomuch as they are euer hunted after of those y t are mal-contents in that Prouince, either through ouergreat ambition, or through ouer-great pouertie.

463 IMmediatlye after a mightye Stranger is entered into a Prouince, all those that are of meanest power in y e same, doo ioyne themselues vnto him, moued through the enuye that they haue had against him that hath beene mighty a­gainst them, by reason that in respect of these small pow­ers, the stranger hath little trauail to gain y e same, that as­semble thēselues incontinētly about him, he hath only this to thinke vpon, that they take not vpon them ouer much [Page] force, or ouermuch authoritie, the which he may easily doo, debasing with his forces the most mightye, to remaine al­togither the arbitratour of the Prouince, and he that doth not gouerne himselfe well in this part, he shall soone loose that he hath gotten.

464 THey doo not breake their accorde and compact, who when they are not aided and succoured, confederate themselues with others: but rather those that yeelde no succours to them with whome they haue made cōuention and are in consorte. And he merites no blame who because he will not fall into perrilles that be exceeding great, castes his eyes with diligence vpon those things that are profita­ble vnto him: rather thē vnto those, which for other mens caus [...]s are damageable vnto him.

465 A Wise man knowes easily the generall inclination of any nation, and the actions therof being publick: it is necessarie that the same shewe perforce her minde and de­sires, foorth of which afterward are drawne perticular de­terminations either more or lesse, according to the capaci­tie of that wise man: which hath charge to perce and desi­pher the same.

466 THe great and mighty Northern Princes, which haue many Children, carrie alwaies their mindes apt and prone to make warres as well in respect of glory, as also to obtaine state for their Children, and to deliuer their owne Kingdomes, from those disturbations, which for the most parte, the first begotten amongst many brethren, is accustomed to bring, and if vnto these respects wrath and glorie be ioyned, without all doubt they exalte very much that Kingdome, which according to their imagination is most easie to be conquered: or in the which they haue some [...] or pr [...]tence of right, to the intent they may in eche cas [...] that dooth chaunce either of Leages, either towardes their aduersaries, or in any iustifications: salue the appea­rance thereof to the worlde.

467 [Page 55] SOliman the Emperour of the Turkes saide, that Prin­ces ought not to vse the help and aide of a Seruant oft­ner then once: forsomuch as, in that first fact his desire to obtaine the good grace of his Prince: and the greatnes of the demaund, dooth make him to resolue in himself to obey his request, hauing no space to think either of the perrill or of his owne aduauntage: but when after he comes afreshe to request him, he thinkes no more of the fauour alreadye obtained, but dooth imagine to make frée himselfe, with the perrill of his Prince, and to aduauntage himselfe by some meanes, to the damage oftentimes of his Prince, and the falsing of his own faith.

468 IT oftentimes comes to passe, that when we demaund a thing and are not able to obtain it: for that we haue not in a readines the reasons that may be opposed, we lose re­putation, and he that doth deny the same: besides that, he dooth repute vs for presumptuous and imprudent, imagi­ning that he hath offended vs, by reason of his deniall: and growes to hate vs. Heerof it ariseth, that y e gate is shutte vp against o [...]r obtaining of any other thing, which easily would haue béene graunted vs, the which we do not now procéed to demaund, because the first hath been deny­ed, wherupon he knowing our néede and necessitie, dooth not offer the same, supposing that we are displeased.

469 A Wise Officer or seruaunt ought after the maner of an excellent Phisition, foresée that which he may hope for, or that which he maye feare, neither hoping nor fea­ring more or lesse, then so much as is conuenient, and he may very easily know in the beginning, if that his hope be in augmentation, in estate, or in declination: and knowing the same, he may make his prognosticate, to the intent he néede not altogither to expect his sorrowe, and he ought to aduertise his Prince or Maister, thereby to shewe himselfe prudent, kéeping alwais his iudgement in hand, not suffe­ring him to be exalted through hope, neither fall downe to [Page] the ground through feare, and so affaires are handled with prudence, and come to passe to his honor, that dooth negoti­ate for the profit of his Master.

470 WHen Princes doo not graunt, or are correspondent to other mens demaunds, it growes vpon these occasi­ons, either that their silence giues them time to resolue v­pon some thing that is doubtfull, or else with their silence they deny the same: iudging the demaund to be vniust, or else they despise him y t hath made the demaund, although it be vniust, either else despise the seruaunt that doth de­maund y e same, or else exspects new aduertisements, y e bet­ter to resolue himselfe, or otherwise in this case giue good woords to their Seruants: therfore the prudent negotia­tour ought to make his considerations, in which estate of these foresaide cases, he dooth finde himselfe, and takes his expedition in hand with the better deliberation.

471 PLato would haue the duetye of a good Citizen to consist in these fower thinges, for the benefite of the common-weale: that is, that he be prudent in discearning those things that be present, and preuent those that are to come: iust in distributing to euerye one according to his deme­rites, strong to ouer-come feares, which are an impedi­ment to the operation of vertue, and temporate in our desires.

472 IF we desire to gouerne secretlye and surelye in any State: there is nothing more necessarie then to haue knowledge of the determinations and designes of great Princes: and in what sorte they are of abilitie to be exe­cuted: for that a man maye preserue himselfe in time of peace, which whosoeuer he imagineth may aide or profit him through their amitie, and maye prouide himselfe in case of any disturbance, to the intent to auoide harme.

473 [Page 56]THe knowledge of matters of state, is sifted out of Prin­ces by sundrie meanes. Forsomuch, as some procure to knowe the same by way of reporte, some by way of dis­course, some by the meanes of espialls, some by stipendary intelligencers, and some by the disposition of this man, and some by y t man. But there is no way so certain: as by the meanes of Ambassadours, & especially of those, that either through the greatnes of their Prince, or by his owne pro­per vertue, is in reputation: for that dealing alwaies with greate persons, and pondering diligently, their customes, their woords, their counsell, the valour, the maner of euery one and of the Prince himself: they may with a more surer grounded foundacion, then those that write Cronicles: knowe by reporte, thinges that are past: neither like explo­ratoures, rest onely vpon the consideration of thinges pre­sent: But with a certain and assured consideracion drawne foorth of these and those thinges: make iudgement of that which is to come.

474 THose Common-weales that were well instituted, gi­uing out Authoritie any long time, appoynted vnto the same certaine guardes and watch men, that the wic­ked vnto whome such authoritie did belonge, should not be able to vse it naughtily: and in this case, it helpes not that the matter and substance should not be corrupted. For that an absolute Authoritie, dooth corrupte in shorte time the matter and substance, and makes them partakers and freendes. And to such a person it hurtes not that he is poore, or that he hath no kins-folkes. For that riches and other fauours, doo run immediatly after him.

475 A Common weale, maye haue more confidence in a Citizen, that from a highe degrée, descendes to go­uerne one that is lesse: then in him, that from a small degrée ascends to a greater. For that in reason this man [Page] cannot be credited, if he haue not good men about him, who are of such reuerence and vertue, that those nouelties he raiseth, maye be moderated with their authoritye and counsell.

476 THose men that would put any thing in execution, ought firste to prepare themselues with all industrie, when occasion commeth, to remaine in good readines, to satisfie and performe that, which they haue determined to put in execution, and for that when preparations are made poli­tickly and craftily they are not known, he cannot be accu­sed of any negligence, if first it be not discouered by occasi­on, in the which if afterwards it woorke not effect, it ap­peares that either he made not such preparations as were sufficient, or that he thought of no parte of them before hand.

477 TO desire to take away a disorder sprung vp in a Com­mon-weale, and for this respect to make a Lawe that may looke a great time backward, is no good resolution: for that we procure naught else but hasten that euill vnto which this disorder doth conduct and leade vs, but by tem­porising either that the euill may goe forward more slolye or that by it selfe (before it take effect) it may be exstingui­shed in time.

478 THe woorst qualitie that a weake Common-weale can haue, is to be irresolute, for that all the resolutions they take, they take thē by force, and if they doo any thing that is good, they doo it by force and not by prudence, forso­much as their weakenes, will neuer suffer them to consult where there is any doubt, and if that doubt be not cancel­led, by some violence that dooth pricke it forward: they hang alwaies in suspition.

479 THe distribution and diuision of the politick iustice, life and gouernement, would be ruled with a Geo­metricall proportion, that is, according to the qualitie of the person: otherwise it is no ius [...]i [...]. As for example it [Page 57] appeares, that punishment by infamie is a small punish­ment to one of base degree, whereas to a noble personage it is of great detriment. Therfore those Officers and mi­nisters that procéede in merites and demerites, in fauours and disfauours, in one maner and with one measure, ha­ving no consideration to the diuersity, that nature and for­tune hath put betwixt the one and the other, so that they cannot be changed vnlesse the nature and custome of the whole worlde be changed: doo not vnderstand the same as it ought to be: for that the nobilitie growe into dispaire, perceiuing themselues to be debased, in like equall sort to those that be their inferiours, and perceiuing that those which are of base degrée to be entreated and ordered like the nobilitie: it makes them become insolent.

479 THe forces of Princes, if they be not gouerned with rea­son, and with good counsell: doo not onely become weak and vaine, but for the most parte are damageable to those that possesse them: but if they be ruled by prudence and good iudgement, they woorke meruailous effects, and giue vnto our fréends hope and securitie, and bringes vnto our enemies confusion and feare.

479 THe reputation and credit of a well ordered common-weale, is preserued with ne [...]tralitie, with abstaining from entring into league with any Prince, with remai­ning in amitie with all, and by kéeping all Princes in hope by shunning all occasions to suffer damage or iniury of any whosoeuer, by entertaining many Captaines of valour and of experience, by making good and forceable prepara­tions of warfare by Land: and by not abandoning with negligence his Nauie for the Seas, by kéeping and main­taining the people in loue and fidelitie, and by giuing vnto the Nobility honours, to those y t be of base degrée many commodities: and finally by giuing vnto euery one secu­ritie and iustice, hauing chéefe care that all men obserue, obey and reuerence deuine institutions.

480 [Page]IT is easilye knowne by those that consider well, those thinges that are present, and those things that are past in auntient time: how that in all Cities and amongst all people, the same desires and the same honours, that euer were amongst them doo still remaine: in such sorte that it is a very easie thing to him that dooth well and diligently examine things past, to foresee in a Common-weale those thinges that are to come: and to vse those remedies that of the antiquitie were vsed, or not finding those that haue been vsed to think vpon new, through the similitude of the accidents: but for these considerations, are either neglec­ted or not vnderstoode of those that read, or if they be vn­derstoode, they are not knowne of them that gouerne, nei­ther are they followed, for that the selfesame scandalles are to be found in all ages.

481 WHen the people are brought into this errour, to giue reputation to one sole person, which dooth ruinate and reuenge himselfe against those he hates, and that the same man be not wise: it will euer chaunce, that he being become a Tirant, will endeuour himselfe together with the fauour of the people, to roote out and exstinguishe the Nobiliti [...]: neither will he euer turne himselfe to oppresse the people, but when he hath destroyed all the Nobi­litye.

482 ALthough those that be noble desire to be Tirants, ne­uerthelesse that parte of the nobility which kéep them selues foorth of the path of tirannie, are alwaies enemies to a Tirant, who can neuer gaine to his parte all the no­bility, through the ambition & great couetousnes which remaines in him [...] forsomuch as the Tirant is not able to haue such store of riches, and so many honours, as would satisfie all the whole members of them. Whereupon it comes to passe, that those Tirants which haue to their fréendes the vniuersall multitude of the people, and for e­nemies [Page 58] those that be great personages, are more secure, for that their violence is sustayned with a greater force then those be that haue the people to their enemies, and the Nobilitie to their freends.

483 HE that in shewe hath appeared for good a certaine time, and will at his fantasie and pleasure become naught: must procéede in the same with due meanes, and guide himselfe in such sort with occasion, that before the change of his nature, take away from him his old fauours: he may haue obtained so many new, that his authoritie be nothing deminished at al, otherwise when he is discou [...]ed and without fréends, he runnes into ruin & is ouerthrown.

484 IT is hurtfull to a Common-weale, with continuall harmes and damages, to holde and kéepe the mindes of the Subiects in continuall feare and suspence: for that those men that begin to doubt that they shall incurre any euill, doo in any case assure themselues from those perrils, and become to carry lesse respect and to be of more audaci­tie to attempt newe things: therfore it is either necessary neuer to hurt or offend any person, or to vse al our harmes at one instant, and afterwards assure those men, and giue them occasion to quiet their mindes.

485 A Common-weale in her institutions and orders ought to be watchfull that the Citizens vnder the shadowe of good, doo not woorke euill: and that they carye and haue that reputation, which may helpe and not harme the li­bertye thereof.

486 A Prudent man ought neuer to refuse the popular iudg­ments, in particular things about the distribution of degrées and dignities, for that in this onelye the people do not deceiue themselues: and if they be deceiued, it is rare­ly: but those that be fewe in number, which haue to make such distributions, doo much more deceiue themselues.

487 [Page] ALl those Contries and Prouinces that liue in libertie▪ make great increase, and procéed much more forward then those that liue in slauery and bondage. For that in a free state is found greater store of people, because mariage amongst them are more frée and more desired of men: for­somuch as euery one dooth willingly beget those Children, which they think them selues able to nourish: not douting that their Patrimony shall be taken from them: and that they are borne free and not slaues, and that they may by means of their vertue and valour become great.

488 THose which determine in them selues to haue a Citie of great empire and rule: ought to endeuour them selues with all industrie, to replenish the same with inhabitants: the which thing is perfourmed two wayes, by loue and by force. By loue, by kéeping the way open and secure for all strangers, that dispose them selues to inhabite therin. By force, by destroying the next Cities and by bringing the in­habitants of them to dwell in their owne Citie.

489 A Weake and small Common weale cannot inuade and occupy neither cities nor kingdomes that are stronger and greater then it selfe. And if for all that she doo inuade and possesse the same: it chaunceth vnto her, the same that dooth vnto that Trée which hath her bowes greater then the body of the Tree, so that sustaining and holding vp her branches with great toyle and trauaile: euery small wind dooth bend the same.

490 TO take the charge and care to gouern a Citie with vio­lence, chéefely those which are accustomed to liue free: is a difficile and troublesome thing, and if we be not mighty in armes: we can neither rule nor commaund the same.

491 THe intent of him that makes war by election or by am­bition: ought to be, to obtaine and to maintaine the thing gotten, and in such sorte to procéed in the same, that he make him selfe rich, and not impouerish the Country [...] and his owne Common weale.

492 [Page 59]TO obtaine empire and not force: agrée well together, and he that obtaines Empire and not force both to­gether, it comes of necessitie, that he must fall in ru­ine. And he cannot obtaine force, that is impouerished by warres, although he be victorius: for that he dooth disbursse more then he receiues in by the gaine therof.

493 A Prince or a Common-weale: ought first to take eue­rye other resolution, then to haue recourse to conduct and bring into his state for his defence, Forraine succours, although it is necessary for him to put confidence in them, for that any parte, or any conuention that he makes with the enemie: wilbe lighter vnto him, thē any such resolution.

494 AN ambitious Prince or Common-weale, can haue no greater occasion to inuade any Citie or Prouince: thē to be requested to send his army to the defence therof.

495 THat person that is so ambitious, that not onely to de­fend himselfe, but also to offend others: calles vnto him like coadiutours and helpes, goes about to obtaine that which he cannot holde, and that the same which already he hath gotten: may be easily taken from him.

496 THose Cities which are vsed to liue frée, or accustomed to gouerne themselues by their Prouincialls: remaine content (together with other quiet) vnder a Dominione which they see not, rather then vnder that which they see e­uery day: Wherin it seemes that their bondage apéeres al­wayes before their eyes.

497 AMongst all those States that are full of infelicitie and infortunate: the state of a Prince or Common-weale is most vnhappy, which are reduced into such tearmes, that they can neuer receiue peace, nor sustaine warres. Unto which tearmes, those are reduced that be ouermuch enda­maged with the conditions of the peace, and on the other side, when they would make warres: it behoues them ei­ther to make themselues a pray to those that help them: or remaine for a spoyle to the enemie.

498 [Page]THe estate of a gouernment is no other, then to rule thy subiects in such sorte, that neither they can, or by reason ought to hurt or offend thée. This is doone by this meanes either by assuring thy selfe sufficiently in all thinges, cut­ting off all those wayes wherby they might harme thée: or else to benefite them so much, that they cannot by any rea­son be more to desire to change Fortune.

499 WHen we are to Iudge mightie Cities that are accu­stomed to liue free: it is conuenient either to extin­guish them, or curteously to imbrace them, otherwise euery iudgement will fall out to be vaine, and we must altoge­ther shunne the meane waye, for that it is pernitious.

500 TO vse woordes againste the Enemye, of small honour: spring for the most part of an insolencie that giues vnto men either victorie or a false hope of victorie. The which false hope dooth not onely cause men to erre in woordes, but also in déedes, for that this hope makes a man to passe his boundes, and causeth him often times to loose the occasion he hath to obtaine an assured good, hoping to haue a better which is vncertaine.

501 PRinces that are assayled (when the assaulte is made by men that are more mightie then they) can commit no greater errour, then to refuse any agréement, chéefely when it is offred vnto them. For that there can neuer any such b [...]se condition be offred: but that in some parte of the same there is contayned, the benefite and good béeing of him that doth accept the same: and therein shall be parte of his victorie.

502 IF a greate personage be greatly offended or endamaged, with the publike state, or with anye priuate person, and hath not reuenged him selfe according to his own satisfacti­on, if he liue in a Common-weale: he dooth goe about with the ruine therof to reuenge himselfe. If he liue vnder a prince, and haue within him any generositie and corage: he [Page 60] neuer dooth quiet him selfe, vntill such time that in some sorte, he dooth reuenge him selfe against him, although he perceiue his owne proper damage shoulde fall out in the same.

503 MEn may alwayes followe Fortune, but neuer oppose them selues against Fortune. They may weaue the web therof, but not breake the same. They ought neuer to abandon Fortune, for that not knowing the end therof: and besides that she alwaies goes through vnknowne and crooked pathes, we ought alwaies to liue in hope of her, and hoping not to abandon our selues, in whatsoeuer Fortune or in whatsoeuer trauaile we do finde our selues.

504 AMongst those Signes whereby we knowe the power and might of a State: the one is, to beholde how she liues with her neighbours. For that when she gouernes her selfe in such sort, that her neighbours to haue her their fréende doo make them selues her Pencionares, then is it a certaine signe that, that State is mightie. But when the saide Neighboures (although inferiour vnto her) drawe money of her: then it is a greate signe of her weaknes.

505 IF thou be a Mal-content againste any Prince: measure and ballance thy forces, and if thou be so mightye, that thou art able to discouer thy selfe to be his Enemie, and to make warres against him openly: enter into this path, as least perilous and most honourable: but if thy forces be not sufficient, indeuour thy self with all industrie, to make him thy fréend, and enter into the path that thou doost iudge to be necessarie, following his pleasures, and ma­king showe that those thinges please thée, which thou seeest delightes him: for that this domesticke familia­ritie makes to liue secure, and without feare of any perrill make thee to enioye and be pertaker of his good fortune, and bringes vnto thée all good meanes and [Page] commodities for thée to satisfie thy minde.

506 WE ought not to remaine so néere vnto Princes, that their ruine ouerwhelme vs: neither so farre distant off, that being ouerthrowne, we maye be able to ariue in time to leape vpon the ruine.

507 THose Princes begin then to loose their state, when they begin to breake the Lawes, the maners, and those cu­stomes that be of antiquitie: and vnder the which men haue liued a long time, for that these doo want commodity: those doo abandon them, and their willes and desires is a­like, for that the desire of dominion, is as great or greater then is the desire of reuenge.

509 THe greatest enemy that a Prince hath, is conspiracy, for that whensoeuer it is made, either it dooth destroy him or defame him. If they take effect: he dyes, if they be discouered, and that he dooth kill the conspiratours: it will alwaies be thought to haue béen the inuention of y e prince, to satisfie his couetous desire, or to asswage his crueltie in the blood and goods of them which he hath executed and put to death.

510 WHen a Prince dooth discouer any conspiracye, let him vse all endeuours to vnderstand the qualitie thereof: and to measure well the condition and nature of the con­spiratour, and of his owne: and when he dooth finde them great and mightye, let him not discouer them, if firste he be not prepared with sufficient forces to oppresse them. For if he doo otherwise, he discouers his owne ruine.

511 MEn for the most parte in their procéedings, and much more in their actions of importance, ought to consi­der and to accommodate thēselues to the time. And those which by making naughty elections, or by natural inclina­tions disagree from the time: liue for the most parte vnfor­tunately, and their operations haue a naughty end.

512 [Page 61] A Man may begin with his practises & with his naughty orders to corrupt the people of any Cittie, but it is an impossible thing that the life of one alone should be suffici­ent to corrupt it in such sorte, that he himselfe may be able to reape fruite thereof: and although he did performe it through the long progresse and drawing out of time, yet it is impossible in respect of the proceeding of men that are im­patient, and cannot long deferre their passions.

513 HE that will take vpon him authoritie in a Common-weale, and to plant therein naughty orders: it is re­quisite that he finde the substance and matter therof disor­dered by time, and that by little and little, and that from generations to generations, it be brought into disorder: the which of necessitie falles out to be brought so, when she is not oftentimes refreshed and supplyed with good ex­amples, or with newe lawes drawing towardes her firste principles.

514 THe Citizens which in a Common-weale make any en­terprise in fauour of libertye, or in fauour of tirannie: ought to consider the subiect they haue, and therby to iudge the difficultie of their enterprise, for it is as hard and as perrillous to make frée any people that would liue in serui­tude, as it is to make a people bound that would liue frée.

515 THe cause of the good or of the euill fortune of a man, is in his order of proceding to match and light right with Time. For that it appeares that men in their actions and déedes procéed, some with extremitie, some with respectes, and some with cautions: and for that in the one and the o­ther order they passe their conuenient tearmes, not being able to obserue the true way: they erre in the one and the other, but he doth commit least errour, and hath most pro­sperous fortune, that dooth encounter and match the time with his order of procéeding.

516 [Page] A Prince that hath an army together, and dooth perceiue that through the want of money or fréends, he cannot long hold the same together: is of small discretion if he doo not attempt and make triall of fortune before the armie be dissolued, for if he tarry and exspect: he is sure to lose, but if he attempt the same: he may ouercome, and if he lose, yet he dooth obtaine glory: for more glorie it is to be ouer­come by force, then by anyother inconuenience, which may cause thée to loose.

517 HE that desires to haue a Cittie to defend it selfe obsti­nately, or that would haue an armie in the féeldes ob­stinately and resolutely fight: he ought aboue all things to indeuour himself to print in the mindes of those that must [...]ight, necessitie.

518 A Wise Generall that goes about to winne & expugne any Cittie, he ought to measure the facilitie and diffi­cultie that he shall haue to winne the same, by knowing and considering what necessitie dooth constraine the inha­bitours thereof to defend themselues: and when he findes sufficient necessitie that constraines them to defend them­selues: let him iudge y e expugnation for difficile, otherwise: let him holde it for most easie.

519 TOwnes and Citties after their rebellion, are more dif­ficile to be obtained, then they are at their firste win­ning: for that in their beginning hauing no occasion to feare any punishment, for that they haue made no offence, they doo easily yeeld themselues: but after rebellion, they iudging themselues to haue offended, and therfore fearing punishment, are most difficile to be expugned.

520 ORders are not so much necessarie for an armie to be able to fight in due order, as they be: for that euerye small accident, should not disorder them, for the populare multitude, are not vnprofitable in warres for any other cause: but for that euery rumour, euery woord and sound, [Page 62] and euerye noyse dooth amaze them and makes them to flye.

521 A Wise Generall, amongst other things, ought to ap­point which those be which must receiue his woordes and carrie them to others: accustome his Souldiers that they beléeue none, but only those Chéeftains and officers, that speake or appoint nothing but that which is com­maunded by him: for that if this parte be not well obser­ued, it is oftentimes séene, that disorders of great impor­tance hath followed.

522 EUery wise Generall ought to indeuour himselfe to cause some newe thing to appeare whilste the Armies are in fighting, to the intent he therby may giue aid to his owne, and take the same away from his enemie: the which accident maye be verye effectuall to giue him the victorie. And besides these aduertisements, he ought to doo two things, the one to make proofe with newe inuentions to amase the enemye, the other to stand prepared, that if the same be practised of the enemye against him, he both maye be able and knowe how to discouer and make fru­strate the same.

523 IT is much better to send into an expedition, a man a­lone that is of ordinary prudence, then two woorthy per­sonages together, with the very same authoritie.

524 HE that commaunds ouer subiects, to the intent they may not become insolent, and that through thy ouer-great felicitie, doo spurne at thée: thou ought rather to ap­plye thy selfe to punishe then to execute: but neuerthelesse with such moderation, that thou maist shunne that hate which euery Prince ought to keep him from.

525 SOmetimes an act that is replenished and full of chari­tie, dooth woorke greater effect in the minde of a man, then one that is cruell and violent. And it comes often­times to passe, that, that Prouince and that Cittie, that the weapons, the warlicke instruements and euery [Page] other force hath not béene able to open, one example of hu­manitie or of pietie, of chastitie, or of such other vertues, hath been able not onely to open, but also to make subiect.

526 HE that desires ouermuch to be beloued: euerye small step wherby he stra [...]es out of the true way, makes him despised, and he that desires ouermuch to be respected and feared, euerye lea [...]t parte wherein he excéedes the meane, makes him odious: and to kéepe the meane and middle way, cannot be iu [...]tly perfourmed, for that our nature doth not consent vnto it: wherfore it is necessarie to miti­gate both the one and the other with an excessiue vertue.

527 WHosoeuer desires to be obeyed, it is necessarie he know how to commaund, and those know how to commaund, that make comparison of their own qualities, with that of those ouer whome they are to commaund: but when they perceiue they are out of proportion and frame they ab [...]taine: and if they commaund ouer-hard and vio­lent thinges, it is conuenient with violence and hardines to cause them to be obserued, otherwise he shall finde him­selfe deceiued.

528 TO keepe a Common-weale with violence, it is con­uenient that there be a proportion of him that for­ceth the same, with that which is forced: and sometimes there is such a maner of proportion, y t it may be thought, that, that violence may endure, but when he that is forced is stronger then he that forceth him: it is to be doubted that this violence will cease euerye day.

529 TO commaund ouer strong thinges, it is conuenient to be strong, and he that is of this force, and that dooth commaund them, cannot afterwards with gentlenes and curtesie, cause the same to be obserued, but he that is not of this fortitude of minde, ought to kéep himselfe from ex­traordinary rule and commaundings: and in those that [Page 63] be ordinary may vse his humanitie: for that ordinarye pu­nishments, are not imputed to the prince, but to the lawes and to the other institutions of the Citie.

530 IF we desire that an armie shall ouercome any battaile: it is necessary to make it enter into such an opinion of as­surance: that they may beléeue that in any case they shall ouercome. And to make them assured, it is necessarye to arme them and to make them cunning in military orders, and woorke so that they may haue perfect knowledge and counter-sig [...]es one of an other. And this assurance and or­der cannot arise, but amongste those Souldiers, that are borne and haue liued together. It is conuenient also, that the Captaine Generall be estéemed of qualitie, that they trust in his prudence: and they will alwayes trust in him, when they see him order things well, to be carefull, bolde, and that doth hold wel and with great reputation, the ma­iestie of his degree: the which he shall always maintaine, when he dooth punish them of their errours, and dooth not toyle or trauaile them in vaine: and that he obserue vnto them his promise, and showe them, that the waye to ouer come is very easie: and to kéepe secrets hid, and make me­ry in such maner as may show that the perrills are remo­ued. The which thinge being well obserued: they are a great occasion that the armye should enter into an opini­on of assurance, and beeing assured: to obtain the victorie.

531 EUery Prince that makes warres, ought to take honour for his beg [...]nning: and profit for his finall end. Neither that can be reputed a profitable warre: which dooth obtain State or money. I haue made mention of honour and pro­fite. For that although ma [...]y times honour mooues Prin­ces to make warres: yet for al that, for the most parte, his state is gayned, that against reason hath showed him selfe thy Enemye. And that warre wherein there is as muche sp [...]nt as there is gotten therein: is a damageable warre.

532 [Page]HE that determines to obtaine the degrée of a Magi­strate, let him dispose himselfe to supporte the hate and euill will of many, and let him neuer imagine to become angrye with any one, for any thing that shall chaunce vn­iustly against him: euen of those that he hath holden for most freendlye, neither let him leaue of so lightlye, by rea­son of the first denialls and withstandings that are made him, his hopes are muche lesse his owne defences: for that he that doth su [...]ain certain vehement assaults, and chéefly the first, the which are accustomed to be made, neither suf­fers himself to fal into manifest ouerthrow, either through wrath or ouer much haste: maye hope to finde many good occasions to fauour his election.

533 TO be olde, giues great helpe to him that desires ho­nours, for that olde age dooth carry with it ordinari­ly hope of short life, yet it is true, that olde age is not suffi­cient, but it is necessarie withall to haue other qualities, and the first is bounty: forsomuch as men are neuer so wic­ked, nor by admiration so vnciuill, that they can altogither suppresse the desire of good things, that nature hath giuen to euerye one, wherupon it dooth arise, that the good be ho­nored euen of the wicked.

534 THose thinges by the which men are moued to fauour any one, to obtaine the degree of a Magistrate, it is necessarie that they be encreased in all their operations, or at least-wise not deminished from the fauourite: and let him beléeue that continually the eyes of euery one is vpon him, & that he is to make iudgement of euery little thing, of his will and desire. Forsomuch as the selfe sam [...] freends, will faile him in affection, when they discouer the contrary of that which they haue imagined of him.

535 THe people when they beginne to giue anye degrée to a­nye Citizen, grounding them selues vpon the fame, v­pon opinion and vpon his workes: make no euill founda­tion. But when afterwards the sundrye examples, and his [Page 64] many good déedes makes him better knowne: they ground it better, for in such case they are neuer deceiued.

536 THe People in the election of maiestrates, iudge accor­ding to those countersignes, that men do holde for mos [...]e true: and when they may be counsailed as Princes are, they erre lesse then Princes doo. And that Citizen wh­ic [...] will beginne to get the fauour of the people: ought to gaine the same with some notable fact.

537 THose that giue counsell to a Common-weale or vnto a Prince: are set amongst these straites, that if they giue no counsaile to those thinges that vnto them appéere profitable, either for the Citie or for the Prince, without hauing any respect: they faile in their dutie If they giue counsaile: they enter into perrill of their life and of their state, all men béeing blinde in this case, to iudge the good and the naughtie counsailes by the end.

538 TO shunne or flie either infamie or perrils, by counsaile I sée no other waye then to take the thinges moderate­lye, and not to take any by enterprise: telling his opinion without passion, and without passion defend the same with modestie, in such sorte that the Citie that is counsailed or the Prince doo followe the same: that he may followe it willingly, and that it séeme not that he be drawne therun­to by the importunitie of him that giues the counsaile.

539 IT seemes y t there is found in humaine actiones, in going about to bring things to their perfection: alwaies néere vnto the good, there is adioyned some euill, the which (toge­ther with the same goodnes) dooth easily spring, that it séems vnpossible that we can want the one, if we desire the other.

540 A Wise Generall, when he comes to encounter with a new enemy that is of reputacion: is constraned before he giue battaile, to make his souldiours proue the enemy with light encounters and Skirmishes, to the intent that beginning to manage and to knowe them, they maye loose that terrour which fame and reputation had giuen them.

541 [Page] ALthough to vse fraude in any action, is detestable: ne­u [...]thelesse in the managing of warres, it is a laudable and glorious thing: and he is aswell commended that o­uercomes the enemy by fraude, as he that dooth ouercome him by force.

542 WHen determinations is altogither to be made tou­ching the safetie of our Countrie, we ought not to fall into any consideration either of iust or vniust, of piti­full, or cruell: of laudable, and [...]gnomie: but hauing set a­side euery other respect we ought to follow altogither that resolution, which dooth maintaine our liues in safetie, and our Countrye in libertye.

543 HE that would sée what shall fall out, let him consider what hath beene: for that all things in this worlde, in all ages, haue the same euents they had in auntient time.

544 WHen a Prince desires to obtaine a thing of any o­ther: let him not giue him space to d [...]li [...]rate vpon the same (if occasion doo suffer it) and woorke in such sorte that he may see the necessitie of the speedie deliberation: the which is when he that is demaunded, dooth sée that by denying or by differring doth arise a perilous and suddain indignation.

545 A General ought neuer to giue credit to any errour that is euidentlye made by the enemie: for alwaies vnder the same there is some fraude, since it cannot stand with reason that men should be so vnwarie.

546 THere is nothing more difficile to be handled, neither more doubtfull to come to passe, neither more perillous to be managed, then to make our selues chée [...]e to bring in newe orders: for that he which is the bringer in of them, hath vnto his enemies all those which haue sped well vn­der the olde orders, he hath for meane and moderate de­ [...]enders, all those that by the new orders shall spéede well: [Page 65] the which medeocritie dooth spring partely for feare of the aduersaries that haue the lawes to benefite [...]hem: part [...]ly through the incrudelitie of men, which doo not giue place to any new thing, vnlesse they doo see firme experience.

547 HE that dooth beléeue that newe denefites dooth make great personages forget olde iniuries, is deceiued: and iniuries ought to be made altogither, to the intent that ta [...]ing lesse, they may offend lesse: but benefits ought to be made by little and little, to the intent they may sm [...]ll better.

548 A Prince ought to haue no other obiect, nor any other thought, neither take any other thing for his art, then warres, orders, and lawes, and the discipline of them: for that is the only art that is to be required of him that com­maundes, and is of such great vertue, that it dooth not on­lye maintaine those that are borne Princes, but often­times, makes men of priuate fortune to arise vnto that degrée.

549 IT is apparently séene, that when we make any resoluti­on, either with ouer great haste, or with ouer great affec­tion, it dooth euer fall out to be euill: forsomuch as the one giues vs no time to finde out those thinges, that ought to be had inconsideration, before conclusion b [...] made: the o­ther, do [...]th occupye our mindes in such sorte, that it dooth not suffer vs to knowe any other, saue onlye those which dooth touch vs at that instant.

550 ONe pleasure or displeasure, doth moue vs more which is doone in our present action, then those great bene­fites that haue béene doone in times past: so for the most parte the sence of thinges present, dooth woor [...]e more in men, then the memory of things past, or the prouidence of things that are to come.

551 IT is an easie thing to know the euill satisfaction of the minde of euerye one: for that euerye one dooth recount [Page] willingly the merits or demerits of their fréends, and that which our aduersaries can doo, or cannot doo: so that we will haue patience to giue eare, the which patience is the foundation for vs to doo euery thing well. And he that hath greater desire to speake then to giue eare: dooth instruct much more then he dooth learne.

552 WHen any thing will not take effect, it is necessarie to consider whither that did arise of their owne disor­der, or of the enemies abilitie or power, if they spring of disorders, that may be amended, we ought to doo it: if for that the enemy proceedes in good order, it is requisite we should change opinon, and doo that which is least euill: the which will come to passe, when there dooth aduaunce any small time in the consideration of our owne State, and if that he will discend to reasonable and iust compositions and partes.

553 AMongst the manye occasions of euill, that being disar­med dooth bring vnto a Prince: one is, that it causeth him to be dispised: for of one that is armed, in respect of one that is disarmed, there is no proportion: and reason dooth not require that he which is armed, should willinglye o­bey to him that is disarmed, and that the disarmed should remaine secure amongst armed seruitours, for that whilst in the one there remaineth disdain, and in the other suspect: it is not possible that they should agrée and match well together.

555 A Prince which hath no vnderstanding in Warrefare besides his infelicitie, he can neither be estéemed of his Souldiers, neither put any confidence in them: he there­fore ought to exercise himselfe more in the time of peace, then in the time of warre, two waies: The one in action, the other with his minde: in action, by kéeping his people w [...]ll ordered and well exercised, alwaies to vse himselfe to the chase, and by the means therof, to accustome his bo­dye to trauailes and discommodities, and in parte to learn [Page 66] the nature of the scituations. With his minde to read the histories, and in thē to consider the excellent acts of men, to beholde how they did gouerne themselues in warre, ex­amine the occasion of the victorie, and of the losse thereof: to the intent that the one maye be shunned and auoyded, and the other imitated: and aboue all thinges, to imi­tate those that before him were glorious and of woorthye praise.

556 HE that dooth leaue off that which he dooth, for that which he ought to doo, dooth rather learne his ruine, then his preseruation, for a man that in all respectes will performe the profession of a good man, it falles out of neces­sitie, that he be ruinated amongst so many good men.

557 THat Prince that cannot vse liberalitie without his da­mage, in such sort that it come to knowledge: he ought if he be prudent, not to care for the name of miserable, for that in time he shall be alwaies accounted more liberall, perceiuing that by his spare, his reuenewe shall be so suffi­cient, that he maye be able to defend himselfe, against any that makes him warres, that he may take enterprises in hand without oppressing the people: whereupon it will come to passe, that he shall vse libertye to all those from whome he takes nothing, which are infinite: and be mi­serable to all those to whom he giues nothing, which are fewe.

558 NOthing doth more consume it selfe then liberality, the which whilste thou doost vse it, thou losest the meanes to vse it, and thou shalt become either poore, either vile, or else to shunne pouerty: rauenous or odious.

559 IT is greater wisdome to kéepe the name of misera­ble, then to bring foorth an infamie without hate, for to desire the name of liberall, is to incurre of necessitie the name of rauenous, which brings infamie ioyned with hate.

560 [Page] A Prince ought not to take care to be accounted cruel, so that he may maintaine his subiects in fidelitie and concord: for that with a fewe examples he is more pitifull then those that through ouermuch pittie, suffer disorder to ensue: whereby spring vp rapines and slaughters: for that these are accustomed to endamage the vniuersall state, and those executions which procéede from the Prince, doo hurt but one perticuler person, and it is altogither impossible for a newe Prince to auoide the name of cruell, for newe states are full of perrilles.

561 A Prince ought to be slowe in beleeuing, and slowe to be displeased, neither ought he to make a terrour of him selfe, but to proc [...]ede in such a temperate sorte with pru­dence and humanitie, that his ouer great confidence do not make him vnwarie, and his ouer great distrust doo not bring him to be intollerable.

562 MEn haue lesse respect to offend one that makes him­selfe to be beloued, then one that makes himself to be feared and redoubted: for that loue is holden with a bond or obligation, the which for that men be wicked, fall out to be broken: as euery occasion of our own proper profit, but feare is maintained with the terrour of punishment, which neuer dooth abandon it.

563 WHen the Prince is abroade with an armie, and hath in gouernment a multitude of Souldiours, he ought not to care to be named cruell, for that without this name an Armie is not holden together vnited, neither apt for any faction.

564 MEn doo vniuersallye iudge more by their eye then by their hand, for that it falles out to be euery ones lot to see, but to fewe to touch, euerye one dooth see what thou seemes to be, fewe doo feele what thou art: and those fewe dare not oppose themselues against the opinion of many or which haue the maiestie of the state to defend them, and in the actions of all men, and chéefly of Princes, where there [Page 66] is no iudgement vnto which they may appeale, beware of the end.

565 PRinces béeing forced of necessitie to know how to ma­nage beasts: ought amongst thē to make choise of y e Fox and the Lyon: in respect that the Lyon dooth not defend him selfe from snares: nor the Fox dooth not defende him-selfe from wolfes. Therfore it is necessary to be a Fox, to know how to discypher snares: and a Lyon, to make the wolfes affraide.

566 A Newe Prince, cannot obserue all those thinges by the which men are accounted good: béeing often times dri­uen to necessities, to maintain his state, to wincke against his promised faith, against charitie, against humanitie and against such like vertues. And therefore it is necessary he haue a mind ready to turn it selfe, according as the windes and the varying of Fortune dooth cōmaund: but he ought not to departe from that which is good (if he be able) but to knowe how to enter into that which is euill, when he is enforced.

567 A Prince ought euer to endeuour him-selfe how to liue and to maintaine his State, and the meane is euer iudged honorable and commendable of all men. For that the common Uulgar people are taken with that which ap­peeres, and with the euent of thinges. And in the Worlde there be none but such as be Uulgar: And those that be fewe haue place, when those that are many haue no where to settle them selues.

568 A Prince ought to possesse two feares, one at home in respect of his Subiectes: the other abroade, in respect of forraine Potentates. From these he may defende him­selfe with good weapons and w [...]h good Fréendes, and alwayes if he haue good weapons: he shall haue good Fréendes. And continually the state of thinges will re­maine firme at home: when those rest firme that are abroade.

569 [Page] A Prince ought not to make estimation of conspiracies, when the people is beneuolent, but when they be his enemies and hate him, he ought to be afraide of euerye thing and of euerye one, how simple soeuer he be, for there is no man of such pouertie, that he wants a knife.

570 A Prince that would maintaine his state, is constrai­ned oftentimes not to be good, for that when the peo­ple, the Souldiours, or other great Personages, be corrup­ted, of whome in his iudgement he hath néede to maintain himselfe: it is requisite that he follow their humours and that he satisfie them: and then his good woorkes, are his enemies.

571 WHen occasion dooth present her self vnto thée, of any thing thou doost desire, take holde of her without loosing time: for that the affaires of this world doo so soone varie and change, that we cannot assure our selues to haue any thing, vntil such time as we haue it in our hands, who when therfore any thing is propounded and offered vnto thée that dooth displease thée, deferre it so long as thou art able, for that it is often seene, that time brings foorth acci­dents, that will carrie thée out of those difficulties.

572 WHen a Prince is more afraide of his owne subiectes then of forraine forces, let him make fortifications: but he that is more afraide of forraine nations then of his owne people, let him cast those at his backe, but to the intent he need not to be in doubt, but rather to make him­selfe esteemed: nothing is better then to take in hand great enterprises, and giue knowledge to the world of his nota­ble examples.

573 WE neuer goe about to shunne one inconuenience, but that we incurre another, but prudence dooth consist in knowing how to discearn the qualitie of the inconueni­ences, and not in taking a naugty course for a good.

574 THe Prince ought alwaies to receiue counsell when he will, and not when others will: but when he is [Page 67] not wise of him selfe: he cannot receiue good connsell, if he do not remit whole to the chance of one alone (which may gouerne all) and such a one as were a wise and prudent man. But good counsells from whome soeuer they come, it is requisite that they arise through the prudence of the Prince, and not the prudence of the Prince to arise of good counsell.

575 HE that will negotiate, ought not to suffer him selfe to be taken out of possession: for that of one thing dooth a­rise anotherthing, as-well by the accesse that the first giues vnto the second: as by the reputacion he dooth carrie to be found in negotiation. Unto which purpose this Prouerbe may be applyed. Di Cosa nasce cosa, et il tempo le gouerna. Of thinges: thinges arise, and time dooth gouerne them.

576 WE ought to obserue with diligence, thinges past: for that they giue light to those that are to come, forso­much as the Worlde was alwayes one, and all that wh­ich is at thi [...] present and shall be, hath béen at other times. For that the selfe same thinges returne vnder diuers sun­drie names and cullours, wherefore they are not knowne but of those that are wise, and that consider them with greate diligence.

577 THose possesse a better time in this Worlde, a longer life, and after a certaine sorte a more happy, which are of a base and meane wit: then these hye and scrutinous wittes. For that a Noble wit is for the moste parte a tra­uaile to him that hath it. Neuertheles the one in practising dooth participate more of a brute creature then of a man, the other ascending aboue the degrée of man: dooth aproche néere vnto the heauens.

578 THe nature of the people, is like vnto the nature of pri­uate persones, that is, to desire alwayes to augment in degrée, more then they are of them selues: Therfore he is wise, that denyes anye thinge before they demaunde it. For if he doo graunte it: hée dooth not staye them, [Page] but dooth inflame them to demaund more, and with grea­ter instance then before, for by giuing them often to drink: the thirst is made greater.

579 HE that is the follower of a great person, and doth serue him, & dooth desire to be employed of him: dooth apply himselfe to be alwaies present before his eyes, for that oc­casions doo arise from time to time, to commit some af­faires to the handes of those he dooth sée, or vnto those that are néerest him: which if he did séeke for or looke for, he would not commit them vnto him: and he that doth loose any beginning although very small, dooth oftentimes loose his accesse and introduction to great things.

580 I Would imploye my selfe to séek the mutation of states, if I alone were able to change them: but when I call to minde that it is requisite I should first make head with o­thers, and for the most parte with fooles and with malig­nant persons, which neither can kéep secret, neither know how to perfourme any thing, there is nothing that I flée and shunne more then this.

581 HE that would procure in any accident, a wise man to iudge the effects that would come, and write his iudg­ment: he should finde (returning to sée the progresse of times) fewe thinges verified, for that the affaires of the worlde are euer variable and full of change.

582 HE that is conuersant with great persons, should not suffer himselfe to be set on horse-back, with curteous embrasements, or with superficial demonstrations, wher­withall they make men daunce as they list: for that by how much more is it difficile for vs to abstaine from this, so much the more ought we to restraine our selues by kée­ping our head free and at liberty, not suffering any to carry vs away lightly.

583 A Good Citizen that loues his Countrie, ought not onely to temporise and maintain himselfe in the good grace of a Tirant for his securitie, for that he is in perrill when he [Page 68] is holden in suspect: but also for the benefite of the Cittie, for that gouerning of himselfe, after this sort, he shal haue occasion to fauour with counsel and with d [...]eds, many good men, and disfauour many wicked.

584 IF thou be not well pleased with any one, indeuour thy selfe so much as thou art able, that he doo not perceiue it: for that he dooth soddainly alienate himselfe, and for that in time manye occasions doo fall out, that maye serue thy turne, and they will serue thée if thou hast not lost them by making account of them: dissemble then and hold him for thy freend.

585 HE that perceiues himself to be of good luck and fortu­nate, may weaue the webbe of his enterprises with greater courage: but let him knowe, that chaunce & luck be not only from time to time ful of change, but also in one selfe time and in one selfe thing. And whosoeuer will ob­serue the same, shall finde many that haue béene fortunate in one kinde of thing, and in an other kinde haue been vn­fortunate.

586 I Haue desired as other men haue: profit and honor, and my draught hath alwaies succeede, neuerthelesse, when I haue obtained what I would: I haue not found in the same any of those satisfactions I imagined before, which thing if it be well considered, ought to suffise to exstinguish much of that thirstie humour that men haue of honours.

587 DOo not determine vpon that thing which thou hast not, neither spend vpon any future gaines: for that many times they doo not succéede, and thou findest thy selfe entangled. And it is oftentimes seene, that great Mer­chants doo faile, when that vnder the hope of a greater fu­ture gain, they enter into exchange, the multiplying wher­of is certaine, and hath a perfixed time, but y e gaines which he looked for, oftentimes doo not come, or else drawe out in length more then he made account off: in such sorte, that [Page] those enterprises which he had begun to his profit, fall out to be damageable.

588 IN the particular accidents of warre, fortune dooth rule more then in any other humaine actions, forsomuch as e­uery arte that hath his subiect changeable, is in some sorte subiect to the occurrence of chaunce: but most of al the art militarie through the great difficulties, brought by the va­rietie of the change of chaunces, which are and fall out v­pon the way, in scituations of grounds, in seasons, in the inequalitie of the aire, in infirmities, in mony, in victua [...]ls, in the munition, in artillerie, in the bagage, in the spyes, in the guides, in the vaulcorrours, in the principall officers, and in the proper Souldiours.

589 WArrefare cannot be vsed for an arte, but of a common [...]weale, or of a Prince: and the one and the other of these when they are well ordered, wil neuer consent that any Citizen or subiect shall vse the same for art.

590 A Well ordered Cittie ought to desire that the studie of warrefare be vsed in time of peace, for an exercise: but in the time of warre, for necessitie & for glory, suffering the same to be vsed for art, onlye of publick & common-weale.

591 THere is no sorte of Souldiers to be found so perrilous, as those which are compounded of them that make warres an art, for thou shalt be forced either alwaies to make warres, or to haue them alwaies in paye: or else to stand in perrill that they doo not take away thy kingdome from thee, but if a King will liue in securitie, he ought to haue his footmen and souldiours compounded of such men that whē time requires to make warres: they wil willing­lye for his loue goe vnto the same, and when afterwardes peace doth fall out, they doo most willingly return home to their houses, forsomuch as the end of him that will make warres, is to be able to fight with any enemy in the féelde, and to wi [...]ne the battaile.

592 WEapons put in the hands of Citizens or subiects by the lawes or any other ordinance, did neuer do hurt: [Page 69] but are alwaies profitable, and maintaine the Citie more immaculate by means of these weapons then w tout them.

593 A Captain of the sea, which is accustomed to fight with the windes, with y e waters, and with men, will more easily become a captain on land, where we fight only with men: then a captain of y e land become a captain on the sea.

594 ALthough those which attribute all to vertue or all to prudence, vse their endeuours to exclude fortune: yet can they not deny that it is a great chaunce to be borne in some one time, or to practise in those occasions in the which those partes or vertues, he dooth feele himselfe to be of va­lour and abilitie, are in estimation.

595 THe officers and fauourites of the Prince, are bound if they be wise, to maintaine their maister in loue & cha­ritie with other Princes, and to molifie with their woords their ire, when it will fall out to be hurtfull, not onelye to themselues, but also to the people: for that they being for the most part headlong & violent in their wills, so much the more they become furious, by how much they are inflamed with ire, by those that ought to reconcile and asswage thē: and he that dooth otherwise, is no other then a naughtye seruant, and vnwise officer.

596 EUery souldiour and euery man, although he be valiant and strong, dooth only defend himselfe and his owne life, but a Prince whilste he shewes himselfe iust & benigne to all, is more ententiue about other mens safety thē his own and let him know that the safetie of his people is his own security, and therfore he ought ioyfully to take holde of all those remedies that fortune and occasion doth yeelde him.

597 WE doo not only gain glory by ouercōming that enemy which doth fall armed in y • feelde, but also it is a much more glorious victory which is obtained without sound of trumpet: and in the which thy enemy is made thy prisoner willingly.

597 TO slye (which very rarelye or neuer dooth saue a man) doth shew the basenes of his minde, & his folly to punish [Page] himselfe in the hazard and perrilles of warrefare.

598 THe greatnes of state is vniuersaly desired of euery one, for that all the goodnesthereof dooth appeare outward­ly, but the euill remaines hid within the same, the which if it were séene, we should haue no such great desire thereof, for that without doubt it is full of perrilles, of suspitions, of trauailes and of toyles, but that which dooth cause a well purged minde to desire the same, is the appetite that men haue to become superiours ouer others: the which thing is truely a goodly and blessed thing, considering that in this case they resemble God.

599 EUery one that is forced of necessitie, dooth require helpe of others, where there is no boud of benefites receiued or straite knotte of freendship: it is a iust and reasonable thing y e he showe in what sort his request aboue all things is of great profit, or at the least dooth bring in damage to any person, if the same be freely graunted vnto him, and af­ter make manifest that he shall be euer bound vnto him: and where demonstrations can be made of none of these foresaid thinges: he ought to be displeased if he doo not ob­taine that which he demaunds.

600 IN all thinges it is necessary first to aide our selues with reason, and then with force: and therefore in matters of warrefare, it is much better to entrappe others, then to defend our selues from the factions of others: not suffe­ring through our basenes of courage the enemies forces to be encreased with those things that we ought to serue our turnes withall: for that by how much more a man dooth vphold himself with reason in any thing, so much the grea­ter profit will follow.

601 EUen as in naturall things the multitude of perticular causes are knit vp in fewe, by ascending vp to y • height and from fewe, so long vntill they end in one alone: euen so likewise the multitude of those, that doo handle publick affaires, are restrayned and knit vp through sundry occasi­ons [Page 70] and waies, into fewe bodies and sectes, and those into other fewe, vntill such time as they conspire and be incor­rupted, whither it be by chaunce or of purpose, in one onely body and head.

602 PRinces may by education and by election, make them­selues good voluntary, wherin their proper conscience, or at the least shame may doo that in them that the lawes cannot doo in a frée state and power, but when the lawes do serue vnto a well compounded minde, not for a spur, but for a bridle: that person truely is worthy of all honour, and ought to be reputed excellent.

603 MEn doo lament more when any wrong is doon them, against reason, then when violence is vsed against them by force, for that the wrong makes shewe, that he that dooth doo iniurie, and he that is iniuried be equal, but force is a token, that he that dooth force is of greater pow­er then he that is forced.

604 EUen as similitude enclines the maister to estéeme déer­ly of his seruant, and to giue him aide, and to admit [...]e him into his grace: euen so continuation almost against the will of the maister, dooth in ende ouercome and open the passage, through those occasions which necessarilye doo occurre, aswell through the indisposition, as by the absence of him, which either through auncient seruice, or through the fauour of his maister, being assured of his grace, dooth leaue off his diligence: and dooth attend about some of his owne commodities, the which if it goe any time forward, it is an easie thing, for that the new seruant in a smal time to make him selfe more estéemed of his maister, then the auntient: forsomuch as the new dooth study alwaies to ob­taine his good grace, and honour him more then the other, as he that perchaunce hath not known him in wursse for­tune or of lesse age, whereas the auntient seruaunt many times by those reasons that are contrarye to these, and by his continuall practise, dooth vsurpe an odious equalitie, or [Page] at the least doo not serue with such a reuerence and respect.

605 PUblicke and perticular accusations maye easilye be ex­stinguished: but an vniuersall warre, taken in hand by all at the instance of some perticulars, (they not knowing what shall be the issue thereof) cannot easily abandon the same with their honour.

606 WHen we prepare our selues against our enemies, we ought to think and imagine that their displeasure is like vnto ours, and we ought to apply our selues to déedes and not to woordes: not putting any trust at all in the er­rours which our enemies commit, but rather let vs pre­suppose that alwaies they being of sound iudgement, haue aswell prouided for their affaires, as we for ours.

607 A Wise man ought not to kéepe secret any good counsell that is profitable for his Countrye, for doubt that the same should be put in effect: for that the end will cause o­ther mens temeritie and folly to be knowne: and likewise will cause the bounty and prudence to appeare of him that hath giuen thee counsell.

608 IT is conuenient for wise men to remaine in peace, not being molested with other mens iniuries, but towards men of valour (being offended) it is conuenient to take no­tice thereof, making his recourse from peace to warres, and if things doo succéed towards them prosperouslye: they ought to returne to peace, and not become proud through the happy successe of warres: or rather enioying the rest of peace, suffer thēselues to be iniured. Forsomuch as he that through the delight of peace is sloe if he remaine quiet, in a small space of time he is depriued of the delight of that idle rest which made him sloe. And he that through the happy successe of warres becomes proude, dooth not perceiue that his is raised vp with an vncertain audacitie: for that many things naughtily determined, incountred by the e­nemy more foolishlye counselled then he, haue had happye issues, and many of those which with prudence did seeme to [Page 71] be de termined, cōtrariwise haue had vnhappy successe. For so much as things are very sildome executed according to their draught, but euery one with a certaine securitie, doo iudge of future things, and after in the action faile.

609 WArres very seldome fall out in such sort as the plot is set down, for that she findes of her selfe many thinges besides the occurrants: and therfore he that is couragious in the same, proues to be secure, but he that is fearefull in the same, commits greeuous errours.

610 THe falling out and issue of things are accustomed to be fallible, no lesse thē humain determinations, & through that occasion, when there dooth come vpon vs any disgrace at vnawares: we vse to burden fortune with the falte thereof.

611 MEn submit themselues vnto seruitude it self, yéelding obedience in small things, vnto which they should be subiect, being obedient in great things.

612 AN armie vpon the Seas, is artificiallye handled like vnto the other, in the which it is not necessarie with sloth once or twice to exercise our selues: but he that will entirelye learne it, it is requisite that he continually make profession of nothing else: forsomuch as the issues of warre be doubtfull, and from small thinges they come to great, and many assaults are made through ire and rage, and the lesse multitude fearing, hath oftentimes ouercome y e grea­ter number, who not estéeming the enemy, haue made no account of order.

613 IT is necessarie that all those that doo enter into other mens territories: to be ready and prompte of minde, and firme and staid in their déeds, for that in such sort y e souldi­ours become most valiant to giue the assault, and more as­sured in resistance, alwaies imagining y t they doo not fight against a citie y t is impotent and weak of defence, but fur­nished with all thinges necessary: wherfore they ought to presuppose, that the enemye will méete them in the face, [Page] if not at that present at the least, when they sée that they are entred into their Countrie, beginning to destroy and to ruinate the same.

614 ALl those that doo sée any vnwoonted damage to be done, before their proper eyes: are moued by the same immediatly vnto disdaine and ire, and vsing small reason, pricked greatly forward with fury and anger, enforce thē ­selues to vse blowes.

615 MOnye is gathered and kept to spend honourably, and that is the vse and finall ende thereof: therefore a wise Prince ought not to giue himselfe to gather the same together, to serue his turne withall: but to make warres, forsomuch as in warres money is not spent in vain, when there is hope of greater gain: and although the people are very vnwillingly made contributarye: notwithstanding, when they know that it is doon for the common safetye, they supporte it peaceably.

616 MAny times we see created of purpose in Common-weales, the successour differing in nature to his predi­cessours, and this is doone: forsomuch as the qualitie of the firste (how good soeuer he be) through a certaine naturall glutting of mens appetites, dooth displease: and so much the more, by how much there is nothing found in this worlde, that is altogither good, and which hath not in it some parte of euill, through the hate wherof, we go about to set vp one of contrarye customes, whose order of life and woorking, may be almost directlye opposite to his predices­sour, aswell for that he is one alone of the number of them that iudge after this sort, and is reputed for such of others: as for that he can doo nothing more acceptable then the contrary of that which a little before was hated, neither any thing more apparent or glorious, then that which is néere vnto perrill.

617 THose things that may appeare vnto many little and of small moment: be like vnto the signes, by the which [Page 72] Phisitions doo foresée plagues, and Saylers the tempests at the Sea: but rather vnto the good, and those of vnder­standing, they are peraduenture of greater importance, then oftentimes are the demōstrations of greater things: for that as a certain wise man saith, in small things wher­in men vse not to faine, and doo not vse studie of apparence, neither are afraide to be punished: the habite of vertue is easily comprehended together, with the secret inclination and disposition that a man hath towards vices, forsomuch as hauing at that time not any eye and care to please vni­uersally, but himselfe: he remembers himselfe (drawn by his particular humour) of that errour into the which he may runne, but to satisfie his appetite.

618 BY great reason men doo iudge, that he is woorthie of reprehension, who through timorositie doth faile in the glorie, which at that present hee dooth possesse, euen as they likewise iudge him to be woorthie of euill will, who dooth rashly séek for that, which neither is conuenient, nor doth not appertaine vnto him.

619 COnfidence for the most parte dooth arise of an vnho­ped for aduenture, and may likewise be in a timerous person, but an assured firmenes appertaines onely to him, who knowes certainly, that he by the counsell which is in our selfe is to ouercome his aduersarie: and prudence which springeth of the greatnes of our courage in equall fortune, doth make him that hath audacitie, more secure, not putting his trust in hope, whose power is fallible: but in that counsell which is taken vpon thinges present, the fore-seeing of which is more stable.

620 TO be enuied, and to be vsed, falles out of necessitie to be in all them, who think themselues woorthye to go­uerne ouer others: and euerye one that in great thinges doth obtain hate, he is well counselled: for that hate en­dure [...] but a small time, but the present fame and the glorie to come, shall remaine perpetually.

621 [Page] IN perrills where there is no courage: no art dooth help, for feare makes men to forget knowledge and Science: and practise without generositie, dooth bring with it no profit at all. Let therfore an Army be couragious although it be but small: for that, that Armye which is greate, and dooth trust more in their number then in their counsell and in their courage: it may be said that the same Army is full of fooles. And let him knowe that order and silence, whilst Armyes are in fight: are great helpes to obtaine victories. And that those which be once ouercome in any enterprise, finding them selues againe in the same perrill: are not ve­rye assured.

622 AMongst priuate persons there is no stable amitie, nei­ther amongst Cities confederations of any moment: if there be not betwixt the one and the other an interchan­geable opinion of sinceritie, and if in other thinges, they be not of like customes: for where mens mindes disagrée, lik­wise their operations disagrée.

623 WEe ought to praise moderatelye, for by how muche more ignominies offend him, against whom they are spoken: by so much more the manifolde praises oftentimes offend him that dooth heare them, besides that, the praise▪giuer runnes into the perrill of the iudgement and of his bountie which is lesse: for so much as through his proper loue that dooth gouerne him, the good and the euil which is spoken of others, is sodainlye reuolued and enters into comparison with our selues: where-vpon, euery one that dooth féele in him selfe such merites or defectes: either is greeued that his prayses are kepte secrete, or else dooth feare that his defectes shoulde be discouered. And it often­times comes to passe, that we may offende a person onlye with bearing greater respect vnto an other of the same or of a greater quallitye, the same person iudging, that as much, or perchance woorsse shall be doone to him.

624 [Page 73]MEn of grosse and slowe wittes, doo gouern a Citie bet­ter, then those that be of a quicke and craftie braine, for wise men will showe, that they know more of lawes, and be superiours in eloquence to others, of things deter­ned in commune, as those, that cannot make demonstrati­on of their prudence in greater matters: wherupon often­times they bring great damage to the Cittie, but those that put no confidence in their prudence: esteeme thēselues of the least in the lawe, and not being sufficient to obiect a­gainst the spéeche of him that dooth discourse, but rather be­ing better iudges then many of those that speake like ceri­monies, for the most parte doo with great felicitie gouerne their Cittie.

625 WHen those that haue receiued any offence doo pro­long the time of reuenge: they correct the offen­dours with much more modes [...]ie, but when reuenge is immediatly made after a receiued iniury: those that haue béene the offendours, receiue due chastisement.

626 IN Common-weales, good things so soon as they are told abroad, engender suspect, no lesse thē those as be naught: Therefore it is necessarie, that he which will perswade any thing that is hurtfull, let him moue the multitude therein with disceit: and he that doth giue out thinges profitable, likewise by lying and dissembling shalbe be beléeued, nei­ther can he openly profit his Common-weale, if y • by such fictions he do not deceiue: for he that doth openly to y t sight of the world performe any benefite in y e behalfe of his citie: suddainlye it comes to be suspected, that he goes about by some secret and hid way to reape the same againe.

627 POuerty makes some men full of audacitie, others by riches & couetous store are made ambitious and proud: and to others doth chaunce other occasions, according as euery man doth possesse, either ire, or some other vnbridled accident y • doth moue him, the which doo all of thē make vs to put our selues in perill, & aboue all things hope and loue [Page] dooth greatly prick vs forward: the one going before, and the other following after: and the one despising deceites, and the other propounding vnto vs the prosperitie of for­tune: doo bring great damage.

628 IT appertains to Princes and Common-weales, to take care that their Captaine Generals do nat fall in suspect, and if the same doo chaunce: they ought by cutting the oc­casion spéedilye off, to prouide and prepare for those da­mages, and for those ruines, that therby might hang ouer their State.

629 SUspition dooth spring vp sometimes in our mindes, ei­ther of those thinges that be likely, or of any violence that hath falne out, or else through a certaine folly and ig­norance of men: that which doth arise of likely-hoods, it is necessarie to examine it well, forsomuch as it behoues to haue iustification, and he that dooth iustifie himselfe, dooth merite no punishment. That which dooth arise of any vio­lence that is doon or that is to be doon: ought not so strickt­ly to be examined, for that already it is rather an offence, then a suspition: & offences ought to be punished. The last which dooth arise of follye and ignorance, ought not to be admitted of any person of qualitie, but rather reiected and left aparte.

630 WRath & disdain being nothing else, but a passion conceiued in the minde either through anye in­iurie receiued, or through that which it séemes we shall re­ceiue either offew or of many, no person of qualitie ought to giue place vnto the said passion, without reasonable oc­casion: and chéefely in those iniuries which it séemes he re­ceiues of many, one perticular man being more apt to erre then any vniuersall people.

631 PRinces ought to haue care, not to prouoke, to disdaine their vassailes: but aboue all things a multitude or an vniuersall people, forsomuch as such a violence is much more headlong, is of greater importance, and dooth cause [Page 74] more spéedie and perrilous effects for Princes.

632 MEn that are strong and of great magnanimitie, are not to be afraide of their liues in glorious enterprises: but rather ought to account death for most glorious, whē either for the benefite of their Cuntry, or for their Prince, the same should chaunce in some woorthie and hautye en­terprise, desiring rather to dye gloriouslye, then to liue beastly.

633 ALthough the actions of men are grounded not onelye vpon honour, honesty or iustice, but also vpon firme and stable faith, wherewithall they are pricked forward to put things in action, in such sorte, that they may be appro­ued and found good, by the consent of all: and to the intent when they be doon, we growe not to repent vs, forsomuch as by repentance what action soeuer, although it be well doone: is spoyled and defamed.

634 FOrtitude is truely the supportation of great thinges, wherein there is perrill of death, but not in respect of himselfe alone, that dooth put himselfe into the same, but in respect of the vniuersall and publick benefit either of his country or of his Prince whome he dooth serue.

635 TRue fortitude, is to moderate feare and audacitie, and to be not able to be ouercome with trauailes, stout and strong in perrilles, seuere against pleasures, and to be an enemye to couetousnes: is proper to a man that possesseth right fortitude. And to be such a one to defend our country and our Prince from barberous inuations, and at home the weak and not able, with weapons: or abroad, his com­panion from théeues, or the hye waye from rapines: is as I haue saide to accomplishe an ample and full iustice.

636 THe fortitude of minde is knowne two waies, the one is when being in perrils, he dooth no otherwise estéeme and repute of the partes of the body, but as superfluous and to be despised: the other, is when he dooth perseuer to follow those things which are most principall in the enter­prise, [Page] and in them goes forward still pursuing of honour, and following that which doth leade to the true and honest way, with an vnspotted and excellent intent and minde, vntill such time as he hath obtained the effect, or the desi­red end.

637 IF Fortitude do principally appertaine vnto man as his proper due: and the principall partes & dueties of Forti­tude, is not to be afraid of death neither of gréefe. Who­soeuer desires to be a man, ought likewise to consider well of the true properties of a man, and to haue in memorye, that to suffer himselfe to be possessed with feare, to be o­uercome by his owne will and pleasures, or drawne by a couetous desire to gaine money and riches: be partes of lightnes and instabilitie, contrarye to all fortitude.

638 THose thinges which are vniuersallye desired, doo sil­dome come to passe, the reason is: for that there be fewe that giue beginning or motion to those thinges: at the ende whereof there be sundry contrarye, to the ap­petites of many.

639 THe arte of clemencye and of pardoning, although for the most parte it benefites: neuerthelesse, sometimes it is hurtfull and damageable, but this comes to passe, when thou doost pardon a perticular person, equall or like vnto thy selfe, whereas to pardon or to vse clemencie towards a multitude, for the moste parte dooth benefite, for that it is almost impossible that a multitude which hath receiued any benefite, should all of them be willing to be malignant or ingratefull, whereas a perticular per­son, either through his euill nature, or through some o­ther vnreasonable desire, dooth oftentimes fall into this vice of ingratitude.

640 THe true intent of good men, and men of iudgement, ought neuer to be other then to endeuour themselues to obtaine fame, glorye and honour, in the sight of men: [Page 75] for that all perrilles, toyles, trauailes, discommodities and gréefes, which we beare in the exercise, or in the ma­naging of great causes, is doone with this principall in­tent, to benefite so many as we can or are able, and to be hurtfull to none.

641 A Wise man ought too consider, that he is borne not so­much for himselfe, as to benefite others, and by how much he findes himself in greater degrée then others, or by how much he knowes himselfe to haue more knowledge, more vertue, or more gifts of God then others: by so much he ought to iudge that God hath graunted him the same, to the intent he may imparte the same to the benefite of o­thers, and in this we ought infinitely to reioyce, that he hath opened vnto him so large, so plaine, and so apparent a way, to make him selfe immortall.

642 SOddaine determinations, when as commoditie is not left to consulte, they drawe perrilles oftentimes after them: and oftentimes also when a man for feare of a great perrill dooth turne himselfe towardes desperation, they is­sue foorth of those greefes and trauailes wherein they finde themselues intangled: forsomuch as the conuerting of feare into desperation, makes men furious and bolde: and those that be bolde are for the most parte aided and fa­uoured by fortune.

643 IN free Citties where feare and renowne is entered into the mindes of the vniuersall people, that is to say: of all the Citizens, or into the minde of any particular person, when it is vniuersally it causeth two effects, either the vniuersall people doo take their resolutions very slolye, or else dooth take them spéedily and desperatelye. When they take their resolution slolye, it ariseth for that a mul­titude can verye hardlye perswade themselues, that any other can so spéedily harme them: and to resolue desperate­lye and spéedilye, dooth spring for feare of the imminent [Page] damage, or much rather through the present harmes, and for doubt of wursse, but that feare which is in the minde of a perticular person, when he is mighty dooth oftentimes deuide a fr [...]e Cittie into partes, and dooth dis-vnite the same.

644 THe feare of a greater euill dooth sometimes deliuer a man from the care and the thoughtes of a lesse euill: forsomuch as those things that appeare more terrible doo cause vs vpon a sodaine to forget the lesse terrible, and setting aparte all care of the one, makes vs applye our selues to the other.

645 A Man that is of a frée and of a good minde, ought to con­sider that iustice is maintained, that the faultye are chastised, and the good rewarded, for no other occasion but only by so dooing it is good and iust.

646 AMongst the actions of men that are glorious, by the meanes of weapons or c [...]unsell, or that by one waye or by another, they ascend vp to honorable degrees: it is a thing of great importance to knowe how to defend our selues from enuie, for that there is nothing that can soo­ner and more easilye cause them to fall downe from their height into a base degree, woorthy of compassion then en­uye: and to such persons it is a thing pernitious in parti­cular to be conuersant with men of the common sorte: for that great men perswading themselues that they are to be in Courte, in Pallaces, in the streetes, and in euery place, holden of greatest reputation, in y • same maner they were, when they did manage armies, or states, or publicke af­faires: there is nothing that appeares more strange to be supported, then populare equalitie, the which not onelye in f [...]ee Citties, but also in those that are subiect to Princes, it remaines firme and fixed in the mindes of the vulgar sorte (as those that haue no other principall intent) then to pull downe and debase such great persons, because they would [Page 76] not sée them before them, neither more honoured or of gre­ter reputation then they be.

647 MEn of vertue and reputation haue nothing that doth more helpe to maintaine their greatnes and reputa­tion, and to auoide enuie: then to remaine seperated and withdrawen from the conuersation or traffique with the common sorte.

648 IT is not to be doubted but that enuye dooth not onelye hurt those that are enuied, but oftentimes blinding and debasing the vertue of those men that are of great counsel, of valour, and of Prudence: doo keepe them for a certaine time hid and not exercised, whereby those that are mighty and the Common-weales very often doo suffer detriment in their occurrences.

649 IT is the parte of prudent and great counsellours, to pro­uide so much as they are able, that those that be vertu­ous and good, be not oppressed with enuye: and to woorke so farre foorth as their abilitie will stretch, or is permitted, that enuie be exstinguished and rooted out in their Cittie.

650 WHen others are to be found superiour in vertue and knowledge: we ought in no respect to giue▪ place and permit those persons that are not worthy should be admitted or enter into y • gouernment of publick causes, and that the chéefe affaires of importance, should be put into the handes of Citizens that are not capable, for when those Citizens that be of greater counsell and bounty, and more profitable to their Countrye, be afraide either of the au­dacitie of troublesome and ambitions Citizens, or are in doubt of enuye, or are terrified in the trauaile of great and difficile enterprises, and draw themselues back: a large way is opened to negligence and sloath.

651 EUery one ought to defend himself as much as he is a­ble from enuy, and if for all that through some accident a man cannot defend himselfe: let him imagine that it is much better to be enuied of others, then to beare enuie to [Page] others, for that enuie is nothing else but a gréefe and a sor­rowe taken to see the good hap and glory of others.

652 THere is nothing that dooth more easily turne vp-side down Cōmon-weales and states: then to vse change in the gouernment of them, at euery beck and desire of the vulgar people. As though they were voide of people, they doo abhorre and [...]lie alwaies, without euer taking rest as it dooth chaunce to the Sea, when it is in subiection to sundrye windes.

653 WEe ought neuer to put any hope in the vulgar peo­ple, for that there is no stayednes, firme mindes, or remembrance of receiued benefits: but rather do euer turn them selues for euery little and sodaine accident, applying alwaies their minde, from that which from hower to how­er, dooth present it selfe before them, as a thing profitable or delightfull: hauing neither respect to that which is past or that which is to come. But like an vnreasonable beast, dooth folllowe that onely appearance of profite, that in eue­ry instant or moment of time, according to the necessities or willes which appéere before their eyes, or in what other sence they will.

654 THe perticuler Citizens or officers of a Common weale, doo not onlye suffer damage or shame, by meanes of the instabilitie of the vulgar & common sorte: but Princes also when through any necessitye they are brought to make ex­perience of the amitie & stabilitie of the vniuersall sorte. A thing which euery Prince ought greatly to haue in memo­ry & take care of, that if it be profitable and good, to be belo­ued of the people: yet it is a thing not only pertayning to a prudent & wise Prince, not to haue occasion to make expe­rience therof, but assuredly necessarie, to him y t will main­tain his state and establishe it for his successours, to be pre­pared in such sort, that besides the loue of y e people he may haue money, all sorts of prouisions and Souldiours, to be able moreouer to defend himselfe by force.

655 [Page 77]THose which loue and those which hate likewise, are accustomed to honour & reuerence their Prince, but the one through loue & naturall fauour: and the other through feare and terrour. Therfore a wise Prince ought to apply his indeuours to procure vnto himselfe, not by any of those waies, Titles, statures, honours and dignities, which the people would attribute vnto him without merite: but ap­ply himselfe to those actions, that truly are woorthy of true praise and of great honours, which are to be attributed to him, not of the vnskilfull and light multitude: but of ver­tuous men that haue consideration of his quallitie, & that doo not change (as for the moste parte the multitude dooth, following after the fouours of Fortune) for that true ver­tue is that which dooth confirme and establish States: by the which Fortune béeing ouercome, is constrained in the end to goe with him in companye.

656 IT is necessary that he that will rule, do not put any con­fidence in the multitude: but in his proper vertue, and in his owne prudence and force, or else deposing himselfe of his dignitie and Scepter: he spoyle himselfe of all the po­pular fauours, and retire himselfe to quietnes and rest, content with that glorye he hath gotten, by dooing so greate a benefite for his Countrye.

657 THe sinewes of Prudence is not to beléeue fondely and speedily: Therfore before we beléeue, we ought to consi­der well, the circumstances of the thing, the accidentes, the person and the cause. The which whosoeuer will examine well: shall not so easily fall into the errour to beleeue ouer lightly.

658 VNiuersall thinges is the mother and originall of per­ticular thinges, and euerye perticular thing is to be found in the vniuersall, as part in all. And the true know­ledge in vniuersalities, dooth make vs more easily resolue in our iudgement of perticularities.

659 [Page] MEn in peace doo not supporte iniuries, and although manye times they forget them: it seldome falles out, but that when occasion serues, the displeasure of receiued iniuries: dooth awaken and quicken againe within their mindes. And few are to be found, that although they know they are in the wrong, and that, that punishment that for some of their offences is put vpon them: they repute it as though it were iust.

660 FOr the most part a man doth neuer accuse him selfe, or neuer doth perswade himself to merite any punishment and chastisement, but rather reputing himselfe for good: doth holde it for an assured thing that iniuries is doon vnto him, when he is accused. The which beleefe very rarelye or neuer is cancelled out of his minde, but alwaies remaines watchfull, apt to bring foorth effects at euery occasion that doth offer it self when they are able to stand them in stead.

661 THere is nothing that is more hurtfull to a Prince, or to those enterprises that are to be accomplished: thē to be­léeue ouer easily, and specially to beleue those, that fayning them selues to be escaped from our enemies: endeuour thē selues with their fictions to deceiue [...]. For the truthe of the thing is hid from that man that giues credit vnto such kinde of persones: which is the capitall enemye that those haue, that desire that their enterprises should succéed vnto them, accordinge to their draughtes, determinations and desires.

662 WHilst we goe about to practise peace: it is necessarye we be vigilant and carefull, and knowe how to kéep our selues from the deceites which the enemye may set a­broche and practise againste vs. And this is to be obserued not so much of those that beseige others: as it is for those that be beseiged.

663 WHen Princes can not put trust one in an other, the thred and order of Iustice and of the right maner of liuing being broken betwixt them: it falles out of necessity, [Page 78] that they vse the force of armes, and indeuour themselues to shewe their errour one to the other: either to reuenge themselues of their broken faith, or reduce them that are issued foorth by force vnto their duetie, and right path of iustice: and he that dooth not performe this, shall become not onely an enemye to the people that are subiect to him, but also to himself: for that besides his not defending thē, from the inuasions and damages that they haue receiued, the Prince will become in short time ignominius, of small account, & to be despised of other Potentates, and for that he neither knowes, neither was of abilitie to preuaile through those receiued iniuries, by means of the faith bro­ken towards him, he shal loose al his reputation and credit.

664 IT is the propertie of a man that carries a good minde, not to break his faith: but not to know how to preuaile against those that haue failed in faith against them: is a thing that is proper to a man of small value, and it is requisite for what Prince or potentate soeuer, sharpely to chastice those that doo not obserue faith, if he be desirous to maintaine himselfe in his state, with [...]ame and with repu­tation, the which is lost wh [...]n he is in the derision and dis­praise of others.

665 IT is requisite that the Captain Generall haue in minde and know, that he doo not so much make his Souldiours obserue their faith towards him, as also how to knowe to obserue towards them: speciallye when he dooth promise the same publicklye, to a multitude, wherby the same may gather profit or riches, forsomuch as they become incensed in their mindes, to perceiue them-selues depriued of the promise, and of their merited recompence, conuerting their loue into disdaine, and their disdaine into hate: and it see­ming vnto them, that they are punished for that, which they ought to be rewarded for: they seeke meanes to re­uenge themselues, breaking their faith against their su­periours, of whom they sée the same vniustly to be broken, [Page] since they perceiue themselues depriued of the iust reward of their trauailes.

666 THe finall end of those that moue any warres, is to en­rich themselues, and to empouerish the enemy▪ neither for any other occasion, victorie is so much sought after, nei­ther the gaining and conquest of thinges is desired for any other end, then to make our selues mighty, and the aduer­saries weake: wher-vpon it followes, that sometimes ei­ther thy victorie dooth impouerishe thée, or thy conquest make thée weake: it falles out of necessitie, that either he dooth ouer-passe, or dooth not arriue to those tearmes and ends, for the which the warres are made: but that prince and that Common-weale is made rich by victories of warre, which destroye the enemye: and become Lords o­uer the spoyles, taxes, and impostes: those are impoueri­shed through victories, that although he ouercome cannot destroye the enemyes: and that the spoyles and the taxa­tions fall not to his share, but appertain to his souldiours: such a one is vnlucky in his losses, and vnfortunate in his victories: for that by losing, he supportes the iniuries the enemies haue made against him, by ouercomming he sup­portes that which his fréendes doo against him, the which for that they are lesse reasonable, and lesse supportable, spe­cially perceiuing that of necessitie he is constrained to bur­den his subiects with newe offences and with taxations, and if he haue in himself any humanitie, he cannot entire­ly reioyce in such a victorie: for the which all his subiectes are made sorrowfull and become agréeued.

667 THose are accustomed (that desire to obtaine any thing) to assault with praiers, with requests, with rewardes, and with menaces, to the intent they may be moued to doo so much as they are desired and condiscend to our request, either through mercy & pitie, or through profit, or through [...]eare: but y • thrée foresaid waies hauing no place amongst couetous and cruell men, which are mightye according to [Page 79] their own opinion. Those toyle and trouble them selues in vaine, which beleeue either with requests to humble them or with rewardes to gaine them, or with threatinges to astonish them.

668 THose Cities are infortunate, which are to defend their libertie againste the ambition of those that would op­presse them: but those are much more vnhappye, y t are con­strained to defende them selues with the mercenarye and vnfaythfull weapons of forraine succours.

669 THose that are in hope that a Common weale may be entirely vnited: are very much deceiued by that hope, true it is: that some deuisions do harme a Common weale and some doo benefite. Those which doo harme: doo arise of factions and of partners, banded & vnited together. Those doo benefite: that without factions and without partiali­ties and parteners doo maintaine them selues. Therefore the first institution of a Common weale, not béeing able to prouide but that there will be discordes and enmities in a Citie: he ought at the leastwise to prouide that there be no factions. And therfore he ought to knowe how Citizens do obtain reputation two māner of waies in a Citie, either by publike meanes or by priuate meanes. Publikly they are obtained by ouercomming a battaile, by winning a Citie, by accomplishinge an Ambassage with care and with pru­dence, and by counselling the Common-weale, wiselie and happilye. By priuate meanes it is obtained, by benefiting these and those other Citizens, by defending them from se­ueritie of Magistrates, releeuing them with money, ad­uancing them vndeseruedly to honours, and with feastes and with publike gifts to gratifie the people. By this ma­ner of procéeding, springe vp factions and partners, and by how much reputation, gained in this sorte dooth offende: by so much it dooth helpe and benefite, when it is not mixed [Page] with factions, for that it is grounded vpon a common be­nefite, and not vpon a priuate benefite, and although that amongst such Citizens we cannot by any meanes so pro­uide, but that there will arise gréeuous hates, neuerthe­lesse, hauing partners, that through their own proper pro­fit, doo follow him, they cannot be hurtfull to the Common weale: but rather it will fall out, that they shall benefite: therfore it is necessarie to ouercome their attemptes, that they turne themselues to the exaltation of those, and per­ticularly holde certain obseruations one to another, to the intent they doo not ouerpasse the ciuill tearmes.

670 THe Generall that would make his Souldiours obsti­nate in any charge and onsette, he must not permitte them to send home to their houses, any of their spoyles or riches, or to lay them vp in any place: to the intent they may vnderstand, that if flying away doo saue their liues, yet will it not saue their goods, the loue whereof no lesse then that dooth make a man obstinate, to stand to his defence.

671 IT is very easie to perswade or disswade one thing to few for that if woords doo not suffice, we may vse authoritie: but the difficultie is to remoue from a multitude any sini­s [...]er opnion which is either contrarye to y e common-weale, or else contrary to their owne opinion, wherein no other meanes can be vsed, then woords: the which is conuenient that they should be heard of all.

672 THe speaches of a Generall or of a Captaine, to his Souldiours, dooth take away feare, dooth kindle vp and inflame their mindes and courages, dooth encrease their obstination, and resolution, doth discouer de [...]ites, dooth promise rewards, doth shew vnto them perrils, and the way how to shun them, dooth reprehend, requ [...]s [...], thre­t [...]n, dooth fill with hope, praise and dispraise, and dooth per­forme all those thinges, by the which humain passions, are [Page 80] e [...]stinguished or are kindled vp. Therefore that Prince or common-weale, that hath an armie, ought to acustome the souldiers, to haue their Captaine speak, and the Cap­tain to speak often to the Souldiours.

673 THe best way that a Generall or Captaine hath to cause his Souldiours become resolute and obstinate in fight: is to take away from them all hope to saue themselues, but onely by ouercomming: the which resolution or obsti­nation is also encreased through confidence, or loue to­wards their Captain, or towards their countrye: Wea­pons, good order, fresh victorie, and the opinion which is had of the Captaine, dooth cause and confirme in them con­fidence: nature doth bréede in them the loue of their Cun­trie, vertue more then any other benefit, that of the Cap­taine also there may be many sorts of necessities, but that is strongest which dooth constraine them either to ouer­come or to dye.

674 A Cittie whose ditches without the same, togither with counterscarpes and other strengthes, be higher then the walles of the Cittie: that Towne is most weake, for that those become bulwarkes to the enemye that dooth as­salt them: and doth not hinder him to endamage them, for that easilye they may be opened, and giue place to his ar­tillerie.

675 NOthing dooth giue more hope to the enemye to be able to inuade a Cittie, then to know that the same is not accustomed to see the enemy: for that many times through feare onely without experience of force, Citties are lost: Therfore when any Prince or other Captain dooth assault a Cittie, he ought to make all his showes and o [...]entati­ons terrible: and that a towne that is assaulted, ought to place in that parte where the enemye dooth assault, strong men, and such as are not terrified by opinion, but by wea­pons: for if the first attempt doth become vaine, it encrea­seth the mindes of the besieged, and afterwards the enemy [Page] is forced to ouercome those that are within the town, with valour, vertue, and reputation.

676 GEneralles and Captaines for two reasons are com­mended and praised: the one is, that haue with an armie ordered by his naturall discipline, performed great things: the other is, of those that not onelye haue had to ouercome the enemye, but firste before they come so farre, haue beene of necessitie constrained to order, teach and in­struct their armie well, and those without doubt do merite much more praise, then those haue deserued, that haue wrought vertuously and worthily, with these well exerci­sed auntient armies.

677 A Generall amongst all his other actions, ought to inde­uour himself with all art, to deuide y e forces of his ene­mies, either by making his Souldiours suspected of him, in whom he trustes and puts confidence, or to giue him occa­sion to seperate his people, and by this meanes to become more weake.

678 THat which aboue al other things kéeps an army vnited together, is the reputation of the Generall, the which doth only arise of his vertue: for that neither blood, nei­ther authoritie doth neuer giue it him without valour.

679 THe firste thing that a Generall must looke to performe, is to kéep his Souldiours punished and paide: for when they want their paye, it falles out of necessitie, that they must want punishment, for that a Souldier cannot be cor­rected vnlesse he be paied, neither if the Souldier desire to liue, can he abstaine from robbing and spoyle, but if he pay them and not punishment, the Souldiour becomes in e­uery respect insolent: and the Generall growes to be of small estimation: the which being so, he cannot maintain the dignitie of his degrée: and not maintaining the same, tumultes and discords of necessitie doo followe, which are the ruine of an armie.

680 [Page 81]WHen either hunger or any other naturall necessitye, or humaine passion, doth bring the enemy to his last desperation: and pricked forward with the same, dooth come to fight with the General: he ought to remain with­in the lodgings of his camp, and so much as is in his pow­er, to flée and shunne the charge and encounter of bat­taile.

681 NO man ought euer to performe any thing, by means whereof without rememedy he dooth begin to loose his first reputation, the which being lost, it makes his other orders and appointments to be estéemed lesse, and doth a­maze those that haue taken vpon them his defence.

682 THe three principall actions which an Army is to per­forme, is to marche, fight, and lodge: and if an Armie dooth marche, lodge and fight in good order, and perfect practise: the Generall obtaines honour, although the bat­taile take not good effect.

683 ALthough a man be of an excellent wit and naturall iudgement, yet is it impossible that he should attaine vnto, and vnderstand well, certaine perticulares: and therefore experience is necessarye, the which nothing else dooth teache him, but the practise of thinges: wherefore he that hath managed many affaires, dooth vnderstand, for that by expe [...]ience it self, he hath learned how good, and how much experience is woorth.

684 WIthout doubt a Prince dooth more please, that is prodigall then couetous, and neuerthelesse hee ought altogither to be the contrarye: for the pro­digall person is forced to vse extortions, and ra­pines, and the couetous person, dooth not take any thing from any person, besides that those be of greater [Page] number that suffer discommoditie through the burdens of prodigalitie, then those that receiue benefites of his libera­litie: the reason is, that amongst men hope is of greater force, then fame, and those be of greater number that hope to obtaine something at his hands, then those that feare to be oppressed.

685 HE that hath liuing, possessions, or goods in his owne natiue Countrie, and is subiect to a bloody and beast­ly Tirant, fewe rules that are good can be giuen to that man, except to take vpon him exile: but when the tirant either through prudence, or through necessitie, dooth go­uerne with respect: a man that is well qualited, ought to indeuour himself to be accounted of many not couragious, but of a quiet nature: and not desirous of alterations if he be not forced therunto. For that by this means the tirant will embrace him, and will not goe about to giue him cause to make nouelties, [...]he which thing he would not doo, when he dooth knowe him vnquiet, for that then he thinks in any case he will not remaine firme, and is cons [...]rained of necessitie to exstinguish and destroy him.

686 IT is an honourable thing to a man, not to promise any thing, but that which he will perfourme: but commonly al those to whom he makes denial although iustly, remain euill satisfied: for that men do not suffer themselues to be gouerned by reason. The contrary chaunceth to him that promiseth, for that many cases doo occurre: by the which, they are not constrained to make experience of that which he hath promised: and so he dooth satisfie him with his minde, and yet if he must performe the act, they want no excuses, and many are so vndiscrete, that they suffer themselues to be compassed about with woords: neuerthe­lesse it is so foule a thing for a man to faile of his promise, that he ought to preferre this before any profit, that maye be drawne of the contrarye: and therfore a man ought to entertaine or temporise somewhat with general answers, [Page] and full of good hopes, but not in such sorte as they may binde thée precizely.

687 IT is a commendable thing, that good and valiant souldi­ours in haughtie and hard enterprises, and in diffici [...]e pa­ssages, should exhort one an other to doo well: to the intent that their not ouercomming through their negligence and passing their time with ease, and not making one onely ex­perience against their enemies of their vertue and valour: should be reputed to them for a shame. And therefore they ought not to expect y t their fame should be defamed, neither their prosperous fortune turne to a contrarye course: but rather hoysse vp their sayles, according to y e fréendly winde that blowes.

688 THe Stratagems and aduertisements of an olde Cap­taine, when they are effectuallye perfourmed of his Souldiours: are as hurtfull to his enemyes, as the wea­pons which doo kill them.

689 IT is necessary that those which consider of perrilles: doo firste of all compare them amongst them selues, and af­terwards make choise of the leaste: And he that giues fa­uours, it is requisite that he haue that consideration in all thinges.

690 WHen a people doo remaine without head: and doo liue of them-selues: they become lesse apte for the warres. And if after they returne vnder a head: they are made lesse obedient, for that they were once frée, and more apt to discordes amongst them, dooth forslowe his victorie, and often times dooth loose his state.

691 PRincipalities when they are instituted by olde men, haue alwayes had small continuance: for that for the most parte olde men because they liue but a small time, ei­ther doo not furnish out the planting of their plat, or if they doo plant it, they leaue it with so small & weake rootes, that when that vertue & force which did custome it dooth faile: the first winde dooth bend downe and bow the same.

692 [Page] THere is nothing more woorthy in an excellent Prince, or in a well ordered Common-weale, neither more profitable for a Prouince: then to builde and edifie a newe Towne, whether men maye reduce them selues through the commoditie of de [...]ence or benefite of the fertill ground. For that it makes the Countrye that is ouercome, more secure to the vanquishour: and dooth fill with inhabitants voide places, and maintaines men well distributed and dispearced in a Prouince, forsomuch as the inhabitours multiplying, they be more prompt and readye in their of­fences, and more secure in their defences.

693 MEn doo neuer maintain themselues in any difficultie if they be not maintained through a necessitie: in such sort as where the feare of warres doth constrain them to inhabit willingly in rough and strong places, that feare being ceased, and being called vpon by commoditye: they doo inhabite more willingly, in easie and domesticall pla­ces.

694 THe gréeuous and naturall discordes which are amongst the populare sorte and the noble, being caused for that the one partie would commaund, and the other for that they would not obay, are the occasions of many euils that arise in a Citie, for that through this diuersitie of honours, all those other thinges that disturbe the Common-weale, take their nourishment.

695 THat Citie which would maintain it selfe rather with factions then with Lawes, when any one faction doth remaine in the same without any that oppose themselues: it is conuenient of necessitie, that the same deuide it selfe within it selfe, for that it cannot defend it selfe, from these priuate procéedinges the which the same for his safety had first instituted.

696 WHere many doo erre, none are corrected, small factes are punished, the great and gréeuous are rewarded: [Page 82] and when manye do suffer: fewe do goe about to reuenge them selues, for that vniuersall iniuries are supported with greater patience then those that are perticular.

697 FOr the moste parte all those that attaine to riches and great power, either with fraude, either with force, doo attaine vnto the same. And after they haue either with vi­olence or with deceite vsurped those thinges, to hide the filthynes of their getting: they doo make honest the same vnder a false tytle of gaine. And those that through lack of prudence, or through folly, doo shun and flie these meanes: are alwaies ouer-whelmed in slauerye and pouertie. For that faithfull seruants are alwaies conserued, and good men alwaies are poore, and none there be that at any time doo issue out of seruitude, but those that be vnfaithfull and shamelesse-hardye and forth of pouertie but those that are rauenous and fraudulent: for nature hath placed all the fortune of men in the midst of them, the which are subiecte and exposed more to rapine then to industrie, and more to the wicked then the good. Héerof it procéedes, that men eate one an other, and he that may least: goes to the woorst.

698 WHere necessitie contraryes, audacitie is iudged prudence, and couragious men neuer make ac­count of perrill in greate matters: for that alwayes those enterprises that begin with perril, doo end with rewarde, and foorth of one perrill we can neuer issue without an o­ther perrill.

699 WEl ordered Cities, that are administred vnder y • name of Common weales: doo oftentimes varie and change their gouernmentes and their states, not by the meanes of libertye and seruitude as manye thinke: but by the meanes of seruitude and licence. For of libertie the name of the ministers of licence, which are the people is ce­lebrated, and that of seruitude, which are the Nobili­tye is celebrated, euerye one of those desire not to be subiect, neither to the Lawes, neither vnto men: [Page] True it is, that when for all that it chaunceth, that when through the good fortune of the Citie, there dooth arise in the same, a wise, good, and mightye Cittizen, by whome Lawes are instituted, by whom these humours of the no­bilitie and of the populare sorte are quieted, or are restrai­ned in such sort, that they cannot woorke any euill: then it comes to passe that this Citie may be called free, and that [...]ate maye be called stable and firme, for being grounded vpon good lawes and good orders, it hath no such necessi­ [...]ie of the vertue of one man, as the others haue that doo maintaine the same, manye auntient Common-weales were endowed with like lawes and orders: all those that often in their gouernement haue changed and doo change from a tiranicall state to a licentious state, and from the one to the other, haue failed in this: and for that in them through the mightye enemies that euerye one hath, there neither is nor can be any stabilitie, for that the one dooth not please good men, the other doth displease wise men: the one may easily doo euill, the other may doo good but with great difficultie, in the one insolent men haue ouer-great authoritie, in the other those that be foolish. And it is con­ [...]enient that both the one and the other [...]e maintained by one man through vertue and fortune, which either through death maye become lesse, or by trauaile become vnprofitable.

600 A Wise man ought euer little to estéeme, to liue in a Ci­tie where lawes are of l [...]sse account then men: for that Country is to be desired, in the which we may safelye en­ioye our substaunce and our fréends, not that where other men may easily take from vs that which is ours, and our [...]ends, for feare of their proper state, doo abandon vs in [...] most necessitie.

601 PRouinces for the most parte are accustomed in the chaunges they make, from order to come to disor­der, and afterwards againe, from disorder to passe to [Page 83] orders: for that the affaires of this worlde being not firme by nature, where they arriue at their last profession, not hauing wher-vpon to ascend higher: it falles out of necessi­tie that they discend, and after they be discended, and be­ing come by disorder to the last step, not being able of nece­sitie to discend lower: it is conuenient that they climbe vp againe, and so alwaies from the good we discend to euill, and from the euill we ascend to good: for that warres bringes quietnes, quietnes brings idlenes, idlenes engen­ders disorder, disorder dooth ruinate vs, and likewise of [...]u­ine doth spring orders, of orders come vertue, of vertue a­riseth glorye, and good fortune: wherefore of prudent per­sons it is obserued, as letters come after weapons, and that in Prouinces and Cities, Captaines are borne be­fore Philosophers, for that the good and well ordered we­pons hauing brought forth victories, and victories brought quietnes: the fortitude and strength of armed mindes can­not be corrupted with a more honest idlenes, then which that of le [...]ters, neither can idlenes enter into a well orde­red Citie, with a greater or more perrilous deceite then by letters: Prouinces therefore come by these meanes to ru­ine, whereinto being arriued, men by blowes being made wise returne to orders, if that alreadye through extraor­dinarye forces they remaine not choked and deuoured.

701 THere is not any thing more hard then that obedience the which we call the denying of our selues, wherupon I cannot sée the occasion wherfore we flée from performing towards God that which dooth carrie our health, and pro­cure our selues to do it towards men, in things which doth promise vncertaine and small benefites, if we will not saye that this comes to passe through the commonoccasion of al euils, that is through our great ignorance & malice, which dooth estéeme of nothing but these present and these earthly goods, beyond all measure, and together with the pleasure that many take to deceiue others: but through whatsoe­uer [Page] occasion it dooth rise, it is a great enemye to repu­tation.

703 AN Armie being vanquished, the warres are vanqui­shed, but the townes being vanquished, and leauing the Armye entire: the warres begin to be more hotte, for­somuch as that Armie which is entire, maye recouer the Townes, the which when they holde in their handes, the warres is not ouercome.

704 HE is not wise that dooth attempt to defend a thing that in any case is to be lost, he may with lesse infamy and with lesse damage, loose any state alone, then to loose both the state and his monye.

705 THere is no man so prudent, neither any man so learned vpon the earth, but that the greatest part of that which he knowes is not lesse then that which lyes hid vnto him, héerof it springes, that if we haue occasion to builde, we cal vnto vs cunning woorkmen and architectours: if we are to saile vpon the Seas, we demaund the counsell of Mari­ners: but in matters of warre, so much the more diligent­ly we ought to goe about to performe this, by how much the perrill séemes to be greater: forsomuch as the harmes of other thinges séeme to be more light, euerye want being able to be amended, but the errours of warre, besides the perpetuall shame, doo carrie with them blowes, woundes, death and destruction in a Common-weale: the which are so extreame euilles, that they cannot be corrected nor shunned: and therefore in these cases we ought to take mature counsell of wise men, and the aduertisement of those that are inueterated in Armes, and experimented in such seruice.

706 THere is no man so rash and foolish hardye, that being a­ble to depresse and ouercome the enemye with a pru­dent prolonging of time, will rather with a furious speede put the victorie in doubt and hazard, which deferring and lingering, doth promise him most certain: forsomuch as [Page 84] victorie cannot be so well gotten with an inconsiderate spéede, as with a prudent staye: and neither so well in going to finde the enemye at his owne doores, as to defend himselfe within his owne confines: and to goe about rather to put our selues in perrill, then ouercome: is the part of an vnwise man, and of one that is more rash, then couragious.

707 WIse men haue not sought meanes and desired, that faith should be more obserued in any humain action, then in confederacies: for that, if faith be broken amongst them which are bound togeather in leage, what thing is there that can be accoūted stable and entire in this world? for which respect the iudgementes which are made vpon other contentions, for that they are as it were priuate, giue almost no other punishment then in money, and capi­tall punishment: for that the lawes do not in any case sup­port integrity, that he ought to be reputed for entire, which is not ofentire faith towards his confederates.

708 IN the gouernment of a Common-weale, euerye man dooth confesse, that we ought to haue greater respect to honor, then profit: for that euen as a Citie is of great e­stimation and reputation, so faith ought to be pure and sincere.

799 EUen as horses through idlenes & ouermuch abundance of meate becomes vnwildy and res [...]ie: so people some­times through the curtesie and benignity of those that go­uerne, become insolent and proude, and haue néede of force to hold back the reines of liberty.

710 WHen a Common-weale doth moue warres against a Prince, she ought first to look about her and take care that she be not deceiued with the woordes of her ene­mye: besides that, she ought to traine vp her people, so as they maye bee able to resist the inuading force of the e­nemye, and to withstand those perrilles which doo chaunce at vnawares. Thirdly she ought to make choise of prudent [Page] and well practised men, who may stand like Senternelles and watch-men, attentiue and vigilant for the benefite of the Common-weale: and wisely vnderstand euery thing, and with great prudence prouide for euery thing. Forthly, to conserue and kéep the amitie of adioyning Princes, yeel­ding fauour to those that haue néede: Last of all to write to the greatest Princes of the worlde, consulting with thē vpon occurent causes.

711 THe expences of the warres are gréeuous to euery one, but specially to the multitude, which doo not foresee fu­ture perrilles: Wherupon, euen vs Phisitions vse often­times [...]ire and iron, towards the sick persons they gouern, and loose one parte to saue the whole: so ought the gouer­nours of the Common-weale, perceiuing and foreseeing future perrilles, constraine the people to spend one part of their goods, for the conseruation of all the rest: for that li­bertye being lost, euery thing falles into the handes of the Conquerour, and next dooth follow the infamie and shame of slauerie: the which of worthy men ought to be chased a­way, euen vnto death it selfe.

712 THe people and the vulgare multitudes which doo not foresee future things, doo firste feele and sée the perrilles before they haue imagined and thought vpon them: but excellent men, although they foresee perrilles in a populare Common-weale, neither cannot nor dare not make proui­sion, for when they make demonstration of the perrils and perswade to vse remedye, immediatly it is saide they desire warres: and make lawe and prohibitions in such sort that he that would prouide for the safetie of the Citie, there should remaine no way for him able to perfourm the same, wherupon it ariseth that making no prouision, times doo poste awaye, but when perrilles are present, and canot be auoyded, then full of feare, they consult what is to be doon.

713 THose men are woorthie of very great infamie, who not c [...]ring to be infamous, doo not obserue their giuen [Page 85] faith, neither their promises they haue made neither their sworne conuentions. And although euery breache of pro­mise be infamous, neuertheles that is most infamous wh­ich against capitulacions of peace, dooth drawe warres af­ter i [...]. For if the sacred effectes of faith, and the obseruing of othes be taken awaye: what remaines more amongste men that is good and godly, wherby one may put trust in an other? and by which inconueniences, the common con­uersation and companye of men is broken.

714 IT is manifeste to euery one, that nature hath graunted not onely to men, but also vnto brute beastes, a certaine desire of libertie: to obtaine and keepe the which libertie, they enforce them selues with all dilligence and naturall industrie to performe all those things that may maintain the same in them, and doo beare great hate to all those that they imagine to be contrary to these their appetites. And this is apparentlye perceiued in those vnreasonable crea­tures, which are accustomed to remain domestically bound who so soone as they are vnloosed from them that gouerne them, with actes and gestures make signe, how gratefull it is vnto them to be looste from those bondes and Chaynes, and that they are able to goe at libertie where they list. And therfore if we beholde this naturall desire of libertie to be in beastes, how much more ought the same to be in men, who God hath made aboue all other creatures, most prudent and wise, and hath endowed vs with reason and vnderstanding, to the intent that we may follow the order of nature, and defend that libertie, then the which there is nothing amongst men more déere and of greater prise and valour: And although nature the mother of thinges hath graunted vs infinite benefites, neuertheles she hath giuen vs nothing, neither better neither swéeter then libertie.

715 ALthough warrs are made and taken in hand for many ocasions, neuertheles there is none more iust nor more [Page] woorthy of praise, then that which is taken in hand for the defence of our libertie and of our Country, the which dooth containe in it, our houses, our Children, our wiues, our fa­thers and mothers, riches, the Temples, and finally euery humaine and deuine thing.

716 THere be two things in a Common-weale, the which al­though by effect and name they are swéete: neuertheles oftentimes they haue beene an occasion of great harmes to mightie and noble Cities, as peace and a restraint of mo­ney foorth of the publike profit. For that perrills being pla­ced a farre off or before our eyes: either they are not séene or if they be séen, whilst we do ouermuch delight in sparing or in peace, we estéeme them so small, that almoste we are brought into euery euident perrill, before we will prouide for the terrible name of warrs although we be in manifest daunger, and all to shun the odious name of expences.

717 A King is no other then a man brought vp in deliacies, and as it is accustomed to be said in swaddle clothes, and is a man that hath néed of a greate number of officers and seruants. From whome if his wonted seruices be ta­ken away: without dout he is of lesse power then others, forsomuch as he is not accustomed neither wonted to exer­cise neither his féete, neither his handes, neither any other parte of his body, but to liue in idlenes. And Kings knowe better how to commaund then to performe.

718 HEe is aswell to be reprehended that through basenes of minde dooth suffer those occasions to passe, wherby he might recouer his state, assure the rest▪ & succour others vnto whome he is bound and beholden: as on the other side also he that ouer boldely or ouer rashly dooth commit all things to fortune, where he cannot looke for due & worthye recompence of his perrills and trauailes.

719 WHen there be many mighty men and Cities confede­rate together, it beeing conuenient that many heads should be of one selfe opinion: it is impossible that they [Page 86] should long maintain them selues, all of them vnited toge­ther, or that they should vse one selfe consultation or bring soddainly things to effecte, because they are not of one selfe will and minde, but rather euery one is onely carefull for his owne proper profit. For where mens mindes are disa­greeing: there likewise their déedes fall out to be disagrée­able, whereof there can neuer any thing that is perfecte arise.

720 COuragious men ought neuer to make account of per­rilles in greate matters. Therfore those merite to be praised that vse endeuours, not only to deliuer themselues from tirannie: but become vnto him that dooth aspire vnto tirannie, so much his superiour, that he haue greater cause to be greeued and to feare them: then they him.

721 A Good Citizen ought neuer to speake neither for fauour or grace, neither through the instigation or beneuo­lence of others: but onlye in respect of that he knowes to be lawdable and best, aswell for the particular as generall commoditie of all. And neuer to perswade any thing but which shall be as agréeable to God: as in the sight of men reasonable, iust, and sacred, louing rather better the pub­like benefites and the vniuersall quiet, then his owne pro­per life.

722 THe end of all enterprises is more vneasie then the be­ginning: for to giue end to a begun enterprise, requires trauaile. And a Ship dooth fréely cut through the Seas, al­though the windes doo not blowe prosperously, the Mari­ners alwaies bending their sayles in such sorte, that they goe forward vpon their voyage, but cōming to enter in to the Hauen: it is necessary to haue prosperous windes, ha­uing to enter with their Ship in at a straight passage.

723 A Captain ought not to comforte his Souldiers, but vn­to a glorious enterprise, for that to comforte them to their wonted works & actions is shamful, not only to them [Page] that are comforted, but also to him that dooth comfort, sée­king for at the hands of the Souldiour, that which he is bound vnto.

724 THe Soules of those warriours and valiant men, that haue beene esteemed and thought to dye for their cun­trye, [...]or their Children, and for their religion, being disse­uered with weapons from the bondage of their bodie: it is no doubt but the shining starry heauens doth receiue them into a most happie quiet mantion: and there doth remaine vpon earth some signe of glorye or clamour: for that those that dye by infirmity, do leaue behinde no memory of them but he that goes against his enemye, if it chaunce he dye, glorye dooth follow him.

724 HE that dooth serue his turne with the benefite of trai­terie, through the receiued grace, dooth take therein like a Conquerour suddaine pleasure, and guided in time to come with a continuall suspition, at one instant dooth feare and hate the traitour, although he haue béene benefi­ciall vnto him, and haue that in himselfe, and proued the same, haue afterwards to take héed and warily to shun the signe of tradiments.

725 ALl great facts are accustomed to be better directed with good counselles, then with celeritie of time: for that, for the most parte a mature dilation, which with op­portunity doth conduct to the end, doth carry with it much greater profite: but rash audacitie and ouer-curious spéed in matters, when they are not performed in time conueni­ent & not ap [...], hath cut off from many the hope to dispatch any thing: for that the enemy dooth more easily ouercome a multitude which as yet is not in order, then that which with fewer people, but well instructed and ordered, dooth come to giue an onset, and to fight.

726 HAving not well prouided for one warre▪ and to goe a­bout to take in hand another, is a great folly, for that th [...]se which hang in ballance, and are not intētiue, against [Page 87] one onely enemye, reason will that they be ouercome by their aduersaries.

727 TO raise vp in time a Campe for any place, hath directed and reduced many to better fortune: but the desire to doo some glorious act, and that doth taste of a valiant man: the same being not performed in time, hath brought him rather into [...]lauerye & perpetual dishonour, then made him glorious and honourable: for that we are not to seeke af­ter and follow the names of things, but rather are to gain the commodity of them: for that the vertue of a man doth not shewe it selfe in thinges that are new begun, but those which are brought to an ende doo make him noble and fa­mous.

728 THe enemye dooth shun and flée those that with a great preparation and at one instant time goe to assault him: but those which desire perpetually to conserue their bodies and remaine far off from the warres, are soone ouercome, and made slaues: for that it is of great importance in warfare to haue prompt and readie the willes of the com­batants, and when their mindes are inclined to fight, they are accustomed to accomplishe manye egregions victories and famous thinges, but how small and fewe soeuer those valiant men and armed with vertues are, yet they surpasse the great armies of the enemie.

729 THose do not gaine great praise, that haue ouercome the lesse mightye, but those also that with lesse preparati­ons doo surpasse the rest in greatnes of minde. But to those which of their proper nature are very timerous, it would fall out to be a great help to them to be full of courage and audacitie, for that for the most parte, all those whose states depend vpon stéele and weapons, by despising perilles cou­ragiously, they haue oftentimes become victorious.

730 WE maye more easilye breake and kill those that of things already doone, haue carried away the victo­rie (if peraduēture) they are puffed vp & made proud there­by, [Page] then those that without thinking vpon the same, be fal­len downe from the same: although they procéed with their enemies in time to come more timerously and doubtfully: for negligence and basenes doo corrupt also those thinges that are excellently well ordered, but trauaile accompa­nied with care and diligence: hath aided greatly vnto ma­nye, although Fortune hath béene contrarye vnto them: for that those that with slothe and follye take in hand any enterprise, are accustomed oftentimes to weaken them­selues, and to faile in their forces, but those that proceed in the same with care and with diligence, are accustomed to encreace marueilously.

731 TO all those that are borne, the selfe-same ende of life dooth not followe, neither the very same chaunce and qualitie of death, as in many things it comes to passe, men are disagréeing amongst themselues: for those that are Cowards and not apt for the warre, hauing first receiued many iniuries, and giuen occasion to cause themselues to be [...]outed of the enemy, according to the yéeres that God hath most ordained, they finishe and make an end of their destinie, the which for al that ought not to chaunce to wor­thye and valiant men, who with vertue and with great glory ought to finde the meanes to end their liues.

732 THose that be rashe doo much more easilye obtaine the name of couragious, then those that be politicke and prudent, for that he that dooth take vpon to performe anye enterprise, ouer and beside his duetie, through the beneuo­lence of any one, vnto whome peraduenture he seeme to be a valiant & wise man, obtaines honor: but he that prudent­ly and with iudgement doth auoide any perrill, neither for all that hath well performed those things according to his desire, he shalbe without doubt accounted capable, through the occurrence of the thing, and if it fall out according to his minde and iudgement, it will not seeme vnto the igno­rant [Page 88] that he hath doone any thing of himselfe.

733 HUmaine thinges are sometimes accustomed to deceiue much: for that euery man being mortall, and it séeming to euery one, to be hardly apt for the rash disgraces of for­tune, it is necessarye (as reason will that he cléerly and ma­nifestly sée his grosenes and insolence, and neuertheles, al­though he will not, yet he must needes be subiect to the ne­cessitie of fortune.

734 WE maye easilye fight with those that are halfe dead with hunger, and much sooner ouercome the ene­mye with dearth and famine, then with weapons, nei­ther can we cast more sharpe dartes, neither shoote more swift arrowes against our aduersaries, then those of long abstinence and fasting: the which being a disease that con­sumeth force, it is not nourished with any other meat then with want of things to eate, and the penury of meate doth cast to the ground and ruinate the force of weapons.

735 THere is no Captaine so farre out of his right sences, or simple Souldiour so rash, that being able to fight with securitie & aduauntage, will rather to his losse and perrill attempt the chaunce of battaile, and that maye without blowes or wounds receiue victorie, will rather with blood put his health and safetie in doubtfull hazard.

736 EUery one knows how slolie and without trauaile they doo handle their weapons, whose armes are consumed with fasting, and can with great paine rule themselues: and he cannot very well perfourme any thing with them in battaile, that in other exercises hath consumed his for­ces: and there victory is spéedilye obtained, where he that is whole dooth fight with the sicke: the strong, with the weak, and the aflicted with labour, with him that hath ne­uer tasted of any trauaile.

737 IT is an extreame follye to abandon with the base minde of a woman, and to despise with a childish feare [Page] that which is gained with the minde of a man, and with the valour of a Souldier, and to giue into the hands of the enemye that which he hath as yet not gayned, together with riches not hoped for, and therefore what hope can be had in them, or how maye we beléeue that they are to be­haue themselues in armes, who making the profession of Souldiours, are onely made afraide with thinking vpon warres, and with the imagination of battailes: therefore is it better to take a glorious death, then to desire to liue to lead a shamefull and vile life, for in a short space of time life dooth leaue vs, but shame dooth neuer leaue vs, euen after death: but dooth rather make our shame so much the longer and the greater, by how much our death hath beene shamefull and infamous.

738 WHat signe of victorie can we receiue more certaine, then before the battaile to possesse the spoyle, and to occupye the enemies lodginges before we come to fight with them: and it is much better to ouercome securely by putting the enemy in feare then to put in doubt, and ha­zard his safetie, with making proofe experience of armes.

739 THere is nothing more swéet to him that is in calami­tie then death: and that death is most happie, which is hoped for and desired, for that she dooth not take awaye the delights of time but doth consume the vnplesant taste of bitter and noysome things, and as in prosperous things it is good to desire life, so in aduersitie it is fit we call after death.

740 IT is the parte and duetye of a good Citizen, that he doo preserue himselfe for the benefite of the Common-weal, and beware that he doo not harme without some fruit, and he ought not to leaue off and to slippe any fit saying or act for the commodity of his Countrie, yea if moreouer, he could no otherwise then with his blood preserue it.

THose which haue a desire to furnish and to obtaine any thing, are accustomed to differ in their words and their [Page 89] déeds: forsomuch as they faine all thinges to obtain their intent, but after they haue once obtained it, they do not in any sorte abstaine from the fulfilling of their desires, and besides this those that come after doo alwaies force them­selues to ouerpasse their auncestours in audacitie, thin­king▪ that the like is small, for that befoore it hath beene committed, they choose that which is vnaccustomed, as if it we [...]e a thing fit and worthy for them, because it is behinde the opinion and exspectation of men.

742 THose that hunt after and desire the gifts of liberalitie, it is necessarye that they prouide and force themselues that they doo not lose the same at the beginning: forsomuch as seruitude doth alwaies giue the firste and chéefest mo­lestation. It is a iust thing to moue warres, because they will not sustaine the same, but he that is once become sub­iect to others, and afterwardes would rebell, dooth shewe himself rather to be a contumelious slaue, then a louer of libertye.

743 IN warres it dooth not onlye benefite to be store of men, although they be very warlicke: but also it dooth benefite the small number, if amongst them there be force: for those that be few, may easily set themselues in order, and maye easilye help one another: but great armies are of greater trauaile to be set in order, and besides that they carrye al­waies with them many vices of minde, and those thinges that are of valewe in prosperitie, through euerye small errour, are exstinguished, and become woorth nothing.

744 EUen as it is the act of vain-glorious and light men, to become proud in prosperitie, so is it the acte of men of vile and base mindes, to become afraide in errours and ad­uersities: for he that dooth so, dooth shewe that he hath no constancie at all, & that he is ouer-light headed, to change himselfe firste into one parte, then into another: and that the strong man of fortitude is he, that dooth remaine firme and dooth not change: whose minde is sober and quiet, e­uen [Page] in thinges that be administred vnluckily, to the intent he may be accounted one selfe person in all his actions, cor­recting errours with right counselles.

745 NO man at any time vnlesse he be a vanquishour, doth chāge wars into peace: and it is a great folly to hope for safetie by flying, and by casting away his armes & we­pons wher-withall he doth defend himselfe, and doth couer his owne proper bodye: and those doo bring greatest per­rilles in a battaile, which are most afraide, for that auda­citie is as it were a most strong wall.

746 WHen the Nobility gouerns a Common-weale, that gouernment cannot be but good, and cheefelye when they gouerne by loue, and ha [...]e an eye to the common be­nefite: for that the Nobilitie being frée from the occupati­ons of Artifficers and handie-crafts, they may haue their mindes more apt and turned to the management of the conseruation of the state: but when contrariwise the No­bilitye haue their mindes blinded with some passions, or corrupted with bribes: then iustice running into ruine, can neuer be found quiet nor in tranquilitye: and specialllye, turning that gouernement to the damage of the people, to the shame and infamie of the Common-weale.

747 TO prepare for warres, and at one time not to charge L'erario, to constrain vnto warfare those y t would not endamage, to take care of all those things appertaining to peace and warres, and to doo them before the eyes of the enuious, of those that are partiall, and those that are ad­uersaries: is a way more difficile, then that which a man would beléeue.

748 IT is not a parte appertaining to a right Souldiour, to runne first to one side, then to another, for vnto that cap­taine or Souldiour that hath no stedfast faith: a charge of importance, cannot be committed vnto his handes, [Page 90] neither cannot be trusted with any strong place: and ther­fore vnto men that be strong and of valour, it appertay­neth more to despise death, then to haue our life in ha­tred: and oftentimes those that be vile and base, are foreced either through the tedious toyle and trauaile, to prouide for themselues and for their owne profit, but vertue dooth leaue nothing behinde vnprouided and vnex­perimented.

749 NEcessitie and force goe oftentimes before reason, and chéefelye in the enterprises of warres, in the which very rarelye we can be able to determine and to assemble times, forsomuch as the fortune of warres dooth instruct euen those that are ouercome, in the art of warrefare.

750 WHat thing is of greater disgrace, then to lament our selues of iniuries, and to prepare our selues to war to our perrilles, and flying and shunning the Iudge, make him our enemye? for that the Iudge although he be wic­ked, neuerthelesse dooth interprete the Lawes, but thy e­nimye although he be iust, dooth séeke thy death: then therefore we ought to please the Iudge, and defend our selues from our enemy: to the intent he doo not moue and raise vp our neighbours against vs: for that by pleasing them, they become more benigne, and this is auoyded by standing aloofe from him.

751 ALthough valour and vertue, be accustomed to be commended in warrefare: neuerthelesse, Fortune hath a swaye and rule therein: but it is conuenient that prudent men amend their faultes and errours, and in prosperitie to be modest, for rude wittes become proude, through any happye successe, as though they were not to fight with men: and those that be weake through anye sinister chaunce, loose all hope with­out considering that the successe of Warres doo easilye [Page] change: he therfore is a most woorthy man, that in aduer­sities can manly sustaine the furies of fortune, and dooth studye to amend his wants & faults: but he that is negli­gent, dooth fall oftentimes in his rising, and running head­long, goes altogiter into ruine: but if this oftentimes fall out where onelye vertue is, how much more in warres: where the Squadrons are of sundrye generations, their mindes and their willes sundrye, the place contrarye, the raggednes therof difficile, and the space of ground straite to fight in, in which thinges fortune is of greater force then vertue.

752 WHen a Citizen perswading publicke benefites, dooth not shewe therein any passion, in applying himselfe to priuate benefites, he dooth easilye encline the mindes of the hearers, to all that which he desires, but when in per­swading publick benefites it séemes he hath a meaning to procure some priuate commoditie, or his owne profite: he doth not so easily bow and make fauourable the mindes of them that heare him.

753 IT is a more filthye and infamous thing to those that are in anye dignitye, to gaine with fraude and with deceite: then by manifest and open violence, for violence by all reason proceedes from the power which fortune hath giuen vnto some: but deceite, from the snares of an vniust minde.

754 THat wise Captain which with a good, vigilant and pru­dent eye, hath in consideration the enemies erroures, and dooth dispose himselfe to assault them hottelye and cou­ragiously: not in equall battaile, or at an appointed time, not with like wil, but according as he shall sée his aduaun­tage, he dooth obtaine victorie for the most parte.

755 I Make my account, that that Citie which departes from the exercise of busines, and giues it selfe to idlenes, will soone runne into ruine: and that those men amongst all the rest liue in greatest securitie, that vsing the present lawes, [Page 91] although they were lesse good,, without any contention, doo gouerne their Common-weale, without strife and discorde.

756 IN those cases that may endamage a Common-weale, it is better to remaine prouided to defend them, then to ex­pect to make prouision when they are come: and in all matters of warre, it is better to feare, then to dispraise: for that feare makes wise men to be alwaies prouided, and despising for the most parte dooth bring vs vnto those ends that are neither desired nor beléeued.

757 EUerye well ordered Common-weale, ought to proceede faire and easily to banish a man foorth of his house, and to send him into exile: who through his vertue or through his fauour, either with his owne or with forraine stran­gers, may be embraced of his enemies, and that may more hurt them being banished, then he could benefite, being at home in his owne house.

758 FOr that it is a perrillous thing to tell the trueth vn­to Princes, and speciallye in those thinges, that they are resolutely determined to doo, esteeming them for good: therefore it sil [...]ome comes to passe, that they are well councelled, and as they ought to be: forasmuch as if they tell the trueth, he becomes their enemy: if they flatter, he obtaines their grace: and flatterye is more secure then veritie.

759 IF the opinion and iudgements that be contrary amongst themselues: be not well examined and discussed, we can­not so easily make choise of the best parte, but it is conue­nient to vse that which is first reported: but when many do alleadge that which euery one dooth beléeue to be best, we maye make choice thereof, as we would doo of golde that dooth glister of it selfe: and being put to the touch, is dis­cearned whither it be pure or not.

760 ALl the gaine of great enterprises, dooth consist in good counsell, and although some froward hap doo chaunce [Page] against all counsell this comes to passe, for that Fortune dooth ouercome our prouidence, but hee that dooth take naughty counsell, (although it succeede happily) is woorthy of blame, for verye sildome to the deuices of euill counsell dooth succeed prosperous endes.

761 A Good counsellour ought neuer to hide the trueth, al­though it turn to the preiudice of his life: for it is bet­ter for him to loose his life, then to kéepe secret a good coun­sell: for that the end of things will make manifest of what minde he was that did wiselye giue counsell, and who did speak things to please the Prince, to flatter him: and it wil then followe, that the good counsellour will be better belo­ued being so dead, then the flatterer shall be esteemed, that remaines liuing.

762 MAnye chaunces in warrefare make men beleeue, that men constrained of necessitie, procéed much farther thē their proper courage, and naturall force dooth beare: and héerby it comes to passe, that many after the ouer-throwe constrained to begin a new battaile, haue ouerthrown the vanquishours.

763 THose which haue their life in gifte of the enemye, and accustomed oftentimes to dye with miserie and with shame: and contrariwise all those that consider that the law of death is common to all, without hauing to fighting combate, or any other perrill: they goe to encounter an ho­norable death: & such as those haue I euer seene, arriue to a goodly olde age, and during their life, alwaies to manage honorable enterprises, and such as were ful of great praise and fame.

764 IT sildom comes to passe that any good counsel should not generally be accepted of all: for that our vnderstanding being by nature giuen to settle and staye it selfe in true thinges, or that haue great apparence of trueth, it is re­quisite that they should embrace right counselles for good and true.

765 [Page 92]THe speach of a light and of an inconstant person, is re­puted vnprofitable and vaine who dooth vnconsiderat­ly runne here and there without any reputation or honor. Contrariwise when it is knowne that any one dooth carry greate respecte to his faith: his speache when he dooth de­sire, praye or make request, is much more woorth then the force of any other. And the same chanceth when he would cause any one to returne to his obedience, he dooth farre more basely obtaine his desire with woordes, then an other with déedes, and his threatnings haue more force then o­ther meanes, executions and punishments: and he dooth bring foorth greater frute by promising, then any other by giuing.

766 NO man that dooth gouerne and rule others: can haue neither a more godlye neither a more honourable ri­ches then vertue, iustice, and the magnanimitie of minde: The which if any one haue hauing together with the same greate numbers of fr [...]end [...] ▪ and trustie faithfull persons: h [...]e can not but be verye rich, neither shall he want anye persons that shall reioyce with him in his prosperitie, and who in y e time of aduersse fortune, will conuersse with him, helpe him and succour him.

767 IT is no doubte but that the couetousnes of Princes Officers, be apte and sufficient, to make their goodnes and bountie infamous. For that Princes when they make warres, not béeing able for the moste parte to be there in personne: of force they must put trust in their Officers and Commissaryes of their Campe. Who belee­uing that the Souldiours, may be driuen off and enter­tayned with fayre woordes and greate hopes: retaines those payes which Princes doo send to the Armye to paye the Souldiours.

768 NOt onely the Common-weales, but also priuate men ought of necessitie, by how much the more they flo­rish [Page] in forces: by so much the more to procure themselues those things, which at some time maye turne to their pro­fit, to the intent that when occasion and néed requires, they may haue a defence wherewithall to help themselues.

769 HE that desires to ouercome, ought not to put himselfe in flight: for victorie is not gained with our shoulders but with our hands: & euery victorie merites to be praised in euery place, but that which is shewed & séene in warres is woorthy to be celebrated and lift vp euen vnto heauen, for that the same is visible, and doth shine in the middest of so many perrilles, no lesse then golde in the midst of a hot flaming fire.

770 FRom the beginning of the world it hath béen instituted for a lawe, that Cities taken by warres, should apper­taine to the conquerours: and besides this, the men, the money, and what thing soeuer else is within the Citie, to be a reward of the victorie.

771 MEn estéeme it a great thing to gaine Empire, but much greater it is to kéepe it after that it is gotten: for that we oftentimes sée, that manye through audacitye and fortune may take a Kingdome, but not maintain it: whilste it is gained with much diligence and care, without Prudence and Temperance.

772 THe proportion or the name dooth not make anye man freend or enemye: but the good or euill which we reap of things, dooth make thē freends or enemies: louing th [...]se that bring vs good, and hating those that bring vs euill: neither haue men planted this lawe, neither haue we ta­ken it from any of our predicessours, but nature doth teach it vs: and for this rispect, we leaue our fréendes when they offend vs▪ and embrace our enemies when they doo benefite vs: and that Citie which hath engendred vs, we loue it when it dooth well, and dispraise it when it shewes the con­trarie, and dooth euill: and this falles not out by reason of the place where it is set: but through the damage or [Page 93] through the proffite which chaunceth to be perfourmed by the same, neither dooth it chaunce only to priuate persons, to haue such opinion of euery of these thinges, but also vn­to all Cities and vnto all people. Demaunde nothing but that which is according to the deuine lawes, neither doo a­ny thing out of the common iustification of men.

773 THat Captaine which dooth thinke that he can with woordes, make those men couragious, which neuer haue seene the enemie in the face: dooth greatly deceiue him selfe. Wherefore in enterprises of importance, it is no wisedome to set an Armye of young and vnexpert Souldi­ours, in the face of a Campe of olde tryed Souldiers. For although the General be most valiant and prudent, neuer­theles he cannot with securitie serue his turne with those that haue small practise in warfare.

774 THe troupes and great multitudes of people, are very easie to be deceiued and perswaded any thing. Unto whome it oftentimes chaunceth the same that it dooth vn­to the Sea: For euen as the Sea by his nature dooth no hurt to those y t vse it well: but if it be tossed with furious windes, it becomes like to the windes wherwithall it is tumbled on euery side. So likewise the multitude becomes like to those that manage them which are their Captains and counsellers.

775 TO me it séemes that Hauen townes are much liker to Shippes then to the Land or shore: for they haue in them a continuall concourse and greate aboundaunce of Marchants, but that which is gathered and reaped of the frutes of the earth and by the worke and industrie of Arti­ficers, is more sure and dooth continue longer. For this oc­casion, the auncient Empires for the most parte, were farre off from the Seaes, and therefore they did encrease and endure long.

776 ENuye amongste Captaines hath alwayes béene an oc­casion to ruinate Armyes, and to destroye Kingdomes. [Page] For that suffring them selues to be caryed away with pas­sions, they vse not their counselles for the common proffit but according to the euill disposition of their mindes, wher­vpon it followes, that those which haue giuen good coun­sell, be despised, and afterwardes Princes by meanes of those euill counselles: finde themselues to be depriued of their States.

777 ALthough a Generall or Ambassadour haue Commissi­on of his Prince to conclude any thing, neuertheles he ought not to take vpon him so much authoritie, that ther­by their commission should become rash or licencious: and cheefly when in the managing of things there is some point that may doo hurt to the honour of his prudēce, the which thing the Ambassadour ought not to ratifie, neither to ac­cepte anye thinge, before he haue aduertised his Prince thereof.

778 IT is no safetie for a frée Citie, to fauour any parte, where two Princes that are neighboures make warres toge­ther. And also to stande in the midst and kéepe a meane, dooth not bring with it greate securitie, for that these two Princes at the last maye agree together to ruinate them, whilste thou hast béene neither freende to the one nor to the other.

779 IT comes to passe of necessitie, that those that possesse a­ny thing, should be laid in waite for by many. Therfore it is good that he preuent the snares of his enemyes, to the intent that those that doo repose themselues in their owne proper goodes, should not fall into those daungers like vn­to those that through ouermuche aboundaunce doo mooue warres.

780 NO fréend doth differ from an enemie by nature, which is cōmon to euery one, but by customes and by déeds. The which being good, makes euery stranger séem to be his neighbour & familiar, but being wicked: makes euery man although a neighbour, to become a stranger.

781 [Page 94]NAture hath appointed it to be healthfull and necessary to man, that some should be rulde and gouerned, and it is impossible that without this order, anye thing should perseuere and go forward any long time, and it is a conue­nient thing that one that is ruler ouer another, haue care ouer conuenient thinges, and to comaund, but he that is subiect, it appertaines vnto him to be obedient without any excuse, and to execute diligentlye that which is com­maunded him.

782 ALthough iniuries be doone vnto a man, yet for all that he dooth not euer lye vnder: neither he that is superi­our in power is alwaies a vanquishour, but the one & the other are subiect to humaine instabilities and the vncer­taintie of Fortune: and oftentimes the ends doo not suc­céed according to the hopes that we haue, but quite against their thoughts and imaginations.

783 THat man becomes terrible, that either is iniuried or reputes himselfe to be iniuried, and verye many times besides his force, he puts himselfe into perrilles, carrying this minde, that either he will ouercome or not loose, with­out drawing bloode of the enemye: and they sometimes are vanquishours, and sometimes are ouercome: and now equall in power, now inferiour: it falles out that some dye altogither and some other obtaine the victorie of Cadmus.

784 WHen discordes beginne amongst any that indeuour themselues to resist violence with violence, and knowe not that reuenge cannot be made with equitie and humanitie, but according to the appetite and licence which they take through weapons: it comes to passe that they make a circuler & winding compasse of euils, with­out end and it comes y t there is successiuely made a resoluti­on of crueltie: for that he y t is vanquishour, dooth abound in iniuries, & giues no end to his doing euil, and he that is disgraced through the displesure and wrath of his mizerie, [Page] if in the beginning he be not altogither destroyed, he re­maines in continuall desire to reuenge himselfe against him that did him iniuries, vntill such time as he feele him­selfe satisfied in his minde: and in like sorte the rest of the multitude, although they haue not béene pertakers of this thing, neuerthelesse, through the pittie they beare to him that is ouercome, and through the enuye they beare to the vanquishour: fearing also to suffer such like, and hope they maye be able to doo the same to him: and by this meanes the one halfe of the Citizens are moued to make sedition, and the one and the other succéeds and followes on to euil, which is like to a Circulare and legitimate course, hauing this occasion to reuenge those that haue béene oppressed, and although they are priuately set free, neuerthelesse eue­ry way they destroy the Common-weale.

785 THe instruementes of Maiestrates and of armies is so ioyned and lincked with humaine imperfections, that they are not apt for the diuinitie, as deuine worships are: which raising vs from the earth, makes vs to approche neere to God himselfe: and consequentlye dooth make vs more pertakers of his vertue, then of any care of worldlye matters: where-upon dooth spring and arise good fame, and after the same, that reputation which is holden in hy­est degrée, drawing the mindes of the people into a firme beleefe that we are exactly good, not in exteriour actions, but in inwarde conscience: and besides that inducing them to holde for certaine, that we cannot erre, God being vpon our side: which likewise is an occasion that men re­uerence vs with a certaine feare, not to offend vs: because they will not offend together there withall his diuine ma­iestie.

786 WHen we take in hand any voyage, the ende is, to ar­riue at that place whither we think to goe, the midst or meane is the way by the which we take our iourney: so in our affaires we ought to haue before our eyes, tw [...] [Page 95] considerations, the end, and security to arriue with satis­faction, but when vnto these two, spéede maye be ioyned: then haue we fully all those parts that appertains to per­fect affaires.

787 OF the two, offensiue warres is better then the defen­ciue: for that he y t dooth assault, hath already thought vpon all that which is necessarye for him, and therefore he is become thorowlye resolute: but he that is assaulted, is taken either vnprouided or prouided: the vnprouided person dooth prepare & defend himselfe by force, and with­out doubt hath infinite disaduauntages, the which if they come to him through the fraud of others, he is excused: but if he know himselfe to haue any mightye enemye, and hath not forseene the same: he is woorthye of blame, and dooth merite the name of imprudent. He that is prouided will likewise be accounted not verye wise, if he haue not vsed all force and diligence, to be the first to issue and break, for that although before the chaunce doo fall, it appeares that he is furnished with so much as is néedefull, yet vpon the déede dooing, great store of wants discouer themselues, and with long procéeding and continuance, for the most parte he growes wursse, and to feele defects, forsomuch as he fals vnto the want of Captaines, of Souldiours, of victuales, of artillerie, and of other such like things necessarye for the saide defence: the which procéeds because he is not able to woorke by entire frée choice and election, and that he is constrained to do euery thing through méere necessitie, be­sides that his owne proper people doo suffer infinitely, with the perrill of their totall ruine, and with continuall feare of losse, without any hope of gaine.

788 THe counsell of a Prince compounded of diuers and sun­dry persons, is most commmended: for many haue pro­ued many things, and all consists in experience, because the subiect is humaine actions, wherein we oftentimes see by proofe, that that thing dooth succéede and fall out, which by [Page] reason was not looked for, and many men, besides that they haue seene much, haue heard many things and read much, wherby they possesse a discourse of greater effect, and like­wise because the affaires that are consulted vpon are ma­ny and sundrye, therin is to be required diuers and sundry iudgementes: and he that rules, hath so huge a Machine vpon his shoulders, that he is forced to haue many armes, to lay hand vpon to helpe him to sustaine that heauye bur­den.

789 THe counsellour of a Prince ought both to be quicke and graue, to the intent that by his onely viuacitie, he be­come not vaine: and through only grauitie, grosse and slug­gishe: being quick he wil be vigilant, and if graue, he wilbe well staide in himselfe to giue eare: and in the act of coun­selling if he be quicke, he dooth discouer difficulties, dooth pearce and see into them, and dooth not loose the courage of his minde, and hath recourse to prouision and preuention: and if graue, he examines and resolues feares, perrils, and determines vpon the prouisions: and so viuacitie makes him to foresée, and grauitie causeth him to prouide, and he that dooth prouide, will: and he that dooth foresee, knowes: and he that will and knowes, and is not hindred, and em­peched, may put his valour in execution: and for that the quick person is subtile and sharpe, and the graue firme and mature: the one dooth arise more by nature then by experi­ence, and the other more by experience then by nature [...] we may say that of viuacity, comes wit, and of grauity, iudge­ment wherof prudence is framed: and that good waye and maner how to vse the same, which is dexteritie, so that for the full perfection of counsell, it is necessary that viuacitye and grauitie doo concurre therin, the one giuing to another reciprocall helpe.

790 COunsell is made of those things that remaine alwaies in one selfe forme, neither of those that doo change and are notorious, neither of those which although they be dif­ficile, [Page 96] neuerthelesse there remaines and rests not much, but when any case dooth fall out, that hath manye shapes and cullours, so that it may change it selfe in sundry sorts, and take many formes, and that it dooth importe much either in apparence or in consequence, or in the one and the o­ther sorte: the which thing comes often, for that often­times ma [...]ers doo fall out, which carrye with them such doubts as are to be had in consideration.

791 IN the gouernment of a free Citie, where there is no head that is vndoubtedlye Lord and Maister: euerye thing is subiect to y e lawes, but in a Monarchie men are not bound vnto them, but all that which dooth please the Monarch himselfe, becomes Lawe in effect: the which he maye per­forme, either by letters or by subscriptions, either by de­crées, or by woords, or by edictes, or in some other sort: and euen as the father of a famulye maye at his pleasure alter the orders, that he hath constituted in his house: So a Prince hath so great authoritie ouer his subiects as he wil himselfe: and moreouer so much the greater, by how much the more his power is free: and much more also, for that the same doth extend ouer all the principalls of the houses, the Citie being all, and the house parte of all.

792 SInce it dooth chaunce for the most parte that the people doo taste of extreame pouertie, and the Nobilitye of ex­treame riches, (in a Common-weale not well ordered) it destroyes the forme of ciuill gouernment: forsomuch as those that be extreame poore, vse industrie, to follow craft and fraude, and those that are very rich become proud, in­solent, and insupportable: and finallye seditions doo arise: the disorders of these extreams, procéeding so far forward, that either those of base degrée, recommend themselues to great persons which are mightye, and therefore able to giue them liuinges: or great men goe about to gaine those of mean and base degrée, to make them partiall vnto [Page] them with the occasion, by finding them euill satisfied, and by hauing the meanes to entertain them, and so they may easilye stirre vp tumults against the regall power.

793 THat Citizen that would be holden for iust, it is necessa­rie, that he know how to distribute, euerye thing to all persons, according to their degrées and dignities, and that he knowe how to defend the customes and orders of his Countrie, to obserue the lawes, and to be vpright in con­trouersies, and stand firme in conuentions.

794 TO amend entirely the customes of a Citie, to prouide for disorders, to remedie scandalles, to take away abu­ses, to roote out vices, to kéepe in safetie the people, and to conduct and bring them to a vertuous and happy life: as it is a thing of very great importance, so without doubt it is so much more glorious and commendable.

795 EUery man carries great hate to those, who towardes their benefactors do shew themselues ingrateful, ther­fore euen as it is a thing proper to authoritie, to nourishe vs with honour and praise, and that since we are thereby moued and inflamed to followe studies through the swéet­nes of glory: so men of hye spirites, if they see the trauailes they haue taken for other mens commodities, oftentimes to be acknowledged with benigne and gratefull mindes, they reioyce in their honest trauails, and become pleasant in those perrilles that most terrifie and triumph in y e midst of most cruell deaths, since that with the spirite of fame, they are so noblye and worthily maintained in life, where­fore with great forwardnes they aduenture their bodyes willinglye, inticed through hope, that the force of benefite ought to remaine imprinted in the memoryes of men eter­nally.

796 THe good qualities that are found amongst men, are confirmed either by vertue, either by long vse and ha­bite, or by natures, carrying with thē an inclination ther­vnto, euen from their swadles, or by a certain [...] [Page 97] men estéeming by that meanes to be able to attain to some purpose or determined inuention: therefore it is required in those that seeke for honours, that libertye and affability be in them by nature, not for that it is not good to obtaine the same vertuously and by election, but for that not being able so well to make iudgement of the inward partes of o­thers, sometimes it chaunceth, that which is doone by arti­ficiall meanes, dooth make such a manner of showe, that it séemes, that it is like vnto vertue, wherby it may easily de­ceiue, but nature dooth neuer deceiue.

797 HE that desires honours: it is necessarie that he dispose himselfe to the matter long time before, and indeuour himselfe to make euery one his fréend, but aboue all: those he knowes to be of a good spirit, men of traine and abilitie, and suche as haue courage in them. The occasiones to ob­taine freendes, dooth alwayes springe and arise, so that they be taken in time: and the desire to take them, ought to be so much the greater in like time, by how much more at that instant, a benefit, how little soeuer it be, séemes to haue great force to worke great effectes & parts of beneuolence.

798 THe right practises to séeke to obtaine honoures, are those which are accomplished and doon before the time of the demaund. For that the time of paymente and debte being come: those haue gained fréendes that freend them in good earnest. Forsomuch as those that are gotten in that time, that the seruice doon vnto them, are perceued of them to be doon for a desire to please them and not in hope of re­warde, forsomuch as pleasures so neere the payment, can­not be gratefull: neither receiued with good conscience.

799 BEneuolence sometimes is gotten no lesse with reue­rence and with dooing benefites, then with receiuing them, and cheefelye of those that are of greater power: who for the moste parte become fréendes, when they per­ceiue them-selues to be esteemed, and that confidence is put in them, with often séekinge for some pleasures at [Page] their handes that will not be discommodious or gréeuous vnto them.

800 WHosoeuer desires honoures: ought not to make pra­ctise for the same himselfe: neuertheles he ought to receiue whosoeuer dooth speake vnto him, with a gratefull minde, and retayning in himselfe a certain modestie: make showe alwayes to receiue that which is to come, rather as proceeding of curtesie then for any other of his own merits: besides this, let him make signe that he dooth es [...]eeme well and déerly of what help soeuer is offred vnto him: making showe that it will be of great importance for him. Forso­much as euery one although very meane and weake by na­ture, makes great account of it to be estéemed a profitable person, and therfore that it was his due to haue had some obligacion of those vnto whome they haue lent the same.

801 IT is necessarie that he that dooth demaund and seeke for honours, should haue alwaies his countenance and his fore-head open & vncouered: and that he giue of himselfe, very great expectation of benignitie and curtesie, and that he indeuour himselfe to know the nature, and his dispositi­on to profit that speakes with reasons, putting him in ma­nye hopes of his desire: for he that hopes, is much more deutifull & diligent then the rest, this humanitie of woords is of more power then is able to be spoken: and such there hath been, that neither desiring or knowing how to vse it, haue lost goodly and great occasions.

802 HE that dooth trauaile to make others to obtaine ho­nours, it is necessarye that he haue good vnderstan­ding, and better vtterance: for he that hath naughtye vt­terance is, as though he had no vnderstanding: Moreouer, it is requisite that he be couragious, forsomuch as some­times there arise such accidents, that he that can best shew his force to fortitude, dooth remaine superiour, and this courage is necessary to be accompanied, with greatnes of blood, with many followers, and with excellent vertue, for­somuch, [Page 98] as whosoeuer is courag [...]ous without stay and pil­ler of some of these qualities, shall perseuer himselfe rather to be deri [...]ed and flo [...]ted, and shall spoyle all, rather then helpe and amend the matter.

803 EUen as there be sundrye woorthie men, that through their good behauiour and gentle cur [...]esies, are of esti­mation amongst all persons▪ so there be some others, so spitefull of nature, that they are hated of euerye one. The firste, although before that time they haue not applyed themselues to the negotiation of affaires, yet may they by the fauour of their freends perfourme many things: and such as these are to be accounted for freends, and so far as we can, we ought to get and obtaine them, to the intent to set them a woork. The second sort also, are to be estéemed for freends, but it is not good to vse them in our affaires: forsomuch as we shall receiue by them more harmes, then benefites: and that we ought to doo with such dexteritie, that they doo not perceiue that they are accounted for such, for spitefull persons also are full of wrath, and without iudgement dispose themselues to doo ouerthwartly, and if they cannot harm vs otherwise, yet they will hurt vs with their tunges as dayly we perceiue by experience.

FINIS. Deo Gratias. Et Pace, Et Praelio.
THis is the end of the first Booke, translated out of Italian into English. Anno. 1590.
HITCHCOCKS ARMES.

EN DI­EV EST MA DEFFEN­SE.

¶ A Table wherein is contained the contents of these Conceites, Shewing their number by figure, they being in all [...]03.

A.
ABode.
706.
Accidents or chaunces.
74.551.
Actions.
68.293.539.633.
To Accomodate our selues.
511.515
Aduenture or chaunce.
108.
Aduise.
3 [...]0.
Administration.
260
Affection.
170
Affaires or busines▪
244.245.
Affirmations.
2.167.
Agents.
373.
Olde Age.
523.
Alterations,
418.
Ambition.
123.304.315.316.469.536.
Ametie.
218.317.379.
Appetite.
153.18.9.
Armes.
250.592.
Art ofwarre.
251
Artificiall deuises.
65.456.565.570.
Assurednes or securitie.
619.
Authoritie.
146.252.374.412.423.474.513.
B.
Basenes or vilenes of minde.
718
Base and meane men towardes great personages.
193.
Daye of battaile.
369.530. or Battailes. 214.
Benefites.
225, 276.547.
Beneuolence▪
799.
Beastlyne [...].
285.
Bond or Obligations.
63.
Bondage or slauerie,
246.363.427.781.
C.
Calumines or detractions.
411.
Causes or affaires.
58.
Captaines or Generals.
28.179.139.158.300.321.322.325.521.522.545.593.665 670 672 683.676.677.678.679.680 682.688.723.735.754.773.
Care or deep consideration.
165
Chastisement.
108.131.
Charitie.
270.525.
Charge or burden.
39.
Cities or states.
134.668.675.692.699, 700.770.775.778
[Page]Citizens.
37.135.248.333.471.485.593.721.740.752.793.
Ciuil [...]tie.
262.
Circumspectnes.
283.
Clemencie.
215.
Common-weales.
7.45.628.708.710.757.768.
Colonies or newe Inhabitantes.
462.
Commaunding or rule.
186.567.
Companyes or bands.
18.41.
Counselles or aduise.
9.27.64.97.105.194.287.297.299.386.538.574.607.725.760.764.788.790.
Considerations.
16.154.
Conuersations.
125,
Conseruation or well keeping.
212.
Confederation or League.
227.343.344.
Confidence or trust.
2.475.609.
Counsellours.
324.536.761.789
Consultation.
298.
Contentions.
263.
Constancie.
387.
Contrarye course in managing causes.
555.
Corrispondence or similitude.
200.
Corruption.
512.
Customes.
12.435.
Cowards.
731.
Couragiousnes.
284.
Couetousnes.
340.684.767.
Credulitie.
143.229.657.661.
Crueltie.
560.563.
Curiositie.
3.
D.
Deliberations.
235.
Deniall.
196.
Detraction or euill speaking.
197.
Deeds or actions.
183.331.
Degrees.
145.535.
Demaunds.
468.
Determinations or deliberating.
27.25.82.206.224.291.293.294.542.642.
Demerites,
734.736.
To desire or request.
638.
Dearth.
734.
Dignetie.
159.
Difficultie.
518.
Difference.
179.
Discorde.
61.89.784.
Discipline.
274.
Discourses.
425.
Displeasure,
550.
Dsarmed or without weapon.
553.
Disturbations.
98.
Distribution.
223.486.
Disorders.
247.477.
Disimulations.
584.
Disswasion.
671.
Discontentment.
505.
Deceiuours.
141.
[Page]Displeasure or entring into cho­lor.
608.
Damage or losse.
224.616.
Doubts.
405.
To dye.
208.739.763.
A Desembler.
483.
E.
Excesses.
454.455.
Effects.
195.181.
Election or choise.
10.330.536.
Emulations.
137.
Embassadours.
279.473.
Emnities.
694.
Enterparling and meeting of Princes.
371.
To enlarge or augement.
295.488.
To enrich our selues.
442.516.585.
Enterprises.
88.178.221.311.355.322.760.
Ennye.
328.620.646.648.649.6 [...]1.776.
Enemies.
368.
Entertainement or delayes.
26.
Errours.
163.242.365.396.744.
Euents, happes or chaunces.
263
Finall end.
386.
Executions or accomplishe­ments.
168.184.
Examples.
169.
Extremities.
231.610.
Experiences.
78.683.
Exercises.
404.621▪
Expences in warre.
711.
F.
Fame.
734, 736.
Fauours
49.149.534.
Faith.
31.306.684.707.713.763.
Faultie.
133.
Feare.
550.643.644.319.
Flatterie.
54. [...]41.449.
Flight.
597.
Footmen or Souldiours.
591.
Fortune.
114.140.380.
Force.
410.479.
Forme or proportion.
415.
Fortifications.
572.674.
Forgetfulnes.
43.
A Freend.
128.
Foreshewing or fore-happes.
305.
Foreseeings or preuentions.
266.756.
Fugitiues.
315.
G.
Gaines or getting of any thing.
492, 753.771.
Gouernours.
91.103.109.215.117.801.746.766.
Glorie.
92.287.
Gouernment.
652.
Goodnes of life.
421.
Goodnes of persons.
90.
Goods.
308.
[Page]Good deeds or works.
307.377.
Grauetie.
36.
Grace or fauour.
144.
Greatnes or might.
157.
Grosse wittes.
677.624.
Gratefulnes.
795.
H.
Hate.
328.
Hope.
235.
Histories.
376.
Honestie.
31.
Honours.
119.318.796.796.800.801.802.
I.
Ignorance.
594.
Inuasion or vsurping.
438.
Iniuries.
32.659.660.783.
Introductions.
181.
Insolence.
226.
Impressions in our mindes.
347.
Imitations.
379.
Inconueniences.
392.453.
Inconstancie.
399.
Intent.
640.
Ire or wrath.
190.
Irresolution.
558
Irruption or inuation.
182.
The Iudge.
142.
Iudgements.
209.467.564, 518.
Iustice.
175.
K.
Kings.
95.717.
Knowlege or perseuerence.
383.
L,
Lamen [...]tion or complaining
623,
Lawes.
378.435.436.791.
Leages.
210.216.217.234.362.457.458.719.
Letters or learning.
286.
Libertie or free state.
40.50.162.222.238.239.246 392.359.428.700.714.742.
Liberalitie.
171.558.
Lustines or galant courage.
83.
Losses.
507.704.
Short Life.
161.
Loue.
130.627.
M.
Magistrate.
80.319.393.
Maister.
176.
Male-content or euill satisfied.
551.
To Maintain.
391.
Measure.
187.
Keeping of the meane.
450.
Magnanimitie.
632.720.
Miserable.
556.559.
Mistrust.
30.229.663.
Mis-fortunes.
26.
Multitudes or assemblies.
258.275.429, 636.
Mutations or changes.
580.
Mightie.
56.59.
Money.
302.515.
N.
Nature of Princes.
15.
Necessitie.
233.382.517.6 [...]3.698.749.762.
A Negotiatour.
53.469, 470.575.
Newtralitie.
67.207.384.385.388.389.394.395.396.397.400.
Newes.
268.
To be Negligent.
517.
Night.
269.
Noble.
51.
Nobilitie.
482.
Notice or knowledge.
472
Nouelties.
118.360.
Needfull occasions.
126.127.
O,
Obedience.
527.702.
Occasion or oppertunitie.
8.82.
Offences or harmes.
409.502.562.625.
Obtemperations, temporising or congratulation.
81.
Orders.
436.520.
The maker of good orders.
381.425.438.546.
Opinions or iudgments.
337.
Ouerthrowes.
464.
Off-icers or Seruants.
14.467.469.595.
P.
Peace.
57.278.349.662.
Pact or condition.
464.
Things past.
480.
People.
23.69.199, 229.230.290.356.481.578.690.709.774.
Perrill [...]s.
1.292.689.712.
To pardon.
42.185.
Perswasion.
228.67.
Pleasure.
550.
Persecution.
255.
Practises.
582.
To premeditate.
149.
Preuention.
160.
Predictions.
211.327.
Preparations.
476.
Power.
6.
Pouertie,
161.627.791.
A Prince.
11.17.22.44.52.102.107.113.116.122.155.345.347.434.466.596.602.655.691.747.
Princes.
73.201.
Prodigalities.
29.
Prosperitie.
264.
Proceeding forward in affaires.
487.
Promises.
686.
Prudence.
650.
Presumption or rash boldenes.
698.718.725.729.
To praise.
433.663.
Praise.
60
Pride.
197.
Punishment.
524.
Profitablenes.
35.
Q.
Good qualities.
396.803.
R.
Rash persons.
732.
Raigne.
20.
Reason.
134.
Religion.
424.426.785.
Respects.
164.
Reprehenders.
203.
Reputation.
232.451.479.681.
Resolution.
243.300.549.
Remembrances.
312.313.
Requests.
259.437.532.599.667.
Reformation.
432.444.
Reuenge.
180.
Rewardes.
75.
Riches.
46.188.697.791.
New Rule or Empire.
13.
S.
Sage or wise.
641.148.
Sects, factions, banding, or part-taking.
240.669.695.
Seditions.
132.
Seueritie.
2 [...]6.
To Serue.
420.422.579.604.
Securitie.
79.120.249.
Scandalles.
460.
Silence.
335.
Slacknes.
561
Sinceritie.
622.
Substance.
84.
Successe of things.
205.
Suspition.
220.207.346.446.447.484.629.
A Successour.
334.516.
A Souldiour.
261.326.440.687.724.737.738.
State.
48.99.497.
Stratagems.
522.
Waye of Sta [...].
419.
Solitarines.
647.
Strangers.
463.
Strong.
529.634.635.636.637.
T.
Taciturnitie or secrecie.
174.
Temeritie or rashnes.
265.
To Temporise.
571.
Tirants.
33.249.685.
Treason.
7 [...]4.
Tumults.
431.
Time.
150.24 [...].543.
Trueth or veritie.
758.
Threatnings.
100.
Terrour or feare.
235.
V.
Valour.
325.371.
Varietie.
72.
Varying or changing.
701.
Vassalles.
630.
Vertue.
181.
Victorie.
66.289.597.730.769.
[Page]Vniuersall.
658.
Vniting or knitting in one.
94.669.
Violence.
413.490.528.
Vices.
93.181.
Vnworthines or indignity.
296.
W.
Watchfulnes.
353.
Warrefare.
77.611.
Warres.
41.86. [...]04.213.271.301.352.390.531.548.588.589.590.600.613.605.606.609.666.705.715.716.726.727.728.743.745.751.787.
Wicked naughty persons.
172.254.
Worldly affaires.
366.402.
Wrath or displeasure.
471.236.629.630.
Y.
Youth.
70.
Yeelding or graunting.
257.
FINIS.
Captaine Hichcock.
THis saide Captaine Hichcock seruing in the Lowe Cuntries, Anno. 2586. with two hundreth Souldiours: brought from thence with this Booke, the second booke of Sansouinos politick Conceites, which shall be put to the Printing so soon as it is transla­ted out of the Italian into English.

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