THE Quintessence of Wit, being A corrant comfort of conceits maximies, and poleticke devices, selected and gathered together by Francisco Sansovino. Wherein is set forth sundry excellent and wise sentences, worthy to be regarded and followed.  
Translated out of the Italian tongue, and put into English for the benefit of all those that please to read and understand the works and worth of a worthy writer.  
AT LONDON Printed by Edward Allde, dwelling without Cripplegate at the sign of the gilded Cup. Octobris. 28. 1590.   

¶ To the right Worshipful Master Robert Cicell Esquire, one of the Sons of the right honourable the Lord high treasurer of England.  
IN reading and reviewing the manifold discourses and famous works of sundry worthy writers, (right Worshipful) some translated out of French, Italian, and some reduced into our English tongue, by learned Latinists and Grecians, (whose studies and labours benefits a multitude) I happened on a book written to Rodolphus the second, (a mighty, grave and wise Emperor) which book treated on so many matters, and touched with quick conceits and sentences, such a number of rare arguments and politic devices, that it seemed not only a register of wit, but a natural quintessence of knowledge, gathered and collected out of the highest and divine spirits of Philosophy, the value and variety of the work is so excellent: that it argues of itself to be a rich storehouse of precious compounds, fraught and furnished full of deep insight and profound reasons. Then to hide or keep secret the same work, were an unpardonable error, and a wilful offence and fault committed against the common society of men, that daily and hourly are nourished and fed with the sweet and sugared taste of Histories, and understanding of true novelties, penned out with painful study, and printed to exercise wise judgements with matters of great moment. So under your favour good Sir, the hope of your towardness and good bringing up, and the desire I suppose you have to advance learning and good letters, (the sensible sap of life) commands me by a bond of causes, to honour you with a work not only worthy the reading, but likewise worthy the noting and bearing in mind, a burden so pleasant to embrace and delectable to carry in memory, as shall unload and make light a heavy heart, and discharge a weighty imagination of disquiet thoughts. For the dissolving of doubts, and discovering o● secret sentences: breeds a lightsomeness in man, and puts away the weariness of time, and labour of the spirits, such care and foresight of our commodity had our forefathers and ancient writers, that always they filled the Printers shops full of great volumes, and maintained the worlds knowledge with an innumerable number of books, and never in any age books were more sought for and better esteemed (if the authors thereof be of sound judgement) then in these our flourishing days, where flowing wits abound and reaps the reward of well doing and virtuous disposition. The praise, preferments, great fame and good fortunes they have found: is such a gazing glass to look in, that thousands thereby seek after virtue and learning, to shun the rebuke of vicious idleness and sloth, none more disliked then ignorant Idiots, nor more admired than the worthy wits of our world. Who is not abashed to follow a painted shadow? and who takes not great glory to wait where some substance is looked for? though the wise for their wisdom are envied of the foolish, yet the fond for their folly are derided and pointed at by all kind of people, wisdom is honoured in his meanest attire, and fondness is but scorned in his bravest garments, the bare presentation of the honourable, brings gladness to the beholders, and the proud pomp of the vainglorious, are both irckesome and disdained, gold is more made off for his goodness then his colour, and men look more into the perfectness of things then to the outward appearance, this book though it be printed in common paper, yet was it not penned in ordinary discourses, it spreadeth itself like a tree that hath many branches, whereon some bow is greater than another, and yet the fruit of them all are alike in taste, because no sour crabs were graffed where sweet Apples should grow, nor no bitter Oranges can be gathered where sweet Powngarnets' are planted, the excellency of this fruit, must be sensibly felt and tasted with a well seasoned mind and judgement, and the delicateness thereof must be chewed and chawed with a chosen and special spirit of understanding, not greedily mumbled up and eaten as a wanton eats Pears that never were pared. Philosophy and far fetched knowledge may not be handled and entertained like a Canterbury tale, nor used like a riding rhyme of sir Topas, (this spoken to the general judgements of men) for I know to whose hands this work is commended, and I doubt not the usage thereof, because I see some good sparks of a noble Father, shining in the eyes of a happy Son, wherefore this book needs not fear (as I hope and believe) who barketh against it, nor the writer thereof (if he were alive) neeeds not to doubt who looketh on his labours, for generally and absolutely (in a most loving phrase and manner) he bountifully hath imparted his secrets te a multitude, and bestowed a great deal of thankful pains on the wise, if the world be not ingrate and forgetful of a good turn offered, he setteth forth to sale, no speeches farssed full of fables, but presenteth to our view (in an open manner) heaps of hidden secrets, that none but noble and venerable authors did ever open before, and in a manner leaves neither peace, war, policy, practice nor any thing untouched, that is fit for a public state or common weal to know, his golden book beautified with a thousand graces, is translated out of the Italian tongue, though not in such beauty as becomes the gravity thereof, yet stripped gently out of his gay garments, it is clothed and plainly appareled in such comely weeds and clean robes, as every part and proportion of the book may easily be seen and well perceived, and albeit that a fine Italian in an English gross gaberdine is not fashioned in all forms to please every stranger's fancy, yet the parsonage may be passable when all comeliness is used for the setting forth of the same. Thus presuming that Francis Sanssovino is no whit disfigured to walk openly in such English habit as is found fit for him (craving favour that he may speak his own mind) I hope you of courtesy will let him pass through our Country, that all kind of people may see and hear what opinion he was of, in matters of state and mighty affairs of this world, the book is dedicated unto you, for many good considerations, one is that by your means a second life may be breathed into Sansovinoes' collections through your good liking, and being revived (or awakened out of a long sleep) when it lay dead from our common knowledge, it may show some such singular spirit: as shall rejoice both men of greatest capacity and meanest judgements, so committing the worthiness of the matter to your censure and protection, (always hoping my good will and good meaning shall be well accepted) I take my leave, leaving you to the blessing of God, and to judge favourably of my boldness, and wishing you increase of worship and credit, even such as yourself can desire.  
Yours at commandment in that he may. Robert Hichcock.   

¶ Francisco Sansovino to the Emperor Rodolph the second.  
MOst happy and fortunate Emperor, there is nothing more necessary for a Prince in this world than Histories, for so much as being the mirrors & masters of our life: they show and teach us what the government of a city and Province ought to be, what laws we ought to institute & cause our subjects to observe, in what manner to increase & maintain divine worships, in what sort to exercise moral virtues, and how to reap benefit of counsel in our affairs of importance: hereof it came to pass, that histories were called of wise men most noble, for their antiquity, for so much as by them we receive the creation of this huge world, and the original of man's generation. For their perpetuity: because they have endured with the world, and shall continually endure, always writing up humane Actions, for the benefit of our posterity. For their dignity: in respect they befit to be read and known, as the proper art and science of Emperors, of Kings, of common weals, and of great Lords and captains, for their generalities: considering that in histories we find written, in every tongue, in every Province, and in every age, those things that have fallen out either well or evil. For their justice: because they do honour and dishonour, whosoever doth merit & deserve the same: giving due praise to the excellency of virtue & valour, and dispraise to the vile filth of vice and idleness. For their subject: for that they do entreat of great things, the acts of great men which they have accomplished to the intent to enlarge, to preserve, and to sway rule. For their end: because the same is no other, than to sacrifice truth to eternity. For their profit: for the making us to behold things past, we may prudently by their means foresee that which is to come, and therefore it came to pass in former & ancient time, many excellent Princes and Emperors not content with the glory they had gotten through their wise and valiant acts: did greatly desire also to join unto their name this other glory, that is: eloquently to have written histories, as did Augustus, after him Adrianus, and finally Gordianus the predecessors of your Majesty. To this therefore having applied my study, not to observe only what the countries, the mountains, and the rivers and floods of this world are, or to have knowledge, how embassages were sent, of Parliaments, of the managing and handling of affairs, or to understand the voyages of armies, their order in ranging battles, their encamping, their Stratagems, their beseegings, their expugnations & their victories, but rather to draw and suck out of all these particular things, the sap, the sweet and marrow, reducing them into precepts, for the commodity of great persons, that being otherwise busied, neither have they time, neither can they well, continually apply themselves in reading of histories, which was the only motive that made me take in hand this book, wherinto if any prince or governor will look, he may (as though it were in a bright crystal glass) incontinently behold the substance that fully is contained, in the volumes of the most commendable ancient and modern writers. And for so much as so worthy and noble food appertains unto Princes, and for that amongst Princes, your Imperial Majesty is of highest degree and dignity: therefore coming toward your Majesty with no less affection of mind, then that wherewithal I was inflamed, when I applied myself about this profitable enterprise: I present the same most humbly at the feet of your Majesty, to the intent, that with your sacred name, due & perfect honour may be given to this work, since it shallbe under the protection of your Imperial majesty, who carrying in his noble person, the greatness and felicity of so many famous Emperors and Heroes, of that worthy house of Austridge, which through a long course of worlds, have governed and shall govern hereafter the sacred Empire, who being no less benign and affable, then high in blood and honour▪ I assure myself, that he will not disdain to look upon the same, for although it be little in quantity, yet notwithstanding it is very great in quality, since it contains in itself a Quintessence of those things that have been written for the profit and commodity of men, governors and Princes. Venice the 24. of February. 1578.  
The most humble and dutiful servant of your Imperial Majesty, Francisco Sansovino.   

¶ The Author to the Reader.  
I Can impart unto you many things touching this my present travail, excusing myself, for that I have not called the same rather experiments, advertisements, maximies, axiomies, precepts or sentences, them conceits: And therein to have intermixed some moral and private matters, if I had not been assured that I should not prevail. For I know very well, that it is almost a general rule (by that I have observed in things past) that every writer what good intent soever hath moved him, or what travail soever he hath endured for the universal profit of all, yet is he ever taxed of critical persons: forsomuch as our tongues being moved and stirred through envy or hate, or through a certain corruption which is brought in amongst us, not to have any taste but only in our own proper matters we are much more easy drawn to speak evil, than the wisdom of him that is moved, is prompt and ready to do well. Therefore referring all my excuses to your upright judgement (when it is not driven forward with any passion) I will only say this that I hold for a certain, that this work howsoever it be, will be of great help and aid to those that be studious, for that I imagine, it will enrich the private discourses, and the public actions of those that shall chance at any time to use and handle these conceits in human actions, which almost have been ever the self-same in all times and amongst all men: and for that in the working and negotiating of affairs, as well in public as in private, they will minister unto them many conditions and parts, the which conceits although they be somewhat general, yet nevertheless they will give no small light partitie: how to know the parts and conditions of greatest advantage in particular things, as well of public actions, as of private affairs. And although these accidents, which do at unawares chance unto men in their affairs, and upon the deed doing, are so many and so unknown, that they cannot be comprehended within the compass of precepts: therefore some vulgar persons do reprehend the study of them: nevertheless, for that I presuppose I shall help and yield aid to men of accomplishment, as my intent was, when I took this matter first in hand, drawing the substance (the final end of this study) forth of histories, thereby to take away from others, the length, tediousness of reading and toiling themselves: I persuade myself, that although all accidents cannot be brought under precepts, yet that man that hath any mean assistance of diligence, & that in working & performing of them, he be not moved nor altered more than is convenient (either by his nature, or by any other new accidents) to dispose otherwise then well and aptly these actions which he means to bring to an end; he by great reason may receive many benefits and commodities, by having his mind fully replenished with these advertisements and conditions, which he in any part hath exercised in other operations, or rather studiously read in some good and chosen writers, and stirred up in his memory, only in this matter this hath been somewhat noisome unto me: that I could not find any full or perfect means (by reason of the variety of the subject) to put them under firm and infallible titles for your commodities: and although I have oftentimes conferred this difficulty with those excellent Gentlemen, Master George Gradenigo and Master Alui di Michele, as of great learning, who did enter into the same, and did discourse upon it with great prudence, of Histreographie, and in matter of state, and of whom I have received great counsel in this enterprise, nevertheless they could not resolve me according to my desire. And although the foresaid gentlemen put me in memory, that it would do well if I did place them under six titles, under which are accustomed to light the consultations which are made in the counsels of common weals, and are drawn thereinto by the lawgivers, and whereof Aristotle writ in his Rhetoric: although they did not immediately come unto the same, but as it were in consequence: at any time when the understander thereof would apply themselves to their places, nevertheless I did dispose myself to make the table hereunto annexed, as a thing more perfect, and perchance more easy and short: The which although unto some it seems not able to serve the turn, to find out sufficiently the particulars of those conceits that are fit for him, or wherein he hath need about his affairs: nevertheless, it will show you a way how to attain to your intent, if not in all things, yet at the least in some part. Receive therefore with a benevolent mind this my good will, to the intent, that perceiving your amity, I may with a fervent desire, bring end to the second and third book of conceits, which I still am about to gather.  
Farewell.   

The names of those Authors and writers, forth of whom the conceits of this present book be gathered.  
IT would no doubt very much have prevailed to those that are studious, that I should have placed the names of the Authors at the foot of every conceit, but for that it was not my meaning, when I first begun this work, to publish the same, I did not remember in that my study to use the foresaid diligence. Therefore if any one will serve his turn with these conceits, he may say: to give force to his reason, by alleging some of these or such like words, as wise men say, as antiquity have written, as prudent men declare, and such other manner of speeches, nevertheless, I assure ye, that when I return again to read over the same Authors, perchance in the second impression they shall be added according to your desires. Notwithstanding, I have thought good to put in this place, the names of the writers, which I have used in this my first book, and these be they that follow.  

Aristotle.  
Appian Alexandrine.  
Ammiano Marcellino.  
Antony Guevarra.  
Bernard justinian.  
Caesar the Emperor.  
Cornelius Tacitus.  
Cosmo Bartol.  
Dione Casio.  
Francisco Guiciardini.  
Galeazzo Capello.  
Giovanne dalla Casa.  
Gabriello Fiamma.  
Gian Battista pigna.  
The history of Florence.  
The History of Naples.  
josephus the Hebrew.  
justine.  
Leonardo Aretino.  
Marc. Antonio Sabellico.  
Marcus Tully Cicero.  
Niceta Aconiate.  
Philippe Argentone.  
Polybius historians.  
Plutarch Cheronensis.  
Paulus Emilius.  
Pietro Bembo.  
Paulus iovius.  
Plato.  
Procepius.  
Remigio the Florentine.  
Sallust.  
Suetonius.  
Thucydides.  
Titus Livius.  
Zenophon.    

Politic conceits and sentences, Gathered by M. Francisco Sansovino, out of the most famous writers in the Greek, Latin, and Italian tongues, to benefit those that command in matters of State and Civil government.  
IT is the wunted Nature of men chiefly to doubt those dangers that be nearest at hand, to esteem more than is convenient, those things that be present: and to have in less account than they ought, those that be far off: by reason that in these last we may hope for many remedies, by the means of Time and other sundry accidents.  
WHen we suspect our confederates or those that we credit & trust, it is requisite we excuse unto them those things that be apparent, deny those that be doubtful, and endeavour ourselves with great diligence to mitigate the most mighty of them: and so by flatteries and promises, please and assure sometimes one, sometimes an other, aswell to make them more negligent, as to hope, that by such sorts of practice they being separated, there may grow and arise amongst them suspicion, breach & discord.  
THat curious prudence of mind, which overstrictly considers & desiphers matters to come, is often discommendable, forsomuch as worldly affairs are subect to so many & so sundry accidents, that seldom times those things succeed, which wise men have imagined aught of necessity to fall out. And therefore, he that doth forego present benefits, for fear of future perils (when in such cases the danger is not most certain and near at hand) plainly perceives that he hath lost sundry occasions full of profit and glory, for fear of those perils which after fall out to be vain.  
WHen a wise man for some occasion, is drawn by any person whosoever, to a just disdain and anger: yet ought he to moderate the same as much as he is able with his mature judgement, having respect not to his particular right and benefit: but to the profit and right of the common wealth: specially, if by his wrath and anger, he may become hurtful and domeageable to the government and state.  
THe deliberations of commonwealths require no base and private respects: neither that all things shall be referred to profit, but to most magnanime and haughty ends, whereby their glory may be augmented, and reputation kept: the which nothing doth so much extinguish and deface, than that men should enter into conceit, that they have neither the mind or power to perceive and remember injuries, neither to be prompt and ready to revenge them. A thing chiefly necessary for to perform them, not so much to take pleasure in revenge, as that the punishment of those that offend: may be such an example to the rest, that they shall not dare to provoke them again. And so consequently it will come to pass that glory shall be linked with utility, and that those deliberations which proceed of generosity and magnanimity, shall arise to be full of profit and commodity.  
A Great power united wholly together, is much more to be feared, than the powers & forces of many that are dissevered, the which as they have sundry movings and proceed, so have they several & disagreeing operations.  
ALthough some hold for a maxim. That these commonwealths which are not governed by one man's appetite but by the consent of many, proceed with more moderation and with greater respects than a Prince can do: neither do so out of reason departed from that which hath some appearance of honesty, as oftentimes they do, yet doth it fall out to be a far better government when the commonwealth makes the body and the members, and the Prince the head, so that being incorporated together as one body, the dignity, majesty and state of the commonwealth, falls out to be of a far greater perfection.  
A Wise man ought always to draw commodities out of occasions, therefore a Prince should not cast away the instruments of increase, neither slack them when he hath the favours of fortune propetious.  
Councils not well measured of Princes, are pernicious not only to themselves, but also to their people, when as having only before their eyes, either vain errors, or present ambitions, not remembering the often change of fortune, and converting into damage the power of others, granted them for common commodity: they are made, either through want of prudence, or through overgreat ambition, the authors of new troubles.  
PRinces are to their great damage deceived, when in making election of persons, unto whom they commit the execution of important affairs: they have greater consideration to the favour of them they choose, then to their valour and virtue.  
GReat Princes think themselves injured when they are denied that thing they desire, and become displeased against every one, which follow not their wills, and that together with their fortune, do not put forward to them, their own proper fortune.  
SUch as the custom of Princes be, such likewise be the government of their affairs. If the Prince be of small discretion, and less estimation they run into ruin. If good and valorous, they flourish, for God doth prosper always the good, and for the most part doth throw down headlong those that b● wicked.  
A New Empire not well ordered, nor prudently governed, doth rather burden then make more mighty him that hath gained it, besides that, no man hath at any time born himself well in governing a state which hath been evil gotten.  
Even 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 duty, so it is not enough that a Prince be faultless, if his officers do not proportionally do their duties with diligence and virtue.  
THe nature of great Princes, cannot easily resist their appetites like private persons: for being accustomed to be reverenced, understood, and obeyed by signs, they become not only haughty and insolent, but also they cannot bear nor tolerate to be denied or not to obtain that which seems just unto them: and in their sight that appears just which they desire, persuading themselves that they are able to smooth and make easy all impediments, and to overcome the nature of things, with one only word or look.  
PRinces and common wealths ought to consider in their enterprises, what difference is betwixt making wars against others, or expecting that they come to be made against them: to practice and work the division of an other man's state, or abide until his own be divided: to be accompanied against one alone, or to remain post alone against many that are knit in league together. And after the consideration hereof, to determine which will turn best to his particular profit.  
IT is a note of high prudence and reputation, in a great Prince, to proceed in such sort in all his causes: that of the actions he works, those that obey him have not any cause to enter into suspect, either that he doth it cunningly to deceive, or feignedly for some other sinister end.  
WHere many Princes that pretend to be equals do consort and keep company together, there doth easily spring up amongst them suspicions and contentions, by reason whereof, those enterprises which they have begun with great reputation, do fall into many difficulties, and finally become vain.  
TO give good hopes to augment as much as is possible the favours and reputations of an army, with art and with industry: to remain ready to make agreements and concord's according to occasions, are affairs fit to be performed of a Prince.  
TO govern and reign: depends only on fortune, but to be a King that doth prefer for his final end, the safety and felicity of his people: doth only depend of himself and of his proper virtue.  
IT appertains to wise Princes in their difficile and dangerous determinations, to approve for easy and plaucible those that be necessary, or that are subject to less difficulties and perils than the rest.  
BY how much more a King is great and mighty, by so much more is it glorious for him to show his power, for the maintaining of justice & faith, nothing being more unworthy for him, and for his commonwealth, then to want and fail in faith.  
ALl people by nature imitate the customs of their princes, and follow his footsteps, and according to his proceedings do either hate him or love him: but when once he gins to be odious, whither his actions be good or bad, all things be accounted evil, but if once he have begun to get the love of them, every thing how evil soever it be done, is attributed to virtue: as though he would not go about to do evil, if he were not occasioned upon some grounded reason.  
A Prince in dutiful causes must hang in suspicion and reserve to himself so much as is possible, the means and faculty to take these deliberations, that by the proceeding of general and universal causes, he doth discern to be his best.  
A Prince can have no greater felicity, then that his deliberations (whereof doth arise his own greatness and glory) may be accompanied with such consequences & circumstances, that they may appear that they are done, no less for an universal safety and benefit, then for the exaltation of the whole Christian Commonwealth.  
IT is the custom of Princes, artificially to entertain one another, with vain hopes and dissembling practices, besides that, they be covetous and greedy to embrace counterfeit colours, to the intent they may with more apparent honesty disturb and vex (although oftentimes wrongfully) the states and dominions of others. And if a man go about to persuade them that which is good, he renews molestation and travail: but when he doth flatter them, and doth use a contrary course, he may do it without any trouble in the world.  
THe counsels of Captains oftentimes fall out to be full of fallacies, unless they be favoured by the force of fortune: And although they be diligent and prudent, yet for all that they become unprofitable, when the execution of their enterprises, proceeds with negligence and imprudence.  
A Politic General and Captain, will rather (to the intent he may with security obtain the victory) have little or no respect to the length of the time, neither to the taking of too much toil and travail, either to proceed in the spare of expenses, without much provision, rather than by obtaining glory by overcoming with facility and speed, to put in peril and hazard together with his army, the event of his quarrel and action.  
IT almost comes ever to pass through the corrupt judgement of men, that prodigality is more praised in a King (although thereunto rapine be annexed) then sparing joined to forbearing from other men's goods.  
NO solicitations, no benefits, no knot of conjunction is sufficient to remove from the breast of Princes the small confidence and mistrust they have one with an other: and although it be fit and proper for them, always to prefer in their deliberations, profit, and benevolence, before hate and other covetous humours, yet nevertheless, it is the office and duty of a wise Prince, to the intent he may shame the greater, to embrace for profitable, for good, and for the very best, the election of the less evil: neither ought he to free himself from one peril, and one disorder, to run into an other, of more importance, and of greater infamy.  
Honesty may sometimes and in some respects give place to profit, rather than by maintaining with obstinate pertenacie, the given faith to persever in molestations.  
Men keep longer in memory an injury, than a received benefit, for when they call to mind the benefit, in their imagination they make it less than it is, reputing themselves to have merited much more. The contrary doth arise of injuries, for it grieves every one more than of reason they ought to be aggrieved: therefore where the bad estate and degree is alike, keep thee from doing those pleasures, which of necessity work displeasures to avoid loss and damage.  
A Tyrant doth enforce himself to perform three things to maintain his estate, the first is to keep down, and to keep the minds of his citizens weak and feeble, for he that is of small courage doth never rise up against a tyrant. The second is to procure that the most mighty Citizens do live in discord amongst themselves, to the intent they shall not conspire against him, being united together. The third, is to keep them disarmed and in idleness, for he that neither can nor knows how to do any thing: will not be inflamed, neither once enter into thought to assault him that is of great power.  
THat place is not called a City, which hath a great number of men to inhabit it, but rather that which is furnished with such Citizens which are of sufficiency to live well and happily, for Lordship and Signory is maintained with prudence and with valour, and with him that is a good man, and a good governor: and good he cannot be unless he be prudent.  
ALl these things for the which men do toil themselves in this world, are reduced and drawn into two heads and titles: that is to say, to profit, and to honour, under the title of profit is to be understood all that which appertains to the body, under the title of honour: all that which belongs to the mind.  
A Prince ought to be grave, not in haughtiness of countenance, but in the order of his life: governing himself moderately in all his affairs and actions, and observing those promises he hath made: let him be rather afraid not to do evil, than that evil should be done unto him, and let him remember, that being a man as others are, he hath granted him by God almost divine power, to the intent he may place in his government things that be just and honest.  
THat Citizen that doth begin to manage the affairs of the Commonwealth, doth live according to the customs used of the other Citizens, and doth accommodate himself to their nature, and with art and prudence doth lean to those things that are wont 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, gaining an opinion of valour and faith, he may obtain authority.  
THose that manage the affairs of a free state: ought to have in mind two precepts of Plato, the one, that they defend and maintain the profit of their Citizens in such sort, that whatsoever they do may tend to that end, setting aside their own commodities: the other, that they have an eye to the whole body of the Commonwealth, to the intent, that whilst they have care of one part, they do not abandon another: for even as in the Tutor of a ward, so the government of a Commonwealth is to be handled and ordered, to the benefit of those for whom it is committed and recommended, and not for them to whom it is committed.  
IT is the proper charge of a Magistrate, to understand that he carries upon him, and doth exercise the person of the City: and that he ought to maintain his decorum and his dignity, to observe the laws, and to be mindful of those things that are committed to his fidelity, and not only to look into that which is done, but also to provide for that which ought to be done, and to use all possible endeavours to provide that the Commonwealth after his death may be no less rightly administered, than it is during the government of his life.  
LIberty is nothing else but full power, to do as a man will. And that man lives as he will, the which doth follow those things that be right and well done, and which doth rejoice in himself to do pleasures and benefits to others, and that in his living is advised and prudent, and that doth obey the laws, not through fear, but doth honour and observe them like others, and who neither doth think nor do any thing, but freely and with a good will, whose councils and whose operations, do arise and take end in himself, not having any thing that may accomplish more in him then his will and his judgement, and unto which likewise fortune herself may give place.  
THat war is just that is necessary, and those arms and weapons are godly and happy, in the which there resteth no other hope than in the said weapons and arms. And that war is just which is commanded of the Prince, either in respect to recover that which is lost, or to defend himself from other men's injuries: but that is an unhappy and wicked war, in the which it is necessary, that he to live in servitude, since that amongst all worldly things the best is liberty: whose name is a note of virtue, as servitude and bondage is a note of infelicity.  
WHen a noble parsonage doth degenerate from the virtuous actions of his predecessors, let him remember, that how much the more famous the life of his Ancestors hath been, so much more shameful & slanderous shall his be: forsomuch as the glory of our forefathers, is as it were a light to those that descend from them, the which doth discover them to the eyes of others, that virtue or that vice which they have.  
IT is a goodly thing in a victorious Prince, when as calling himself to memory, he doth rather go about that which is worthy of himself, then that which he may with reason do against his overcome and vanquished enemy.  
HE doth assuredly live and enjoy a staid and perfect mind, who being intentive about any business or action, doth procure himself a fame of worthy Princes, of good art or letters.  
ALthough flattery be reprehended of wise men, as a wise contrary 〈◊〉 worthy wit: yet did Cicero say, it is necessary in the obtaining of office and government in a free Commonwealth.  
THe life and behaviour of the people is corrupted by the customs of the Prince: who beholding his licentious lechery, despise the merits of his chastity, Endeavouring themselves to imitate his vices, as most virtuous actions: for that it seems unto them that they cannot commend the deeds of their Prince, if they themselves do not likewise practise and use the same.  
IT is a manifest thing, that he that is mighty is always accompanied and followed with envy, not of the least, for those cannot much harm him, but of his competitoures, carrivalles and his peers: therefore to shun the same in my opinion, he should advise himself well, if in matters of importance he did use that part and means of proceeding, which doth most assuage, and is contrary to envy.  
HE that is not altogether alevated from peace, is never hindered or kept from making the same by multitude of complaints and damages, for so much as these differences and debates are cut off (although they be many) by the force and virtue of upright justice, or by means of recompensing, weighing one injury with an other, or by counterpesing and balancing this reason and right with that, or else (for a less damage, or to give end to the greater travails or troubles) let the one yield unto the other some part of his right, as unto these wise men by consideration of the importance or subject of the cause, it shall seem convenient.  
IT is fit for every well governed Commonwealth, to take order that all the causes, or at least the greatest part of them if it be possible, may be deciphered and decided by the laws, rather than left to the 〈…〉 of the judge: for there be very few to be found that have good and mature understanding, knowledge and ability, to minister and ordain laws, and to give right judgement in doubtful causes: for so much as laws through the long use of things, and through many and sundry considerations, are brought to full perfection, but the judgements of man by his own nature, being apt to bend either to love or hate: is corrupted, spoiled, and made partial, unless it be under propped with the strong pillar of Law.  
THose which have judgement falling into consideration of the riches and power of any other State, do not marvel, neither at their power, neither at their riches: but admiring the good form of the order of the said State, under which such power and riches doth flourish, desire the good government of their Commonwealth, by being and suffering their Prince: and be very vigilant to keep themselves from offending him at any time, neither with deeds nor with words, to the intent not to imitate him.  
AMongst the rest of these goods that fortune bestows upon us, he doth gain most worthy praise, that being rich doth not aspire to rule and Signory: that is not insolent by reason of his money, that doth not prefer himself before others arrogantly, and that doth behave himself in such sort, that others may judge, that that abundance of riches have given him means to become sober and modest, and not malapert and haughty.  
Every one knows that those discords which arise amongst the people, are occasioned by inequality of goods and riches: for those that be of mean estate would make themselves equal with their betters, but those which spring up amongst noble and great men, be occasioned by means of honours: for those the be equals would make themselves greater than the rest.  
MEn when they draw near to their future mischiefs do principal 〈◊〉 their discourse, discretion and prudence with the which they might easily bring impediment and hindrance to their destinies.  
IT is a great impudence for a man to bind himself to a perpetual peril, upon foundations not perpetual: and through uncertain hopes to begin an assured war with an enemy more mighty than himself.  
NOthing is more necessary in hard and difficult deliberations than counsel, nothing on the other side more perilous then to demand counsel: and it is no doubt, but that counsel is less necessary to prudent men, then to those that be imprudent: and yet notwithstanding those that be wise do reap much more profit by counsel than the ignorant, for who is he that is so perfect in prudence, that doth always consider & know every thing of himself, and in contrary reasons, doth ever discern and cull out the best part? but what assurance hath he that doth demand counsel, to be faithfully counseled? forsomuch as he that doth give counsel, if he be not very faithful and much affectioned to him that doth demand the same: moved not only through notable respects of profit, but for every small commodity, or every light satisfaction: doth oftentimes direct his counsel, to that end that doth turn most to his purpose, or that wherein he doth take most pleasure, and therefore these ends and terms being for the most part so much unknown to him that seeks for counsel, he doth not remember nor perceive if he be not prudent, the infidelity of the council.  
A Prince that by the means of his ambassador would deceive an other Prince, must first deceive the Ambassador, to the intent that he may work and speak with greater efficacy, persuading himself and believing that such is the mind● of his prince, the which though he would not nor could not do, if he did imagine himself to be a dissembler, and this practise every one doth use, that by the means of an other, would persuade that which is false unto an other.  
IT is proper to fortune so often as sectorie is not made assured with moderation and prudence, to blot and slain the glory that is gained, with some thing unlooked for: therefore it is not requisite in the managing of matters of moment, to suffer things to be carried away and marshalled by chance.  
HE that will hang in suspense, and balance things amongst Princes, and become a neuter, it is necessary for him very circumspectly to abstain not only from deeds but from all those demonstrations that may bring him into suspect of his greater inclination, more unto one part then unto an other.  
TO do and not to do an action although it seem to be of small effect, yet oftentimes there doth depend upon the same moments of matter of importance: And therefore in the managing of things that be more profitable, he must always be well advertised, and have many good considerations.  
THe nature of the people is, to incline themselves to hope more than they ought: to be of less telleration, to take always against heart things that be present, and to attribute unto themselves not to desire and challenge that which they ought rather to attribute to their disability: besides this, those that be fearful, and which determine not to oppose themselves against perils, but to fly: fall to consolations, but to people that are warlike and hardy: it appertains to charge and to present themselves to the enemy, so soon as they have had sight of him.  
AS there is no age which doth naturally more abhor infamy, and is more covetous of honour and prowess than is youth: so there is no age that is so apt neither of more power and force to tolerate travails, to support discommodities, difficulties and wants, that of necessity are suffered in wars. And if we do rightly enter into consideration of the matter, men do not differ one from another, by reason 〈◊〉: but through policy in wit, through quickness in judgement, through their study, their industry, their experience, and their virtue.  
IT is folly to become angry with those persons against whom, by reason of their greatness thou canst not hope to revenge thyself, therefore if it seem unto thee that thou hast received injury at their hands, dissemble and suffer.  
IN matters of warfare, there springs up from time to time, infinite varieties, therefore we must not put upon us overgreat haughty hate for late prosperities, nor overgreat abject minds, for adverse calamities: for oftentimes there doth arise mutations. Therefore hereby we must learn, that when occasion doth present itself, let us not lose or let slip the same, for she is of small continuance.  
WE ought well to consider that, which the beginnings of things may be able to bring forth, and to observe and beware at the first to give place to unjust and pernicious demands: for so much, as when once any one hath obtained their desired things, they do not diminish at all, but do always increase our determinations and desires with a greater better will, and with greater conceits than before.  
HOw much more any accidents comes at unawares, and unlooked for, by so much more it doth amaze and put men in terror: and therefore a wise man ought to be abundantly stored with able means, to provide that discords do not ensue, or that if they should ensue, that they do not continue: and he must foresee even from this present state, all future perils, removing them with prudence and with counsel: not suffering things to run headlong.  
IN civil States and conversations, an offence cannot be chastised, or a virtuous action rewarded: but that the Citizens shall receive that common profit that doth thereby arise: neither was there any ●●medye found better, more apt, nor of greater effect to maintain a commonwealth in good and happy estate, than a counterpose of punishment and reward used uprightly.  
ALl the Security that may be had of an enemy, either of faith, either of friends, 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 firm, then so to accommodate ourselves, that the enemy cannot have power to offend us.  
THe manner of proceeding in modern warfare is far unlike to the antiquity, who did not suborn secret murderers, but did discover unto the enemy, if any such wicked treason was wrought against him, having confidence to be able to overcome with virtue.  
IT is a more secure & glorious resolution, with as much equality of hope as may be: to make experience of fortune, then by flying and leaving the same to consume by little and little, and to give to the enemy the victory without blood and without peril, forsomuch as in things that fall out contrary, the fear and difficulty of him that is overcome, doth become every day greater.  
IN difficulties a man must sometimes, not denying but prolonging, endeavouring himself to cause others to accept and embrace hope in stead of effects.  
IT is a most true and commendable Proverb amongst the antiquity, that Dignities deciphers men's qualities, for through experience and measure thereof, is not only known by their weight, what ability or insufficiency is in them, but also by reason of the power and liberty they have, are discovered the affections of their minds and of what nature they are: by how much the greater a man is, so much less respect hath he to suffer and keep himself from being guided according to his own nature.  
Endeavour thyself not to be evil thought of by him that is thy superior in the Country, neither put trust in the good government of thy own life: but let it be such, that thou mayst imagine not to fall into his hands, for there arise infinite causes, not thought upon, wherein thou mayst have need of him, and Et e converso.  
IF a superior have desire to punish or revenge himself against his inferior, let him not do it in a headlong and rash manner, but let him expect time and occasion, the which without doubt shall in such sort fall out that not discovering himself for a passionate and malignant person, he shall be able to satisfy his desire.  
TOuching the managing of warfare, the counsel of the old doth little help, if in putting the same in execution, the courage, the valour, and the gallant lustiness of youths do not set their hands to the doing, who for the most part are of a very quick understanding, and have their spirits and wits in such a readiness, that oftentimes they overcome the difficulties of the affairs, with greater discretion and prudence than others can believe: for we must not expect the process of years, when the virtue of valour and force is to be showed: for so much as the race and course of force and virtue is much more swift, then that of age.  
IT is requisite that Governors do rather follow the substance than the appearance of things, measuring more with prudence then with proper will, and not give overmuch faith or credit to themselves, for it is a great infamy to States, when ignorance is accompanied with loss.  
THe order of occasions to obtain any high matter, is necessary to be taken when things are in revolution neither is it good for a man to stand to look about him so oftentimes as he knows it more perilous to stand still, then to adventure.  
MAtters of warfare consist rather in obedience then in will: intruding themselves to know the circumstances and reasons of the General & Captains affairs, and that army above all other is of greatest valour, in perils, at the encounter and charge, that before the encounter and stroke of the battle, is more than any other in tranquillity and quiet.  
ALl they that would determine and resolve themselves upon any thing of importance, aught to consider whither that which they enterprise and take in hand to do, is to fall out profitable to the Commonwealth, honourable to himself, and easy to be brought to pass: or at leastwise not very difficile.  
IN all enterprises it is necessary to have an eye & be advertised if any one persuade, beside giving of counsel, whether likewise he put himself in peril, & when fortune hath brought the enterprise to an end, who it is the ought to have the principal degree and honour.  
IN discords and tumults, those have always most force and power, that amongst all the rest be most wicked, In peace and quietness those are of most valour, that do shine and are decked with good and commendable disciplines.  
ALl men naturally are good when they reap no profit or take no delight in evil, but so greatly doth vary the corruption of this world & their fragility, that easily and very often for their own profit they incline to evil. Therefore the reward of virtue and punishment of vice, was found out and invented by wise Lawegivers', for the foundation of Commonwealth, not to destroy men, but to the intent they might follow the inclination of nature.  
HE that hath to govern Cities & peoples, and would have them corrected: let him punish the offenders in them, after the rate of thirteen pence halfpenny, and let him in effect chastise all faults, he may very well use mercy, but not in heinous causes, for in those it is requisite to give example to the rest.  
Glory, for that it is the proper and true reward of humane travails, is that which doth inflame and prick forward worthy minds to honourable enterprises, neither can we find out any thing that is of greater effect to cause any man to raise up his mind, to quicken his understanding, and to make sharp his industry, than the desire to obtain glory, and the hope of immortality.  
SO long as men shall be in the world, so long shall there be found vices, these nevertheless, not always, nor continually, but the good and the evil shall come in their turns: and by the coming of better things, they shall recompense and redress themselves amongst themselves.  
Even as discord in a City doth discover and gives occasion to those that lie in wait to betray, to perform their practices well: so unity doth knit together the diversities of opinions, and of many making one body alone doth keep governments and States uncorrupted.  
NO less doth a kingdom take her beginning of a King, than a king of a kingdom: for the King gives laws and orders to the kingdom, and not the kingdom to the King: the pardons, the gifts, the wars, the peace, the punishments and the rewards, do proceed from the King to the kingdom, and not in contrary course, for only unto an imperial majesty appertains to command, and the Commonwealth to obey.  
AS in a building of importance there is greater peril when a stone falls forth of the foundation, them fifty tiles from the roof: so it is a greater fault once to disobaye justice, then to commit a hundredth errors against the Commonwealth: for we have oftentimes seen, that there hath sprung up scandals of great importance in a Commonwealth through a very small disobedience.  
IN doubtful causes we cannot have recourse to any better thing then to counsel, for the pillar and remedy of doubt is counsel, but in truth leaving counsel apart, we ought to put end to the execution thereof: and with so much greater speed follow and perform that thing that is assuredly determined, by how much more we perceive it to be free, and secure from all perils, and to serve to the purpose, and is apt and good for our intention.  
WE ordain and command that to that man, which doth not rule his life aright, which doth not govern his house well, which doth not administer well his own affairs, and which doth not use discipline towards his family, living in debate with his neighbours, shall have given unto him a governor, which may have charge over him like a fool, and that he be chased from amongst the people like a vagabond: for commonwealths are never disturbed, but by those that have no method and manner of rule in their life.  
AMongst mortal men there is nothing more common and therewithal more perilous, then to give place to that imagination, whereby we believe that the state of one man, is better than that of an others, and hereby it comes to pass, that human malice doth so blind men, that they rather seek to have that with travail, which appertains unto another, then to enjoy with rest and quietness that which is his own. The state of a Prince assuredly is good, if of them it be used to a good end: and the being of the people is likewise good, if they be content with the same. So in like sort, that of religious men is best, if they reap that profit thereby which they ought: To be rich is very good, if therein they use temperance: in like manner, the poor man, if he have patience, his estate falls out to be good: for to merit, doth not consist in suffering many travails and discommodities: but by having in them great patience.  
TO threaten and menace a mighty enemy, and to make him mindful that thou abundantly retains in memory, the injuries received of him▪ is no other than to invite and stir him up 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 may in what or whensoever be afraid of thy power, And if he be wise he will never expect that time, so all those threatenings shall fall out to be to thy damage.  
IF Subjects did know what it costs the Prince to command and rule, or if the Prince did know how sweet a thing it is to live in peace, the meaner sort would have more compassion towards the greater, and the greater would not bear envy towards the meaner, for much less be the pleasures that Princes enjoy, in respect of the displeasures they suffer: but as the state of a Prince is greater than all others, can perform more than all others, is more worth than all others, doth support more than all others, and to conclude, doth overpass and excel the government of all others. So is it most necessary that the Court, the person, and the life of a Prince, be ordered and corrected more than that of all others: for even as with the length of an elm all the whole goods of a Merchant is measured, so with the life of the Prince all the whole commonwealth is measured.  
PRinces that are wise indeed, do never glory in any thing more than to keep about them valiant men, to defend their state, and prudent men to govern their commonwealth.  
THose which are to counsel, to instruct, and to give rule to the life of Princes: ought to have their judgement, their understanding, their words, their doctrine, and their manner of living very clear, very upright, very sound, and without blot or any suspicion at all: for to go about to handle and discourse of great things, without having experience▪ is no other than that a man that is stark blind should go about to guide an other that doth see very well.  
WHen a man is brought to those terms, that either standing still or going forward, he remains in the self peril he ought to apply himself to practise or work somewhat, for whilst he stands linger: the same accidents which do hold him in peril, do stand in the same state, whereas by endeavouring himself to practise some actions, either he may find out somewhat that may save him, or at leastwise, not finding the same, he hath showed that he hath carried a mind and courage, to know how to seek for his safety.  
HE is very presumptuous that doth dare to give counsel to a prince, for as princes in many matters carry lofty imaginations, and many of them give liberty to the reins of their own will & desires: so we find them, (thinking them to have them propitious) more incensed against us: for counsel is rather more damegeable than commodious, if he that gives the same be not of excellent judgement, and he that receives it of very great patience.  
GReat is that work of Fortune, when a notable man doth rise up more at one time then at an other: for if a valiant man come in the time of a courageous Prince: he shall be holden in great estimation, and shall be sent to perform worthy enterprises, but if he come in the time of a doubtful and fearful Prince, he will make more account of him that doth increase his rents, then of him that doth overcome a mighty war, or makes his honour great and famous. The very same falls out, in respect of wise and virtuous men, who if they chance to come in the time of a virtuous and wise Prince, they shall be esteemed and honoured, but if they spring in the time of a vicious Prince, small account is made of them: for it is an ancient and old custom amongst vain men, not to honour those that be profitable to the Commonwealth, but rather those that are most grateful and acceptable to the Prince.  
PRinces that desire much to be good, ought lively to know even at the finger's ends, what the proceeding of good Princes hath been: for we must not despise all that which is blamed of wicked men▪ neither accept all the which is spoken of men abroad in the world.  
AS there be certain laws sometimes made for other occasion then to punish vice, so there be some rather chastised to the intent that they may receive loss, then for any desire that the laws which condemns them should be observed: the which is easily known, when it is discerned and seen, that neither the Prince his favourites o●●●gnius, do leave off that vice, the which they chastise in others, and hereof in time do spring such pernicious effects, as scarce are to be credited, besides that it is of itself a thing of most wicked example.  
NO man ought to be more careful of any thing, then to search out those that may advise and counsel him how to govern the Commonwealth well, and how to maintain his estate with justice, the which is not to be performed with words that terrify, neither with deeds that scandalise, but gentleness and curtisies that may embolden their hearts, and with good works that may edify them, for a worthy, noble and gentle heart cannot make resistance, if he that commands be of good life and behaviour.  
AS in the head of a man are placed the sense of smelling and hearing, so a Prince which is the head of the commonwealth must give ear to all those that are oppressed, and know all those that serve him, to the intent to reward them for their service.  
I Have many times seen large experience of one thing in this world worthy to be noted, that as there is to be found one amongst the good, which is of mark for his singular goodness: so amongst the wicked there doth appear one extremely wicked, but the worst is, that the virtuous man doth not obtain so much glory for his virtue, as the wicked through his wickedness, possesseth impudence: for virtue makes a man naturally discreet, and vice makes him dissolute.  
AMongst wicked men the tip and height of their evil is, that forgetting themselves to be men, and treading reason under foot, they wander far astray from the truth and from virtuous men, and let slack their rains with liberty to follow vice: for if it be an evil thing that one should be wicked, it is much more evil to procure that an other should not be good.  
PRinces in adverse times ought not to become terrified, amazed or amarveled, but rather resist their enemies, always with the firm and staid counsel of mature men, and with the counsel of those that be old and wise.  
THat man which is oppressed, doth ordinarily cry after the change of Fortune: And there is nothing more abhorred of a man in felicity, then to think how full Fortune is of mutability: for the oppressed doth imagine, that by changing oftentimes, his state may grow to be better: but the man that is in felicity, doth think y● one change of Fortune, may throw him down headlong into the depth of disgrace and misery.  
Certain wise men give this rule, that when the Commonwealth will choose a Governor, let them have care, that he have been before hand at the least ten years in the wars, for he only is able to maintain the desired peace: who by experience hath tried the toils and the troubles of warfare.  
THere is no doubt but that a Prince when he measureth his forces, doth play a very wise part, for if he possess but small and consumes much, he shall be assured either to lose his principality, or else become a Tyrant.  
IT doth much consist in the hands of the people, that their Governors be good or evil: for there is no Prince that is so humble or lowly, that he can always dissemble his evil and wickedness, neither any such a tyrant, but that sometimes he will take notice of that which is good.  
THere is nothing in this world which doth more make Commonwealths to run into ruin, then when the prince gives consent or permits that novelties arise in his kingdom, and that those which ought to obey, live in greater security than Princes and great Lords.  
PRinces do not gain honour for going environed with wicked men, for heaping up treasures, for killing the innocents, for taking from others their goods: but for being conversant with those that be good, for strait familiarity with the wicked, brings the life of a good man to be suspected. For spending his riches in good works (it being a thing by proof very manifest, that that man which makes account of his fame, esteems little of money) for routing out tyrants, (for that the good harmony in the government of a Prince doth consist in chastesing of the wicked and rewarding the good) and for the giving freely of that which is his own, for nothing doth make more notable the majesty of a Prince, then to show his greatness in helping of others, and not to be greedy to be overpassed, and advantaged by others.  
TWo things makes a city safe and secure, and brings unto those that governs the same, praise and honour: the one is, when it is guarded by the most mighty, and kept and conserved with due defence: the other is, if the Governors do join and knit themselves together in amity with their neighbours, without the which they cannot freely conduct victua●les and other necessary things from one place to another in safety.  
A Prince or Lord that desires to be obeyed, it is necessary that what he commands be first observed to be in his own person: for no Lord or Prince can well withdraw or exempt himself from virtuous operations, for so much as a Prince being an example to others, is bound to use such actions and operations, that he may become a worthy and notable example to those that he governs.  
IF a Prince would know for what end he is a Prince, I would tell him to govern well and to be patiented when he is told that men murmur at his doings, forsomuch as finally they are men, and become handled like men, neither can they shun the miseries of men: and never was there any Prince in this world, but that he was touched yea and torn with the tongues of wicked persons, for they are subjects to those two events, that if they be wicked: they incur the evil will of those that be good, and if they be good: suddenly all those that be wicked murmur.  
THere be two things amongst the rest that work great effects against the State: the one is ambition, the other is desperation, nevertheless, the second is much worse than the first: for so much as ambition may expect occasion and opportunity, but so cannot desperation: it being a Subject unto the which there being no time permitted or granted it, neither can nor is able to grant it to others.  
TO receive loss, is never good of his own nature, yet it is very true that it may sometimes accidentally help and benefit when it is received and doth chance unto men that be of good understanding: for it is an occasion to bring them to be of great experience, since there is a few if once they have not proved the evil, will enter into conceit or believe that the same is such as it is: whereof it ariseth that those that be unexpert and ignorant in their affairs, do ever proceed either with overgreat rashness, whereas if once they have tasted the wrath of fortune, they become more wary, careful, and provident.  
PRinces ought to study to endeavour themselves to use such conversation with their Subjects, that they may make choice rather to serve them for their good wills, then for wages and rewards, for when money gins to diminish, their service likewise begins to diminish, and a thousand troubles doth follow them, which do not serve with a good heart, for he that doth love with all his whole affection, doth not become arrogant in property: doth not withdraw himself in adverse fortune, doth not complain of his poverty▪ doth not grudge at the small favour which is used towards him, neither doth depart from him in time of persecution, and briefly that course of life and love doth never take end until the hour of death.  
PRinces without doubt have greater need to have about them more wiseand prudent men, (to the intent 〈◊〉 prevail by them, and to use their counsel) than any other whosoever: for since they are to stand in sentinel and watch to behold and discover what the doings of all others be, they have less liberty or licence then their subjects have to commit errors, for even as they have liberty to behold and judge of others, even so are they beheld and judged of others: without any licence or liberty granted them so to do.  
Every state ought to desire peace, and thereof to make demonstrations both with deeds and with words: but for all that they ought to show themselves in military preparations and provisions most warlike, for a disarmed peace is weak and feeble: neither doth there seem to be contradiction betwixt the desiring of peace, and to arm ourselves: since there is nothing more friend to ease and peace, than knowledge and specculation: to the antiquity it did seem convenient that the image of Palace which is the Goddess of science, should be portraited and figured armed.  
Duty requires that a friend do endeavour himself to yield help unto an other friend, and must not expect and tarry until he be requested, for he that doth so, doth not only offer it thankfully, but doth also cause it to be received as thankfully: preventing and taking away in his friend a certain shamefastness and fear which doth always accompany the demander, whereby it comes to pass that he receives it with a more grateful mind, and with greater disposition to yield the like again in exchange.  
A Prince doth play a very wise part, when he doth procure to have prudent and valiant Captains for the wars, but without comparison it is much better to keep in his Court wise men, for the victories of battles doth finally consist in the force of many, but the government of the Commonwealth sometimes is referred and credited, to the advise and judgement of one alone.  
THat particular love that princes very often show more to one then to another, is a thousand times occasion of grievous alterations in kingdoms, for by reason that one is in disgrace and out of favour, and another in love and credit: there doth spring up harmful hates, pernicious thoughts and great envy, the end whereof is wicked words, and finally wicked deeds. And therefore that Prince that doth make any difference in conversation with those that be equal, doth kindle and set fire in his Commonwealth.  
AMongst all other offices, there is none worse, then to take charge to chastise other men's vices▪ and therefore a wise man ought to flee this care, like the infection of the plague, for to reprehend vices: doth spring greater hate against him that doth chastise, them there doth grow amendment in him that is chastised.  
PRinces and wise men ought to prohibit that seditious persons do not disturb the quiet of the people, for when the people do rise, the desire of riches is wakened, covetousness doth increase, justice doth fall of itself, wicked persons prevail, good men are reprehended: and finally, every one doth rejoice to live to the prejudice of others, to the intent they may set forward their deeds to prefer their own proper commodities.  
ALthough we excuse ordinarily the fault of any man that hath committed the same, notwithstanding there is no man found faulty, nor any fault which doth not merit punishment: for if he did commit the same in his rage upon the sudden, it was a great evil and offence: but if he committed the same, pondering the case before hand, and with deliberation, it was much worse.  
IT is very good that we go about to do all things with reason, and it is good that we do guide all our enterprises in order▪ but yet in this there falls out to be great difficulties. For wise and stayed men in performing their affairs, do consider, revolve & compass with such diligence those inconveniences that may spring in the same, that they never almost determine to resolve upon any final end.  
REason requires, that that Citizen which is in the state of a private person, is affable and courteous with his friends when he doth arise afterwards to bear the title of a Magistrate, that he should maintain himself with them in the self-same degree of humanity: for even as to become proud through the obtaining of perpetual honours newly gotten either by Fortune or by valour: is a demonstrative sign of a vile & abject mind. So to become haughty through the office of a Magistrate, which is shortly to take end: is the sign of a mind that doth possess small modesty and virtue, for although honours do change manners and humours of men, yet for all that they ought to change them not into worse, but into better.  
ALl persons of judgement that desire to obtain any thing that is difficile to attain unto, procure to have means to be able to obtain it, for many things are brought to pass if a man have any great or good facility & dexterity in them, which we lose when we go about to get them by force.  
A Man must (so far as is possible) keep himself from emulations which are of most naughty nature, and endowed with apparent customs, which have in their mouth the contrary to that which is their mind: and must double their tongue, not suffering it unadvisedly to break the bonds and the two bulwarks of the teeth and the lips, amongst which nature hath shut up the tongue as in the midst of a strong and double Fortress.  
HE that doth invade & occupy a state, must gain the favour of the soldiers with rewards and gifts, the good wills and grace of the people with the abundance of the City, the benevolence of the universal country, with ease and with peace, and afterwards draw unto him the affairs and actions of the old government, that of the magistrates, and together with the same: the authority of the law.  
TO a general & captain besides his knowledge in the art of wars, it appertains to him to be endued with magnanimity, temperance, fortitude, liberality & prudence, to him it is requisite to carry authority in his deeds, gravity in his words, and to keep faith in his promise, moreover he must digest and discourse upon his affairs with great advisement, deliberate upon them with mature judgements: and execute them with great celerity. In his countenance he must show himself unto his Soldiers wild, alegre and stern, he ought to be pleasant, humane and benign towards men, nevertheless, observing always together with that manner of behaviour, his degree and the decorum of his dignity: that he neither with his overmuch familiarity and homeliness make his army become dissolute and of small obedience, neither with overmuch severity bring them to be his enemies: and for so much as the benevolence of the Soldiers is the most certain hope to obtain victory, he must so frame his actions, that not only they may carry towards him a due respect and reverence, but that they may moreover love one another greatly, and him especially, therefore he ought always to reward and honour those that merits and contrariwise reproach and punish those that are faulty.  
THe power of Fortune is very great in all human operations, yet greater in military affairs then in any other, but unstable, unmeasurable and infinite in the deeds of arms. Where a commandment evil understood, an appointed order evil executed, one rash temerity, one vain voice even of the meanest soldier, doth oftentimes carry the victory to them which appear to be overcome, where at unawares do rise innumerable Accidents, which are impossible to be foreseen or governed by the counsel of the General or Captains.  
HE doth most easily deceive others, who is reported never to deceive, and which doth cover with falsehood that which is true.  
ONe judge alone doth very well and easily discern matters, as well those that be true, as those that be sinisterly interpreted, for so much as hate and envy where they are many, may perform much more.  
HOw much greater, and how much more important things are: so much more they are spoken of, and so much less we do gather and grope out the truth, in respect that one sort of men believe and declare for true, those things that they have heard, whether they be true or false: othersome, although part of those things be true, yet always they report them otherwise than they are, and so with time they increase, and those that come after to those things that they have heard of their Ancestors, do always add and join something more.  
THe heavens do seldom times grant that the greatness of private persons near unto Princes, do endure perpetually, for that the one or the other doth wash them away, having than granted the whole: there rests no more for them to gape after.  
AT the hands of the Prince is always expected something more high and greater than of others: And as every one in particular doth receive a good part, those things that be well done of him: so contrariwise, the Prince is only the man upon whom doth fall all the hate and evil will of universal errors.  
TO procure favours and authorities, sometimes with pomp and liberty, sometimes with watchfulness and industry, are harmful and pernicious means when they are used fainedlye, to open the way to principality, and therefore it is the sayings of wise men, that the paths that leads other men to principalities is very rough and difficil, but when once a man is entered and slipped into them, the favours and helps of many do concur on all sides.  
I Oftentimes doubt in myself, whether it be given to Princes from their birth (as in other things it is) to become propitious and favourable towards these, and froward and cruel towards these others: or that is infused and placed in our industry, by means whereof it is granted us to walk in a mean path, to the intent that over obstinately we do not oppose ourselves against those that rule: and yet nevertheless, we are not to suffer ourselves to fall headlong into a shameful flattery and servitude, but we ought to proceed in such sort, that neither through ambition, neither through over great covetousness of glory, we yield ourselves overcome, and therefore with greater security we do lead our lives, and with less peril, if we make ourselves subject.  
THe number of those was always very small, that knew how with prudence to distinguish & discern the good from the evil, or the profitable from the damageable, but are accustomed for the most part by other men's events and chances to become better and more prudent.  
THings that are not premeditated, do hurt much more without comparison, than those that are foreseen, therefore I call the mind of him great, courageous & expert, which doth well govern himself, and is not astonished at these perils & accidents which chance upon a sudden & unawares.  
THat common saying which is in the mouth of wise men of our time, did never please the antiquity, if it be true: that is, that we ought to enjoy the benefit of time, for that they did choose rather to enjoy prudence and virtue, for so much as time doth choose before it all things, and may come with it aswell the evil as the good, but prudence and virtue doth bring forth nothing but that which is good.  
ALthough to know the particular thoughts of man, be a thing proper to God: nevertheless, to know in general the natural inclination of a people or of any other Province, is a most easy thing, for the works and operations thereof being public, it is requisite that they show of force their minds and desires, forth of the which afterwards wise men do gather either more or less than particular draughts and determinations, according to the capacity of him, that hath the charge to penetrate and enter so far.  
I Was of opinion that I could not persever and discover with often revolving and thinking upon that which I could not discern at the first sight: but I know by proof that how much the more a man doth think upon his affairs: so much the better they are understood, and so much the better they are performed.  
PRinces have soddainlye and speedily that which comes in their appetite to desire, and therefore only this above all other things, and without any stay they ought to procure, that their praise and glory may at all times and specially if their posterity be celebrated: for if there be any one that doth go about to dispraise the fame and memory of the posterity, he makes show that he is not studious in that virtue by the which the same is obtained.  
Private men in their determinations ought to have consideration of that which may be profitable for them, but the condition and quality of a Prince is of an other sort, for in their actions they are to have respect to their fame and good name.  
PRinces were not first created to benefit themselves: for by that means no man should be put to so grievous servility, but to profit the people, to the intent they might be well governed, therefore when a prince hath more respect to himself than to his people, he is no more a Prince but a Tyrant.  
Subjects are better content to have the prince near hand then far off, for desiring to be good they have more occasion to love him, and delighting to be wicked more occasion to fear him: beside that there doth arise an other benefit that whosoever goes about to assault the State, doth remain thereby the more dutiful, and if he should resolve upon the same, yet can he very hardly overcome▪ for the presence of the prince doth work greater & more lively effect in the minds of those that obey, than the memory together with the hope that is had of his coming can be able to perform.  
Greatness of State is better kept with discreet and moderate counsel, then with over-brave rash & headlong handling of our affairs.  
A General or Captain that doth take glory and honour for his full scope and final end, aught to endeavour himself to obtain fame: not with the toil and with the perils of others (as many are used to do) but with the sweat and danger of his own person, and by the means of his proper virtue: and since it is a deed worthy of no less praise to extinguish the wars with counsel, then to end it by arms: he must go about sometimes to do the one, sometimes to do the other: and let him carry well in mind that the first success of things, are those that do make him fearful 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 using of artificial deceits, for small sincerity or faithful proceeding is suspected of him, that men once have conceived in opinion to be wunted to govern himself with doubleness and artificial means.  
WE ought ever to carry this consideration in all causes to maintain our dignity, the which we oftentimes lose with haste to show to be resolute in any thing, for those that have to resolve us do esteem (beholding our instance and care) that our necessity is greater, than perchance it is, whereby it comes to pass, that the standing upon their punctor, and make show to do us a pleasure, as though it did proceed of great friendly courtesy, although indeed it fall out to be for their profit, many times there ariseth a certain pertinacy in them, of whom those things he demanded, which indeed doth work their own loss, for by reason of our haste, and of the great instance made to them, they become more proud, and do not take the offered occasions.  
AS it is a thing most certain, that wars are overcome by preventions & by diversions, so it is most true that he receives naughty counsel, that without evident necessity, makes an other man's wars, his own proper quarrel.  
A Capable wit that knows how to make choice of time hath no occasion to lament himself that his life should be short, for he that can apply himself to infinite things, and spend his time profitably doth gain time.  
MAny preach liberty, that if they did hope to have a benefit more of a State that is strait, then of a free: they would run thither in post, for every one hath respect to his own proper profit, and few are to be found that have knowledge of glory and honour.  
Every one in this world commits errors, forth of the which doth arise damage either more or less, according to the accidents and chances that doth follow the same, but those have very evil hopes that abase and entangle themselves in things of small importance, whereof succeeds small loss and as small dishonour.  
HE that desires, to be beloved of his Superiors, it is requisite that he show himself to use respect and reverence towards them▪ For nothing doth more offend the minds of our betters, then that it should seem unto them that we do not carry that respect and that reverence towards them, that they judge doth appertain unto them.  
Whosoever hath the charge of a City that is to be besieged or assaulted, aught to make most mighty foundations and grounds upon all those remedies which prolong the time, and to esteem very much every thing (although it be very small) that takes away time from the enemy: for oftentimes one day, one hour of advantage doth bring forth some accidents that may set them free and at liberty.  
HE deceives himself that resolves upon the first advertisements that come and are brought him touching his affairs, for they always arrive with greater heat and with greater terror, than they fall out to be, when they grow to effect: therefore he that is not constrained by necessity, let him always expect the second advertisements, and the rest one after another.  
IT is almost impossible, but that he which with a great and wonderful efficacy doth affirm a thing: should raise some ambiguity, to believe the contrary, yea in the minds of those that are resolutely determined.  
WHen we proceed to give beginning to the execution of any new, great and difficile thing although it be already thoroughly determined upon: but divers reasons present themselves unto the minds of men, which in contrary sense may be considered.  
IT is very perilous to govern ourselves by examples, if the self-same reasons do not concur as well in the general as also in the particular points, if the affairs be not ruled with the same prudence, and if besides that, in all the other grounds and foundations the very self fortune do not play his part to work the like effects.  
Even as to suffer ourselves to be overcome by our affections, is a servile act: so to restrain our rage & ire which is an impediment to our counsel, to use victory temporatly, which of it own nature is proud and insolent: to rule ourselves and appetites, which is the part of a staid and worthy heart, and to be humane, benign, and liberal towards our enemy: is truly a most famous and princely quality, worthy of divine and eternal memory.  
THere is nothing more proper, more convenient, more necessary, or more profitable to a Prince, then to be just, liberal and benign, for it appertains to their power and greatness: to be mindful of the oppressed, and to relieve other men's calamities, and specially for Kings who are the lively images of God.  
WIcked and naughty persons have power to do evil, and although they do it not, it is not so grateful to behold that they do it not, as it is noisome to think that they may do it: and therefore without doubt it is a miserable thing to have before our eyes that person that without any fear, always when he will may harm. And it most seems an impossible thing that he doth not hurt, For knowing that the good cannot keep company or consort with him, it is behoveful for him to bear them hatred, and knowing that they are followed and favoured of all the rest that be good: it behoves him likewise to stand in fear of them. Now therefore to escape from him that hates, that fears, and that hath power to do evil: doth arise more of adventure then reason.  
MY opinion is, that if nobility and gravity (I speak of that, whereof men superficially make such estimation) do not consist in any other thing then in the long succession of our ancestors beginnings and events, and of good counsel: He may be called most noble & most grave, whose knowledge and whose counsel doth spring from these accidents that are borne from the beginning of the world even until this present time.  
Even as it is a great offence for us to praise those things that are of wicked and pernicious example: so it is no less sin and shame to bury those in oblivion the which through their merits of virtue, deserve to be most highly celebrated.  
THat Commonwealth where justice is found for the poor, chastisement for those that be insolent & tyrants, weight and measure in those things that are sold for the use of man, exercise and discipline amongst young men, small covetousness amongst old persons: can never perish.  
A Prince ought not to believe, that to make choice of a good master for his son is of small importance, for if in this point he do not use very great diligence, he doth burden himself with a great fault: my opinion therefore is, that he ought not to give the office of instructing his Son in such sort as other offices are given, that is either for requests, either for gifts, either for importunity, either for amity, either else in respect to reward some service, for although some of his subjects have been Ambassadors in strange and foreign Countries, or the General of his army, or that he hath borne in his royal Court great offices, yet for all that it follows not, that he should be apt to instruct the Son of his Prince. For to be a good General, it is requisite for him to be full of valour, and very fortunate: but to be the master and instructor of a Prince, it is necessary that he be endowed with great virtue, joined together with a settled and staid mind.  
IN the adverse chances of our life, and in the persecutions of fortune, where industry and force doth a little help, it is the best remedy to esteem of them like men, and to disseemble them like prudent persons.  
HE that takes in hand to perform any enterprise, and afterwards doth not know how to issue forth of the same, or to bring it to an end, either he shall fail in Conscience, or it is over troublesome and tedious, for he that is afraid of shame, and doth possess a worthy & noble heart, either must make an end of that enterprise he hath taken upon him, or else declare the occasion that moves him to give it over.  
THis difference is discerned betwixt one Prince and an other, that he that is evil is only obeyed, but he that is good, is both obeyed and loved, and besides that a good and virtuous prince, makes hard enterprises to seem light but with a tyrant those that be light are made most hard, through their pernicious naughtiness. Happy is he therefore that is obeyed, but most happy the other that is both obeyed and loved, for the body becomes weary to obey, but the mind is never wearied, neither ever satisfied wit● loving.  
A Good Prince ought never to lay hands upon an● man, for what injury soever he hath done him, for hi● hands ought never to be exercised in the revenging of in●iuries done against him, but in defending and revenging the injuries of those that obey him.  
ONe of those things that a wise Prince ought to have an eye unto: is, that his Governors or judges, do not consent, that in their Commonwealth the ancient laws be broken: and that they induce not new and strange customs, for the people is so variable and light, that every day they would have a new Prince, and change new laws.  
A Prince ought to make reckoning of his revenues, but if he forget to redress those offences and faults that are committed in his Territories, and makes no account of them: he is worthy of reprehension, for the people pay their tribute to the Prince, to the intent he may set them free from their enemies, and defend them from Tyrants.  
THose things that terrify procure enmity, and against the increase and proceeding thereof, every one doth oppose himself, but the prowess of the heart and the bounty of the mind, and these things that are magnificently done, with their shining qualities and beauty▪ doth move even our adversaries and enemies to love us, and marvel at us, or rather to worship and reverence us.  
NOthing is more easy, then in our thought and imagination to draw and set down in what manner it is better to do a thing after one sort, then after another sort, but to put it in execution is not so light a matter, for that there be many things, the which impeach, disturb and draw back those that execute the same.  
IT is an honest part to pardon those that be poor when they do err, and to examine himself to see if in his mind any di●fect peradventure doth lie hid, to the intent he give not to others that blame which he doth merit himself: for oftentimes it comes to pass, either through lightness or overthwartness, or through the haste or rage of our superiors, that those things that be well ordained, are spoiled: and those enterprises, that with diligence and discretion are put in execution: fall out to the contrary.  
THose that do sharp and bitterly command, and for every small foreseeing that falls out, become furiously angry and in no case can be pacified, besides that they do unjustly▪ they must think that they are environed with more enemies than friends.  
THere is great difficulty placed in endeavouring our selves in all things, not only to observe measure: but also to establish in our thoughts what measure is, for so much as offices and duties do change according to the persons, the times, the age▪ the nature, and the customs of men: the use of places, countries, and according to other things, which are almost without matter: the which variety he that would on a sudden see and understand, it is convenient that he be of a sharp wit & quick consideration.  
certainly the substance of riches makes him very proud and insolent, that possesseth the same as Aristotle doth say in his Rhetoric, but he that doth wisely behold this part, will say with Senecca, that none is more worthy or near unto God, than he that despiseth and scoffeth at riches: The which I do not deny saith Senecca, that thou shouldest possess: but I would have thee to possess it not fearfully, the which thou shalt do by this only means▪ if thou persuade thyself to live happily and in felicity without it, and if thou dost hebolde it with eyes, which are always to fail thee.  
THe antiquity do hold, that wise men only can do that which they desire, and the wicked that which they have appetite unto, but not that which they desire, for they do all things whilst by these things in which they delight they think to quiet themselves in that good which they desire, but they cannot obtain it, for those that are wicked can never arise to fortitude.  
WH●n any man doth go about to bring a wrathful and furious person into the terms of reason and justice▪ he doth show himself that either he is not very wise, or over diligent: forsomuch ●s when ire is inflamed and that it hath blinded the understanding of many, he cannot be quieted through any consolation that he can have: neither through any reason that can be told him.  
WHen men of base quality do approach and join in amity with the chiefest of the City and contrariwise when the rich and the mighty receive those persons that be base and poor into their house: it seems that both of them do not care for the perfection of virtue, but only intentive about profit or pleasure: the which may be known by this, that they do not go about to procure themselves the service of honest men, just, well mannered, and full of valour▪ but those that be liberal and rich, if the one and the other may be found: the rich in contrary sort do not search for others, but such as be painful, crafty, diligent, profitable and sparing, commending such more than any virtuous quality.  
Even as the pride of any person with familiarity, with often discourses, and with pleasantness, is assuaged and made more modest: so with haughtiness, with melancholy and with taciturnity it is made more lofty and rude.  
Friends of base quality ought to despise themselves in such sort with their bettters, that not only they do not touch and injuriously move the overgreat familiarity of the mighty in their jests: but also confess that they are bound unto them for that they are so domestically used.  
LEt no man esteem so much his own proper counsel, but that he suffer himself sometimes to be governed according to the advice of others: for that man which doth despise and make no account of other men's opinions, and will only followhis own: let him hold himself assured, that he shall commit errors in many things.  
IT is no prudence to judge things by their effects: for many times affairs that have been well managed in counsel, have had no good end: and those that have been evil counseled have had a good end. And if we should commend pernicious counsels, for their good end: we should do nothing else, but give courage to men to err, which doth greatly turn to the damage of commonwealths, for always evil counsel falls not out happily, so should we err if we did reprehend a wise determination, which hath not a joyful end: for that it takes away the courage of Citizens to give counsel to the City, and to speak that which they understand.  
WHen it doth chance unto us to deny any thing through necessity, to assure the person that doth demand the same of his good will, it is requisite immediately to set an other abroach (if you have one) to offer him and that largely: in such sort, as he may know that you make account of him, and that you desire to pleasure him▪ and by this mean used with respect, he is sooner satisfied, if he have any joint of humanity, then by any other means, by the which should be granted him that he did demand. So men do suffer themselves to be overcome by the nature of courteous words, and become angry at those actions which are not accomplished with courtesy.  
DEtraction and flattery are two vices to be shunned of every honest person, but much more of those that make profession of good & of exemplar life: for that in such, every small diffect that is discovered, is sufficient to persuade, that their other good operations have been always done feignedly, and for any other end then to do good▪ but in others that are not bound to so strait a life, but have always remained in a certain honest liberty: it seems that they are noted for less vicious, when specially they are directed to do good, for when we go about by flattery to make any one the more our friend, and not that he by the means of our flattery should become wicked: it is more to be borne withal. So detraction or speaking evil of any person, when it is done against any one, which doth manifestly impeach principal determinations: and then when any vice of his is discovered, and specially of those that do harm virtue, whereof he of whom evil is spoken doth greatly make profession as should fall out: if of a good profession, he make some naughty and wicked practice, if of liberal, some sign of covetousness: For all that it is necessary it should be done with so great modesty, and in things so manifest, that it may appear rather that occasion doth force thee, then that it doth arise of thy own will and pleasure.  
IT may be said with reason, that there is no diffect, but that occasion may cause it to be accepted for less evil: for time is the head and foundation that makes us able to conclude every quality of business, how difficile soever it be: as contrariwise, to work any thing out of time, is an occasion that those that be easy, become almost impossible.  
PEople ground themselves upon vain hope and fallible determinations, hardy when they are far off from perils, faint hearted and weak minded when perils are near at hand: do observe no moderation in their doings.  
IT is very hard to answer or concur with the conceits of men, wherefore the most part are not of a due & mature consideration: neither measuring things with their right proportions.  
IN public affairs we ought diligently to consider of the beginnings, for that it is not after in the power of men, to part from the deliberations already made, and in the which they have persevered long time, without dishonour and peril.  
THe hope of foreign persons measured rather with desire then with reason, do almost always fall out to be fallible and most vain.  
THe authority of those that reprehend things that have succeeded unluckelye, would be oftentimes less: if in the self-same time we could know, that which would have fallen out if we had proceeded diversly.  
Wars are made with the weapons of Soldiers and with the counsel of Captains, they are accomplished by fight in Campania, not with the draughts which those men that are unexpert in warfare do set down upon papers, and do paint out with their Pencilles, or with their fingers or a rod in the dust.  
THat which is desired of many doth seldom times succeed, for the effects of humane actions doth commonly depend upon the wills of few, and the final end and intention of these, being almost always divers and varying from the ends and intention of many: the things can very hardly succeed otherwise then according to the intention of those, that give them their first motion.  
IT is a rash temerity to determine to enter into wars by the which if it fall out unfortunately, we are to participate of part of all the evils, more than our rates comes to: but succeeding prosperously, not to have any portion thereof, even of the least part of the benefits.  
neutrality in the wars of others, is a commendable thing, and by the which molestations and expenses are shunned, when thy forces are not so weak that thou art to fear the victories of every one of the parties: for than it brings unto thee great security, and very often their greatness, means for thee to increase thy state.  
Many believe that death is a thing to be desired of those that are in the height of prosperity, but it is a most happy death of him that dies, having gained a glorious victory.  
WIse men do not always discern and judge perfectly: it behoves that oftentimes that there be showed signs of weakness in humane understanding.  
HE that hath to make laws to sundry persons that have sundry ends not conformable to his own: can no long time make foundation in the confederations made with them, forsomuch as the affairs in confederations, may be by adverse and sundry chances reduced into many difficulties.  
Celestial predictions in prosperity are smally credited, but when adversities begin to appear, they are overmuch believed.  
IT is a greater difficulty without comparison, to keep and conserve from the less perils that which remains when once we begin to decline, than it is to him that doth enforce & endeavour himself to maintain his own dignity and degree, if he turn himself speedily against him that doth go about to oppress him, without making any sign that he is willing to give place.  
IN those wars commonly made of many Princes, against one alone: is accustomed to arise greater fears than effects: for the first furies are soon speedily assuaged, whilst there doth speedily begin to spring variety of opinions, which doth amongst them weaken their league of faith.  
IN the action of arms, the condition and party is far better of him that stays and expectes to be assaulted, then of him that doth go about to assault an other.  
THe clemency of Princes hath always brought them benevolence and reputation. Cruelty (where it is not necessary) hath always wrought contrary effects, neither as many doth unprudently believe, hath it removed the impediments and difficulties: but increased them, and made them greater.  
IN the armies of leagues, provisions do never concur together in one selftime: And amongst so many wills, when there is sundry interests and sundry ends, there doth easily arise, disorders, discords, displeasures & mistrustes, and never is there found any prompt speediness to execute gallantly when the favour of fortune doth show herself benign and favourable, neither of disposition to resist constantly when she doth li●● to frown.  
IT is a most perilous part, to consort ourselves in any war, in the which the mighty provisions of the confederates may as well hurt as benefit.  
IT is a more prudent and a more easy counsel to go about to establish amity with him that unwillinglye would become thy enemy, then with him that at no time can become thy friend.  
HE is to be blamed that through over abundant suspicion and mistrust, doth deprive himself of those great occasions which he with difficulties and perils hath gained, but much more he is to be reprehended which doth it through a fearful and base mind, than he that doth it through generosity and greatness.  
IT comes by nature, that a●ter suspect follows hate, after hate follows harms, after harms follows the familiarity and confederations with the enemies of him that hath offended, and the determination not only to assure himself, but to gain: Moreover, with the ruin of the endamaged, the memory of the injury, greater without doubt and more displeasant in him that doth it then in him that receives it.  
THe principal grounds in determining upon any enterprise be, the justice and right of the cause, the facility and easiness to overcome, the fruit and commodity of the victory.  
THe desire of liberty almost a thing natural in all men ought to consist in the equal proportion of the conditions, arts, and qualities of the Citizens, a most necessary foundation in populare government.  
AS the distribution of Magistrates, and the determination of the laws depends upon the arbitrament of few: the Citizens then being intentive, not about public profits, but about covetous and private affairs, there doth arise particular sects and conspiracies, with the which the divisions of the City do join themselves, a most assured plague and death to the Common-wea●●h●s of empires and governments.  
IT was never accounted wisdom to determine upon any matter of moment, without long consultation and without revolving and digesting the same in our minds, ●n infinite number of times.  
OF his own nature nothing is more short, nothing doth live a less while then the memory of ben●●ites, and so much the greater they be: so much the more they a●e paid with the parts of ingratitude, for he that cannot nor will not blot them out with requitalles: doth oftentimes go about to deface them, by persuading himself that they have not been so great as they were, and those which become ashamed that they were brought into such terms that they have had need of benefits, grow to be displeased that they have received them: in such sort that hate is of more effect in them, through the ancient memory of their necessity, into which they did fall: then the bond of the obligation through the confederation of the courtesy which hath been used unto them.  
WHere insolence is: there is blindness, where vain lightness is: there is no knowledge of virtue, no judgement to discern the actions of others, neither no gravity to measure that which is convenient to himself.  
THe practices, the preparations, and the operations of confederates: are differred, interrupted broken off, and varied, according to the forces, according to the ends, and according to the counsels of Princes, whereby it is not easy to make an assured and firm knot and union, where there be diversities of minds, variety of wills, and change of conditions and qualities:  
PRinces that bend of their own proper inclination to prefer utility before fidelity, are easily persuaded the self-same that other Princes are.  
THe common people of his nature is covetous always of new things, who are easy to be filled 〈…〉 errors and with false perswaisions, even as 〈◊〉 waves of the Sea are rolled forward with the blast● 〈◊〉 wind.  
AS of an unexpert and uncapable judge, we cannot look for a right sentence: so of a people that is full of confusion and ignorance, we cannot look for but by mere chance, an election and deliberation of reason and discretion.  
IT is the nature of men when they depart from one extreme in the which they have been holden violently, to run voluntarily without staying in the mean, into other extremities.  
THe success of wars depend for the most part of reputations: the which when they decline, the valour and virtue of the Soldiers likewise decline, the fidelity of the people deminishe, the revenues appointed to sustain the wars grow to be nothing, & contrariwise the mind of the enemies increase, doubts are nourished, and all sorts of difficulties do augment infinitely.  
IN all humane actions it is oftentimes requisite to accommodate and frame our counsel to our necessity, neither for the desire we have to obtain that part which is over difficile and almost impossible to put all to the hazard of manifest perils.  
THose leagues wherein there chanceth to be many potentates, are not so firm or of such concord, but that we may hope that they will become colder, or some of them to dis-vnite himself from the rest.  
IT is the nature of men, that those things which in the beginning present themselves very teriblye: do in such sort can●ell and diminish the same from day to day, that if no new accidents do arise that may make fresh and quicken the terror and fear they have: They make themselves in the process of small time, almost assured.  
Every one that doth perceive and smells out, that there is no account made of him: becomes angry, anger makes him bold, or else sometimes to apply himself to think most perilous things the which oftentimes comes to pass: and chiefly if to audacity, any authority be joined to some singular quality that is in the person of him that is grown so audacious.  
Perilous determinations and practices, so much the more they are considered of, so much the unwillinglye they are taken in hand: whereupon it doth always come to pass, that those commorations and rebellions that give space of time to the execution of them: are discovered.  
THe name of liberty is so worthy a thing, that no force can tame it, no time can consume it, and no merit can counterpeses it: in so much as to go about to maintain servility in a free City: foreign forces are not sufficient, and of those within the same, a man can put no confidence, for those that be now friends, and comfort others to take upon them the Signory: when they have by the authority of their new Lord overthrown their enemies, they go about afterwards as they can or may, to thrust out the Prince, and make themselves Lords.  
TO one that is accustomed to live lose and at liberty, every chain is weighty, and every bond doth pinch, although to find a violent state with a good Prince, is almost impossible: for of necessity it is convenient, either that they become like, or else that speedily the one or the other do ruinated.  
THat City that would maintain itself more by sects and factions then by laws: when one sect doth remain at home without opposition: of necessity it comes to pass, that it divide itself, for from these private means it cannot defend itself, the which for her safety she had first ordained.  
TIme is not ever altogether commodious to work a thing in, in such sort, that whosoever doth expect all the commodities, or else doth never attempt any thing: or if he do attempt it, doth perform it for the most part to his disadvantage.  
AS Er●onices which otherwise should be small, become in wars capital, having against him a prepared enemy, which gives no time to understand them, but doth endeavour himself to increase them with industry, searching always to draw the victory wholly unto him: so in like sort, small errors made in demanding of honours, become most grievous and heavy, and a small mutation of our wills doth engender in us great effects.  
IT is apparently seen, that when any resolution is made, either with over speedy or which over great affection: always we do that which is evil, for so much as the one doth not give us time to find out and decipher those things that ought to be considered of before we conclude: the other doth so busy and occupy our minds that it doth not suffer us to know any thing, but that which doth urge at that instant. To these two sorts of men two other may be joined, and that is that we find some, that although they have sufficient time to be able to consider and are void of affection: nevertheless, through a certain natural folly or incapacity, or through a continual negligence they use in their affairs: do never perform any good thing or accomplishments to the purpose.  
WHen our affairs are reduced into such terms, that there remains no other hope then the providence of God: to hazard and adventure, enter in, to supply the place of reason and of prudence, in such sort that we ought not to leave off to attempt those things that seem unto us to be of small foundation, in respect of humane prudence: for so much as our most blessed Saviour and God, many times, to the intent to make the wisdoms of the world appear vain, suffers a some certain sort of people, to run into great calamities: for that he doth give and send us his mercy, in those causes in the which the grounds of reason doth fail us.  
Even as melancholy and heaviness of the mind under which jealousy is comprehended: even as suspicion, fear, and such other humours chance unto men and to their minds: so likewise doth the very same fall out in the negotiation of our affairs, for so much as after beginning is given to any enterprise, the minister & executor thereof be not patiented to conserve it whole: then will arise unto him infinite accidents, which will be apt to bring him into infirmity, and moreover to make him die. Therefore it is necessary before things are moved, to consider well of all those contraries that may fall out, as well of the ambassadors part, as of his Prince's part, and as well of those with whom he shall negotiate, as of every other person.  
IT is a wonderful and very perilous part for him that goes about to set at liberty any people, that in any case desires to remain in servitude and slavery.  
IT is a perilous matter to nourish one that hath great reputation universally, for as it is easy to oppress and withstand disorders at the beginning, so suffering them to increase, it is a more hard matter to yield remedy.  
GOod Citizens, in the government of commonwealths, aught to take so much as is given them of men and the laws: and in so doing they shall neither incur peril nor envy: for that which a man doth take, and not that which is given unto a man, doth cause him to be hated, and such persons shall obtain more than those that going about to get other men's portions lose their own: and before they lose the same, live in continual grief and sorrow.  
FOr that servility doth draw after it the effects and humours of fear, and that by so much the more, by how much it is violent and base, it falls out of necessity, that no less the Tyrant than he that is tirannised, should be full of terror and fear: for he that commands over servile persons is not free, and a Tyrant being such a one, it follows that he should be servile as well as his people: and so both of the one side and the other doth arise forcible acts and great indignities, in such manner that fear doth always spring and increase.  
Arms, Laws, and divine honours in a well governed City or Commonwealth, can never be separated but with destruction of every one of them, for that being united together, they are maintained entire ruling one an other, and so soon as they are dissevered: that which peradventure without his two companions, did seem by itself to be sufficient: doth speedily fall if it be not succoured, wherefore it is requisite that they have the three qualities of the soul or mind of man: which is Uigilative, Sensative, and Intellective: which are not to make three souls, but one only act by the operation of three powers, and so consequently we are of no value in humane perfections: without reciprocal aid and help.  
IN warfare, valour and art are of great worthiness, but their perfection consists in knowing how to use moral virtues: and understanding poleticke affairs: and in treading the footsteps of ancient and good Captains.  
IN the times and cases important in warfare, we ought to give entire authority to him that doth merit the same, and to put in him the full managing thereof, yet with this proviso, that he have about him Counsellors of good understanding, with whom he may confer all the whole course of his enterprises.  
IN the accidents of humane chances, doubtful causes are always consulted upon: for it appertains not to make any consultation upon those that be certain: for doubts do spring of that which is within the compass and power of chance, and not of prudence: wherefore we ought to consider how many parts there is within the one and the other: for in consultation when a man is not constrained by necessity, and his beginning doth depend wholly of his own will, which is altogether free: he doth toss in his mind touching the succession of his enterprise, whither is greater, his hope or his fear: and takes resolution not to attempt the same, when mear● chance is to have greatest force: and contrariwise to attempt the same when prudence ought to have the greater sway.  
HE that is mean wicked, and likewise he that is mean good, doth evil in the hands of one that is very mightily wicked, but the very mighty good person, doth overcome the very mighty evil person.  
WHen commonwealths are well administered, the persecutions of the envious which through our good works they practise against us, do fall out to be to our greater advancement: for being constrained by the truth, to bring forth and perform acts contrary to their motions and proceeding: they do that against us, which a Racket doth against a tennis 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 us, they do exalt us.  
IT is no doubt but that other men's continual severity, doth exasperate our minds, but even as the overmuch fatherly pardoning suffers the child to run astray to a licentious and a disobedient life: even so the overgreat abundance of pleasures in a Prince, doth spoil his Citizens and his Soldiers, and is yet an occasion of greater damage, when it is used with persons of account & degree: for those that be heads and principals by offering things not lawful, take possession and become masters of their administrations: and besides that by little and little to be their superiors: And moreover, their insolence may work more pernicious effects than can that of the multitude, it being very easy to know, whither many persons gathered together bend themselves, as it is a thing of difficile understanding to decipher the secrets of one man alone.  
WE may grant unto our friends and unto good Princes, the entire possession of our goods & of our lives, but not of our soul: if they cause us to do unjust and dishonest actions.  
WHen the multitude are not well pleased with their Prince, by beholding the like slackness in others, and that they all remain in the self-same terms, they are much less afflicted, and likewise for that not without great cause they unite themselves to rebel against a good & legitimate Prince, they support and bear his displeasure: After through the abundance of people in a state of sundry and divers humours, and that for the most part are of a weak understanding, by little and little they forget the same: But when a man of great account doth not rest satisfied touching any his important request, he retains the disdain in the depth of his mind: and according to the occurrence, may convert it into a pernicious execution.  
WHen a Prince is sought unto by any great parsonage, for any thing of importance: and that he will not grant the same: he ought to consider of two things. The one is the necessary circumstances, that is to say, those things whereof doth spring evil satisfaction, the person that is evil content, and the time wherein the same doth occur: the other is to be advertised and have in memory, to counterpoise one benefit with one that hath been refused and rejected.  
THe administration of a peaceable state, is that which doth conserve those things that are gained in time of war, & as the studies of peace yield civil prudence, that which doth accommodate our discourse touching the manner how to make wars: so likewise they maintain them, after we have brought back victory: For the faculty to exercise wars 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 wits and their forces, in the which they are of value, being constrained by their nature and discipline, to work according to their knowledge, and according to their ability.  
A Good Soldier is like unto bright Steel the which doth keep his bright shining gloss whilst it is in continual exercise, but being not wrought withal takes rust: rust breeds to an eating canker, and canker makes contagion, in such sort, that right Soldiers which are not good: to any other end then to manage and handle weapons, in times of peace they suffer great damage in themselves: and cause others to be partakers thereof.  
Civility and warfare, ought necessarily to be joined together: for constraining the wicked to take arms, if we be not well provided and of good understanding either the common quiet will be continually disturbed, or else we must chase them out of the City and State: although the same be ruled with a very good government.  
IT falls out often in contentions that he which seethe himself excluded, or that is favoured of himself, doth run headlong (setting apart all respects) rather to some third person, then to give place unto him that doth oppose himself against his intention.  
MEn have no greater enemies then overgreat prosperities, for that it makes them impotent of themselves: licentious, and bold to commit evil, and desirous to disturb their proper benefits and goods, with new devices.  
THe infamy of timerity: hurts Generals and Captains, more than the glory of victory doth benefit them: for temerity commits many errors, and is attributed wholly to the Captain, but the prosperous success in matters of warfare at the least, according to the opinion of men, is communicated to many.  
IT is the office and part of a wise General casting in his mind, how often it is necessary in wars to vary deliberations, according to the variety of the accidents: to fear and accommodate from the beginning so much as lies in him, providently for all chances, and for all counsels, for even as the happy success of enterprises, gain to the General the benevolence of the Army: so those that are unfortunate get him hate and evil will.  
A Prudent man ought not to suspect that small credit and faith is given unto him: and if he suspect the same, he must so order the matter, that the wicked do not know that he hath suspicion of them: to the intent that through fear, licence do not increase in them, and that they take not away their diligence & promptness from others.  
TOuching new doubts, it is either good to feign not to know them, or else cloak them, not confirming them by believing them: for so much as for the most part either they are altogether false, or else much less than that which is believed of them.  
THose which exhort us to do any thing in the night, are oftentimes moved to commit some licentious errors, for that the night covers in them that which the day doth discover, which is either fear or shame.  
PRinces in the hands of whom, God did place for no other end, rule & empire, but to the intent men might have recourse from the unmovable and dead laws, unto the quick and breathing: if with the adorned work of charity they do not search to imitate them: they are not only grievously reprehended of every one, but they do deservedly incur the displeasure and hatred of his divine majesty.  
Wars at home are much more difficille and perilous then abroad: for defence is made more easily abroad and a far off, then at home by our own doors: but if it be at home, it is no sound counsel to remove it further, before that which is near and at hand be extinguished.  
THe malignity and the imprudence of ministers and officers about Princes, may do much that other through negligence do not apply their affairs, or through want of capacity do not discern of themselves good counsel from evil.  
THe event of things is commonly had in consideration of men, by the which sometimes with praise sometimes with infamy, according as they be either happy or overthwart, do always attribute to council that which oftentimes proceeds of fortune.  
THe first and the chiefest praise in military discipline, consists more in not putting ourselves in peril without necessity, in making the endeavours of our adversaries vain: by industry, by patience, and by art: then by fight most courageously or furiously.  
THe multitude have been accustomed to take pleasure in sweet and delicate counsels, rather than in those that be mature and ripe, and oftentimes account them for worthy persons that do not measure their affairs prudently.  
TO do benefits to him that doth persuade himself, to have received many injuries: are not sufficient to cansell out of his evil disposed mind the memory of the offences: chiefly when the benefit is done in such a time, that it seems it proceeds more of necessity then of any voluntary desire.  
THe counsels and the secret grounds of Prince's affairs & actions, are dispersed abroad for the most part in a far disagreeing sort from that which is true in effect: for it falls to be commodious for them to do one thing, whilst the world doth believe another thing.  
PEace is a most desired and sacred thing, when it doth assure us from suspicions, when it doth not augment perils, when it doth induce men to be able to rest, and to lighten them of expenses: but when it brings forth contrary effects, and pernicious wars under the name of a traitorous and deceitful peace, it is a pestiferous venom under the name of a hoalesome medicine.  
Ambassadors are the eyes and the ears of States, and the other offices the eyes of Princes, but woe be unto that Prince, that sometimes doth not see without those eyes.  
THere is great difference betwixt having of the Subjects desperate, and the having of them malcontent: for the first do not think upon any other thing then upon the change and the mutation of the State, the which they go about to perform, with the hazard of many perils: the second desire new things, but they do not stir up occasions, but expect the coming of them by themselves.  
WE ought to look for effects and not for demonstrations, and superficial shows and proceed in causes: and yet nevertheless it is an incredible thing, what grace & favour, courtesy and humanity doth obtain us amongst men, I judge the reason is, for that every one doth believe and esteem himself to merit much more than he doth deserve or merit▪ and therefore he becomes displeased when he perceives, that that account is not made of him that seems to appertain unto him.  
Suubiects' can not be well governed without severity, but it ought to be mixed with dexterity; by making great demonstrations, to the intent the people may believe that cruelty doth not please thee, but that thou dost use it of necessity, for the commodity of the Commonwealth.  
A Man must always keep and restrain himself from those things that do hurt or not benefit: therefore he ought not to speak any thing that doth displease, neither in presence nor in absence, without necessity: for it is a great folly to make people our enemies without purpose.  
HE that enters into perils without considering of those things that may import, is to be called beastly; but he that doth know them before hand, and doth enter into them frankly, either through necessity or for some honourable occasions, is to be called a most courageous man.  
HE doth err and is much deceived that doth say that letters and study spoil the brains of men, although perchance it be true in those that have weak and unstaid heads: but where learning finds a good natural wit, it makes it perfect: for a good nature joined with a good accident, makes an excellent composition.  
THat glory is to be accounted vain the which is gained or sought out by the iniruie of others: but that is the true, honest and immortal glory, which is gained not by the destruction of people, and the overthrow of Cities: but by the knitting and uniting them in good concord, doth give them assured quietness, and doth deliver them from the sorrows and miseries that doth afflict them.  
NEw and unaccustomed counsels, at the first sight seem to be good and glorious, but they fall out afterwards without doubt, to be more fallible and more perilous, than those that reason and experience hath approved in all ages, and amongst all men.  
ALl the fruit that is reaped by having overcome, consists in the well using of the victory, and not to use the same well: the infamy is so much greater than not to overcome, by how much the more it is a greater fault to be deceived of those things that are in the power of them that are deceived, then of those that depend of Fortune.  
THe common people neither have nor use any mean, for when they do not doubt, they endeavour themselves foe make others afraid: and when they are afraid themselves, than they may without perils be managed.  
Doubtful and headlong determinations, appertain unto him that hath difficile and sinister state, or unto him that is pricked forward with ambition and covetousness to make his name famous, and doth fear that he shall want time.  
IT is fit for prudent men, to consider the perils which lie hid under hope and covetousness, and much more the end then the beginning of any thing.  
WOrldly affairs are all of them subject to many perils, but wise men know that all that which is evil and may chance, comes not ever forward, for either by the benefit of fortune or of chance, many perils become vain, many vanish away through prudence and industry, and therefore we ought not to confound fear with prudence.  
THose are not to be reputed for wise, that presuppose for certain all those perils that are or seem doubtful, and being afraid all things rule themselves in their determinations, (as if all were to succeed and come to pass) or rather in no case, can we call those prudent and wise, that are more afraid of future things than they ought: For to deserve the name of wise and to be had in praise, appertains much more to those that be courageous. For knowing and considering the perils, they discourse and revolve in themselves, how often men sometimes have by chance, sometimes by force, valour and virtue, made free themselves from many difficulties.  
WIse men, that in their deliberations do call no less into counsel, hope then fear: neither presuppose and take for certain, uncertain events: do not so easily refuse and reject profitable and honourable occasions, as rash men do.  
WHen as the desire to enlarge, or the jealousy to maintain, or the fear to lose, doth once enter into the mind of a Prince, he never thinks upon, either the circumstances of given faith, the bonds of friendship, or received benefits: an example hereof may be taken of Lodowick Scorce, who in change to show himself grateful to Charles the eight, for the benefits received of him: not only, did not defend him from the peril of losing the state, but did help to chase him out of italy, by violating the faith of amity: breaking in sunder the league, and joining himself to his enemies, only in respect to keep and preserve his estate, and for fear of the over great rising, might and power of King Charles.  
IT is an imprudence and a pusillanimity, where the health and safety of all persons is touched and had in discourse, to bring indignities into consideration: and not to know how to force himself to perform the consideration of the State, before his proper will and affections.  
IN taking of counsel, many things are to be had respect unto, but principally two, prudence in him that hath to receive counsel, and fidelity in him that is to give counsel: for so much, as counsel being nothing else but a well considered discourse of certain things, whither they are to be done, or not to be do●●e: if he that is to receive counsel be not prudent, he will not receive that which shallbe offered him as for the best: but will follow that which is most agreeable to his own mind: for if he be not prudent, foolish things will please him: and not being capable of that which is good and true, he will follow that which is nought and foolish: and so perverting all order, it will never be possible for him either to perform works, or give end to any action that will fall out well. And on the other side, if he that gives counsel be not faithful: he will so cunningly with a thousand colours, cover and shadow the truths, drawing him back to his intent, end, and purpose: and winding in the receiver with counsel, that he believing him, in the end shall find himself to be deceived: and so having taken and tas●ed wicked and naughty counsel, for that which is good: he will call to memory, but over-late, the unfaithfulness of his Counsellor.  
IMportant consultations in matters of state, are contained under five subjects and rules, about the which Governors make discourse. That is, either touching the revenues of the State or Province, or touching peace or wars, or touching the guard of Provinces, or touching victua●les that are to be brought into or taken out of the said Provinces, or touching the laws, upon which affairs he that doth consult, cannot do it well, unless he be well informed thereof: and moreover, of all the circumstances touching which he is to give counsel.  
A Man ought to take care, not only: not to take counsel of him that hates him, but also of those persons that carry hate to others: although they were the enemies of him that is counseled. To the intent, that he by accepting such counsel, it chance not unto him to chastise any one of his enemies, or peradventure more than he that counsels him, that he fall not into some inconvenience, not able to be remedied.  
AFter that any potentate hath well consulted upon the affairs and provisions for wars, he ought not to vary from his purpose, but aught to be resolute in his enterprises: for so much, as to remain in a doubtful mind and to hang in suspense, bending himself sometimes to do one thing, sometimes another, doth cause many disorders, but that which doth greatly import, is: that he gives time to the enemy, not so much to think upon the ways how to defend himself, as to make preparations to endamage and offend thee.  
IT is necessary, that he that sets forward or doth move any wars, remain always prepared and watchful, and intentive in his mind, to every accident or chance that ariseth: and be making of provisions for all such things as may chance to occur, and for his first intention, he must beware he move not wars unjustly: and that he provide he be not alone, to consider against what Potentate he doth move the same, that is to say: that the enemy have not the protection of a Prince that is more mighty than he that makes ●he wars: to examine the forces of his adversaries, and of his own: and moreover of those that may be induced to unite themselves with the one part or the other.  
A New Prince in making provision of money, hath greater difficulty than hath a Commonwealth: forsomuch, as it is not possible for him that his ordinary revenues, should suffice to maintain him in his estate, as well for the new expenses that are necessary for him to make, and for the preparations and fortifications to defend his State, as in respect that he must entertain many captains in time of peace to serve himself withal in future wars: and moreover, to maintain himself towards great princes, of whom a new Prince is constrained to depend: and to entertain other Princes, wherein besides the conventions that is made with them, there doth occur sundry other expenses: for so much as the officers of great persons, think that they may be able always reasonably to enrich themselves by means of the gifts of new princes: whilst it seems unto them, that to draw from those is not so much profitable to them, as it is unto the Prince they serve: but in a Commonwealth many do willingly contribute infinite things: carried forward with a desire to procure themselves greater honours, the which oftentimes falls out, by receiving due and worthy rewards: and if it chance they impose and appoint necessary taxes and payments to be made: It seems that every one doth support it easily, whilst it appears unto them, that they disburse the same for their own proper profit.  
WHen the charge and care of the Commonwealth is set upon the shoulders of one person alone, it seems unto every man that it is reasonable, that a prince abounding in riches, make all the costs and expense that chance out of his own store, considering the profit of the enterprise ought likewise to redounded to himself alone: and the minds of men are naturally most prompt and ready to examine with extreme diligence, all the revenues of the Prince, and to magnify them, without making computation or defaulting the expenses, and very often in reprehending many of these things as over-aboundant: and not knowing many of their causes, neither examining well the degree or the necessity of the Prince, become in their payments recusants and slow, besides that many do beware and keep themselves, some for that the fame shall not go abroad that he is rich, and othersome for that they will not have their prince to grow into suspicion.  
AMbition in the General of an Army, doth oftentimes ruinated whole States and Provinces, for that they give no end to their wars, whilst with their honour or with their advantage they may make them: to the intent he may endure the longer in his Generallship, or else sometimes they do demand such honours or such authorities that it is far overmuch: And very often if they do not obtain the same, they become displeased, and do nothing that is good, or else, obtaining the same, they become over proud or damageable to the States they serve.  
THere is nothing more perilous, in respect of what potentate soever, than the contention, emulation and the strife for first and chiefest preferments amongst many Captains, or to send his soldiers to any enterprise without a head: for so much, as in wars it imports to have a head that knows how to command, and officers that will obey and put in execution those things that are committed unto them: for that the one or the other of these things being taken away, there ariseth confusion, able not only to drive in disorder what army soever, although most valiant: but also, what other thing soever that were more mighty.  
ONe of those principal things that a General ought to have next unto force and valour, I would wish it should be fidelity: that which is to be preferred above all other things, who ought not neither for displeasure, anger, or for any thing else, fail of that which is looked for he should do: and chiefly towards that Prince or potentate which he serves, to the intent nothing may come unto him that should be his ruin or his shame.  
MEn ought to have care to do their things well and virtuously, if they will become glorious and worthy praise, for so much, as of glory, virtuous actions do not arise: but of virtuous deeds, doth spring glory.  
THe desire of goods doth spring of a base and evil compounded mind: if it be for any other consideration, then that we may enjoy the same, but the life of men in this world being so corrupted as it is, whosoever desires reputation, it is necessary that he desire goods, for that by them virtue doth shine and is had in estimation, whereas in a poor man it is smally known and less esteemed.  
MAny do agree that the state of one man alone is better when it is good, then that of many or of few, although likewise good: so in like manner, we may conclude that, that of one alone may become more easily wicked, then that of many: and when it is wicked, then becomes it worst of all▪ and so much the more wicked is i●, by how much it goes forward in succession, for it comes very ra●ely to pass, that unto a good and wise Father doth succeed a Son like unto him. Therefore I would that those that make profession of policy and government, would resolve me of a doubt, (all the conditions, qualities, and perils, being considered) which state is most to be desired in a City or a Commonwealth, either to fall under the government of one alone, or of many, or of few.  
IT is no great matter for an Emperor or King, using oftentime the sharpness and effect of severity, to make himself redoubted: for that Subjects become easily afraid of those that be able to force, ruinated, and overthrow them with any easy execution: but I commend those much, that with little sharpness and executions, know how to obtain and to maintain the name of terrible and severe.  
THose self-same enterprises, which being attempted out of due time, are most difficile and impossible, when they are accompanied with time and occasion, are most easy to be done: therefore they are not to be attempted but in their due times, for by doing them out of their time: they do not only not succeed, but it makes the matter perilous to fall out, in that they have been attempted, that they should spoil that time, in the which they might easily have been performed. Therefore those that be patiented are accounted for wise men.  
THese remembrances or records are not always to be observed indistinctly, for that in some particular causes, that have sundry reasons they should fall out not to be good, and what those cases be, cannot be comprehended under any rule, neither can there any book be found that can teach the same: but it is necessary that this light be first had of nature, and afterward of experience.  
TO find 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 knows them, but knows not how to put them in action and execution: therefore whosoever will use them, let him force his nature, and therein to make a habit, by the means whereof he shall perform so much as is taught him: and besides that there shall fall out to be performed and done, without travail, all that whatsoever reason doth command him, or that experience doth teach him.  
THere be two times that are chiefly good to do our affairs in: the one, when we see the enemy occupied in other affairs: and the other when he is afflicted, as I have oftentimes comprehended by experience.  
AMbition doth enforce many Persons to become false, to shut up one thing close in their breast, and to have an other prompt and ready in their tongue to judge of amity and of emnetie, not by the measure of effects, but by profit: And to carry greater bounty in their countenance then in their minds.  
AMbition is a vice nearer to virtue, than covetousness: for that men of valour and men of vile disposition, do desire and increase equally, glory, honour, and signory, but the first doth direct his pace to the true way, and this other, because he wants good arts, doth work by deceits and fraud.  
THe amity of the Commonwealth, aught to preserve itself, rather in public then in private: leaving off, to give gifts or presents to any one: for not without peril, that is bought of few, which appertains to many.  
MAny by fraud and by thefts rather than by good arts enforce themselves to attain to rule, empire and honours, as though supreme and chiefest offices are of themselves clear and magnificent, and not reputed to be such, as the virtue of those be that sustain and bear them.  
MAny do seek for the offices of Magistrates, not after one manner and one self art: and in like sort after they have obtained the same, they govern the same: first they are industrious, suppliant, modest, and after with pultronorie and in pride do lead their age.  
A General or Captain, doth attend and take respect with prudence and with carefulness to his affairs, and to the enemies, and doth know that which is good, or that which is pernicious in the one and the other: he spies out his proceeding, his counsels, and doth prevent his traps and deceits: neither suffer any thing negligently about himself, nor assured about them.  
A General or Captain ought to provide for every thing, no otherwise than if he had not given in charge any of his affairs, not so much in respect that he should mistrust or doubt that his commandment should not be executed: but to the intent his Soldiers should willingly seek to match and imitate his, in travail and pains taking.  
A General or captain, although death were present before his face, yet ought he rather to stay himself resolutely. Then betraying and abandoning those that he doth lead, give pardon to his uncertain life with a shameful flight.  
Unto a General comes greater sorrow and grief through the wicked customs and behaviours of his Soldiers, then help or good hope through their multitude, the which is confirmed much more by shunning then by chastising of errors.  
ALl thos● that are to give counsel upon any matter, aught to be ●oid of hate, without amity in that respect, without anger & without mercy, I may say that the like is to be observed when judgement is to be given upon the cause of any one.  
IT is a thing truly very difficile to be full of valour in battle, and good in counsel, for the one is accustomed for the most part to bring fear through prudence, and the other small consultation through audacity.  
Soldiers if fortune do envy, their valour ought not to fail in heart and courage without revenge, neither suffer themselves, being taken like beasts, rather to be cut to pieces, then fight like valiant men, and leave unto their enemies the victory, lamentable and bloody.  
HE that is to prognosticate and divine of other men's determinations, aught if he will not to deceive himself, to have in consideration not so much that, that a wise man would think meet to be done, as what the brain and nature of the person is which hath to determine.  
Envy is a sorrow and grief that we have at the goods which other men possess, and cannot be shunned but of those that be miserable, yet nevertheless it may be much diminished, and sometimes altogether extinguished, with the using of humanity and courtesy, as contrariwise, with overmuch and proud ostentation and bragging, it is infinitely kindled and increased: but hate which is a desire that an other man should incur damage, is avoided either with remaining altogether solitarily and quiet apart (which appertains not to a noble parsonage, borne in the Commonwealth) or by obtaining that which to our power we ought to endeavour ourselves to obtain, which is the good grace and benevolence of all persons universally.  
THe Earl Francisco Carmignuola was accustomed to say, that the principal rule that men ought to observe towards Princes, was not to believe very easily that which they speak with their mouth, and that which they make outward appearance of: but it is necessary to consider and to decipher that which with all reason they may imagine they think in their minds, that is, that which will turn most commodious for their profit, and upon this they may make the foundations of their desires and thoughts more than upon their words: and likewise we ought not to have regard to the amity, to the enmity, to the parentage, or to any thing else whatsoever amongst them: for when they perceive any future profit to arise, they forget all amity, they quiet all disdain, and make small account of any brotherhood or parentage, and do permit every respect, so that therein may be found some small colome of honesty sufficient to salve the apparent show thereof.  
Even as a good Physician, when he hath to cure the infirmity of any particular member, it is convenient that he have care that, that medicine be not hurtful to an other member: Even so a man of State ought always to put his Prince in memory of those things which will serve the Commonwealth for the preservation thereof.  
WHat great diversity and difference there is betwixt those deeds that spring of fear and of error, and betwixt those that are moved of fraud and of evil intent, is manifest to every one.  
THe liberty of Cities do chiefly please God, for that in them more than in any other sort of government, common benefits are conserved: wherein justice is administered more without distinction, and much more kindles and inflames the minds of the Citizens, to use honourable and virtuous actions: and finally they have more respect to observe religion then other governments.  
HE is an unprofitable Citizen, that for any occasion doth withdraw himself to persuade unto others that which in himself he doth feel to be the benefit of the Commonwealth.  
FOr a man to moderate himself and to overcome those proper desires his heart covets: is so much more worthy of praise, by how much it is a rare thing to be able to do it, & by how much the occasions are more just wherewithal the anger and appetite of men is stirred up and moved.  
THe silence of a Prince given to demands and requests: is tolerable, when it is not done or proceeds in a despising manner: and moreover oftentimes doth help, for that the laws, amities, and such other like things, are nourished in him: moreover, it doth help over much when a naughty answer is feared, and it is taken for a despising of the Prince, and if it be a just quarrel, arms is taken, and doth fly the fault, in that he hath not demanded the thing, to abtaine it.  
THe conjectures 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 wills of men, altogether shut up from all persons, and open only to God: and nothing more uncertain, then to establish and set down, in so great a motion and revolution of minds, upon what they will settle their determinations: nevertheless, so far as man's wit may attain unto, a wise officer ought to endeavour himself so much as he is able, to do his duty, and not become terrified with the greatness of the act, to the intent to make himself known for prudent, the business taking effect: or of a willing mind or diligence, by not abandoning any due means to obtain the end of his desire.  
THe opinions of men are so sundry and so contrary to things: And we have beside in us a certain necessity which doth force us to attempt fortune, although we perceive that there rest in us a small foundation in demanding of the thing: nevertheless, drawn by a certain inspiration, we put ourselves in peril to demand those benefits that we are not worthy to obtain. This thing besides the examples of histories, hath likewise his reason, if not through the injury of him that demands the same, to those unto whom the requests are made, through their nature, carrying a resemblance of God: whose mercy is poured upon those that seek for it: many times in our own demerits, in our own infelicities, in our miseries, a certain spirit which is called of the antiquity Genio, doth prick us forward to attempt things contrary to all humane prudence: And they fall out in such sort as we are not able to find out the reason thereof.  
IT is no infamy to retire ourselves, when it is done by prudence, neither is it pusilanimity when it is done to refuse and shun to put in doubtful terms, those things that be certain: when as the approaching end of the wars hath to show to all the world, the mature ripeness of counsel: forsomuch as no victory is more profitable, more famous, or more glorious, then that which is gained without loss, and without shedding the blood of Soldiers.  
Even as the mind which commonly ought to be mistress over the body, should become a Tyrant over the same: and knowing the excellency of herself, should only think and care for herself, and would grant no parcel of the time to the body, he would become weak and feeble: even so contrariwise, those that make their body's Lords over their minds, in satisfying their appetites, not granting any part thereof to their mind: they can never become virtuous, neither have any valour in them.  
Covetousness without doubt is a thing more to be detested in a Prince then in a private person, not only for that having more liberty to distribute, he doth deprive a man thereof, so much the more: but also, for that, that which a private person hath, is all to his own use, and may be disposed as it pleaseth himself, without the just complaint of any person: but that which a Prince hath, is given him for the use and benefit of others. Therefore if he retain it for himself, he defraudeth men of that which he doth owe unto them.  
THe affairs of this world are so variable, and depend upon so many chances and accidents, that very hardly, we shall be able to give judgement of that which is to come: and therefore it is seen by experience, that almost always the conjectures of wise men are vain and fallible. I do not therefore commend the counsel of those which leave off the commodity of a present benefit, although less for fear of a future evil although it be greater, unless it be very near and very certain, for that, those things not falling out oftentimes, which thou didst doubt of through a vain fear, it comes into thy memory, that thou hast left off those things that did please thee, and therefore that is a wise Proverb which saith: Di cosa nasce cosa et il Tempo le governa, Affairs spring forth of affairs, and Time doth govern them.  
THose which give judgement in matters of state, I have seen oftentimes to err, for that men do with reason examine that which a Prince hath to do, but not that which he will do.  
WEll ordered Commonwealths do not use to suffer that their confederates, who together with them have well played their parts in their occasions, should be abandoned in their necessities.  
MIghty Commonwealths be accustomed not only to desire and will that their confederates and friends do not lose any thing: but that every day they may increase and make themselves greater in favours, in mightiness, and in honours.  
WHen a Prince doth follow virtue, he doth merit to be praised: for that Princes more than any other persons are inclined to their appetites: forsomuch, as they having been nourished with small chastisement in their Childhood, most men endeavour themselves to please them, and to follow them in their ways.  
PRinces for the most part are more suspicious than other men, for that they are given to understand sundry doubts and advertisements, and very often are ●lattered.  
THat Prince that can gain persons with well doing, besides his being in the grace of God: he shows that he is not blotted with the vice of pride, the which procu●es hate to follow the virtues of persons.  
WHen in a Commonwealth any doth obtain & take upon him the name of Singular in what matter soever (although therein he be ignorant) it is a very hard thing to remove that opinion, for that men naturally conceive and become gross with the first impressions, the which waxing old, cannot so easily be defined and plucked out.  
HE that is sent to entreat of peace, aught to be faithful unto his Prince, and of a mean age: to the intent that his weakness induce him not to do things that are not fit, or at his return to terrify his Master, more than is necessary: and that man is rather to be employed therein, which hath received favours and benefits of his Prince then any other.  
TO know the natures and dissimulations of those that are in election to have great honours, as it is a thing very easy, so is it a thing very wise: therefore the inclinations and the discourses of such persons ought always to be observed, having nevertheless an eye, not so much to affection as to common profit.  
WHen any persons do depart from thy enemy to come to enter into thy service great profit is reape● by them, if they be faithful: for that the forces of thy adversary are diminished much more with those that fly from him, then by those that are slain: although the name of a fugitive to the new friend be suspicious, and to the old odious.  
IN wars for the most part the good fortune of a victorious Prince is nothing else but the evil counsel & base mind of his adversary: and therefore very hardly may he be overcome that can measure and know both his own and his enemy's forces: besides that, the valour and virtue of the Soldiers is of more value, than the multitude: and the situation of the ground doth sometimes more help their valour and virtue.  
HE that is most vigilant in wars to mark and observe the determinations and plats of the enemy, and can endure greatest travail to exercise his people: shall incur least perils, and may the more hope for victory, but it is requisite in wars to know how to discern occasion, and to take heed of her, for that she doth help more than any other thing.  
THe ambition of honour and glory, is a thing commendable and profitable to the world, for that it gives men occasion to work great and high effects: but the ambition of power and greatness is not so, for that she is taken of others for an Idol, and will in any case obtain all things, either lawfully or unlawfully▪ and is the occasion of many evils: and therefore we apparently perceive, that whosoever doth possess ambition to this end, have no stay of themselves, and makes their life and their goods equal.  
ENterprises and other affairs that are to fall in decay, not through fury and force, but are first to consume themselves, draw out more in length, then would have been relieved at the first: for that when men grow obstinate to suffer, they suffer and support much more than we would have imagined. Therefore we see, that any wars which is to take end through famine, or through any other discommodity, draws out further in length than we would think.  
HE that first gave unto the people this word Popolo, would verily have termed it un Pazzo, A Fool, for that he is a monster replenished with confusion and errors: forsomuch as his opinions are so far off from the truth, as according to Tolome, the East Indies is from Spain.  
I Can never flatter myself, to make show of those things that are not so in effect: nevertheless, it should be much more profitable to do the contrary, for it is an incredible thing to be spoken off, what benefit the reputation and the opinion that men have that thou art great, will work, then for that only by the means of this rumour they run after thee, without needing to climb to the height to make show of thyself.  
THe liberty of a Commonwealth, is the administration of justice, for that the foundation thereof is laid 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, justice would be observed: should have no occasion to desire liberty. This was the occasion wherefore the wise men of old time did not praise the government of those that live in liberty, more than the rest: but those in which there was best provision made for the preservation of the laws and justice.  
MEn, Iron, Money, and Bread, are Sinews of the wars, but of these four the first two are most necessary: for that Men and Iron will be able to get money and Bread, but money and bread do not provide so easily for Men and Iron.  
NEw and sudden things make afraid and terrify Armies, those that are accustomed and slow, are smallly esteemed of them, therefore a General ought to practise and make known to his Army, with light & small encounters, a new enemy, before he come to a day of battle with him.  
A Prince when he hath about him his familiares, doth distribute his favours amongst them that are most grateful and most conformable to his honour, but when a time of necessity and occasion of affairs falls out: then the diversity and difference that is amongst them is apparently known.  
A Wise parsonage, which hath the means to entertain ten thousund Footmen, is more to be feared and esteemed, than ten confederates together, which have every one of ●hem six thousand: for that very seldom agreeing together, by reason of their sundry and diversity of ends: the one half of the time is lost and spent, before they resolve upon any thing.  
IF a man would serve a great person, let him rather choose him wise then ignorant: for about a wise man there be many means to be found, by the which his favour is obtained, but about one that is ignorant: there can no way be found that is good, for that he hath no understanding.  
THe true note of the ruin of a Province, doth appear when those that aught to unite themselves together, become divided amongst themselves, and do band themselves, to be abandoned.  
HE that gave this rule, that a wise man cannot commit error in speaking, had no judgement: for that either because he is affectioned to the matter which is spoken off, either for love, either for hate, or for that he would be contrary to another: and sometimes through the indisposition of his person, he is subject to commit errors in his words.  
THe affairs of the world do not always remain stable and firm: but are ever in continual motion to go forward into that way and path into the which by reason they are to go, and where by their nature they are to take end: but oftentimes they make longer stay than we would believe, for that we do measure them according to our life, which is short: and not according to their time which is long, for that their feet be more slow than ours be, and far slow themselves by nature, for although they move, yet oftentimes we do not perceive their motion, by means whereof it doth arise, that those judgements, which we make: fall very oftentimes to be false and fallible.  
IN matters of importance, he that doth not very well know all the particulars, can give no right judgement, for that one circumstance although it seem very little, doth change and vary all the whole cause that ought to be judged, yet is it true that oftentimes he may give good judgement, that hath knowledge of no other than of Generalities, and knowing more particulars, gives worse judgement, forsomuch as he that hath not his brain very perfect, and clean and free from passions, understanding many particulars, doth very easily vary and confound himself.  
A Man ought above all things in this world to desire and to attribute to his own felicity, to see his enemy stricken prostrate to the ground, and brought into such s●ate, that he may use him at his discretion: but by how much the more happy he is unto whom this adventure doth befall: by so much the more ought he to make himself glorious, by using the victory commendable, in pardoning and in using of clemency: a thing proper and particular to great and worthy minds.  
AN inferior Prince ought never to put his state in hazard of one battle, for if he overcome, he gains nothing but glory, and if he lose: he is spoiled.  
GReat personages are often much inclined to their own wills, without having any respect at all to reason, and that which is worst, they are for the most part environed with men that cast their eyes upon nothing else, then to praise and congratulate their good and evil deeds, whither soever they be, and if there be any that would do the contrary, he finds himself deceived.  
THose Princes which are equal in power, (although they be not young, for at such times they think only upon pleasure) do not well to meet and come to speak personally together, forsomuch as, beside that they do not without peril, evil will doth spring up betwixt them, and envy grows to be greater.  
ALthough the issuing and sallying forth of Soldiers, out of a City besieged, be necessary: yet nevertheless, they be perilous for those within: for that it improts them much more to lose ten of their infantry, them it is for them without to lose an hundredth.  
IT is a manifest thing to every one, that he that doth always hold his Prince in terms of suspicion, and fear, with advertisements stuffed with fear and suspicion: either will become to be mortally hated of him, or in the end shall fall into some other evil inconvenience.  
HE that doth possess authority and rule, may likewise exstend the same over his own forces, for that his subjects do not measure exquisitely, that which de can do, but rather imagining his power to be much more than it is, yield to those things unto which the Prince can not constrain them.  
IT is to be discerned in those differences, that do arise with urbanity amongst Citizens, and in those malicious humours, into which men do incur, always to have recourse to those judgements or to those remedies, that of the antiquity have been ordained: for that the civil laws is nothing else, than Sentences given by the ancient lawgivers, the which being brought into order, do instruct our present Lawyers how to judge: and Physic likewise is nothing else, but the experience which hath been made by ancient Physicians, upon which the Physicians in these our days do ground their judgements: nevertheless, in the ordering of a Commonwealth, in the maintaining of States, in the government of Kingdoms, in the military institutions, in the administration of warfare, in judging the Subjects, and in the increasing of the Empire and State: There is to be found, neither Prince, neither Commonwealth, neither General or Captain, neither Citizen, that have recourse to the examples of the antiquity.  
THere be infinite persons that read Histories, and take pleasure to hear the variety of accidents, that are contained in them, but they never think upon the imitation of them: for they imagine and judge the imitation, not only difficile, but also impossible, as if the Heavens, the Sun and Stars, the elements and men, were changed in their moving, order, and power, from that that they were in ancient time.  
MEn do work their affairs, either by necessity or by choice: and for that it is seen, that virtue is greater where choice hath least authority: it is to be considered, whither it should be better to choose a barren place for the building of a City, than a fertile: to the intent that men being tonstrained by industry, being less subject to idleness, may live the more united together, having by reason of the place less occasion of discord: This election or choice might be accounted wise, if men would be content to live of their own, and would not go about to command over others: and forsomuch as men cannot assure themselves but by power, it is necessary to shun those barren places, and to plant ourselves in a most fertile Country, where they may be able through the abundance of the ground, to enlarge their bounds and limits, to defend their bounds and limits, to defend themselves from those that assault them, and oppress them, whosoever would withstand and oppose themselves against their greatness.  
MEn do never agree to any new Law, which bring a new order into the City, if it be not apparently showed unto them, that of necessity it is requisite it should be done: now then, that necessity not being able to come without peril: that Commonwealth doth easily run into ruin, before the Law be brought to the perfection of a right order.  
Even as amity betwixt particular Gentlemen is contracted by a mutual agreeing of their minds, and by the similitude of their good customs: so amongst Prince's amity is wrought, either through their own correspondence of nature, or through the judgement they have, that it falls out to their commodity to be friends, or else through necessity and Fortune: which against their own wills, constrains them to remain united.  
MY opinion is that adversse fortune, is the touchstone of our friends and followers. For that those that remain, are such as are good, faithful, and full of constancy. The rest that fall away: are unprofitable, nought, and an example of lightness, and I believe that of adversity this profit is reaped: That without using a staff, a man may drive away from him, the whole train of those men that are base of mind and body, replenished with cou●tousnes and ingratefulnes. And those only remain with us: that desire to show by the virtue and valour of their mind, that they cannot be overcome by adversse fortune.  
ALl those that discourse of the manner of Civil life, and all Histories are full of examples: That he which hath the disposing of a Common wealth, and doth ordain Laws in the same: it is necessary that he presuppose, that all such men as be wicked: will ever apply themselves to be malignant, so often as occasion is offered. And when any malignity doth remain hid for a time: it doth proceed of some occasion, the which because experience hath not been seen to be made of the contrary, comes not to be known, but time doth afterwards discover the same, which is the father of all truth.  
MEn do never perform any action well, unless it come through necessity, for where choice doth abound and that liberty may be used: suddenly all things is filled with confusion and disorder. Therefore it is said that hunger and poverty makes men industrious: and the Laws makes them good: and where any thing of itself doth wax well, there is no necessity of Law, but when that good custom doth fail, immediately laws are necessary.  
Even as Sailors have for their guide, the South and the North, who sometimes do traverse and cross their way, and yet for all that do not altogether lose their guide: Even so in matter of State, it is necessary to have for guide, and for principal and chief foundation, the knowledge how to pierce into the nature and ends of those with whom we have to entreat: for that by this means a man very rarely shall rest deceived, and without this ground he takes his journey at adventures, and all the diligence he doth use is vain.  
THe nature of neutrality is such, that she is most hurtful and full of perils: for she offends both the parties, the Superior for that he judgeth that we ought to sustain and favour his greatness, the inferior for that he is not defended, reputes himself offended: therefore the one doth neither assure us from our enemies, nor the other doth maintain friendship towards us.  
ALthough it appears that neutrality makes a man secure and quiet amidst other men's travails, yet truly it doth not fall out so afterwards: for that she doth feed others with a false security and quiet, considering that in short time the damages thereof do discover themselves, no otherwise than it is accustomed to chance, to those who have taken money to usury, for although they enjoy the same well for a certain time, not tasting any bitterness at all, being afterwares consumed, and the day and time to restore them being come: they make apparent proof of that grievous damage which they have procured with so short a commodity.  
AT all times wise Princes ought to discourse of their affairs, with mature counsel, and prudently to resolve thereupon: but when they are in years and times that be full of travail and troublesome, then have they much more need thereof then in times that be full of rest and quiet: for that in these the greatness of his principality doth govern and hold him up, without much travail and toil: in the other they are environed with many perils, and supposed with infinite difficulties, from the which to defend and keep themselves, doth for the most part proceed of the rare and high virtue of a prudent Prince, who can with a good and resolute execution shun the evil, and cleave to that which is good, but no good execution can be made, without good providence: neither that without a good resolution, neither can resolution be made without good counsel, the which is the head, fountain, and original of all good operations.  
A Man ought not to depart from the first purposed plot and form of his life, without evident and most necessary occasions, as did Cato Vticenses, who did rather choose to kill himself, then to fall into the hands of Caesar, therefore a wise Prince ought to do the very same, holding always firm and fast his first and his good resolution.  
THat Prince which doth remain a neuter, every one doth go about to embrace him: and to draw him to their party, for that the desire they have to have him for a friend, causeth every one to make account of him and to honour him, thinking to gain him with benefits, and so by the means of neutrality, he doth enjoy great security: whereas if he should declare himself, he should make one of them his manifest enemy, and should thrust himself into express perils.  
MEn do more easily remember injuries, then received benefits, therefore that Prince which doth declare himself, doth much more harm than help himself, for that he with whom he doth confederate himself, is never so hot to defend him, as he against whom he is declared, shall be ready to endamage and offend him: it being a natural effect that men should become much more stirred up and moved with injuries, then with benefits: besides that, in received benefits every one doth attribute them a part of his enemy, but injuries are all attributed to him that hath been injurious.  
IT is a most certain thing that wars draw after them many difficulties, and most great expenses, which are occasions of many evils: in respect, that first of all it empties the prince's purse, and makes him weak. Since money is not only the sinews and strength of the wars, but of all other humane actions, next after it constrains them, so much to oppress the people with new and sharp exactions, that it doth breed them extreme hate: from which every wise prince ought to keep himself. For that the hate of the people is the root of that which brings rulers to ruin.  
IT is disputed amongst some, who is most ambitious: either he that would maintain, or he that would obtain: for that both the one and the others appetite, may be an occasion of great Tumults, and it is concluded that for the most part those tumults are caused of them that possess, for that the fear they have to lose doth engender in them, the self-same will that is in those which desire to gain: for that men think they cannot surely possess any thing, if they make no new gains: And moreover, by possessing much, they may with greater power and with greater motions and stir make alterations and change: besides all this their corrupt and ambitious behaviours, kindling up in the breast of them that have possessions, a will and desire to possess, and to revenge themselves of them, by spoiling them, makes them to be able also to enter into those riches and those honours, that they perceive to be evil used of others.  
IN all humane causes this is perceived (whosoever doth examine it well) that we can never raze out one inconvenience, but that an other doth follow: And therefore if we desire to make a people to increase to great numbers, and to be armed: to the intent to set up a great empire, we make it of such quality, as we shall not be able to manage it after one discretion and manner: and if we maintain it small and disarmed, to the intent we may guide it the better: if we gain any dominion, we are not able afterwards to keep it: or else we shall become so vile, that we shall fall to be a spoil & pray to whosoever doth assault us. Therefore in all our opinions and determinations, we ought to consider, where the inconveniences are least, and to make choice of the best party: for that they be never found to be altogether clear, altogether secure, and altogether without suspicion.  
IT is requisite that those that are principal and public Magistrates, have three things in them: One is, that they love the state of their City and Commonwealth, another is, that they have authority as may be sufficient if need require to force men: the third is, that they be known for persons that be just and full of valour, but it is necessary to have in mind, that if such as these would bear rule and command, it behoves them whilst they are young, to learn to be governed and commanded of those that be old.  
Whilst Princes are at hostility together, and spend out of all measure in their wars: he that remains neuter, may gather together a great sum of money, and strengthen himself in such sort, that the wars being ended, they shall become weak through many expenses, and be gallant and mighty. The consideration of which thing may be an arbitrement of their difference and dissensions.  
ALthough to remain neuter is not a thing very free, yet at the least it cannot be denied, but that the resolution of the contrary is very doubtful in this case, the wisest part is for us not to move at all, for that when there ariseth a doubt whither any new deliberation be good or not: we cannot do better then follow the old determinations, and chéefelye when the other are found to be hurtful, in sum, the old and wonted way is rather to be followed, than the new and unaproved way.  
WHen a Prince is instantly required to unite himself with the one of any two that makes wars, and that he makes refusal both to the one and the other: he enters into suspicion with them both, that he hath secret intelligence with some one of them: and each of them both doth imagine & esteem him to be against himself. In such sort, that which soever of them doth overcome, makes a prey of the neuter, whereupon it will arise, that he shall hold both of them for suspect, and neither of them for friend.  
IN that Prince which doth declare himself, it is convenient that one of these three things do follow: Either that he with whom he joins himself remain vanquisher, or that he lose, or that the matter be managed in such sort, that he neither lose nor win: in the first case he proceeds to express gain, by entering into part of the victory, in the second he encurres peril to lose, but yet therein is this difference, that at the least he hath a friend for his colligate and confederate, who although he have loss, his case is not such, that he cannot or that he ought not to minister help, and it follows not, that his fortune may not rise up again: in brief, it is better to hazard our fortune with a good friend, then to remain in fear to be offended and injuried of both of them: In the third case, more is to be gained then to be lost: for that we obtain a good friend that may much profit us: and he that we make our enemy, doth harm us no more than that he did him whilst we remained neuter, although apt occasion did offer itself.  
IN all the resolutions of the world, both good and evil is mixed amongst them, ordained of God, to the intent to show forth the imperfections of humane causes, but prudent counsels ought to compare the evil with the good, and counterpoise them in equal balance, and on that side where the least evil is and the most good, to cleave to that part.  
MEn having for final end goodness, and the conservation of their good, they cannot by any reason be called inconstant: for so much as when affairs do change, it is convenient also that a man do change his thoughts, for all that foreseeing the self-same final end, ever remains firm: And in this case it is necessary we imitate the good governor of a Ship, who ordering and setting the sails after one sort, to bring him to a determined place, when afterwards the time doth change, and contrary winds arise: he also doth change his first order, having always for final end the good and the benefit of the Ship.  
THat rule which is given to remain neuter, to the intent to weaken other, and to strengthen ourselves: for the most part doth not fall out to be true, for that the victory of one of the parties doth draw with her so much reputation, so many partakers, and such a train of favourers, that always the overcomer shows himself to be strong and gallant, whereby he may rather injury his companion, then that he should be afraid of other men's threatenings.  
IT is ever good to join & knit ourselves with those that have the heavens benign and favourable unto them, for that thereby a man doth always participate of the quality of his companion, whither soever it be good or evil.  
FOr that human affairs are almost all subject to chance and have no assured stay in them: a wise man ought to cleave to that which carries most apparent likelihood, and therein to take order with all due means, for that for the most part it will fall out to be well, and shallbe besides accounted prudent, and if it should have an unlucky end: yet in such a case it would appear to wise men, that fortune had greater power therein, then prudence.  
GOod Soldiers have need of a good General Captain, who may be their guide in all things, of whose actions doth depend for the most part, the exaltation and ruin of an Army: therefore the Greek Proverb did say, That an army of Hearts that hath a Lion to their Captain, is more terrible than an army of Lions which is guided with a Hart. But it is requisite that in an Army there be both good soldiers and a good Captain general, to the intent that like may not be spoken thereof, that Caesar spoke: who going against Pompey said: he went against a Captain without Soldiers: and afterwards going against Afranius in Spain, said: that he went against an Army without Captains.  
MOney without doubt is the nourishment of an army, the which gives measure to every thing, and is converted into every thing: therefore that wise ancient man said, the Captains, the soldiers, their arms and weapons, the instruments and engines of war, the artillery: and excluding money, were like unto a body which had a head, arms, neck, breast, legs, feet, but no belly, for even as the belly gives nourishment to all the body: so money doth give substance to an Army. And that King of Sparta did call it the sinews of war, for even as the Sinews gives moving to the body, so money gives life to an Army.  
TO doubt of the favour and good grace of our Lord and Prince, although a man have not faulted against him, is a thing common to many, neither is it necessary that, that fear which is had of our Lord & master should be attributed to baseness of mind, neither much less to the lightness of nature, for that the diversity and cruelty of our desire caused through the diversity of accidents, (whilst our works and actions, doth manifest a certain courage and constancy) ought either to be reputed for the sign of a bold and constant person.  
IN my opinion he hath no great reason to lament himself, that at any time hath been contented to make himself equal to others, referring himself to chance: The which for no other respect, hath been induced and brought into a Commonwealth, but only to take away, all sorts of concurrences & inequalities: and to content equally every one.  
MEn do very rarely complain of themselves, but very often of others: and for the most part, do willingly rage against Chance. Forsomuch as since every day there do succeed new and strange chances, and not understanding the occasion, neither the means by which they are wrought: Suddenly we give the praise or the blame unto Fortune.  
THe Affairs of men being in revolution & motion, and not being able to stand firm & steadfast: it is convenient that they arise up, and descend down. And to name things that reason doth not induce us, necessity doth induce us: In such sort, that having ordered and fashioned a Commonwealth, apt to maintain itself without enlarging of it, and that if we were constrained, by necessity to enlarge it: It would come to pass, that we should remove our foundations, and make the Common wealth sooner to ruinated. So on the other side, if the heavens were so beneficial unto us, that our state should have no need to make wars: It would ensue, that idleness would either work division amongst us, or make us effinate. The which two things together, or either of them by herself, would be an occasion of our ruin. Therefore since we cannot (as I believe) balance these things, neither precisely keep the middle path: it is necessary that in the directing of a Commonwealth, we should think upon the most honourable party, and order it in such sort: that when through necessity we should be brought to enlarge it: we may be able to keep that which we have gotten.  
THe offence and damage of a private person against a private person: doth engender fear, fear seeks for defence, defence doth procure partakers. And immediately parties and factions arise up in a City or state, and such partake doth ruinated the same.  
WHen it appears or is perceived that foreign forces be called in by part of those men that live in one self City or state: It may be thought, that it springeth of the naughty orders therein used, for that there is no orders that can (without extraordinary means) extinguish those malignant humours that arise in any person. Therefore we ought to provide by the way of accusation, but as accusations be profitable to a Commonwealth: so detractions are damageable.  
DEtractions or calumnies have no need of testimonies or any other particular circumstances to prove them, In such sort that every one may be detracted of any: but not accused. Forsomuch as accusations have need of proofs and of circumstances that may show the truth of the accusation.  
We ought to observe this general rule, that never or very seldom it doth chance: That any Common weal or Kingdom, is at the first well instituted, or at all, being made new and reform out of the old constituted Laws, if it be not set in due rule and order by one alone. Therefore it is necessary that one alone, may be the man that may set down the manner, and of whose mind may depend what institution or ordinance soever. For a prudent commander of a Common weal, which carries a mind to benefit, not himself but the commonalty: aught to endeavour himself to sway alone the whole Authority, and a wise man would never reprehend him, that to constitute a kingdom or Common weal: did use any extraordinary action.  
WE ought to reprehend him that is violent to spoil, but not him that is violant and of a forward nature to adorn and polish: For that the violence to adorn be cometh ● virtue, and to destroy: a vice.  
MEn are accustomed to judge largely of themselves, and of their proper merits, and beholding the succession of things as we do for the most part, and seeing some out of all expectation and peradventure without merit, without reason, or at the least without proportion: and by contrary ways & proceedings, to be placed in high degrees and estate: their hope doth awaken in such sort, and they proceed so far in their thoughts, that measuring with their eyes the height whither they determine to ascend, suddenly they fly thither with their imagination, and do place themselves upon the type and height thereof, but afterwards being entered into the troublesome & crooked path, and the way every day increasing, they become afflicted, fall into lamentations, and sometimes also despair to be able to attain unto the same.  
NOt only the good being, but also the simple being of things doth principally depend upon the conservation of the form and final ends: and the one and the other is maintained in the Commonweal by two means, that is to say, by the laws and by Magistrates: And therefore where these things are not observed, and whereas in these cases such men as are not fit for such like charges are used in managing the same: it falls out of necessity, that there must follow great alteration.  
MEn do for the most part settle and stay themselves in things present, as well for that every one doth not pierce 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 known: and few there be to be found that in public causes will recompense their present travails with common commodities that are to come: or rather which at the least do not suffer themselves to be deceived with the great and large hopes, which future accidents do promise.  
THe very same doth chance unto Commonweals, which is accustomed to fall out in the body of man, unto whom his evil minded appetite is an occasion of disorders, whereof after spring infirmities, with the travail and grief of the body and of the mind together: so it falls out, that a certain sensuality (to term it so) hath produced and doth produce many defects in a Commonweal.  
TO give without reputation, is a loss without gain, it being esteemed a payment that proceeds of duty, and not a gift coming of courtesy: so that it rather gives courage to him that hath received the same, still to demand other things, rather than to recompense those he hath received.  
WHen for what occasion soever alterations is once made in the States, and that they stray aside from their final ends: infinite difficulties rise up together with the same, and always goes forward, increasing amongst the governments: Example hereof was given by the commonwealths of Candie and Sparta, which were instituted and instructed in warfare The very same did the Roman Commonweal, who for the remedy of their troublesome state, were constrained to go abroad continually to make wars: to the intent that those evil humours might be consumed, that with rest did spring up amongst the Citizens: at the end when they had no more to overcome, overcoming and ruiniting themselves: they reduced themselves under another form of state, forsomuch as the end being once changed, it is an impossible thing to stand firm and fast, in the observation of the mean and of the ancient institutions.  
THe way how to manage States although it ought to be somewhat the more open, because it is to receive into it the greater number of persons, nevertheless, in the beginning (for that much trust is required) the entrance thereof is very difficile, and it is much more convenient for us to be called unto the same, then presumptuously to intrude ourselves thereinto, if a man do not make profession thereof, he is neither known nor reputed for sufficient, and if he make profession therein, the same is on the one side odious, and the other side is also hurtful to his own judgement: and he that makes this profession, doth oftentimes discourse so much, that he doth overpass his bounds, and doth foreshow many false propositions: and finally is reputed of wise men, like unto those soldiers that brave and brag it out in the time of peace.  
HE that doth serve a Prince a far off, hath very hard means to satisfy him: for that those errors which are committed are of the greater importance, and cannot be so easily remedied: besides that, in the managing of them we cannot comprehend all the particular actions of the instructions, by reason that the state of things do change upon a sudden: besides that, this manner of being is a life very full of discommodities and perils, and less near unto rewards▪ the which be for the most part prevented and obtained before hand of those that remain about the presence of the Prince.  
THe way and path of the goodness and bounty of exemplare life, hath her difficulties, for that it hath need of a firm and great staidness, and of one perpetual form and order: with bond of obligation to sustain at all times and in all actions, one self person: forsomuch as if a man be not unfeignedly good, he leads a troublesome and an unhappy life above all others, doing so many things and abstaining from so many other, against their own proper appetite: and to feign long is an impossible thing, for that even as a lame person by any equal increase which he procureth to those parts that are shorter than the rest, or through any other rel●efe used to the same, can never cover the matter so closely, but that in going he shall discover his diffect: so those persons in their proceed, cannot go in such measure, but that with some exterior sign they will show their wants and inward lameness.  
Every one that placeth himself to serve in Court: ought not so much to trust in his prudence, that he should presume to be able to overcome every adversity. Neither so much neglect his affairs, that he altogether commit himself to chance: but let him think that the same is a voyage upon the Sea: in the which although prudence may do much and makes the greatest part of the winds favourable, nevertheless, he cannot prescribe any determined or certain time to arrive safe there, whither others have directed their course. Forsomuch as some in the midst of Summer, in a gallant and well furnished ship, do sink, or else forsloe very much: others in winter, in a weak & unfurnished Bark go speedily and safely.  
he which hath the only authority: aught, to be so exactly prudent and virtuous: That, that authority which he hath obtained, be not left unto an other as an Inheritance. For that men being more prone to evil then to goodness, his successor may use that ambitiously, which was of him used virtuously. Besides this, although one be apt to order the things instituted and ordained, yet is it not to endure long, when it doth remain upon the shoulders of one alone: but otherwise it falls out to be well, when it remains under the care of many, and that it appertains to many to maintain the same. For that even as many are apt to order and rule one thing, for that they do not know the goodness of the same: occasioned through the sundry opinions that are amongst them: So when they once know it, they do not easily agree to leave it.  
AMongst all those men that are had in commendation, those are most worthy commendation, which are the chief heads and institutors of Religion. Next unto these, those that have laid the foundations of Common weals or Kingdoms. After these, those that have enlarged them, and next unto them, those that be learned. Contrariwise, those men are infamous and detestable, which have been the destroyers of Religion, that have dissevered kingdoms, and are enemies to learning, virtue, and valour.  
THere was never any institutor of extraordinary laws amongst any people, but that he made his refuge to the help of God: For otherwise they should not have been accepted, forsomuch as of a prudent person, many good things are known, who have not in themselves any evident reason, able to show and persuade the same to others. Therefore wise men that will take away this difficulty, do remit the whole to God. So did Lycurgus, so did Solon, and so did that most holy and divine Moses.  
REligion causeth good orders, good orders bring good fortune, fortune makes good success to arise in all enterprises. Therefore the observing of divine honours and divine worships: is the occasion of the greatness of the Common wealth. And where the fear of God doth fail: it is convenient that, that kingdom be sustained with a Prince that with fear may supply that defect where there is no Religion.  
THat people which is used to live in bondage, being set at liberty: is like in all respects to a savage Beast, the which hath been nourished in a grate or close place. The which being by chance afterwards set at liberty abroad in the Fields: not being used to seek for his own provision, not knowing whither to fly: he becomes the pray of the first, that goes about to entrap or entangle him.  
THat common utility that is drawn of living fear: As to enjoy freely that which is our own without suspicion not to doubt of the honour of women and of our Children, not to be afraid of ourselves, is not known of any whilst that we possess the same. For that there is no man that will ever confess to be bound to him, that he doth not offend.  
He that takes in hand to govern a multitude, either by way of liberty, or by way of principality, and doth not assure himself of those that do oppose themselves against this new order and institution: makes a state of small endurance. True it is, that I judge those Princes unhappy, that to assure their state, are constrained to hold extraordinary ways, having the multitude for enemy, for so much as he that hath few for his enemies, easily and with little scandal doth assure himself, but he that hath an universal people for his enemy, shall never be assured: and by how much the more he useth cruelty, by so much the more his principality becomes weak.  
We must presuppose it to be a most true thing, that a corrupted City which doth live under a Prince, although that that Prince with all his stock be extinguished, cannot reduce itself into liberty, but rather it is convenient that one Prince extinguish another, and without the creation of a new Prince it never ramaines in rest: if already the bounty of the one, together with his great virtue, do not keep it free, but the liberty is to remain so long as the life of him doth continue.  
WHere the ground and subject of the matter is not corrupted, tumults and other scandals cannot bring us any damage: but where the subject is corrupted, there Laws well instituted do not help, if it were not already set forward by some person, that with extreme force did cause it so well to be observed, that the subjects should become good: it is true, that this may fall out whilst his life doth endure, but when he is dead, it returns to his old and former state, and the virtue and force of the universal subject being already corrupted, we cannot sustain good orders.  
A Man cannot be of so long a life, as shallbe of sufficient time to accustom to goodness, a City that hath a long time been accustomed to evil. And if a man that is of long life, or two virtuous successions together doth not prick them forward, when one of them gins to fail, it doth ruinated, if that with many perils and much blood, he do not cause it to arise again, for that such corruption and so small aptness of free life, doth spring of an inequality which is found in that City or State: and desiring to reduce it to equal terms, it is necessary to use great extraordinaries the which few other know or will use.  
WE ought to praise all persons modestly, for by how much infamy and slanders do offend those against whom they be spoken: so much more do the praising of any one (besides that we commend with great peril to the judgement and bounty of him of whom we speak) doth oftentimes offend him that doth hear the same: in respect that through the self love that doth govern us, the good or the evil that we hear reported of others, is immediately revolved in our minds, and is compared to ourselves: whereupon it ariseth, that every one that is of such defects or merits, calls to memory, and is aggrieved that his praise is passed over with silence, or else doth fear that his defects be not discovered: and it often comes to pass, that we offend man, only with carrying less respect to one of the same, or one of greater quality, he iudgiug that as much or perchance more shallbe done to him.  
WHen a Prince hath fortified himself with confederates, with good Captains, with valiant soldiers, with weapons, with money, and with strong places: it follows that he endeavour himself to weaken the force, and to interrupt and break asunder the adversaries determinations: the which thing may be performed speedily or late, according as occasion shall offer itself, the which is the fountain and original of all glorious acts.  
AS good customs to the intent they may be maintained have need of the laws: so the laws in respect they may be observed, have need of good customs.  
THose institutions and laws that were made in a Commonweal, in the beginning thereof when men were good: do not serve after to the purpose, when they are once become wicked: and if laws do vary in a City according to the accidents, the institutions thereof do seldom or never vary: the which thing makes that the new laws do not suffice, by reason that the institutions that stand firm, do break them.  
AMongst the Romans the chiefest degrees of the City were not given but to those which did demand them: this order at the beginning was good, for that none did demand them but those Citizens which were judged worthy: and to have the repulse was an ignominious thing, whereupon it did arise, that to the intent they might be judged good, every one did perform good actions.  
IN the institution of a City or State to a politic life, presuppose in your mind a good man. And to become a Prince by violence, presuppose in your mind a wicked man: By this means you shall seldom find that it falls out that a good man becomes a Prince by wicked means although the end were good: and that one that is wicked being become a Prince, will perform good actions, & that it will fall at any time into his mind to use the authority well, which he hath by evil means obtained.  
HE that succéeds in state, although he be not of so great valour and virtue as his predecessor, yet may he maintain the said state through the force and virtue of him that governed the same before him, and may enjoy the fruits of his travails: but if it should come to pass that he were not of a long life, or that after him there did not spring up another, which doth put upon him the valour and virtue of the first, that Kingdom is constrained to fall into ruin: So in contrary sort, if ●●ery one after the other, are of great virtue, it oftentimes appears, that they accomplish great things and that they mount up with their fame even to the highest heavens.  
IT is a thing most certain, that if where there be men there be no Soldiers: it doth spring through the fault of the Prince, and not through the defect or any want in nature, or of the situation of the Country: for that, a wise Prince doth use in time of peace the orders of warfare and military discipline.  
THere be two sorts of flattery, the first ariseth of a malicious craft: the second of an unaccustomed use in conversation: the first with purpose to profit, is pricked forward artificially, and do use all study to deceive: the second, hath for his purposed end, a care and fear not to offend, and therefore doth unwillingly follow the other, who for all that becomes his guide, but yet he is drawn by her as though it were by fear, with putting in oblivion certain humility, certain servile respects and most vain titles, which are made proper and fit, and such as are required of all sorts and quality of persons, in such sort, as they cannot be shunned even of virtuous men, and such as remain written in these terms of use.  
IT was never judged a wise resolution, to put in peril all thy fortune & not all thy forces: those do fall into this inconvenience, which determine when the enemy comes, to defend the difficile places, & to keep the passages: forsomuch as it is a thing of great damages, if in that difficilplace we cannot commodiously place all our forces: and in the case we ought to take that resolution, but if the place be rough and ragged, and so straight that we cannot plant all our strengths: our resolution is nought: therefore if we lose that passage which we did presuppose to keep, and in the which the people and our army did put their confidence: there doth enter for the most part into the people, and into all the rest of the army so great terror, that without making trial or experience of their valour and virtue, do give over themselves to lose all. And so it comes to pass that we forego all our whole fortune, and overthrow part of our forces.  
NO well ordered Commonwealth doth at any time cansell out the demerits of her Citizens, with their merits, but having appointed rewards, for a good deed, and punishments for a wicked: and having rewarded some one for that he hath done well, if that the same man do afterwards commit any thing that is evil: he is to be chastised without any respect of his good deed's, for that if unto a citizen that hath performed and done any famous thing for his City, be joined (besides the reputation that such a one hath gained) a certain audacity, confidence & trust, to be able without fear to do any thing that is not good: he will in time become so insolent, that he will dissolve all the order of civil life.  
HE that would reform the state of a City, desiring to have that reformation accepted, and to have it likewise maintained with the satisfaction of every one: It is necessary that he retain at the least the shadow of the ancient customs, to the intent that it may not appear to the people that he hath changed the old orders and institutions, although in effects the ordinances were new, and altogether alienated from those that were before: for that the universal minds of men is so fed with that outward show which it seems to carry, as if it were the very same indeed, so that they are much more moved with th●se things of outward appearance, them with that which they are in effect.  
THe vice of ingratitude doth spring either of covetousness or of suspect, for that, when any people or any Prince do send forth any General or Captain, into what importunate expedition soever, where he gains sufficient glory: that Prince or people is afterwards bound to reward him, and if in change they dishonour or endamage him, moved thereunto by covetousness: they commit an error which cannot be excused, but rather they load their backs with a perpetual infamy.  
THe nature of men is full of ambition and suspicion, and cannot give any stay or mean to none of their Fortunes: therefore it is an impossible thing but that, that suspicion which doth arise in a Prince immediately after the victory of his Captain General: should be caused by the increase of some manner or fashion of behaviour used insolently in the said Captain: so that a Prince can enter into no other thought, then how to assure himself, either by putting him to death, or by taking from him his reputation, or to make show with all industry, that that victory did arise not by his valour and virtue, but by Fortune, or through the vile baseness of his enemy, or by the prudence of some other of his Captains, that were in that faction.  
Suspicion is so natural in Princes, that they cannot defend themselves from the same: whereupon it is impossible that they should show gratefulness to those that have under their Ensigns gained victory, and that which a Prince cannot defend himself from: it is no miracle although the people do not defend themselves from: for that a City which have laws free, having two final ends, the one to settle commodities, and the other to maintain their freedom: it falls out of necessity, that through overmuch love, they should err both in the one and the other case.  
THat Captain which will avoid ingratitude, it is necessary that he do one of these two things: either that immediately after the victory he put all into the hands of his Prince, or that he keep himself from committing any insolent or ambitious act, to the intent that the Prince being made void of all suspicion, he may have no occasion either to punish him, or to do him any hurt, but when the General doth not so: let him courageously take hold of all those means, to make those things that he hath gained, hisowne.  
Flattery is chiefly found in Courts, Palaces, and ●ouses, and also in commonwealths, and in every place, touching the person of him that doth flatter, and of h●m that is flattered: the flatterer hath need or desire of something the which may be for his gain, or else to conserve, to obtain, or not to lose, by the means of him that he doth flatter: forsomuch as the person that is flattered is always more mighty than he that flatters, or at the least such a one as in some respects may favour him: And therefore it is used in Commonweals amongst those that be equals, and also of the superiors towards the inferiors: only it rests, that those that be miserable and base men, which are not thought to be able in any case either to harm or help, do not flatter and in like sort as well those that are endowed with magnanimity, and are in happy estate, as those that be presumptuous, and those that content themselves with their estate, be not flatterers.  
MEn to obtain their intents use their means, that is to say: either force, either recompense, or the amiable wills of others: the two first do not appertain to flatterers: for, he that will use force, or give due recompense, doth never flatter: besides that, force belongs to the mighty, where flattery appertains more to the weakened. And recompenses makes men, at the least in that act, equal amongst themselves. Where flattery makes them unequal: amity remains, the which is gained with benevolence, and is maintained with friendship, or with the similitude of the one and the other.  
THe reputation of dignity the which doth spring of virtue & valour of magnificence, of studies, of thoughts, of words, and of such customs, that they do not disagree from the state wherein a Gentleman doth remain, and that together they are not far separated from that unto which he may attain: the which thing ought to be always ●efore the eyes of a Gentleman, as well for that he may never be reputed unworthy, as also for that he never come to be suspected that he is not apt to become a Magistrate.  
Whosoever doth possess a state, aught to consider before adverse times do chance, that he may have need of sundry men, and after this consideration to live amongst them in such sort, that he shall judge (whensoever that time shall fall out) that he of necessity must live: and he that governs himself otherwise, and after when the peril comes upon him, doth think to gain men with benefits: he is deceived, for he cannot only, not assure himself, but doth rather hasten his ruin.  
WHen any inconvenience doth arise in a Commonweal, caused by inward, or outward, or for vain occasions, is become so great, that it gins to strike fear in the hearts of every one: it is a more sure resolution, to temporize the same, them to attempt to extinguish it, for that those that go about to choke and kill it, do almost always make the forces thereof greater, and do hasten that evil which is suspected of the same.  
IF there be seen to arise in a Commonweal, a noble person, that hath extraordinary virtues, the eyes of the Citizens turning their sight upon him, do concur and run without any respect to honour him, in such sort, that if there be in him any ambition at all, those favours that nature and these accidents have given him, being united together, comes immediately in place: that when the Citizens perceive their error, they have small remedy to resist the same: and going about to do so, they perform nought else but to hasten forward his power.  
IF a Citizen would be able to endamage and to take upon him extraordinary authority: it is requisite he have many parts and qualities which he can never have, in a Commonweal not corrupted: for that it is necessary that he be very rich, that he have sufficient store of partakers and adherents which he cannot have where the laws are observed, and although he had, yet such men are so timorous, that those free favours do not concur in them.  
WHen the ancient governors of State, did see the Commonweal quiet and in good case, they did always find out something although feignedly to the intent the Citizens might be afraid: for that by this fear they might arise to be more careful, and the more watchful for the preservation of their safety: forsomuch as those wise aun●ient fathers did very well know, that the universal defect of men, is willing to become idle and negligent, & never by their good wills to apply themselves in a life that is industrious, but only when necessity constrains them.  
League's are accustomed not to endure long, whose force and fury is at the beginning: therefore it necessarily falls out, that they take in hand enterprises that endure but a small time.  
IT is a manifest thing that the force of Leagues not used in their heat, do soon vanish away: for that immediately suspicion makes entry, which doth cool and dissolve them, and as at one instant they are dissevered: so they cannot be knit again together, without a long space of time.  
AMbition is of so mighty power in the breast of men, that it never doth abandon them: the occasion is, for that nature hath created men, that they may desire all things, but not obtain all things: in such sort, that always our desires being greater than our power to obtain: it doth turn to the evil contentation and small satisfaction of him that doth possess. Of this doth arise the varying and changing of fortune, for that men desiring, some to have more, and some fearing to lose that they have already gotten, fall out to use injuries, and finally wars, whereof the ruin of one province doth arise, and the exaltation of another.  
A Prince in the managing of his estate, doth not only seek to redress present scandals, but also those that are future, and to provide for the same with all industry, for that providing for the same a far off, he may easily remedy them, but expecting until the evil draw near: the physic comes not in time, forsomuch as not being known, it both grows old and to be without cure.  
WHen a Prince would maintain his state in a Province, disagreeing in customs and laws, from his nature: finding therein much difficulty, it is requisite that he have great fortune and great industry but the most assured way is: that he go to remain there in person, to the intent the possession may be assured, and those disorders may be discerned, unto which remedy may be given, besides that, the subjects having their Prince near at hand, and carrying willing minds to be good, they have greater cause to love him, and being the contrary, to fear him: and he that goes about to assault him, shall remain more doubtful, and although he determine to do so, yet he overcomes with greater difficulty.  
HE that is in a Province with his regiments or colonies that consist of many footmen, and of many inhabitors therein: ought to make himself the head and defender of his neighbours that are of less power than he is himself, or rather to endeavour himself to weaken the most mighty of them, and he ought to have care and regard▪ that for no accident no Strangers do enter into his slate, forsomuch as they are ever hunted after of those that are malcontents in that Province, either through overgreat ambition, or through overgreat poverty.  
Immediately after a mighty Stranger is entered into a Province, all those that are of meanest power in the same, do join themselves unto him, moved through the envy that they have had against him that hath been mighty against them, by reason that in respect of these small powers, the stranger hath little travail to gain the same, that assemble themselves incontinently about him, he hath only this to think upon, that they take not upon them over much force, or overmuch authority, the which he may easily do, debasing with his forces the most mighty, to remain altogether the arbitrator of the Province, and he that doth not govern himself well in this part, he shall soon lose that he hath gotten.  
THey do not break their accord and compact, who when they are not aided and succoured, confederate themselves with others: but rather those that yield no succours to them with whom they have made convention and are in consort. And he merits no blame who because he will not fall into perils that be exceeding great, casts his eyes with diligence upon those things that are profitable unto him: rather than unto those, which for other men's caus●s are damageable unto him.  
A Wise man knows easily the general inclination of any nation, and the actions thereof being public: it is necessary that the same show perforce her mind and desires, forth of which afterward are drawn particular determinations either more or less, according to the capacity of that wise man: which hath charge to pierce and desipher the same.  
THe great and mighty Northern Princes, which have many Children, carry always their minds apt and prone to make wars as well in respect of glory, as also to obtain state for their Children, and to deliver their own Kingdoms, from those disturbations, which for the most part, the first begotten amongst many brethren, is accustomed to bring, and if unto these respects wrath and glory be joined, without all doubt they exalt very much that Kingdom, which according to their imagination is most easy to be conquered: or in the which they have some 〈◊〉 or pretence of right, to the intent they may in each cas● that doth chance either of Leagues, either towards their adversaries, or in any justifications: salve the appearance thereof to the world.  
SOliman the Emperor of the Turks said, that Princes ought not to use the help and aid of a Servant oftener than once: forsomuch as, in that first fact his desire to obtain the good grace of his Prince: and the greatness of the demand, doth make him to resolve in himself to obey his request, having no space to think either of the peril or of his own advantage: but when after he comes afresh to request him, he thinks no more of the favour already obtained, but doth imagine to make free himself, with the peril of his Prince, and to advantage himself by some means, to the damage oftentimes of his Prince, and the falsing of his own faith.  
IT oftentimes comes to pass, that when we demand a thing and are not able to obtain it: for that we have not in a readiness the reasons that may be opposed, we lose reputation, and he that doth deny the same: besides that, he doth repute us for presumptuous and imprudent, imagining that he hath offended us, by reason of his denial: and grows to hate us. Hereof it ariseth, that the gate is shut up against o●r obtaining of any other thing, which easily would have been granted us, the which we do not now proceed to demand, because the first hath been denied, whereupon he knowing our need and necessity, doth not offer the same, supposing that we are displeased.  
A Wise Officer or servant ought after the manner of an excellent Physician, foresee that which he may hope for, or that which he may fear, neither hoping nor fearing more or less, than so much as is convenient, 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 need not altogether to expect his sorrow, and he ought to advertise his Prince or Master, thereby to show himself prudent, keeping always his judgement in hand, not suffering him to be exalted through hope, neither fall down to the ground through fear, and so affairs are handled with prudence, and come to pass to his honour, that doth negotiate for the profit of his Master.  
WHen Princes do not grant, or are correspondent to other men's demands, it grows upon these occasions, either that their silence gives them time to resolve upon some thing that is doubtful, or else with their silence they deny the same: judging the demand to be unjust, or else they despise him that hath made the demand, although it be unjust, either else despise the servant that doth demand the same, or else exspects new advertisements, the better to resolve himself, or otherwise in this case give good words to their Servants: therefore the prudent negotiatour ought to make his considerations, in which estate of these foresaid cases, he doth find himself, and takes his expedition in hand with the better deliberation.  
PLato would have the duty of a good Citizen to consist in these four things, for the benefit of the commonweal: that is, that he be prudent in discearning those things that be present, and prevent those that are to come: just in distributing to every one according to his demerits, strong to overcome fears, which are an impediment to the operation of virtue, and temperate in our desires.  
IF we desire to govern secretly and surely in any State: there is nothing more necessary then to have knowledge of the determinations and designs of great Princes: and in what sort they are of ability to be executed: for that a man may preserve himself in time of peace, which whosoever he imagineth may aid or profit him through their amity, and may provide himself in case of any disturbance, to the intent to avoid harm.  
THe knowledge of matters of state, is sifted out of Princes by sundry means. Forsomuch, as some procure to know the same by way of report, some by way of discourse, some by the means of espials, some by stipendiary intelligencers, and some by the disposition of this man, and some by that man. But there is no way so certain: as by the means of Ambassadors, & especially of those, that either through the greatness of their Prince, or by his own proper virtue, is in reputation: for that dealing always with great persons, and pondering diligently, their customs, their words, their counsel, the valour, the manner of every one and of the Prince himself: they may with a more surer grounded foundation, than those that writ Chronicles: know by report, things that are past: neither like exploratoures, rest only upon the consideration of things present: But with a certain and assured consideration drawn forth of these and those things: make judgement of that which is to come.  
THose Commonweals that were well instituted, giving out Authority any long time, appointed unto the same certain guards and watch men, that the wicked unto whom such authority did belong, should not be able to use it naughtily: and in this case, it helps not that the matter and substance should not be corrupted. For that an absolute Authority, doth corrupt in short time the matter and substance, and makes them partakers and friends. And to such a person it hurts not that he is poor, or that he hath no kinsfolks. For that riches and other favours, do run immediately after him.  
A Common weal, may have more confidence in a Citizen, that from a high degree, descends to govern one that is less: then in him, that from a small degree ascends to a greater. For that in reason this man cannot be credited, if he have not good men about him, who are of such reverence and virtue, that those novelties he raiseth, may be moderated with their authority and counsel.  
THose men that would put any thing in execution, ought first to prepare themselves with all industry, when occasion cometh, to remain in good readiness, to satisfy and perform that, which they have determined to put in execution, and for that when preparations are made politicly and craftily they are not known, he cannot be accused of any negligence, if first it be not discovered by occasion, in the which if afterwards it work not effect, it appears that either he made not such preparations as were sufficient, or that he thought of no part of them before hand.  
TO desire to take away a disorder sprung up in a Commonweal, and for this respect to make a Law that may look a great time backward, is no good resolution: for that we procure nought else but hasten that evil unto which this disorder doth conduct and lead us, but by temporizing either that the evil may go forward more slolye or that by itself (before it take effect) it may be extinguished in time.  
THe worst quality that a weak Commonweal can have, is to be irresolute, for that all the resolutions they take, they take them by force, and if they do any thing that is good, they do it by force and not by prudence, forsomuch as their weakness, will never suffer them to consult where there is any doubt, and if that doubt be not canceled, by some violence that doth prick it forward: they hang always in suspicion.  
THe distribution and division of the politic justice, life and government, would be ruled with a Geometrical proportion, that is, according to the quality of the person: otherwise it is no ius●i●●. As for example it appears, that punishment by infamy is a small punishment to one of base degree, whereas to a noble parsonage it is of great detriment. Therefore those Officers and ministers that proceed in merits and demerits, in favours and disfavours, in one manner and with one measure, having no consideration to the diversity, that nature and fortune hath put betwixt the one and the other, so that they cannot be changed unless the nature and custom of the whole world be changed: do not understand the same as it ought to be: for that the nobility grow into despair, perceiving themselves to be debased, in like equal sort to those that be their inferiors, and perceiving that those which are of base degree to be entreated and ordered like the nobility: it makes them become insolent.  
THe forces of Princes, if they be not governed with reason, and with good counsel: do not only become weak and vain, but for the most part are damageable to those that possess them: but if they be ruled by prudence and good judgement, they work marvelous effects, and give unto our friends hope and security, and brings unto our enemy's confusion and fear.  
THe reputation and credit of a well ordered commonweal, is preserved with ne●tralitie, with abstaining from entering into league with any Prince, with remaining in amity with all, and by keeping all Princes in hope by shunning all occasions to suffer damage or injury of any whosoever, by entertaining many Captains of valour and of experience, by making good and forcible preparations of warfare by Land: and by not abandoning with negligence his Navy for the Seas, by keeping and maintaining the people in love and fidelity, and by giving unto the Nobility honours, to those that be of base degree many commodities: and finally by giving unto every one security and justice, having chief care that all men observe, obey and reverence divine institutions.  
IT is easily known by those that consider well, those things that are present, and those things that are passed in ancient time: how that in all Cities and amongst all people, the same desires and the same honours, that ever were amongst them do still remain: in such sort that it is a very easy thing to him that doth well and diligently examine things past, to foresee in a Commonweal those things that are to come: and to use those remedies that of the antiquity were used, or not finding those that have been used to think upon new, through the similitude of the accidents: but for these considerations, are either neglected or not understood of those that read, or if they be understood, they are not known of them that govern, neither are they followed, for that the self-same scandals are to be found in all ages.  
WHen the people are brought into this error, to give reputation to one sole person, which doth ruinated and revenge himself against those he hates, and that the same man be not wise: it will ever chance, that he being become a Tyrant, will endeavour himself together with the favour of the people, to root out and exstinguishe the Nobility: neither will he ever turn himself to oppress the people, but when he hath destroyed all the nobility.  
ALthough those that be noble desire to be Tyrants, nevertheless that part of the nobility which keep themselves forth of the path of tyranny, are always enemies to a Tyrant, who can never gain to his part all the nobility, through the ambition & great covetousness which remains in him ● forsomuch as the Tyrant is not able to have such store of riches, and so many honours, as would satisfy all the whole members of them. Whereupon it comes to pass, that those Tyrants which have to their friends the universal multitude of the people, and for enemies those that be great personages, are more secure, for that their violence is sustained with a greater force than those be that have the people to their enemies, and the Nobility to their friends.  
HE that in show hath appeared for good a certain time, and will at his fantasy and pleasure become nought: must proceed in the same with due means, and guide himself in such sort with occasion, that before the change of his nature, take away from him his old favours: he may have obtained so many new, that his authority be nothing diminished at all, otherwise when he is discou●●ed and without friends, he runs into ruin & is overthrown.  
IT is hurtful to a Commonweal, with continual harms and damages, to hold and keep the minds of the Subjects in continual fear and suspense: for that those men that begin to doubt that they shall incur any evil, do in any case assure themselves from those perils, and become to carry less respect and to be of more audacity to attempt new things: therefore it is either necessary never to hurt or offend any person, or to use all our harms at one instant, and afterwards assure those men, and give them occasion to quiet their minds.  
A Commonweal in her institutions and orders ought to be watchful that the Citizens under the shadow of good, do not work evil: and that they carry and have that reputation, which may help and not harm the liberty thereof.  
A Prudent man ought never to refuse the popular judgements, in particular things about the distribution of degrees and dignities, for that in this only the people do not deceive themselves: and if they be deceived, it is rarely: but those that be few in number, which have to make such distributions, do much more deceive themselves.  
ALl those countries and Provinces that live in liberty▪ make great increase, and proceed much more forward than those that live in slavery and bondage. For that in a free state is found greater store of people, because marriage amongst them are more free and more desired of men: forsomuch as every one doth willingly beget those Children, which they think themselves able to nourish: not doubting that their Patrimony shall be taken from them: and that they are borne free and not slaves, and that they may by means of their virtue and valour become great.  
THose which determine in themselves to have a City of great empire and rule: aught to endeavour themselves with all industry, to replenish the same with inhabitants: the which thing is performed two ways, by love and by force. By love, by keeping the way open and secure for all strangers, that dispose themselves to inhabit therein. By force, by destroying the next Cities and by bringing the inhabitants of them to dwell in their own City.  
A Weak and small Common weal cannot invade and occupy neither cities nor kingdoms that are stronger and greater than itself. And if for all that she do invade and possess the same: it chanceth unto her, the same that doth unto that Tree which hath her bows greater than the body of the Tree, so that sustaining and holding up her branches with great toil and travail: every small wind doth bend the same.  
TO take the charge and care to govern a City with violence, chiefly those which are accustomed to live free: is a difficile and troublesome thing, and if we be not mighty in arms: we can neither rule nor command the same.  
THe intent of him that makes war by election or by ambition: ought to be, to obtain and to maintain the thing gotten, and in such sort to proceed in the same, that he make himself rich, and not impoverish the Country● and his own Common weal.  
TO obtain empire and not force: agree well together, and he that obtains Empire and not force both together, it comes of necessity, that he must fall in ruin. And he cannot obtain force, that is impoverished by wars, although he be victorius: for that he doth disburse more than he receives in by the gain thereof.  
A Prince or a Commonweal: aught first to take every other resolution, then to have recourse to conduct and bring into his state for his defence, Foreign succours, although it is necessary for him to put confidence in them, for that any part, or any convention that he makes with the enemy: willbe lighter unto him, them any such resolution.  
AN ambitious Prince or Commonweal, can have no greater occasion to invade any City or Province: them to be requested to send his army to the defence thereof.  
THat person that is so ambitious, that not only to defend himself, but also to offend others: calls unto him like coadiutours and helps, goes about to obtain that which he cannot hold, and that the same which already he hath gotten: may be easily taken from him.  
THose Cities which are used to live free, or accustomed to govern themselves by their Provincials: remain content (together with other quiet) under a Dominione which they see not, rather than under that which they see every day: Wherein it seems that their bondage appears always before their eyes.  
AMongst all those States that are full of infelicity and infortunate: the state of a Prince or Commonweal is most unhappy, which are reduced into such terms, that they can never receive peace, nor sustain wars. Unto which terms, those are reduced that be overmuch endamaged with the conditions of the peace, and on the other side, when they would make wars: it behoves them either to make themselves a prey to those that help them: or remain for a spoil to the enemy.  
THe estate of a government is no other, then to rule thy subjects in such sort, that neither they can, or by reason ought to hurt or offend thee. This is done by this means either by assuring thyself sufficiently in all things, cutting off all those ways whereby they might harm thee: or else to benefit them so much, that they cannot by any reason be more to desire to change Fortune.  
WHen we are to judge mighty Cities that are accustomed to live free: it is convenient either to extinguish them, or courteously to embrace them, otherwise every judgement will fall out to be vain, and we must altogether shun the mean way, for that it is pernicious.  
TO use words against the Enemy, of small honour: spring for the most part of an insolency that gives unto men either victory or a false hope of victory. The which false hope doth not only cause men to err in words, but also in deeds, for that this hope makes a man to pass his bounds, and causeth him often times to lose the occasion he hath to obtain an assured good, hoping to have a better which is uncertain.  
PRinces that are assailed (when the assault is made by men that are more mighty than they) can commit no greater error, then to refuse any agreement, chiefly when it is offered unto them. For that there can never any such b●se condition be offered: but that in some part of the same there is contained, the benefit and good being of him that doth accept the same: and therein shall be part of his victory.  
IF a great parsonage be greatly offended or endamaged, with the public state, or with any private person, and hath not revenged himself according to his own satisfaction, if he live in a Commonweal: he doth go about with the ruin thereof to revenge himself. If he live under a prince, and have within him any generosity and courage: he never doth quiet himself, until such time that in some sort, he doth revenge himself against him, although he perceive his own proper damage should fall out in the same.  
MEn may always follow Fortune, but never oppose themselves against Fortune. They may weave the web thereof, but not break the same. They ought never to abandon Fortune, for that not knowing the end thereof: and besides that she always goes through unknown and crooked paths, we ought always to live in hope of her, and hoping not to abandon ourselves, in whatsoever Fortune or in whatsoever travail we do find ourselves.  
AMongst those Signs whereby we know the power and might of a State: the one is, to behold how she lives with her neighbours. For that when she governs herself in such sort, that her neighbours to have her their friend do make themselves her Pencionares, then is it a certain sign that, that State is mighty. But when the said Neighbours (although inferior unto her) draw money of her: than it is a great sign of her weakness.  
IF thou be a Mal-content against any Prince: measure and balance thy forces, and if thou be so mighty, that thou art able to discover thyself to be his Enemy, and to make wars against him openly: enter into this path, as least perilous and most honourable: but if thy forces be not sufficient, endeavour thyself with all industry, to make him thy friend, and enter into the path that thou dost judge to be necessary, following his pleasures, and making show that those things please thee, which thou seest delights him: for that this domestic familiarity makes to live secure, and without fear of any peril make thee to enjoy and be partaker of his good fortune, and brings unto thee all good means and commodities for thee to satisfy thy mind.  
WE ought not to remain so near unto Princes, that their ruin overwhelm us: neither so far distant off, that being overthrown, we may be able to arrive in time to leap upon the ruin.  
THose Princes begin then to lose their state, when they begin to break the Laws, the manners, and those customs that be of antiquity: and under the which men have lived a long time, for that these do want commodity: those do abandon them, and their wills and desires is alike, for that the desire of dominion, is as great or greater then is the desire of revenge.  
THe greatest enemy that a Prince hath, is conspiracy, for that whensoever it is made, either it doth destroy him or defame him. If they take effect: he dies, if they be discovered, and that he doth kill the conspirators: it will always be thought to have been the invention of the prince, to satisfy his covetous desire, or to assuage his cruelty in the blood and goods of them which he hath executed and put to death.  
WHen a Prince doth discover any conspiracy, let him use all endeavours to understand the quality thereof: and to measure well the condition and nature of the conspirator, and of his own: and when he doth find them great and mighty, let him not discover them, if first he be not prepared with sufficient forces to oppress them. For if he do otherwise, he discovers his own ruin.  
MEn for the most part in their proceedings, and much more in their actions of importance, aught to consider and to accommodate themselves to the time. And those which by making naughty elections, or by natural inclinations disagree from the time: live for the most part unfortunately, and their operations have a naughty end.  
A Man may begin with his practices & with his naughty orders to corrupt the people of any City, but it is an impossible thing that the life of one alone should be sufficient to corrupt it in such sort, that he himself may be able to reap fruit thereof: and although he did perform it through the long progress and drawing out of time, yet it is impossible in respect of the proceeding of men that are impatient, and cannot long defer their passions.  
HE that will take upon him authority in a Commonweal, and to plant therein naughty orders: it is requisite that he find the substance and matter thereof disordered by time, and that by little and little, and that from generations to generations, it be brought into disorder: the which of necessity falls out to be brought so, when she is not oftentimes refreshed and supplied with good examples, or with new laws drawing towards her first principles.  
THe Citizens which in a Commonweal make any enterprise in favour of liberty, or in favour of tyranny: ought to consider the subject they have, and thereby to judge the difficulty of their enterprise, for it is as hard and as perilous to make free any people that would live in servitude, as it is to make a people bound that would live free.  
THe cause of the good or of the evil fortune of a man, is in his order of proceeding to match and light right with Time. For that it appears that men in their actions and deeds proceed, some with extremity, some with respects, and some with cautions: and for that in the one and the other order they pass their convenient terms, not being able to observe the true way: they err in the one and the other, but he doth commit least error, and hath most prosperous fortune, that doth encounter and match the time with his order of proceeding.  
A Prince that hath an army together, and doth perceive that through the want of money or friends, he cannot long hold the same together: is of small discretion if he do not attempt and make trial of fortune before the army be dissolved, for if he tarry and expect: he is sure to lose, but if he attempt the same: he may overcome, and if he lose, yet he doth obtain glory: for more glory it is to be overcome by force, then by any other inconvenience, which may cause thee to lose.  
HE that desires to have a City to defend itself obstinately, or that would have an army in the fields obstinately and resolutely fight: he ought above all things to endeavour himself to print in the minds of those that must ●ight, necessity.  
A Wise General that goes about to win & expugn any City, he ought to measure the facility and difficulty that he shall have to win the same, by knowing and considering what necessity doth constrain the inhabitors thereof to defend themselves: and when he finds sufficient necessity that constrains them to defend themselves: let him judge the expugnation for difficile, otherwise: let him hold it for most easy.  
Towns and Cities after their rebellion, are more difficile to be obtained, than they are at their first winning: for that in their beginning having no occasion to fear any punishment, for that they have made no offence, they do easily yield themselves: but after rebellion, they judging themselves to have offended, and therefore fearing punishment, are most difficile to be expugned.  
ORders are not so much necessary for an army to be able to fight in due order, as they be: for that every small accident, should not disorder them, for the populare multitude, are not unprofitable in wars for any other cause: but for that every rumour, every word and sound, and every noise doth amaze them and makes them to fly.  
A Wise General, amongst other things, aught to appoint which those be which must receive his words and carry them to others: accustom his Soldiers that they believe none, but only those Chéeftains and officers, that speak or appoint nothing but that which is commanded by him: for that if this part be not well observed, it is oftentimes seen, that disorders of great importance hath followed.  
Every wise General ought to endeavour himself to cause some new thing to appear whilst the Armies are in fight, to the intent he thereby may give aid to his own, and take the same away from his enemy: the which accident may be very effectual to give him the victory. And besides these advertisements, he ought to do two things, the one to make proof with new inventions to amaze the enemy, the other to stand prepared, that if the same be practised of the enemy against him, he both may be able and know how to discover and make frustrate the same.  
IT is much better to send into an expedition, a man alone that is of ordinary prudence, than two worthy personages together, with the very same authority.  
HE that commands over subjects, to the intent they may not become insolent, and that through thy overgreat felicity, do spurn at thee: thou ought rather to apply thyself to punish then to execute: but nevertheless with such moderation, that thou mayst shun that hate which every Prince ought to keep him from.  
SOmetimes an act that is replenished and full of charity, doth work greater effect in the mind of a man, than one that is cruel and violent. And it comes oftentimes to pass, that, that Province and that City, that the weapons, the warlike instruments and every other force hath not been able to open, one example of humanity or of piety, of chastity, or of such other virtues, hath been able not only to open, but also to make subject.  
HE that desires overmuch to be beloved: every small step whereby he stra●es out of the true way, makes him despised, and he that desires overmuch to be respected and feared, every lea●t part wherein he exceeds the mean, makes him odious: and to keep the mean and middle way, cannot be justly performed, for that our nature doth not consent unto it: wherefore it is necessary to mitigate both the one and the other with an excessive virtue.  
Whosoever desires to be obeyed, it is necessary he know how to command, and those know how to command, that make comparison of their own qualities, with that of those over whom they are to command: but when they perceive they are out of proportion and frame they abstain: and if they command overhard and violent things, it is convenient with violence and hardiness to cause them to be observed, otherwise he shall find himself deceived.  
TO keep a Commonweal with violence, it is convenient that there be a proportion of him that forceth the same, with that which is forced: and sometimes there is such a manner of proportion, that it may be thought, that, that violence may endure, but when he that is forced is stronger than he that forceth him: it is to be doubted that this violence will cease every day.  
TO command over strong things, it is convenient to be strong, and he that is of this force, and that doth command them, cannot afterwards with gentleness and courtesy, cause the same to be observed, but he that is not of this fortitude of mind, aught to keep himself from extraordinary rule and commandings: and in those that be ordinary may use his humanity: for that ordinary punishments, are not imputed to the prince, but to the laws and to the other institutions of the City.  
IF we desire that an army shall overcome any battle: it is necessary to make it enter into such an opinion of assurance: that they may believe that in any case they shall overcome. And to make them assured, it is necessary to arm them and to make them cunning in military orders, and work so that they may have perfect knowledge and countersigns one of an other. And this assurance and order cannot arise, but amongst those Soldiers, that are borne and have lived together. It is convenient also, that the Captain General be esteemed of quality, that they trust in his prudence: and they will always trust in him, when they see him order things well, to be careful, bold, and that doth hold well and with great reputation, the majesty of his degree: the which he shall always maintain, when he doth punish them of their errors, and doth not toil or travail them in vain: and that he observe unto them his promise, and show them, that the way to over come is very easy: and to keep secrets hid, and make merry in such manner as may show that the perils are removed. The which thing being well observed: they are a great occasion that the army should enter into an opinion of assurance, and being assured: to obtain the victory.  
Every Prince that makes wars, aught to take honour for his beginning: and profit for his final end. Neither that can be reputed a profitable war: which doth obtain State or money. I have made mention of honour and profit. For that although ma●y times honour moves Princes to make wars: yet for all that, for the most part, his state is gained, that against reason hath showed himself thy Enemy. And that war wherein there is as much sp●nt as there is gotten therein: is a damageable war.  
HE that determines to obtain the degree of a Magistrate, let him dispose himself to support the hate and evil will of many, and let him never imagine to become angry with any one, for any thing that shall chance unjustly against him: even of those that he hath holden for most friendly, neither let him leave of so lightly, by reason of the first denials and withstandings that are made him, his hopes are much less his own defences: for that he that doth su●●ain certain vehement assaults, and chiefly the first, the which are accustomed to be made, neither suffers himself to fall into manifest overthrow, either through wrath or over much haste: may hope to find many good occasions to favour his election.  
TO be old, gives great help to him that desires honours, for that old age doth carry with it ordinarily hope of short life, yet it is true, that old age is not sufficient, but it is necessary withal to have other qualities, and the first is bounty: forsomuch as men are never so wicked, nor by admiration so uncivil, that they can altogether suppress the desire of good things, that nature hath given to every one, whereupon it doth arise, that the good be honoured even of the wicked.  
THose things by the which men are moved to favour any one, to obtain the degree of a Magistrate, it is necessary that they be increased in all their operations, or at leastwise not diminished from the favourite: and let him believe that continually the eyes of every one is upon him, & that he is to make judgement of every little thing, of his will and desire. Forsomuch as the self sam● friends, will fail him in affection, when they discover the contrary of that which they have imagined of him.  
THe people when they begin to give any degree to any Citizen, grounding themselves upon the fame, upon opinion and upon his works: make no evil foundation. But when afterwards the sundry examples, and his many good deeds makes him better known: they ground it better, for in such case they are never deceived.  
THe People in the election of magistrates, judge according to those countersignes, that men do hold for mos●e true: and when they may be counseled as Princes are, they err less than Princes do. And that Citizen whic● will begin to get the favour of the people: ought to gain the same with some notable fact.  
THose that give counsel to a Commonweal or unto a Prince: are set amongst these straits, that if they give no counsel to those things that unto them appear profitable, either for the City or for the Prince, without having any respect: they fail in their duty If they give counsel: they enter into peril of their life and of their state, all men being blind in this case, to judge the good and the naughty counsels by the end.  
TO shun or fly either infamy or perils, by counsel I see no other way then to take the things moderate, and not to take any by enterprise: telling his opinion without passion, and without passion defend the same with modesty, in such sort that the City that is counseled or the Prince do follow the same: that he may follow it willingly, and that it seem not that he be drawn thereunto by the importunity of him that gives the counsel.  
IT seems that there is found in humane actiones, in going about to bring things to their perfection: always near unto the good, there is adjoined some evil, the which (together with the same goodness) doth easily spring, that it seems unpossible that we can want the one, if we desire the other.  
A Wise General, when he comes to encounter with a new enemy that is of reputation: is constraned before he give battle, to make his soldiers prove the enemy with light encounters and Skirmishes, to the intent that beginning to manage and to know them, they may lose that terror which fame and reputation had given them.  
ALthough to use fraud in any action, is detestable: nevertheless in the managing of wars, it is a laudable and glorious thing: and he is aswell commended that overcomes the enemy by fraud, as he that doth overcome him by force.  
WHen determinations is altogether to be made touching the safety of our Country, we ought not to fall into any consideration either of just or unjust, of pitiful, or cruel: of laudable, and ignomy: but having set aside every other respect we ought to follow altogether that resolution, which doth maintain our lives in safety, and our Country in liberty.  
HE that would see what shall fall out, let him consider what hath been: for that all things in this world, in all ages, have the same events they had in ancient time.  
WHen a Prince desires to obtain a thing of any other: let him not give him space to deliberate upon the same (if occasion do suffer it) and work in such sort that he may see the necessity of the speedy deliberation: the which is when he that is demanded, doth see that by denying or by differing doth arise a perilous and sudden indignation.  
A General ought never to give credit to any error that is evidently made by the enemy: for always under the same there is some fraud, since it cannot stand with reason that men should be so unwary.  
THere is nothing more difficile to be handled, neither more doubtful to come to pass, neither more perilous to be managed, then to make ourselves chée●e to bring in new orders: for that he which is the bringer in of them, hath unto his enemies all those which have sped well under the old orders, he hath for mean and moderate de●enders, all those that by the new orders shall speed well: the which medeocritie doth spring partly for fear of the adversaries that have the laws to benefit ●hem: partily through the incrudelity of men, which do not give place to any new thing, unless they do see firm experience.  
HE that doth believe that new denefites doth make great personages forget old injuries, is deceived: and injuries ought to be made altogether, to the intent that ta●●ing less, they may offend less: but benefits ought to be made by little and little, to the intent they may sm●ll better.  
A Prince ought to have no other object, nor any other thought, neither take any other thing for his art, than wars, orders, and laws, and the discipline of them: for that is the only art that is to be required of him that commands, and is of such great virtue, that it doth not only maintain those that are borne Princes, but oftentimes, makes men of private fortune to arise unto that degree.  
IT is apparently seen, that when we make any resolution, either with over great haste, or with over great affection, it doth ever fall out to be evil: forsomuch as the one gives us no time to find out those things, that aught to be had inconsideration, before conclusion b● made: the other, doth occupy our minds in such sort, that it doth not suffer us to know any other, save only those which doth touch us at that instant.  
ONe pleasure or displeasure, doth move us more which is done in our present action, than those great benefits that have been done in times past: so for the most part the sense of things present, doth woor●e more in men, than the memory of things past, or the providence of things that are to come.  
IT is an easy thing to know the evil satisfaction of the mind of every one: for that every one doth recount willingly the merits or demerits of their friends, and that which our adversaries can do, or cannot do: so that we will have patience to give ear, the which patience is the foundation for us to do every thing well. And he that hath greater desire to speak then to give ear: doth instruct much more than he doth learn.  
WHen any thing will not take effect, it is necessary to consider whither that did arise of their own disorder, or of the enemy's ability or power, if they spring of disorders, that may be amended, we ought to do it: if for that the enemy proceeds in good order, it is requisite we should change opinion, and do that which is least evil: the which will come to pass, when there doth advance any small time in the consideration of our own State, and if that he will descend to reasonable and just compositions and parts.  
AMongst the many occasions of evil, that being disarmed doth bring unto a Prince: one is, that it causeth him to be despised: for of one that is armed, in respect of one that is disarmed, there is no proportion: and reason doth not require that he which is armed, should willingly obey to him that is disarmed, and that the disarmed should remain secure amongst armed servitors, for that whilst in the one there remaineth disdain, and in the other suspect: it is not possible that they should agree and match well together.  
A Prince which hath no understanding in warfare besides his infelicity, he can neither be esteemed of his Soldiers, neither put any confidence in them: he therefore ought to exercise himself more in the time of peace, then in the time of war, two ways: The one in action, the other with his mind: in action, by keeping his people w●ll ordered and well exercised, always to use himself to the chase, and by the means thereof, to accustom his body to travails and discommodities, and in part to learn the nature of the situations. With his mind to read the histories, and in them to consider the excellent acts of men, to behold how they did govern themselves in war, examine the occasion of the victory, and of the loss thereof: to the intent that the one may be shunned and avoided, and the other imitated: and above all things, to imitate those that before him were glorious and of worthy praise.  
HE that doth leave off that which he doth, for that which he ought to do, doth rather learn his ruin, than his preservation, for a man that in all respects will perform the profession of a good man, it falls out of necessity, that he be ruinated amongst so many good men.  
THat Prince that cannot use liberality 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 always accounted more liberal, perceiving that by his spare, his revenue shall be so sufficient, that he may be able to defend himself, against any that makes him wars, that he may take enterprises in hand without oppressing the people: whereupon it will come to pass, that he shall use liberty to all those from whom he takes nothing, which are infinite: and be miserable to all those to whom he gives nothing, which are few.  
NOthing doth more consume itself then liberality, the which whilst thou dost use it, thou losest the means to use it, and thou shalt become either poor, either vile, or else to shun poverty: ravenous or odious.  
IT is greater wisdom to keep the name of miserable, then to bring forth an infamy without hate, for to desire the name of liberal, is to incur of necessity the name of ravenous, which brings infamy joined with hate.  
A Prince ought not to take care to be accounted cruel, so that he may maintain his subjects in fidelity and concord: for that with a few examples he is more pitiful than those that through overmuch pity, suffer disorder to ensue: whereby spring up rapines and slaughters: for that these are accustomed to endamage the universal state, and those executions which proceed from the Prince, do hurt but one particular person, and it is altogether impossible for a new Prince to avoid the name of cruel, for new states are full of perils.  
A Prince ought to be slow in believing, and slow to be displeased, neither ought he to make a terror of himself, but to proc●ede in such a temperate sort with prudence and humanity, that his over great confidence do not make him unwary, and his over great distrust do not bring him to be intolerable.  
MEn have less respect to offend one that makes himself to be beloved, than one that makes himself to be feared and redoubted: for that love is holden with a bond or obligation, the which for that men be wicked, fall out to be broken: as every occasion of our own proper profit, but fear is maintained with the terror of punishment, which never doth abandon it.  
WHen the Prince is abroad with an army, and hath in government a multitude of Soldiers, he ought not to care to be named cruel, for that without this name an Army is not holden together united, neither apt for any faction.  
MEn do universally judge more by their eye then by their hand, for that it falls out to be every one's lot to see, but to few to touch, every one doth see what thou seems to be, few do feel what thou art: and those few dare not oppose themselves against the opinion of many or which have the majesty of the state to defend them, and in the actions of all men, and chiefly of Princes, where there is no judgement unto which they may appeal, beware of the end.  
PRinces being forced of necessity to know how to manage beasts: aught amongst them to make choice of the Fox and the Lion: in respect that the Lion doth not defend himself from snares: nor the Fox doth not defend himself from wolves. Therefore it is necessary to be a Fox, to know how to decipher snares: and a Lion, to make the wolves afraid.  
A New Prince, cannot observe all those things by the which men are accounted good: being often times driven to necessities, to maintain his state, to wink against his promised faith, against charity, against humanity and against such like virtues. And therefore it is necessary he have a mind ready to turn itself, according as the winds and the varying of Fortune doth command: but he ought not to depart from that which is good (if he be able) but to know how to enter into that which is evil, when he is enforced.  
A Prince ought ever to endeavour himself how to live and to maintain his State, and the mean is ever judged honourable and commendable of all men. For that the common Uulgar people are taken with that which appears, and with the event of things. And in the World there be none but such as be Uulgar: And those that be few have place, when those that are many have no where to settle themselves.  
A Prince ought to possess two fears, one at home in respect of his Subjects: the other abroad, in respect of foreign Potentates. From these he may defend himself with good weapons and w●●h good Friends, and always if he have good weapons: he shall have good Friends. And continually the state of things will remain firm at home: when those rest firm that are abroad.  
A Prince ought not to make estimation of conspiracies, when the people is benevolent, but when they be his enemies and hate him, he ought to be afraid of every thing and of every one, how simple soever he be, for there is no man of such poverty, that he wants a knife.  
A Prince that would maintain his state, is constrained oftentimes not to be good, for that when the people, the Soldiers, or other great Personages, be corrupted, of whom in his judgement he hath need to maintain himself: it is requisite that he follow their humours and that he satisfy them: and then his good works, are his enemies.  
WHen occasion doth present herself unto thee, of any thing thou dost desire, take hold of her without losing time: for that the affairs of this world do so soon vary and change, that we cannot assure ourselves to have any thing, until such time as we have it in our hands, who when therefore any thing is propounded and offered unto thee that doth displease thee, defer it so long as thou art able, for that it is often seen, that time brings forth accidents, that will carry thee out of those difficulties.  
WHen a Prince is more afraid of his own subjects then of foreign forces, let him make fortifications: but he that is more afraid of foreign nations then of his own people, let him cast those at his back, but to the intent he need not to be in doubt, but rather to make himself esteemed: nothing is better than to take in hand great enterprises, and give knowledge to the world of his notable examples.  
WE never go about to shun one inconvenience, but that we incur another, but prudence doth consist in knowing how to discearn the quality of the inconveniences, and not in taking a naugty course for a good.  
THe Prince ought always to receive counsel when he will, and not when others will: but when he is not wise of himself: he cannot receive good counsel, if he do not remit whole to the chance of one alone (which may govern all) and such a one as were a wise and prudent man. But good counsels from whom soever 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 counsel.  
HE that will negotiate, ought not to suffer himself to be taken out of possession: for that of one thing doth arise anotherthing, aswell by the access that the first gives unto the second: as by the reputation he doth carry to be found in negotiation. Unto which purpose this Proverb may be applied. Di Cosa nasce cosa, et il tempo le governa. Of things: things arise, and time doth govern them.  
WE ought to observe with diligence, things past: for that they give light to those that are to come, forsomuch as the World was always one, and all that which is at thi● present and shall be, hath been at other times. For that the self same things return under divers sundry names and colours, wherefore they are not known but of those that are wise, and that consider them with great diligence.  
THose possess a better time in this World, a longer life, and after a certain sort a more happy, which are of a base and mean wit: then these high and scrutinous wits. For that a Noble wit is for the most part a travail to him that hath it. Nevertheless the one in practising doth participate more of a brute creature then of a man, the other ascending above the degree of man: doth approach near unto the heavens.  
THe nature of the people, is like unto the nature of private people, that is, to desire always to augment in degree, more than they are of themselves: Therefore he is wise, that denies any thing before they demand it. For if he do grant it: he doth not stay them, but doth inflame them to demand more, and with greater instance than before, for by giving them often to drink: the thirst is made greater.  
HE that is the follower of a great person, and doth serve him, & doth desire to be employed of him: doth apply himself to be always present before his eyes, for that occasions do arise from time to time, to commit some affairs to the hands of those he doth see, or unto those that are nearest him: which if he did seek for or look for, he would not commit them unto him: and he that doth lose any beginning although very small, doth oftentimes lose his access and introduction to great things.  
I Would employ myself to seek the mutation of states, if I alone were able to change them: but when I call to mind that it is requisite I should first make head with others, and for the most part with fools and with malignant persons, which neither can keep secret, neither know how to perform any thing, there is nothing that I flee and shun more than this.  
HE that would procure in any accident, a wise man to judge the effects that would come, and write his judgement: he should find (returning to see the progress of times) few things verified, for that the affairs of the world are ever variable and full of change.  
HE that is conversant with great persons, should not suffer himself to be set on horseback, with courteous embracements, or with superficial demonstrations, wherewithal they make men dance as they list: for that by how much more is it difficile for us to abstain from this, so much the more ought we to restrain ourselves by keeping our head free and at liberty, not suffering any to carry us away lightly.  
A Good Citizen that loves his Country, ought not only to temporize and maintain himself in the good grace of a Tyrant for his security, for that he is in peril when he is holden in suspect: but also for the benefit of the City, for that governing of himself, after this sort, he shall have occasion to favour with counsel and with d●eds, many good men, and disfavour many wicked.  
IF thou be not well pleased with any one, endeavour thyself so much as thou art able, that he do not perceive it: for that he doth suddenly alienate himself, and for that in time many occasions do fall out, that may serve thy turn, and they will serve thee if thou hast not lost them by making account of them: dissemble then and hold him for thy friend.  
HE that perceives himself to be of good luck and fortunate, may weave the web of his enterprises with greater courage: but let him know, that chance & luck be not only from time to time full of change, but also in one self time and in one self thing. And whosoever will observe the same, shall find many that have been fortunate in one kind of thing, and in an other kind have been unfortunate.  
I Have desired as other men have: profit and honour, and my draft hath always succeed, nevertheless, when I have obtained what I would: I have not found in the same any of those satisfactions I imagined before, which thing if it be well considered, aught to suffice to extinguish much of that thirsty humour that men have of honours.  
Do not determine upon that thing which thou hast not, neither spend upon any future gains: for that many times they do not succeed, and thou findest thyself entangled. And it is oftentimes seen, that great Merchants do fail, when that under the hope of a greater future gain, they enter into exchange, the multiplying whereof is certain, and hath a perfixed time, but the gains which he looked for, oftentimes do not come, or else draw out in length more than he made account off: in such sort, that those enterprises which he had begun to his profit, fall out to be damageable.  
IN the particular accidents of war, fortune doth rule more than in any other humane actions, forsomuch as every art that hath his subject changeable, is in some sort subject to the occurrence of chance: but most of all the art military through the great difficulties, brought by the variety of the change of chances, which are and fall out upon the way, in situations of grounds, in seasons, in the inequality of the air, in infirmities, in money, in victua●ls, in the munition, in artillery, in the baggage, in the spies, in the guides, in the vaulcorrours, in the principal officers, and in the proper Soldiers.  
warfare cannot be used for an art, but of a commonweal, or of a Prince: and the one and the other of these when they are well ordered, will never consent that any Citizen or subject shall use the same for art.  
A Well ordered City ought to desire that the study of warfare be used in time of peace, for an exercise: but in the time of war, for necessity & for glory, suffering the same to be used for art, only of public & commonweal.  
THere is no sort of Soldiers to be found so perilous, as those which are compounded of them that make wars an art, for thou shalt be forced either always to make wars, or to have them always in pay: or else to stand in peril that they do not take away thy kingdom from thee, but if a King will live in security, he ought to have his footmen and soldiers compounded of such men that when time requires to make wars: they will willingly for his love go unto the same, and when afterwards peace doth fall out, they do most willingly return home to their houses, forsomuch as the end of him that will make wars, is to be able to fight with any enemy in the field, and to wi●ne the battle.  
Weapon's put in the hands of Citizens or subjects by the laws or any other ordinance, did never do hurt: but are always profitable, and maintain the City more immaculate by means of these weapons then without them.  
A Captain of the sea, which is accustomed to fight with the winds, with the waters, and with men, will more easily become a captain on land, where we fight only with men: then a captain of the land become a captain on the sea.  
ALthough those which attribute all to virtue or all to prudence, use their endeavours to exclude fortune: yet can they not deny that it is a great chance to be borne in some one time, or to practise in those occasions in the which those parts or virtues, he doth feel himself to be of valour and ability, are in estimation.  
THe officers and favourites of the Prince, are bound if they be wise, to maintain their master in love & charity with other Princes, and to mollify with their words their ire, when it will fall out to be hurtful, not only to themselves, 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 aught to reconcile and assuage them: and he that doth otherwise, is no other than a naughty servant, and unwise officer.  
Every soldier and every man, although he be valiant and strong, doth only defend himself and his own life, but a Prince whilst he shows himself just & benign to all, is more ententive about other men's safety than his own and let him know that the safety of his people is his own security, and therefore he ought joyfully to take hold of all those remedies that fortune and occasion doth yield him.  
WE do not only gain glory by overcoming that enemy which doth fall armed in the field, 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.  
TO sly (which very rarely or never doth save a man) doth show the baseness of his mind, & his folly to punish himself in the hazard and perils of warfare.  
THe greatness of state is universally desired of every one, for that all the goodnesthereof doth appear outwardly, but the evil remains hid within the same, the which if it were seen, we should have no such great desire thereof, for that without doubt it is full of perils, of suspicions, of travails and of toils, but that which doth cause a well purged mind to desire the same, is the appetite that men have to become superiors over others: the which thing is truly a goodly and blessed thing, considering that in this case they resemble God.  
Every one that is forced of necessity, doth require help of others, where there is no boud of benefits received or strait knot of friendship: it is a just and reasonable thing the he show in what sort his request above all things is of great profit, or at the least doth bring in damage to any person, if the same be freely granted unto him, and after make manifest that he shall be ever bound unto him: and where demonstrations can be made of none of these foresaid things: he ought to be displeased if he do not obtain that which he demands.  
IN all things it is necessary first to aid ourselves with reason, and then with force: and therefore in matters of warfare, it is much better to entrap others, then to defend ourselves from the factions of others: not suffering through our baseness of courage the enemy's forces to be increased with those things that we ought to serve our turns withal: for that by how much more a man doth uphold himself with reason in any thing, so much the greater profit will follow.  
Even as in natural things the multitude of particular causes are knit up in few, by ascending up to the height and from few, so long until they end in one alone: even so likewise the multitude of those, that do handle public affairs, are restrained and knit up through sundry occasions and ways, into few bodies and sects, and those into other few, until such time as they conspire and be incorrupted, whither it be by chance or of purpose, in one only body and head.  
PRinces may by education and by election, make themselves good voluntary, wherein their proper conscience, or at the least shame may do that in them that the laws cannot do in a free state and power, but when the laws do serve unto a well compounded mind, not for a spur, but for a bridle: that person truly is worthy of all honour, and aught to be reputed excellent.  
MEn do lament more when any wrong is done them, against reason, then when violence is used against them by force, for that the wrong makes show, that he that doth do injury, and he that is injuried be equal, but force is a token, that he that doth force is of greater power than he that is forced.  
Even as similitude inclines the master to esteem dearly of his servant, and to give him aid, and to admit him into his grace: even so continuation almost against the will of the master, doth in end overcome and open the passage, through those occasions which necessarily do occur, aswell through the indisposition, as by the absence of him, which either through ancient service, or through the favour of his master, being assured of his grace, doth leave off his diligence: and doth attend about some of his own commodities, the which if it go any time forward, it is an easy thing, for that the new servant in a small time to make himself more esteemed of his master, than the ancient: forsomuch as the new doth study always to obtain his good grace, and honour him more than the other, as he that perchance hath not known him in worse fortune or of less age, whereas the ancient servant many times by those reasons that are contrary to these, and by his continual practice, doth usurp an odious equality, or at the least do not serve with such a reverence and respect.  
Public and particular accusations may easily be extinguished: but an universal war, taken in hand by all at the instance of some particulars, (they not knowing what shall be the issue thereof) cannot easily abandon the same with their honour.  
WHen we prepare ourselves against our enemies, we ought to think and imagine that their displeasure is like unto ours, and we ought to apply ourselves to deeds and not to words: not putting any trust at all in the errors which our enemies commit, but rather let us presuppose that always they being of sound judgement, have aswell provided for their affairs, as we for ours.  
A Wise man ought not to keep secret any good counsel that is profitable for his Country, for doubt that the same should be put in effect: for that the end will cause other men's temerity and folly to be known: and likewise will cause the bounty and prudence to appear of him that hath given thee counsel.  
IT is convenient for wise men to remain in peace, not being molested with other men's injuries, but towards men of valour (being offended) it is convenient to take notice thereof, making his recourse from peace to wars, and if things do succeed towards them prosperously: they ought to return to peace, and not become proud through the happy success of wars: or rather enjoying the rest of peace, suffer themselves to be injured. Forsomuch as he that through the delight of peace is slow if he remain quiet, in a small space of time he is deprived of the delight of that idle rest which made him slow. And he that through the happy success of wars becomes proud, doth not perceive that his is raised up with an uncertain audacity: for that many things naughtily determined, encountered by the enemy more foolish counseled than he, have had happy issues, and many of those which with prudence did seem to be the, contrariwise have had unhappy success. For so much as things are very seldom executed according to their draft, but every one with a certain security, do judge of future things, and after in the action fail.  
Wars very seldom fall out in such sort as the plot is set down, for that she finds of herself many things besides the occurrants: and therefore he that is courageous in the same, proves to be secure, but he that is fearful in the same, commits grievous errors.  
THe falling out and issue of things are accustomed to be fallible, no less than human determinations, & through that occasion, when there doth come upon us any disgrace at unawares: we use to burden fortune with the fault thereof.  
MEn submit themselves unto servitude itself, yielding obedience in small things, unto which they should be subject, being obedient in great things.  
AN army upon the Seas, is artificially handled like unto the other, in the which it is not necessary with sloth once or twice to exercise ourselves: but he that will entirely learn it, it is requisite that he continually make profession of nothing else: forsomuch as the issues of war be doubtful, and from small things they come to great, and many assaults are made through ire and rage, and the less multitude fearing, hath oftentimes overcome the greater number, who not esteeming the enemy, have made no account of order.  
IT is necessary that all those that do enter into other men's territories: to be ready and prompt of mind, and firm and stayed in their deeds, for that in such sort the soldiers become most valiant to give the assault, and more assured in resistance, always imagining that they do not fight against a city that is impotent and weak of defence, but furnished with all things necessary: wherefore they ought to presuppose, that the enemy will meet them in the face, if not at that present at the least, when they see that they are entered into their Country, beginning to destroy and to ruinated the same.  
ALl those that do see any unwonted damage to be done, before their proper eyes: are moved by the same immediately unto disdain and ire, and using small reason, pricked greatly forward with fury and anger, enforce themselves to use blows.  
Money is gathered and kept to spend honourably, and that is the use and final end thereof: therefore a wise Prince ought not to give himself to gather the same together, to serve his turn withal: but to make wars, forsomuch as in wars money is not spent in vain, when there is hope of greater gain: and although the people are very unwillingly made contributary: notwithstanding, when they know that it is done for the common safety, they support it peaceably.  
MAny times we see created of purpose in Commonweals, the successor differing in nature to his predecessors, and this is done: forsomuch as the quality of the first (how good soever he be) through a certain natural glutting of men's appetites, doth displease: and so much the more, by how much there is nothing found in this world, that is altogether good, and which hath not in it some part of evil, through the hate whereof, we go about to set up one of contrary customs, whose order of life and working, may be almost directly opposite to his predecessor, aswell for that he is one alone of the number of them that judge after this sort, and is reputed for such of others: as for that he can do nothing more acceptable than the contrary of that which a little before was hated, neither any thing more apparent or glorious, then that which is near unto peril.  
THose things that may appear unto many little and of small moment: be like unto the signs, by the which Physicians do foresee plagues, and Sailors the tempests at the Sea: but rather unto the good, and those of understanding, they are peradventure of greater importance, than oftentimes are the demonstrations of greater things: for that as a certain wise man saith, in small things wherein men use not to feign, and do not use study of appearance, neither are afraid to be punished: the habit of virtue is easily comprehended together, with the secret inclination and disposition that a man hath towards vices, forsomuch as having at that time not any eye and care to please universally, but himself: he remembers himself (drawn by his particular humour) of that error into the which he may run, but to satisfy his appetite.  
BY great reason men do judge, that he is worthy of reprehension, who through timorositie doth fail in the glory, which at that present he doth possess, even as they likewise judge him to be worthy of evil will, who doth rashly seek for that, which neither is convenient, nor doth not appertain unto him.  
Confidence's for the most part doth arise of an unhoped for adventure, and may likewise be in a timorous person, but an assured firmness appertains only to him, who knows certainly, that he by the counsel which is in ourself is to overcome his adversary: and prudence which springeth of the greatness of our courage in equal fortune, doth make him that hath audacity, more secure, not putting his trust in hope, whose power is fallible: but in that counsel which is taken upon things present, the foreseeing of which is more stable.  
TO be envied, and to be used, falls out of necessity to be in all them, who think themselves worthy to govern over others: and every one that in great things doth obtain hate, he is well counseled: for that hate endure● but a small time, but the present fame and the glory to come, shall remain perpetually.  
IN perils where there is no courage: no art doth help, for fear makes men to forget knowledge and Science: and practise without generosity, doth bring with it no profit at all. Let therefore an Army be courageous although it be but small: for that, that Army which is great, and doth trust more in their number then in their counsel and in their courage: it may be said that the same Army is full of fools. And let him know that order and silence, whilst Armies are in fight: are great helps to obtain victories. And that those which be once overcome in any enterprise, finding themselves again in the same peril: are not very assured.  
AMongst private persons there is no stable amity, neither amongst City's confederations of any moment: if there be not betwixt the one and the other an interchangeable opinion of sincerity, and if in other things, they be not of like customs: for where men's minds disagree, likewise their operations disagree.  
We ought to praise moderate, for by how much more ignominies offend him, against whom they are spoken: by so much more the manifold praises oftentimes offend him that doth hear them, besides that, the praise▪ giver runs into the peril of the judgement and of his bounty which is less: for so much as through his proper love that doth govern him, the good and the evil which is spoken of others, is suddenly revolved and enters into comparison with ourselves: whereupon, every one that doth feel in himself such merits or defects: either is grieved that his praises are kept secret, or else doth fear that his defects should be discovered. And it oftentimes comes to pass, that we may offend a person only with bearing greater respect unto an other of the same or of a greater quallitye, the same person judging, that as much, or perchance worse shall be done to him.  
MEn of gross and slow wits, do govern a City better, than those that be of a quick and crafty brain, for wise men will show, that they know more of laws, and be superiors in eloquence to others, of things deterned in common, as those, that cannot make demonstration of their prudence in greater matters: whereupon oftentimes they bring great damage to the City, but those that put no confidence in their prudence: esteem themselves of the least in the law, and not being sufficient to object against the speech of him that doth discourse, but rather being better judges than many of those that speak like ceremonies, for the most part do with great felicity govern their City.  
WHen those that have received any offence do prolong the time of revenge: they correct the offenders with much more modesty, but when revenge is immediately made after a received injury: those that have been the offenders, receive due chastisement.  
IN Commonweals, good things so soon as they are told abroad, engender suspect, no less than those as be nought: Therefore it is necessary, that he which will persuade any thing that is hurtful, let him move the multitude therein with deceit: and he that doth give out things profitable, likewise by lying and dissembling shallbe be believed, neither can he openly profit his Commonweal, if that by such fictions he do not deceive: for he that doth openly to that sight of the world perform any benefit in the behalf of his city: suddenly it comes to be suspected, that he goes about by some secret and hid way to reap the same again.  
Poverty makes some men full of audacity, others by riches & covetous store are made ambitious and proud: and to others doth chance other occasions, according as every man doth possess, either ire, or some other unbridled accident that doth move him, the which do all of them make us to put ourselves in peril, & above all things hope and love doth greatly prick us forward: the one going before, and the other following after: and the one despising deceits, and the other propounding unto us the prosperity of fortune: do bring great damage.  
IT appertains to Princes and Commonweals, to take care that their Captain Generals do not fall in suspect, and if the same do chance: they ought by cutting the occasion speedily off, to provide and prepare for those damages, and for those ruins, that thereby might hang over their State.  
Suspicion doth spring up sometimes in our minds, either of those things that be likely, or of any violence that hath fallen out, or else through a certain folly and ignorance of men: that which doth arise of likelihoods, it is necessary to examine it well, forsomuch as it behoves to have justification, and he that doth justify himself, doth merit no punishment. That which doth arise of any violence that is done or that is to be done: ought not so strictly to be examined, for that already it is rather an offence, than a suspicion: & offences ought to be punished. The last which doth arise of folly and ignorance, ought not to be admitted of any person of quality, but rather rejected and left apart.  
WRath & disdain being nothing else, but a passion conceived in the mind either through any injury received, or through that which it seems we shall receive either offew or of many, no person of quality ought to give place unto the said passion, without reasonable occasion: and chiefly in those injuries which it seems he receives of many, one particular man being more apt to err then any universal people.  
PRinces ought to have care, not to provoke, to disdain their vassals: but above all things a multitude or an universal people, forsomuch as such a violence is much more headlong, is of greater importance, and doth cause more speedy and perilous effects for Princes.  
MEn that are strong and of great magnanimity, are not to be afraid of their lives in glorious enterprises: but rather aught to account death for most glorious, when either for the benefit of their Country, or for their Prince, the same should chance in some worthy and haughty enterprise, desiring rather to die gloriously, then to live beastly.  
ALthough the actions of men are grounded not only upon honour, honesty or justice, but also upon firm and stable faith, wherewithal they are pricked forward to put things in action, in such sort, that they may be approved and found good, by the consent of all: and to the intent when they be done, we grow not to repent us, forsomuch as by repentance what action soever, although it be well done: is spoiled and defamed.  
FOrtitude is truly the supportation of great things, wherein there is peril of death, but not in respect of himself alone, that doth put himself into the same, but in respect of the universal and public benefit either of his country or of his Prince whom he doth serve.  
TRue fortitude, is to moderate fear and audacity, and to be not able to be overcome with travails, stout and strong in perils, severe against pleasures, and to be an enemy to covetousness: is proper to a man that possesseth right fortitude. And to be such a one to defend our country and our Prince from barbarous invations, and at home the weak and not able, with weapons: or abroad, his companion from thieves, or the high way from rapines: is as I have said to accomplish an ample and full justice.  
THe fortitude of mind is known two ways, the one is when being in perils, he doth no otherwise esteem and repute of the parts of the body, but as superfluous and to be despised: the other, is when he doth persever to follow those things which are most principal in the enterprise, and in them goes forward still pursuing of honour, and following that which doth lead to the true and honest way, with an unspotted and excellent intent and mind, until such time as he hath obtained the effect, or the desired end.  
IF Fortitude do principally appertain unto man as his proper due: and the principal parts & duties of Fortitude, is not to be afraid of death neither of grief. Whosoever desires to be a man, ought likewise to consider well of the true properties of a man, and to have in memory, that to suffer himself to be possessed with fear, to be overcome by his own will and pleasures, or drawn by a covetous desire to gain money and riches: be parts of lightness and instability, contrary to all fortitude.  
THose things which are universally desired, do seldom come to pass, the reason is: for that there be few that give beginning or motion to those things: at the end whereof there be sundry contrary, to the appetites of many.  
THe art of clemency and of pardoning, although for the most part it benefits: nevertheless, sometimes it is hurtful and damageable, but this comes to pass, when thou dost pardon a particular person, equal or like unto thyself, whereas to pardon or to use clemency towards a multitude, for the most part doth benefit, for that it is almost impossible that a multitude which hath received any benefit, should all of them be willing to be malignant or ingrateful, whereas a particular person, either through his evil nature, or through some other unreasonable desire, doth oftentimes fall into this vice of ingratitude.  
THe true intent of good men, and men of judgement, ought never to be other then to endeavour themselves to obtain fame, glory and honour, in the sight of men: for that all perils, toils, travails, discommodities and griefs, which we bear in the exercise, or in the managing of great causes, is done with this principal intent, to benefit so many as we can or are able, and to be hurtful to none.  
A Wise man ought too consider, that he is borne not somuch for himself, as to benefit others, and by how much he finds himself in greater degree than others, or by how much he knows himself to have more knowledge, more virtue, or more gifts of God than others: by so much he ought to judge that God hath granted him the same, to the intent he may impart the same to the benefit of others, and in this we ought infinitely to rejoice, that he hath opened unto him so large, so plain, and so apparent a way, to make himself immortal.  
Sudden determinations, when as commodity is not left to consult, they draw perils oftentimes after them: and oftentimes also when a man for fear of a great peril doth turn himself towards desperation, they issue forth of those griefs and travails wherein they find themselves entangled: forsomuch as the converting of fear into desperation, makes men furious and bold: and those that be bold are for the most part aided and favoured by fortune.  
IN free Cities where fear and renown is entered into the minds of the universal people, that is to say: of all the Citizens, or into the mind of any particular person, when it is universally it causeth two effects, either the universal people do take their resolutions very slolye, or else doth take them speedily and desperately. When they take their resolution slolye, it ariseth for that a multitude can very hardly persuade themselves, that any other can so speedily harm them: and to resolve desperately and speedily, doth spring for fear of the imminent damage, or much rather through the present harms, and for doubt of worse, but that fear which is in the mind of a particular person, when he is mighty doth oftentimes divide a fr●e City into parts, and doth dis-vnite the same.  
THe fear of a greater evil doth sometimes deliver a man from the care and the thoughts of a less evil: forsomuch as those things that appear more terrible do cause us upon a sudden to forget the less terrible, and setting apart all care of the one, makes us apply ourselves to the other.  
A Man that is of a free and of a good mind, aught to consider that justice is maintained, that the faulty are chastised, and the good rewarded, for no other occasion but only by so doing it is good and just.  
AMongst the actions of men that are glorious, by the means of weapons or counsel, or that by one way or by another, they ascend up to honourable degrees: it is a thing of great importance to know how to defend ourselves from envy, for that there is nothing that can sooner and more easily cause them to fall down from their height into a base degree, worthy of compassion then envy: and to such persons it is a thing pernicious in particular to be conversant with men of the common sort: for that great men persuading themselves that they are to be in Court, in Palaces, in the streets, and in every place, holden of greatest reputation, in the same manner they were, when they did manage armies, or states, or public affairs: there is nothing that appears more strange to be supported, then populare equality, the which not only in f●ee Cities, but also in those that are subject to Princes, it remains firm and fixed in the minds of the vulgar sort (as those that have no other principal intent) then to pull down and debase such great persons, because they would not see them before them, neither more honoured or of greater reputation than they be.  
MEn of virtue and reputation have nothing that doth more help to maintain their greatness and reputation, and to avoid envy: then to remain separated and withdrawn from the conversation or traffic with the common sort.  
IT is not to be doubted but that envy doth not only hurt those that are envied, but oftentimes blinding and debasing the virtue of those men that are of great counsel, of valour, and of Prudence: do keep them for a certain time hid and not exercised, whereby those that are mighty and the Commonweals very often do suffer detriment in their occurrences.  
IT is the part of prudent and great counsellors, to provide so much as they are able, that those that be virtuous and good, be not oppressed with envy: and to work so far forth as their ability will stretch, or is permitted, that envy be extinguished and rooted out in their City.  
WHen others are to be found superior in virtue and knowledge: we ought in no respect to give▪ place and permit those persons that are not worthy should be admitted or enter into the government of public causes, and that the chief affairs of importance, should be put into the hands of Citizens that are not capable, for when those Citizens that be of greater counsel and bounty, and more profitable to their Country, be afraid either of the audacity of troublesome and ambitions Citizens, or are in doubt of envy, or are terrified in the travail of great and difficile enterprises, and draw themselves back: a large way is opened to negligence and sloth.  
Every one ought to defend himself as much as he is able from envy, and if for all that through some accident a man cannot defend himself: let him imagine that it is much better to be envied of others, then to bear envy to others, for that envy is nothing else but a grief and a sorrow taken to see the good hap and glory of others.  
THere is nothing that doth more easily turn upside down Commonweals and states: then to use change in the government of them, at every beck and desire of the vulgar people. As though they were void of people, they do abhor and ●lie always, without ever taking rest as it doth chance to the Sea, when it is in subjection to sundry winds.  
We ought never to put any hope in the vulgar people, for that there is no staidness, firm minds, or remembrance of received benefits: but rather do ever turn themselves for every little and sudden accident, applying always their mind, from that which from hour to hour, doth present itself before them, as a thing profitable or delightful: having neither respect to that which is past or that which is to come. But like an unreasonable beast, doth folllowe that only appearance of profit, that in every instant or moment of time, according to the necessities or wills which appear before their eyes, or in what other sense they will.  
THe particular Citizens or officers of a Common weal, do not only suffer damage or shame, by means of the instability of the vulgar & common sort: but Princes also when through any necessity they are brought to make experience of the amity & stability of the universal sort. A thing which every Prince ought greatly to have in memory & take care of, that if it be profitable and good, to be beloved of the people: yet it is a thing not only pertaining to a prudent & wise Prince, not to have occasion to make experience thereof, but assuredly necessary, to him that will maintain his state and establish it for his successors, to be prepared in such sort, that besides the love of the people he may have money, all sorts of provisions and Soldiers, to be able moreover to defend himself by force.  
THose which love and those which hate likewise, are accustomed to honour & reverence their Prince, but the one through love & natural favour: and the other through fear and terror. Therefore a wise Prince ought to apply his endeavours to procure unto himself, not by any of those ways, Titles, statures, honours and dignities, which the people would attribute unto him without merit: but apply himself to those actions, that truly are worthy of true praise and of great honours, which are to be attributed to him, not of the unskilful and light multitude: but of virtuous men that have consideration of his quality, & that do not change (as for the most part the multitude doth, following after the favours of Fortune) for that true virtue is that which doth confirm and establish States: by the which Fortune being overcome, is constrained in the end to go with him in company.  
IT is necessary that he that will rule, do not put any confidence in the multitude: but in his proper virtue, and in his own prudence and force, or else deposing himself of his dignity and Sceptre: he spoil himself of all the popular favours, and retire himself to quietness and rest, content with that glory he hath gotten, by doing so great a benefit for his Country.  
THe sinews of Prudence is not to believe fondly and speedily: Therefore before we believe, we ought to consider well, the circumstances of the thing, the accidents, the person and the cause. The which whosoever will examine well: shall not so easily fall into the error to believe over lightly.  
Universal things is the mother and original of particular things, and every particular thing is to be found in the universal, as part in all. And the true knowledge in universalities, doth make us more easily resolve in our judgement of particularities.  
MEn in peace do not support injuries, and although many times they forget them: it seldom falls out, but that when occasion serves, the displeasure of received injuries: doth awaken and quicken again within their minds. 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 upon them: they repute it as though it were just.  
FOr the most part a man doth never accuse himself, or never doth persuade himself to merit any punishment and chastisement, but rather reputing himself for good: doth hold it for an assured thing that injuries is done unto him, when he is accused. The which belief very rarely or never is canceled out of his mind, but always remains watchful, apt to bring forth effects at every occasion that doth offer itself when they are able to stand them in stead.  
THere is nothing that is more hurtful to a Prince, or to those enterprises that are to be accomplished: them to believe over easily, and specially to believe those, that feigning themselves to be escaped from our enemies: endeavour themselves with their fictions to deceive 〈◊〉. For the truth of the thing is hid from that man that gives credit unto such kind of people: which is the capital enemy that those have, that desire that their enterprises should succeed unto them, according to their draughts, determinations and desires.  
WHilst we go about to practise peace: it is necessary we be vigilant and careful, and know how to keep ourselves from the deceits which the enemy may set abroach and practise against us. And this is to be observed not so much of those that besiege others: as it is for those that be besieged.  
WHen Princes can not put trust one in an other, the thread and order of justice and of the right manner of living being broken betwixt them: it falls out of necessity, that they use the force of arms, and endeavour themselves to show their error one to the other: either to revenge themselves of their broken faith, or reduce them that are issued forth by force unto their duty, and right path of justice: and he that doth not perform this, shall become not only an enemy to the people that are subject to him, but also to himself: for that besides his not defending them, from the invasions and damages that they have received, the Prince will become in short time ignominius, of small account, & to be despised of other Potentates, and for that he neither knows, neither was of ability to prevail through those received injuries, by means of the faith broken towards him, he shall lose all his reputation and credit.  
IT is the property of a man that carries a good mind, not to break his faith: but not to know how to prevail against those that have 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 soever, sharply to chastise those that do not observe faith, if he be desirous to maintain himself in his state, with ●ame and with reputation, the which is lost wh●n he is in the derision and dispraise of others.  
IT is requisite that the Captain General have in mind and know, that he do not so much make his Soldiers observe their faith towards him, as also how to know to observe towards them: specially when he doth promise the same publicly, to a multitude, whereby the same may gather profit or riches, forsomuch as they become incensed in their minds, to perceive themselves deprived of the promise, and of their merited recompense, converting their love into disdain, and their disdain into hate: and it seeming unto them, that they are punished for that, which they ought to be rewarded for: they seek means to revenge themselves, breaking their faith against their superiors, of whom they see the same unjustly to be broken, since they perceive themselves deprived of the just reward of their travails.  
THe final end of those that move any wars, is to enrich themselves, and to impoverish the enemy▪ neither for any other occasion, victory is so much sought after, neither the gaining and conquest of things is desired for any other end, then to make ourselves mighty, and the adversaries weak: whereupon it follows, that sometimes either thy victory doth impoverish thee, or thy conquest make thee weak: it falls out of necessity, that either he doth overpass, or doth not arrive to those terms and ends, for the which the wars are made: but that prince and that Commonweal is made rich by victories of war, which destroy the enemy: and become Lords over the spoils, taxes, and impostes: those are impoverished through victories, that although he overcome cannot destroy the enemies: and that the spoils and the taxations fall not to his share, but appertain to his soldiers: such a one is unlucky in his losses, and unfortunate in his victories: for that by losing, he supports the injuries the enemies have made against him, by overcoming he supports that which his friends do against him, the which for that they are less reasonable, and less supportable, specially perceiving that of necessity he is constrained to burden his subjects with new offences and with taxations, and if he have in himself any humanity, he cannot entirely rejoice in such a victory: for the which all his subjects are made sorrowful and become aggrieved.  
THose are accustomed (that desire to obtain any thing) to assault with prayers, with requests, with rewards, and with menaces, to the intent they may be moved to do so much as they are desired and condescend to our request, either through mercy & pity, or through profit, or through ●eare: but the three foresaid ways having no place amongst covetous and cruel men, which are mighty according to their own opinion. Those toil and trouble themselves in vain, which believe either with requests to humble them or with rewards to gain them, or with threatings to astonish them.  
THose Cities are infortunate, which are to defend their liberty against the ambition of those that would oppress them: but those are much more unhappy, that are constrained to defend themselves with the mercenary and unfaithful weapons of foreign succours.  
THose that are in hope that a Common weal may be entirely united: are very much deceived by that hope, true it is: that some divisions do harm a Common weal and some do benefit. Those which do harm: do arise of factions and of partners, banded & united together. Those do benefit: that without factions and without partialities and partners do maintain themselves. Therefore the first institution of a Common weal, not being able to provide but that there will be discords and enmities in a City: he ought at the leastwise to provide that there be no factions. And therefore he ought to know how Citizens do obtain reputation two manner of ways in a City, either by public means or by private means. Publicly they are obtained by overcoming a battle, by winning a City, by accomplishing an embassage with care and with prudence, and by counseling the Commonweal, wisely and happily. By private means it is obtained, by benefiting these and those other Citizens, by defending them from severity of Magistrates, relieving them with money, advancing them undeservedly to honours, and with feasts and with public gifts to gratify the people. By this manner of proceeding, springe up factions and partners, and by how much reputation, gained in this sort doth offend: by so much it doth help and benefit, when it is not mixed with factions, for that it is grounded upon a common benefit, and not upon a private benefit, and although that amongst such Citizens we cannot by any means so provide, but that there will arise grievous hates, nevertheless, having partners, that through their own proper profit, do follow him, they cannot be hurtful to the Common weal: but rather it will fall out, that they shall benefit: therefore it is necessary to overcome their attempts, that they turn themselves to the exaltation of those, and particularly hold certain observations one to another, to the intent they do not overpass the civil terms.  
THe General that would make his Soldiers obstinate in any charge and onset, he must not permit them to send home to their houses, any of their spoils or riches, or to lay them up in any place: to the intent they may understand, that if flying away do save their lives, yet will it not save their goods, the love whereof no less than that doth make a man obstinate, to stand to his defence.  
IT is very easy to persuade or dissuade one thing to few for that if words do not suffice, we may use authority: but the difficulty is to remove from a multitude any sinister opinion which is either contrary to the commonweal, or else contrary to their own opinion, wherein no other means can be used, than words: the which is convenient that they should be heard of all.  
THe speeches of a General or of a Captain, to his Soldiers, doth take away fear, doth kindle up and inflame their minds and courages, doth increase their obstination, and resolution, doth discover despites, doth promise rewards, doth show unto them perils, and the way how to shun them, doth reprehend, requ●s●, threaten, doth fill with hope, praise and dispraise, and doth perform all those things, by the which human passions, are e●stinguished or are kindled up. Therefore that Prince or commonweal, that hath an army, aught to acustome the soldiers, to have their Captain speak, and the Captain to speak often to the Soldiers.  
THe best way that a General or Captain hath to cause his Soldiers become resolute and obstinate in fight: is to take away from them all hope to save themselves, but only by overcoming: the which resolution or obstination is also increased through confidence, or love towards their Captain, or towards their country: Weapons, good order, fresh victory, and the opinion which is had of the Captain, doth cause and confirm in them confidence: nature doth breed in them the love of their Country, virtue more than any other benefit, that of the Captain also there may be many sorts of necessities, but that is strongest which doth constrain them either to overcome or to die.  
A City whose ditches without the same, together with counterscarpes and other strengths, be higher than the walls of the City: that Town is most weak, for that those become bulwarks to the enemy that doth assault them: and doth not hinder him to endamage them, for that easily they may be opened, and give place to his artillery.  
NOthing doth give more hope to the enemy to be able to invade a City, then to know that the same is not accustomed to see the enemy: for that many times through fear only without experience of force, Cities are lost: Therefore when any Prince or other Captain doth assault a City, he ought to make all his shows and o●●entations terrible: and that a town that is assaulted, ought to place in that part where the enemy doth assault, strong men, and such as are not terrified by opinion, but by weapons: for if the first attempt doth become vain, it increaseth the minds of the besieged, and afterwards the enemy is forced to overcome those that are within the town, with valour, virtue, and reputation.  
generals and Captains for two reasons are commended and praised: the one is, that have with an army ordered by his natural discipline, performed great things: the other is, of those that not only have had to overcome the enemy, but first before they come so far, have been of necessity constrained to order, teach and instruct their army well, and those without doubt do merit much more praise, than those have deserved, that have wrought virtuously and worthily, with these well exercised ancient armies.  
A General amongst all his other actions, aught to endeavour himself with all art, to divide the forces of his enemies, either by making his Soldiers suspected of him, in whom he trusts and puts confidence, or to give him occasion to separate his people, and by this means to become more weak.  
THat which above all other things keepeth an army united together, is the reputation of the General, the which doth only arise of his virtue: for that neither blood, neither authority doth never give it him without valour.  
THe first thing that a General must look to perform, is to keep his Soldiers punished and paid: for when they want their pay, it falls out of necessity, that they must want punishment, for that a Soldier cannot be corrected unless he be paid, neither if the Soldier desire to live, can he abstain from robbing and spoil, but if he pay them and not punishment, the Soldier becomes in every respect insolent: and the General grows to be of small estimation: the which being so, he cannot maintain the dignity of his degree: and not maintaining the same, tumults and discords of necessity do follow, which are the ruin of an army.  
WHen either hunger or any other natural necessity, or humane passion, doth bring the enemy to his last desperation: and pricked forward with the same, doth 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 flee and shun the charge and encounter of battle.  
NO man ought ever to perform any thing, by means whereof without rememedy he doth begin to lose his first reputation, the which being lost, it makes his other orders and appointments to be esteemed less, and doth amaze those that have taken upon them his defence.  
THe three principal actions which an Army is to perform, is to march, fight, and lodge: and if an Army doth march, lodge and fight in good order, and perfect practice: the General obtains honour, although the battle take not good effect.  
ALthough a man be of an excellent wit and natural judgement, yet is it impossible that he should attain unto, and understand well, certain perticulares: and therefore experience is necessary, the which nothing else doth teach him, but the practice of things: wherefore he that hath managed many affairs, doth understand, for that by expe●ience itself, he hath learned how good, and how much experience is worth.  
WIthout doubt a Prince doth more please, that is prodigal then covetous, and nevertheless he ought altogether to be the contrary: for the prodigal person is forced to use extortions, and rapines, and the covetous person, doth not take any thing from any person, besides that those be of greater number that suffer discommodity through the burdens of prodigality, than those that receive benefits of his liberality: the reason is, that amongst men hope is of greater force, than fame, and those be of greater number that hope to obtain something at his hands, than those that fear to be oppressed.  
HE that hath living, possessions, or goods in his own native Country, and is subject to a bloody and beastly Tyrant, few rules that are good can be given to that man, except to take upon him exile: but when the tyrant either through prudence, or through necessity, doth govern with respect: a man that is well qualitied, aught to endeavour himself to be accounted of many not courageous, but of a quiet nature: and not desirous of alterations if he be not forced thereunto. For that by this means the tyrant will embrace him, and will not go about to give him cause to make novelties, ●he which thing he would not do, when he doth know him unquiet, for that then he thinks in any case he will not remain firm, and is constrained of necessity to extinguish and destroy him.  
IT is an honourable thing to a man, not to promise any thing, but that which he will perform: but commonly all those to whom he makes denial although justly, remain evil satisfied: for that men do not suffer themselves to be governed by reason. The contrary chanceth to him that promiseth, for that many cases do occur: by the which, they are not constrained to make experience of that which he hath promised: and so he doth satisfy him with his mind, and yet if he must perform the act, they want no excuses, and many are so undiscrete, that they suffer themselves to be compassed about with words: nevertheless it is so foul a thing for a man to fail of his promise, that he ought to prefer this before any profit, that may be drawn of the contrary: and therefore a man ought to entertain or temporize somewhat with general answers, and full of good hopes, but not in such sort as they may bind thee precizely.  
IT is a commendable thing, that good and valiant soldiers in haughty and hard enterprises, and in difficile passages, should exhort one an other to do well: to the intent that their not overcoming through their negligence and passing their time with ease, and not making one only experience against their enemies of their virtue and valour: should be reputed to them for a shame. And therefore they ought not to expect that their fame should be defamed, neither their prosperous fortune turn to a contrary course: but rather hoysse up their sails, according to the friendly wind that blows.  
THe Stratagems and advertisements of an old Captain, when they are effectually performed of his Soldiers: are as hurtful to his enemies, as the weapons which do kill them.  
IT is necessary that those which consider of perils: do first of all compare them amongst themselves, and afterwards make choice of the least: And he that gives favours, it is requisite that he have that consideration in all things.  
WHen a people do remain without head: and do live of themselves: they become less apt for the wars. And if after they return under a head: they are made less obedient, for that they were once free, and more apt to discords amongst them, doth foreslow his victory, and often times doth lose his state.  
PRincipalities when they are instituted by old men, have always had small continuance: for that for the most part old men because they live but a small time, either do not furnish out the planting of their plat, or if they do plant it, they leave it with so small & weak roots, that when that virtue & force which did custom it doth fail: the first wind doth bend down and bow the same.  
THere is nothing more worthy in an excellent Prince, or in a well ordered Commonweal, neither more profitable for a Province: then to build and edify a new Town, whether men may reduce themselves through the commodity of de●ence or benefit of the fertile ground. For that it makes the Country that is overcome, more secure to the vanquishour: and doth fill with inhabitants void places, and maintains men well distributed and dispearced in a Province, forsomuch as the inhabitors multiplying, they be more prompt and ready in their offences, and more secure in their defences.  
MEn do never maintain themselves in any difficulty if they be not maintained through a necessity: in such sort as where the fear of wars doth constrain them to inhabit willingly in rough and strong places, that fear being ceased, and being called upon by commodity: they do inhabit more willingly, in easy and domestical places.  
THe grievous and natural discords which are amongst the populare sort and the noble, being caused for that the one party would command, and the other for that they would not obey, are the occasions of many evils that arise in a City, for that through this diversity of honours, all those other things that disturb the Commonweal, take their nourishment.  
THat City which would maintain itself rather with factions then with Laws, when any one faction doth remain in the same without any that oppose themselves: it is convenient of necessity, that the same divide itself within itself, for that it cannot defend itself, from these private proceed the which the same for his safety had first instituted.  
WHere many do err, none are corrected, small facts are punished, the great and grievous are rewarded: and when many do suffer: few do go about to revenge themselves, for that universal injuries are supported with greater patience than those that are particular.  
FOr the most part all those that attain to riches and great power, either with fraud, either with force, do attain unto the same. And after they have either with violence or with deceit usurped those things, to hide the filthiness of their getting: they do make honest the same under a false title of gain. And those that through lack of prudence, or through folly, do shun and fly these means: are always overwhelmed in slavery and poverty. For that faithful servants are always conserved, and good men always are poor, and none there be that at any time do issue out of servitude, but those that be unfaithful and shamelesse-hardye and forth of poverty but those that are ravenous and fraudulent: for nature hath placed all the fortune of men in the midst of them, the which are subject and exposed more to rapine then to industry, and more to the wicked then the good. hereof it proceeds, that men eat one an other, and he that may least: goes to the worst.  
WHere necessity contraries, audacity is judged prudence, and courageous men never make account of peril in great matters: for that always those enterprises that begin with peril, do end with reward, and forth of one peril we can never issue without an other peril.  
Well ordered Cities, that are administered under the name of Common weals: do oftentimes vary and change their governments and their states, not by the means of liberty and servitude as many think: but by the means of servitude and licence. For of liberty the name of the ministers of licence, which are the people is celebrated, and that of servitude, which are the nobility is celebrated, every one of those desire not to be subject, neither to the Laws, neither unto men: True it is, that when for all that it chanceth, that when through the good fortune of the City, there doth arise in the same, a wise, good, and mighty Citizen, by whom Laws are instituted, by whom these humours of the nobility and of the populare sort are quieted, or are restrained in such sort, that they cannot work any evil: than it comes to pass that this City may be called free, and that ●ate may be called stable and firm, for being grounded upon good laws and good orders, it hath no such necessity of the virtue of one man, as the others have that do maintain the same, many ancient Commonweals were endowed with like laws and orders: all those that often in their government have changed and do change from a tyrannical state to a licentious state, and from the one to the other, have failed in this: and for that in them through the mighty enemies that every one hath, there neither is nor can be any stability, for that the one doth not please good men, the other doth displease wise men: the one may easily do evil, the other may do good but with great difficulty, in the one insolent men have overgreat authority, in the other those that be foolish. And it is convenient that both the one and the other ●e maintained by one man through virtue and fortune, which either through death may become less, or by travail become unprofitable.  
A Wise man ought ever little to esteem, to live in a City where laws are of l●sse account than men: for that Country is to be desired, in the which we may safely enjoy our substance and our friends, not that where other men may easily take from us that which is ours, and our ●●●ends, for fear of their proper state, do abandon us in 〈◊〉 most necessity.  
Provinces for the most part are accustomed in the changes they make, from order to come to disorder, and afterwards again, from disorder to pass to orders: for that the affairs of this world being not firm by nature, where they arrive at their last profession, not having whereupon to ascend higher: it falls out of necessity that they descend, and after they be descended, and being come by disorder to the last step, not being able of necessity to descend lower: it is convenient that they climb up again, and so always from the good we descend to evil, and from the evil we ascend to good: for that wars brings quietness, quietness brings idleness, idleness engenders disorder, disorder doth ruinated us, and likewise of ●uine doth spring orders, of orders come virtue, of virtue ariseth glory, and good fortune: wherefore of prudent persons it is observed, as letters come after weapons, and that in Provinces and Cities, Captains are borne before Philosophers, for that the good and well ordered weapons having brought forth victories, and victories brought quietness: the fortitude and strength of armed minds cannot be corrupted with a more honest idleness, than which that of le●ters, neither can idleness enter into a well ordered City, with a greater or more perilous deceit then by letters: Provinces therefore come by these means to ruin, whereinto being arrived, men by blows being made wise return to orders, if that already through extraordinary forces they remain not choked and devoured.  
THere is not any thing more hard than that obedience the which we call the denying of ourselves, whereupon I cannot see the occasion wherefore we flee from performing towards God that which doth carry our health, and procure ourselves to do it towards men, in things which doth promise uncertain and small benefits, if we will not say that this comes to pass through the commonoccasion of all evils, that is through our great ignorance & malice, which doth esteem of nothing but these present and these earthly goods, beyond all measure, and together with the pleasure that many take to deceive others: but through whatsoever occasion it doth rise, it is a great enemy to reputation.  
AN Army being vanquished, the wars are vanquished, but the towns being vanquished, and leaving the Army entire: the wars begin to be more hot, forsomuch as that Army which is entire, may recover the Towns, the which when they hold in their hands, the wars is not overcome.  
HE is not wise that doth attempt to defend a thing that in any case is to be lost, he may with less infamy and with less damage, lose any state alone, then to lose both the state and his money.  
THere is no man so prudent, neither any man so learned upon the earth, but that the greatest part of that which he knows is not less than that which lies hid unto him, hereof it springs, that if we have occasion to build, we call unto us cunning workmen and architectours: if we are to sail upon the Seas, we demand the counsel of Mariners: but in matters of war, so much the more diligently we ought to go about to perform this, by how much the peril seems to be greater: forsomuch as the harms of other things seem to be more light, every want being able to be amended, but the errors of war, besides the perpetual shame, do carry with them blows, wounds, death and destruction in a Commonweal: the which are so extreme evils, that they cannot be corrected nor shunned: and therefore in these cases we ought to take mature counsel of wise men, and the advertisement of those that are inveterated in Arms, and experimented in such service.  
THere is no man so rash and foolish hardy, that being able to depress and overcome the enemy with a prudent prolonging of time, will rather with a furious speed put the victory in doubt and hazard, which deferring and linger, doth promise him most certain: forsomuch as victory cannot be so well gotten with an inconsiderate speed, as with a prudent stay: and neither so well in going to find the enemy at his own doors, as to defend himself within his own confines: and to go about rather to put ourselves in peril, then overcome: is the part of an unwise man, and of one that is more rash, then courageous.  
WIse men have not sought means and desired, that faith should be more observed in any human action, then in confederacies: for that, if faith be broken amongst them which are bound together in league, what thing is there that can be accounted stable and entire in this world? for which respect the judgements which are made upon other contentions, for that they are as it were private, give almost no other punishment then in money, and capital punishment: for that the laws do not in any case support integrity, that he ought to be reputed for entire, which is not ofentire faith towards his confederates.  
IN the government of a Commonweal, every man doth confess, that we ought to have greater respect to honour, than profit: for that even as a City is of great estimation and reputation, so faith ought to be pure and sincere.  
Even as horses through idleness & overmuch abundance of meat becomes unwieldy and res●ie: so people sometimes through the courtesy and benignity of those that govern, become insolent and proud, and have need of force to hold back the reins of liberty.  
WHen a Commonweal doth move wars against a Prince, she ought first to look about her and take care that she be not deceived with the words of her enemy: besides that, she ought to train up her people, so as they may be able to resist the invading force of the enemy, and to withstand those perils which do chance at unawares. Thirdly she ought to make choice of prudent and well practised men, who may stand like Senternelles and watchmen, attentive and vigilant for the benefit of the Commonweal: and wisely understand every thing, and with great prudence provide for every thing. fourth, to conserve and keep the amity of adjoining Princes, yielding favour to those that have need: Last of all to write to the greatest Princes of the world, consulting with them upon occurent causes.  
THe expenses of the wars are grievous to every one, but specially to the multitude, which do not foresee future perils: Whereupon, even us Physicians use oftentimes ●ire and iron, towards the sick persons they govern, and lose one part to save the whole: so ought the governors of the Commonweal, perceiving and foreseeing future perils, constrain the people to spend one part of their goods, for the conservation of all the rest: for that liberty being lost, every thing falls into the hands of the Conqueror, and next doth follow the infamy and shame of slavery: the which of worthy men ought to be chased away, even unto death itself.  
THe people and the vulgar multitudes which do not foresee future things, do first feel and see the perils before they have imagined and thought upon them: but excellent men, although they foresee perils in a populare Commonweal, neither cannot nor dare not make provision, for when they make demonstration of the perils and persuade to use remedy, immediately it is said they desire wars: and make law and prohibitions in such sort that he that would provide for the safety of the City, there should remain no way for him able to perform the same, whereupon it ariseth that making no provision, times do post away, but when perils are present, and cannot be avoided, then full of fear, they consult what is to be done.  
THose men are worthy of very great infamy, who not c●ring to be infamous, do not observe their given faith, neither their promises they have made neither their sworn conventions. And although every breach of promise be infamous, nevertheless that is most infamous which against capitulations of peace, doth draw wars after i●. For if the sacred effects of faith, and the observing of oaths be taken away: what remains more amongst men that is good and godly, whereby one may put trust in an other? and by which inconveniences, the common conversation and company of men is broken.  
IT is manifest to every one, that nature hath granted not only to men, but also unto brute beasts, a certain desire of liberty: to obtain and keep the which liberty, they enforce themselves with all diligence and natural industry to perform all those things that may maintain the same in them, and do bear great hate to all those that they imagine to be contrary to these their appetites. And this is apparently perceived in those unreasonable creatures, which are accustomed to remain domestically bound who so soon as they are unloosed from them that govern them, with acts and gestures make sign, how grateful it is unto them to be looste from those bonds and Chains, and that they are able to go at liberty where they list. And therefore if we behold this natural desire of liberty to be in beasts, how much more ought the same to be in men, who God hath made above all other creatures, most prudent and wise, and hath endowed us with reason and understanding, to the intent that we may follow the order of nature, and defend that liberty, than the which there is nothing amongst men more dear and of greater prize and valour: And although nature the mother of things hath granted us infinite benefits, nevertheless she hath given us nothing, neither better neither sweeter than liberty.  
ALthough wars are made and taken in hand for many ocasions, nevertheless there is none more just nor more worthy of praise, then that which is taken in hand for the defence of our liberty and of our Country, the which doth contain in it, our houses, our Children, our wives, our fathers and mothers, riches, the Temples, and finally every humane and divine thing.  
THere be two things in a Commonweal, the which although by effect and name they are sweet: nevertheless oftentimes they have been an occasion of great harms to mighty and noble Cities, as peace and a restraint of money forth of the public profit. For that perils being placed a far off or before our eyes: either they are not seen or if they be seen, whilst we do overmuch delight in sparing or in peace, we esteem them so small, that almost we are brought into every evident peril, before we will provide for the terrible name of wars although we be in manifest danger, and all to shun the odious name of expenses.  
A King is no other than a man brought up in deliacies, and as it is accustomed to be said in swaddle clothes, and is a man that hath need of a great number of officers and servants. From whom if his wont services be taken away: without doubt he is of less power than others, forsomuch as he is not accustomed neither wont to exercise neither his feet, neither his hands, neither any other part of his body, but to live in idleness. And Kings know better how to command then to perform.  
He is aswell to be reprehended that through baseness of mind doth suffer those occasions to pass, whereby he might recover his state, assure the rest▪ & secure others unto whom he is bound and beholden: as on the other side also he that over boldly or over rashly doth commit all things to fortune, where he cannot look for due & worthy recompense of his perils and travails.  
WHen there be many mighty men and Cities confederate together, it being convenient that many heads should be of one self opinion: it is impossible that they should long maintain themselves, all of them united together, or that they should use one self consultation or bring suddenly things to effect, because they are not of one self will and mind, but rather every one is only careful for his own proper profit. For where men's minds are disagreeing: there likewise their deeds fall out to be disagreeable, whereof there can never any thing that is perfect arise.  
Courageous men ought never to make account of perils in great matters. Therefore those merit to be praised that use endeavours, not only to deliver themselves from tyranny: but become unto him that doth aspire unto tyranny, so much his superior, that he have greater cause to be grieved and to fear them: then they him.  
A Good Citizen ought never to speak neither for favour or grace, neither through the instigation or benevolence of others: but only in respect of that he knows to be laudable and best, aswell for the particular as general commodity of all. And never to persuade any thing but which shall be as agreeable to God: as in the sight of men reasonable, just, and sacred, loving rather better the public benefits and the universal quiet, than his own proper life.  
THe end of all enterprises is more uneasy than the beginning: for to give end to a begun enterprise, requires travail. And a Ship doth freely cut through the Seas, although the winds do not blow prosperously, the Mariners always bending their sails in such sort, that they go forward upon their voyage, but coming to enter in to the Haven: it is necessary to have prosperous winds, having to enter with their Ship in at a strait passage.  
A Captain ought not to comfort his Soldiers, but unto a glorious enterprise, for that to comfort them to their wont works & actions is shameful, not only to them that are comforted, but also to him that doth comfort, seeking for at the hands of the Soldier, that which he is bound unto.  
THe Souls of those warriors and valiant men, that have been esteemed and thought to die for their country, ●or their Children, and for their religion, being dissevered with weapons from the bondage of their body: it is no doubt but the shining starry heavens doth receive them into a most happy quiet mansion: and there doth remain upon earth some sign of glory or clamour: for that those that die by infirmity, do leave behind no memory of them but he that goes against his enemy, if it chance he die, glory doth follow him.  
HE that doth serve his turn with the benefit of traiterie, through the received grace, doth take therein like a Conqueror sudden pleasure, and guided in time to come with a continual suspicion, at one instant doth fear and hate the traitor, although he have been beneficial unto him, and have that in himself, and proved the same, have afterwards to take heed and warily to shun the sign of tradiments.  
ALl great facts are accustomed to be better directed with good counsels, then with celerity of time: for that, for the most part a mature dilation, which with opportunity doth conduct to the end, doth carry with it much greater profit: but rash audacity and over-curious speed in matters, when they are not performed in time convenient & not ap●, hath cut off from many the hope to dispatch any thing: for that the enemy doth more easily overcome a multitude which as yet is not in order, then that which with fewer people, but well instructed and ordered, doth come to give an onset, and to fight.  
HAving not well provided for one war▪ and to go about to take in hand another, is a great folly, for that th●se which hang in balance, and are not intentive, against one only enemy, reason will that they be overcome by their adversaries.  
TO raise up in time a Camp for any place, hath directed and reduced many to better fortune: but the desire to do 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, than made him glorious and honourable: for that we are not to seek after and follow the names of things, but rather are to gain the commodity of them: for that the virtue of a man doth not show itself in things that are new begun, but those which are brought to an end do make him noble and famous.  
THe enemy doth shun and flee those that with a great preparation and at one instant time go to assault him: but those which desire perpetually to conserve their bodies and remain far off from the wars, are soon overcome, and made slaves: for that it is of great importance in warfare to have prompt and ready the wills of the combatants, and when their minds are inclined to fight, they are accustomed to accomplish many egregions victories and famous things, but how small and few soever those valiant men and armed with virtues are, yet they surpass the great armies of the enemy.  
THose do not gain great praise, that have overcome the less mighty, but those also that with less preparations do surpass the rest in greatness of mind. But to those which of their proper nature are very timorous, it would fall out to be a great help to them to be full of courage and audacity, for that for the most part, all those whose states depend upon steel and weapons, by despising perils courageously, they have oftentimes become victorious.  
WE may more easily break and kill those that of things already done, have carried away the victory (if peradventure) they are puffed up & made proud thereby, than those that without thinking upon the same, be fallen down from the same: although they proceed with their enemies in time to come more timorously and doubtfully: for negligence and baseness do corrupt also those things that are excellently well ordered, but travail accompanied with care and diligence: hath aided greatly unto many, although Fortune hath been contrary unto them: for that those that with sloth and folly take in hand any enterprise, are accustomed oftentimes to weaken themselves, and to fail in their forces, but those that proceed in the same with care and with diligence, are accustomed to increase marvelously.  
TO all those that are borne, the self-same end of life doth not follow, neither the very same chance and quality of death, as in many things it comes to pass, men are disagreeing amongst themselves: for those that are Cowards and not apt for the war, having first received many injuries, and given occasion to cause themselves to be ●●outed of the enemy, according to the years that God hath most ordained, they finish and make an end of their destiny, the which for all that ought not to chance to worthy and valiant men, who with virtue and with great glory ought to find the means to end their lives.  
THose that be rash do much more easily obtain the name of courageous, than those that be politic and prudent, for that he that doth take upon to perform any enterprise, over and beside his duty, through the benevolence of any one, unto whom peradventure he seem to be a valiant & wise man, obtains honour: but he that prudently and with judgement doth avoid any peril, neither for all that hath well performed those things according to his desire, he shallbe without doubt accounted capable, through the occurrence of the thing, and if it fall out according to his mind and judgement, it will not seem unto the ignorant that he hath done any thing of himself.  
Human things are sometimes accustomed to deceive much: for that every man being mortal, and it seeming to every one, to be hardly apt for the rash disgraces of fortune, it is necessary (as reason will that he clearly and manifestly see his grossness and insolence, and nevertheless, although he will not, yet he must needs be subject to the necessity of fortune.  
WE may easily fight with those that are half dead with hunger, and much sooner overcome the enemy with dearth and famine, then with weapons, neither can we cast more sharp darts, neither shoot more swift arrows against our adversaries, than 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 eat, and the penury of meat doth cast to the ground and ruinated the force of weapons.  
THere is no Captain so far out of his right senses, or simple Soldier so rash, that being able to fight with security & advantage, will rather to his loss and peril attempt the chance of battle, and that may without blows or wounds receive victory, will rather with blood put his health and safety in doubtful hazard.  
Every one knows how slowly and without travail they do handle their weapons, whose arms are consumed with fasting, and can with great pain rule themselves: and he cannot very well perform any thing with them in battle, that in other exercises hath consumed his forces: and there victory is speedily obtained, where he that is whole doth fight with the sick: the strong, with the weak, and the afflicted with labour, with him that hath never tasted of any travail.  
IT is an extreme folly to abandon with the base mind of a woman, and to despise with a childish fear that which is gained with the mind of a man, and with the valour of a Soldier, and to give into the hands of the enemy that which he hath as yet not gained, together with riches not hoped for, and therefore what hope can be had in them, or how may we believe that they are to behave themselves in arms, who making the profession of Soldiers, are only made afraid with thinking upon wars, and with the imagination of battles: therefore is it better to take a glorious death, then to desire to live to lead a shameful and vile life, for in a short space of time life doth leave us, but shame doth never leave us, even after death: but doth rather make our shame so much the longer and the greater, by how much our death hath been shameful and infamous.  
WHat sign of victory can we receive more certain, then before the battle to possess the spoil, and to occupy the enemy's lodgings before we come to fight with them: and it is much better to overcome securely by putting the enemy in fear then to put in doubt, and hazard his safety, with making proof experience of arms.  
THere is nothing more sweet to him that is in calamity then death: and that death is most happy, which is hoped for and desired, for that she doth not take away the delights of time but doth consume the unpleasant taste of bitter and noisome things, and as in prosperous things it is good to desire life, so in adversity it is fit we call after death.  
IT is the part and duty of a good Citizen, that he do preserve himself for the benefit of the commonweal, and beware that he do not harm without some fruit, and he ought not to leave off and to slip any fit saying or act for the commodity of his Country, yea if moreover, he could no otherwise then with his blood preserve it.  
THose which have a desire to furnish and to obtain any thing, are accustomed to differ in their words and their deeds: forsomuch as they feign all things to obtain their intent, but after they have once obtained it, they do not in any sort abstain from the fulfilling of their desires, and besides this those that come after do always force themselves to overpass their ancestors in audacity, thinking▪ that the like is small, for that before it hath been committed, they choose that which is unaccustomed, as if it we●e a thing fit and worthy for them, because it is behind the opinion and expectation of men.  
THose that hunt after and desire the gifts of liberality, it is necessary that they provide and force themselves that they do not lose the same at the beginning: forsomuch as servitude doth always give the first and chiefest molestation. It is a just thing to move wars, because they will not sustain the same, but he that is once become subject to others, and afterwards would rebel, doth show himself rather to be a contumelious slave, than a lover of liberty.  
IN wars it doth not only benefit to be store of men, although they be very warlike: but also it doth benefit the small number, if amongst them there be force: for those that be few, may easily set themselves in order, and may easily help one another: but great armies are of greater travail to be set in order, and besides that they carry always with them many vices of mind, and those things that are of value in prosperity, through every small error, are extinguished, and become worth nothing.  
Even as it is the act of vainglorious and light men, to become proud in prosperity, so is it the act of men of vile and base minds, to become afraid in errors and adversities: for he that doth so, doth show that he hath no constancy at all, & that he is over-lightheaded, to change himself first into one part, then into another: and that the strong man of fortitude is he, that doth remain firm and doth not change: whose mind is sober and quiet, even in things that be administered unluckily, to the intent he may be accounted one self person in all his actions, correcting errors with right counsels.  
NO man at any time unless he be a vanquishour, doth change wars into peace: and it is a great folly to hope for safety by flying, and by casting away his arms & weapons wherewithal he doth defend himself, and doth cover his own proper body: and those do bring greatest perils in a battle, which are most afraid, for that audacity is as it were a most strong wall.  
WHen the Nobility governs a Commonweal, that government cannot be but good, and cheefelye when they govern by love, and ha●e an eye to the common benefit: for that the Nobility being free from the occupations of Artifficers and handiecrafts, they may have their minds more apt and turned to the management of the conservation of the state: but when contrariwise the nobility have their minds blinded with some passions, or corrupted with bribes: then justice running into ruin, can never be found quiet nor in tranquillity: and specialllye, turning that government to the damage of the people, to the shame and infamy of the Commonweal.  
TO prepare for wars, and at one time not to charge L'erario, to constrain unto warfare those that would not endamage, to take care of all those things appertaining to peace and wars, and to do them before the eyes of the envious, of those that are partial, and those that are adversaries: is a way more difficile, then that which a man would believe.  
IT is not a part appertaining to a right Soldier, to run first to one side, then to another, for unto that captain or Soldier that hath no steadfast faith: a charge of importance, cannot be committed unto his hands, neither cannot be trusted with any strong place: and therefore unto men that be strong and of valour, it appertaineth more to despise death, then to have our life in hatred: and oftentimes those that be vile and base, are foreced either through the tedious toil and travail, to provide for themselves and for their own profit, but virtue doth leave nothing behind unprovided and unexperimented.  
Necessity and force go oftentimes before reason, and chéefelye in the enterprises of wars, in the which very rarely we can be able to determine and to assemble times, forsomuch as the fortune of wars doth instruct even those that are overcome, in the art of warfare.  
WHat thing is of greater disgrace, then to lament ourselves of injuries, and to prepare ourselves to war to our perils, and flying and shunning the judge, make him our enemy? for that the judge although he be wicked, nevertheless doth interpret the Laws, but thy enemy although he be just, doth seek thy death: then therefore we ought to please the judge, and defend ourselves from our enemy: to the intent he do not move and raise up our neighbours against us: for that by pleasing them, they become more benign, and this is avoided by standing aloof from him.  
ALthough valour and virtue, be accustomed to be commended in warfare: nevertheless, Fortune hath a sway and rule therein: but it is convenient that prudent men amend their faults and errors, and in prosperity to be modest, for rude wits become proud, through any happy success, as though they were not to fight with men: and those that be weak through any sinister chance, lose all hope without considering that the success of Wars do easily change: he therefore is a most worthy man, that in adversities can manly sustain the furies of fortune, and doth study to amend his wants & faults: but he that is negligent, doth fall oftentimes in his rising, and running headlong, goes altogiter into ruin: but if this oftentimes fall out where only virtue is, how much more in wars: where the Squadrons are of sundry generations, their minds and their wills sundry, the place contrary, the raggedness thereof difficile, and the space of ground strait to fight in, in which things fortune is of greater force than virtue.  
WHen a Citizen persuading public benefits, doth not show therein any passion, in applying himself to private benefits, he doth easily incline the minds of the hearers, to all that which he desires, but when in persuading public benefits it seems he hath a meaning to procure some private commodity, or his own profit: he doth not so easily bow and make favourable the minds of them that hear him.  
IT is a more filthy and infamous thing to those that are in any dignity, to gain with fraud and with deceit: then by manifest and open violence, for violence by all reason proceeds from the power which fortune hath given unto some: but deceit, from the snares of an unjust mind.  
THat wise Captain which with a good, vigilant and prudent eye, hath in consideration the enemy's errors, and doth dispose himself to assault them hotly and courageously: not in equal battle, or at an appointed time, not with like will, but according as he shall see his advantage, he doth obtain victory for the most part.  
I Make my account, that that City which departs from the exercise of business, and gives itself to idleness, will soon run into ruin: and that those men amongst all the rest live in greatest security, that using the present laws, although they were less good,, without any contention, do govern their Commonweal, without strife and discord.  
IN those cases that may endamage a Commonweal, it is better to remain provided to defend them, then to expect to make provision when they are come: and in all matters of war, it is better to fear, then to dispraise: for that fear makes wise men to be always provided, and despising for the most part doth bring us unto those ends that are neither desired nor believed.  
Every well ordered Commonweal, aught to proceed fair and easily to banish a man forth of his house, and to send him into exile: who through his virtue or through his favour, either with his own or with foreign strangers, may be embraced of his enemies, and that may more hurt them being banished, than he could benefit, being at home in his own house.  
FOr that it is a perilous thing to tell the truth unto Princes, and specially in those things, that they are resolutely determined to do, esteeming them for good: therefore it seldom comes to pass, that they are well counseled, and as they ought to be: forasmuch as if they tell the truth, he becomes their enemy: if they flatter, he obtains their grace: and flattery is more secure than verity.  
IF the opinion and judgements that be contrary amongst themselves: be not well examined and discussed, we cannot so easily make choice of the best part, but it is convenient to use that which is first reported: but when many do allege that which every one doth believe to be best, we may make choice thereof, as we would do of gold that doth glister of itself: and being put to the touch, is discearned whither it be pure or not.  
ALl the gain of great enterprises, doth consist in good counsel, and although some froward hap do chance against all counsel this comes to pass, for that Fortune doth overcome our providence, but he that doth take naughty counsel, (although it succeed happily) is worthy of blame, for very seldom to the devices of evil counsel doth succeed prosperous ends.  
A Good counsellor ought never to hide the truth, although it turn to the prejudice of his life: for it is better for him to lose his life, then to keep secret a good counsel: for that the end of things will make manifest of what mind he was that did wisely give counsel, and who did speak things to please the Prince, to flatter him: and it will then follow, that the good counsellor will be better beloved being so dead, than the flatterer shall be esteemed, that remains living.  
Many chances in warfare make men believe, that men constrained of necessity, proceed much farther than their proper courage, and natural force doth bear: and hereby it comes to pass, that many after the overthrow constrained to begin a new battle, have overthrown the vanquishours.  
THose which have their life in gift of the enemy, and accustomed oftentimes to die with misery and with shame: and contrariwise all those that consider that the law of death is common to all, without having to fight combat, or any other peril: they go to encounter an honourable death: & such as those have I ever seen, arrive to a goodly old age, and during their life, always to manage honourable enterprises, and such as were full of great praise and fame.  
IT seldom comes to pass that any good counsel should not generally be accepted of all: for that our understanding being by nature given to settle and stay itself in true things, or that have great appearance of truth, it is requisite that they should embrace right counsels for good and true.  
THe speech of a light and of an inconstant person, is reputed unprofitable and vain who doth unconsideratly run here and there without any reputation or honour. Contrariwise when it is known that any one doth carry great respect to his faith: his speech when he doth desire, pray or make request, is much more worth than the force of any other. And the same chanceth when he would cause any one to return to his obedience, he doth far more basely obtain his desire with words, than an other with deeds, and his threatenings have more force than other means, executions and punishments: and he doth bring forth greater fruit by promising, than any other by giving.  
NO man that doth govern and rule others: can have neither a more godly neither a more honourable riches than virtue, justice, and the magnanimity of mind: The which if any one have having together with the same great numbers of fr●end●●▪ and trusty faithful persons: h●e can not but be very rich, neither shall he want any persons that shall rejoice with him in his prosperity, and who in the time of adversse fortune, will conversse with him, help him and secure him.  
IT is no doubt but that the covetousness of Prince's Officers, be apt and sufficient, to make their goodness and bounty infamous. For that Princes when they make wars, not being able for the most part to be there in person: of force they must put trust in their Officers and Commissaries of their Campe. Who believing that the Soldiers, may be driven off and entertained with fair words and great hopes: retains those pays which Princes do send to the Army to pay the Soldiers.  
NOt only the Commonweals, but also private men ought of necessity, by how much the more they flourish in forces: by so much the more to procure themselves those things, which at some time may turn to their profit, to the intent that when occasion and need requires, they may have a defence wherewithal to help themselves.  
HE that desires to overcome, ought not to put himself in flight: for victory is not gained with our shoulders but with our hands: & every victory merits to be praised in every place, but that which is showed & seen in wars is worthy to be celebrated and lift up even unto heaven, for that the same is visible, and doth shine in the midst of so many perils, no less than gold in the midst of a hot flaming fire.  
FRom the beginning of the world it hath been instituted for a law, that Cities taken by wars, should appertain to the conquerors: and besides this, the men, the money, and what thing soever else is within the City, to be a reward of the victory.  
MEn esteem it a great thing to gain Empire, but much greater it is to keep it after that it is gotten: for that we oftentimes see, that many through audacity and fortune may take a Kingdom, but not maintain it: whilst it is gained with much diligence and care, without Prudence and Temperance.  
THe proportion or the name doth not make any man friend or enemy: but the good or evil which we reap of things, doth make them friends or enemies: loving th●se that bring us good, and hating those that bring us evil: neither have men planted this law, neither have we taken it from any of our predecessors, but nature doth teach it us: and for this rispect, we leave our friends when they offend us▪ and embrace our enemies when they do benefit us: and that City which hath engendered us, we love it when it doth well, and dispraise it when it shows the contrary, and doth evil: and this falls not out by reason of the place where it is set: but through the damage or through the profit which chanceth to be performed by the same, neither doth it chance only to private persons, to have such opinion of every of these things, but also unto all Cities and unto all people. Demand nothing but that which is according to the divine laws, neither do any thing out of the common justification of men.  
THat Captain which doth think that he can with words, make those men courageous, which never have seen the enemy in the face: doth greatly deceive himself. Wherefore in enterprises of importance, it is no wisdom to set an Army of young and unexpert Soldiers, in the face of a Camp of old tried Soldiers. For although the General be most valiant and prudent, nevertheless he cannot with security serve his turn with those that have small practice in warfare.  
THe troops and great multitudes of people, are very easy to be deceived and persuaded any thing. Unto whom it oftentimes chanceth the same that it doth unto the Sea: For even as the Sea by his nature doth no hurt to those that use it well: but if it be tossed with furious winds, it becomes like to the winds wherewithal it is tumbled on every side. So likewise the multitude becomes like to those that manage them which are their Captains and counsellors.  
TO me it seems that Haven towns are much liker to Ships then to the Land or shore: for they have in them a continual concourse and great abundance of Merchants, but that which is gathered and reaped of the fruits of the earth and by the work and industry of Artificers, is more sure and doth continue longer. For this occasion, the ancient Empires for the most part, were far off from the Seas, and therefore they did increase and endure long.  
Envy amongst Captains hath always been an occasion to ruinated Armies, and to destroy Kingdoms. For that suffering themselves to be carried away with passions, they use not their counsels for the common profit but according to the evil disposition of their minds, whereupon it follows, that those which have given good counsel, be despised, and afterwards Princes by means of those evil counsels: find themselves to be deprived of their States.  
ALthough a General or Ambassador have Commission of his Prince to conclude any thing, nevertheless he ought not to take upon him so much authority, that thereby their commission should become rash or licentious: and chiefly when in the managing of things there is some point that may do hurt to the honour of his prudence, the which thing the Ambassador ought not to ratify, neither to accept any thing, before he have advertised his Prince thereof.  
IT is no safety for a free City, to favour any part, where two Princes that are neighbours make wars together. And also to stand in the midst and keep a mean, doth not bring with it great security, for that these two Princes at the last may agree together to ruinated them, whilst thou hast been neither friend to the one nor to the other.  
IT comes to pass of necessity, that those that possess any thing, should be laid in wait for by many. Therefore it is good that he prevent the snares of his enemies, to the intent that those that do repose themselves in their own proper goods, should not fall into those dangers like unto those that through overmuch abundance do move wars.  
NO friend doth differ from an enemy by nature, which is common to every one, but by customs and by deeds. The which being good, makes every stranger seem to be his neighbour & familiar, but being wicked: makes every man although a neighbour, to become a stranger.  
NAture hath appointed it to be healthful and necessary to man, that some should be ruled and governed, and it is impossible that without this order, any thing should persevere and go forward any long time, and it is a convenient thing that one that is ruler over another, have care over convenient things, and to command, but he that is subject, it appertains unto him to be obedient without any excuse, and to execute diligently that which is commanded him.  
ALthough injuries be done unto a man, yet for all that he doth not ever lie under: neither he that is superior in power is always a vanquishour, but the one & the other are subject to humane instabilities and the uncertainty of Fortune: and oftentimes the ends do not succeed according to the hopes that we have, but quite against their thoughts and imaginations.  
THat man becomes terrible, that either is injuried or reputes himself to be injuried, and very many times besides his force, he puts himself into perils, carrying this mind, that either he will overcome or not lose, without drawing blood of the enemy: and they sometimes are vanquishours, and sometimes are overcome: and now equal in power, now inferior: it falls out that some die altogether and some other obtain the victory of Cadmus.  
WHen discords begin amongst any that endeavour themselves to resist violence with violence, and know not that revenge cannot be made with equity and humanity, but according to the appetite and licence which they take through weapons: it comes to pass that they make a circular & winding compass of evils, without end and it comes that there is successively made a resolution of cruelty: for that he that is vanquishour, doth abound in injuries, & gives no end to his doing evil, and he that is disgraced through the displeasure and wrath of his mizerie, if in the beginning he be not altogether destroyed, he remains in continual desire to revenge himself against him that did him injuries, until such time as he feel himself satisfied in his mind: and in like sort the rest of the multitude, although they have not been partakers of this thing, nevertheless, through the pity they bear to him that is overcome, and through the envy they bear to the vanquishour: fearing also to suffer such like, and hope they may be able to do the same to him: and by this means the one half of the Citizens are moved to make sedition, and the one and the other succéeds and follows on to evil, which is like to a Circular and legitimate course, having this occasion to revenge those that have been oppressed, and although they are privately set free, nevertheless every way they destroy the Commonweal.  
THe instruementes of Magistrates and of armies is so joined and linked with humane imperfections, that they are not apt for the divinity, as divine worships are: which raising us from the earth, makes us to approach near to God himself: and consequently doth make us more partakers of his virtue, then of any care of worldly matters: whereupon doth spring and arise good fame, and after the same, that reputation which is holden in highest degree, drawing the minds of the people into a firm belief that we are exactly good, not in exterior actions, but in inward conscience: and besides that inducing them to hold for certain, that we cannot err, God being upon our side: which likewise is an occasion that men reverence us with a certain fear, not to offend us: because they will not offend together there withal his divine majesty.  
WHen we take in hand any voyage, the end is, to arrive at that place whither we think to go, the midst or mean is the way by the which we take our journey: so in our affairs we ought to have before our eyes, tw● considerations, the end, and security to arrive with satisfaction, but when unto these two, speed may be joined: then have we fully all those parts that appertains to perfect affairs.  
OF the two, offensive wars is better than the defencive: for that he that doth assault, hath already thought upon all that which is necessary for him, and therefore he is become thoroughly resolute: but he that is assaulted, is taken either unprovided or provided: the unprovided person doth prepare & defend himself 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 himself to have any mighty enemy, and hath not foreseen the same: he is worthy of blame, and doth merit the name of imprudent. He that is provided will likewise be accounted not very wise, if he have not used all force and diligence, to be the first to issue and break, for that although before the chance do fall, it appears that he is furnished with so much as is needful, yet upon the deed doing, great store of wants discover themselves, and with long proceeding and continuance, for the most part he grows worse, and to feel defects, forsomuch as he falls unto the want of Captains, of Soldiers, of victuales, of artillery, and of other such like things necessary for the said defence: the which proceeds because he is not able to work by entire free choice and election, and that he is constrained to do every thing through mere necessity, besides that his own proper people do suffer infinitely, with the peril of their total ruin, and with continual fear of loss, without any hope of gain.  
THe counsel of a Prince compounded of divers and sundry persons, is most commmended: for many have proved many things, and all consists in experience, because the subject is humane actions, wherein we oftentimes see by proof, that that thing doth succeed and fall out, which by reason was not looked for, and many men, besides that they have seen much, have heard many things and read much, whereby they possess a discourse of greater effect, and likewise because the affairs that are consulted upon are many and sundry, therein is to be required divers and sundry judgements: and he that rules, hath so huge a Machine upon his shoulders, that he is forced to have many arms, to lay hand upon to help him to sustain that heavy burden.  
THe counsellor of a Prince ought both to be quick and grave, to the intent that by his only vivacity, he become not vain: and through only gravity, gross and sluggish: being quick he will be vigilant, and if grave, he willbe well staid in himself to give ear: and in the act of counseling if he be quick, he doth discover difficulties, doth pierce and see into them, and doth not lose the courage of his mind, and hath recourse to provision and prevention: and if grave, he examines and resolves fears, perils, and determines upon the provisions: and so vivacity makes him to foresee, and gravity causeth him to provide, and he that doth provide, will: and he that doth foresee, knows: and he that will and knows, and is not hindered, and impeached, may put his valour in execution: and for that the quick person is subtle and sharp, and the grave firm and mature: the one doth arise more by nature then by experience, and the other more by experience then by nature● we may say that of vivacity, comes wit, and of gravity, judgement whereof prudence is framed: and that good way and manner how to use the same, which is dexterity, so that for the full perfection of counsel, it is necessary that vivacitye and gravity do concur therein, the one giving to another reciprocal help.  
Counsel is made of those things that remain always in one self form, neither of those that do change and are notorious, neither of those which although they be difficile, nevertheless there remains and rests not much, but when any case doth fall out, that hath many shapes and colours, so that it may change itself in sundry sorts, and take many forms, and that it doth import much either in appearance or in consequence, or in the one and the other sort: the which thing comes often, for that oftentimes ma●●ers do fall out, which carry with them such doubts as are to be had in consideration.  
IN the government of a free City, where there is no head that is undoubtedly Lord and Master: every thing is subject to the laws, but in a Monarchy men are not bound unto them, but all that which doth please the Monarch himself, becomes Law in effect: the which he may perform, either by letters or by subscriptions, either by decrees, or by words, or by edicts, or in some other sort: and even as the father of a famulye may at his pleasure alter the orders, that he hath constituted in his house: So a Prince hath so great authority over his subjects as he will himself: and moreover so much the greater, by how much the more his power is free: and much more also, for that the same doth extend over all the principals of the houses, the City being all, and the house part of all.  
SInce it doth chance for the most part that the people do taste of extreme poverty, and the nobility of extreme riches, (in a Commonweal not well ordered) it destroys the form of civil government: forsomuch as those that be extreme poor, use industry, to follow craft and fraud, and those that are very rich become proud, insolent, and insupportable: and finally seditions do arise: the disorders of these extremes, proceeding so far forward, that either those of base degree, recommend themselves to great persons which are mighty, and therefore able to give them livings: or great men go about to gain those of mean and base degree, to make them partial unto them with the occasion, by finding them evil satisfied, and by having the means to entertain them, and so they may easily stir up tumults against the regal power.  
THat Citizen that would be holden for just, it is necessary, that he know how to distribute, every thing to all persons, according to their degrees and dignities, and that he know how to defend the customs and orders of his Country, to observe the laws, and to be upright in controversies, and stand firm in conventions.  
TO amend entirely the customs of a City, to provide for disorders, to remedy scandalles, to take away abuses, to root out vices, to keep in safety the people, and to conduct and bring them to a virtuous and happy life: as it is a thing of very great importance, so without doubt it is so much more glorious and commendable.  
Every man carries great hate to those, who towards their benefactors do show themselves ingrateful, therefore even as it is a thing proper to authority, to nourish us with honour and praise, and that since we are thereby moved and inflamed to follow studies through the sweetness of glory: so men of high spirits, if they see the travails they have taken for other men's commodities, oftentimes to be acknowledged with benign and grateful minds, they rejoice in their honest travails, and become pleasant in those perils that most terrify and triumph in the midst of most cruel deaths, since that with the spirit of fame, they are so nobly and worthily maintained in life, wherefore with great forwardness they adventure their bodies willingly, enticed through hope, that the force of benefit ought to remain imprinted in the memories of men eternally.  
THe good qualities that are found amongst men, are confirmed either by virtue, either by long use and habit, or by natures, carrying with them an inclination thereunto, even from their swadles, or by a certain 〈◊〉 men esteeming by that means to be able to attain to some purpose or determined invention: therefore it is required in those that seek for honours, that liberty and affability be in them by nature, not for that it is not good to obtain the same virtuously and by election, but for that not being able so well to make judgement of the inward parts of others, sometimes it chanceth, that which is done by artificial means, doth make such a manner of show, that it seems, that it is like unto virtue, whereby it may easily deceive, but nature doth never deceive.  
HE that desires honours: it is necessary that he dispose himself to the matter long time before, and endeavour himself to make every one his friend, but above all: those he knows to be of a good spirit, men of train and ability, and such as have courage in them. The occasiones to obtain friends, doth always springe and arise, so that they be taken in time: and the desire to take them, aught to be so much the greater in like time, by how much more at that instant, a benefit, how little soever it be, seems to have great force to work great effects & parts of benevolence.  
THe right practices to seek to obtain honours, are those which are accomplished and done before the time of the demand. For that the time of payment and debt being come: those have gained friends that friend them in good earnest. Forsomuch as those that are gotten in that time, that the service done unto them, are perceived of them to be done for a desire to please them and not in hope of reward, forsomuch as pleasures so near the payment, cannot be grateful: neither received with good conscience.  
Benevolence sometimes is gotten no less with reverence and with doing benefits, then with receiving them, and cheefelye of those that are of greater power: who for the most part become friends, when they perceive themselves to be esteemed, and that confidence is put in them, with often seeking for some pleasures at their hands that will not be discommodious or grievous unto them.  
Whosoever desires honours: ought not to make practice for the same himself: nevertheless he ought to receive whosoever doth speak unto him, with a grateful mind, and retaining in himself a certain modesty: make show always to receive that which is to come, rather as proceeding of courtesy then for any other of his own merits: besides this, let him make sign that he doth esteem well and dearly of what help soever is offered unto him: making show that it will be of great importance for him. Forsomuch as every one although very mean and weak by nature, makes great account of it to be esteemed a profitable person, and therefore that it was his due to have had some obligation of those unto whom they have lent the same.  
IT is necessary that he that doth demand and seek for honours, should have always his countenance and his forehead open & uncovered: and that he give of himself, very great expectation of benignity and courtesy, and that he endeavour himself to know the nature, and his disposition to profit that speaks with reasons, putting him in many hopes of his desire: for he that hopes, is much more deutifull & diligent than the rest, this humanity of words is of more power than is able to be spoken: and such there hath been, that neither desiring or knowing how to use it, have lost goodly and great occasions.  
HE that doth travail to make others to obtain honours, it is necessary that he have good understanding, and better utterance: for he that hath naughty utterance is, as though he had no understanding: Moreover, it is requisite that he be courageous, forsomuch as sometimes there arise such accidents, that he that can best show his force to fortitude, doth remain superior, and this courage is necessary to be accompanied, with greatness of blood, with many followers, and with excellent virtue, forsomuch, as whosoever is courageous without stay and pillar of some of these qualities, shall persever himself rather to be deri●ed and flo●ted, and shall spoil all, rather than help and amend the matter.  
Even as there be sundry worthy men, that through their good behaviour and gentle courtesies, are of estimation amongst all persons▪ so there be some others, so spiteful of nature, that they are hated of every one. The first, although before that time they have not applied themselves to the negotiation of affairs, yet may they by the favour of their friends perform many things: and such as these are to be accounted for friends, and so far as we can, we ought to get and obtain them, to the intent to set them a work. The second sort also, are to be esteemed for friends, but it is not good to use them in our affairs: forsomuch as we shall receive by them more harms, than benefits: and that we ought to do with such dexterity, that they do not perceive that they are accounted for such, for spiteful persons also are full of wrath, and without judgement dispose themselves to do overthwartly, and if they cannot harm us otherwise, yet they will hurt us with their tongues as daily we perceive by experience.  
FINIS. Deo Gratias. Et Pace, Et Praelio.  
THis is the end of the first Book, translated out of Italian into English. Anno. 1590.   


HITCHCOCKS' ARMS.  
EN DIEV EST MA DEFFENSE.    

¶ A Table wherein is contained the contents of these Conceits, Showing their number by figure, they being in all ●03.  


A.  ABode. 
706.  Accidents or chances. 
74.551.  Actions. 
68.293.539.633.  To Accommodate ourselves. 
511.515  Adventure or chance. 
108.  Advise. 
3●0.  Administration. 
260  Affection. 
170  Affairs or business▪ 
244.245.  Affirmations. 
2.167.  Agents. 
373.  Old Age. 
523.  Alterations, 
418.  Ambition. 
123.304.315.316.469.536.  Ametie. 
218.317.379.  Appetite. 
153.18.9.  Arms. 
250.592.  Art ofwarre. 
251  Artificial devices. 
65.456.565.570.  assuredness or security. 
619.  Authority. 
146.252.374.412.423.474.513.    


B.  Baseness or vileness of mind. 
718  Base and mean men towards great personages. 
193.  day of battle. 
369.530. or Battles. 214.  Benefits. 
225, 276.547.  Benevolence▪ 
799.  Beastlyne●. 
285.  Bond or Obligations. 
63.  Bondage or slavery, 
246.363.427.781.    


C.  Calumines or detractions. 
411.  Causes or affairs. 
58.  Captains 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.  Charity. 
270.525.  Charge or burden. 
39  Cities or states. 
134.668.675.692.699, 700.770.775.778  Citizens. 
37.135.248.333.471.485.593.721.740.752.793.  Civility. 
262.  circumspectness. 
283.  Clemency. 
215.  Commonweals. 
7.45.628.708.710.757.768.  Colonies or new Inhabitants. 
462.  Commanding or rule. 
186.567.  Companies or bands. 
18.41.  Counsels or advise. 
9.27.64.97.105.194.287.297.299.386.538.574.607.725.760.764.788.790.  Considerations. 
16.154.  Conversations. 
125,  Conservation or well keeping. 
212.  Confederation or League. 
227.343.344.  Confidence or trust. 
2.475.609.  counsellors. 
324.536.761.789  Consultation. 
298.  Contentions. 
263.  Constancy. 
387.  Contrary course in managing causes. 
555.  Correspondence or similitude. 
200.  Corruption. 
512.  Customs. 
12.435.  Cowards. 
731.  courageousness. 
284.  Covetousness. 
340.684.767.  Credulity. 
143.229.657.661.  Cruelty. 
560.563.  Curiosity. 
3.    


D.  Deliberations. 
235.  Denial. 
196.  Detraction or evil speaking. 
197.  Deeds or actions. 
183.331.  Degrees. 
145.535.  Demands. 
468.  Determinations or deliberating. 
27.25.82.206.224.291.293.294.542.642.  Demerits, 
734.736.  To desire or request. 
638.  Dearth. 
734.  Dignetie. 
159.  Difficulty. 
518.  Difference. 
179.  Discord. 
61.89.784.  Discipline. 
274.  Discourses. 
425.  Displeasure, 
550.  Dsarmed or without weapon. 
553.  Disturbations. 
98.  Distribution. 
223.486.  Disorders. 
247.477.  Disimulations. 
584.  Dissuasion. 
671.  Discontent. 
505.  Deceivours. 
141.  Displeasure or entering into choler. 
608.  Damage or loss. 
224.616.  Doubts. 
405.  To die. 
208.739.763.  A Dissembler. 
483.    


E.  Excesses. 
454.455.  Effects. 
195.181.  Election or choice. 
10.330.536.  Emulations. 
137.  Ambassadors. 
279.473.  Emnities. 
694.  Enterparling and meeting of Princes. 
371.  To enlarge or augment. 
295.488.  To enrich ourselves. 
442.516.585.  Enterprises. 
88.178.221.311.355.322.760.  Ennye. 
328. 620.646.648.649.6●1.776.  Enemies. 
368.  Entertainment or delays. 
26.  Errors. 
163.242.365.396.744.  Events, haps or chances. 
263  Final end. 
386.  Executions or accomplishements. 
168.184.  Examples. 
169.  Extremities. 
231.610.  Experiences. 
78.683.  Exercises. 
404.621▪  Expenses in war. 
711.    


F.  Fame. 
734, 736.  Favours 
49.149.534.  Faith. 
31.306.684.707.713.763.  Faulty. 
133.  Fear. 
550.643.644.319.  Flattery. 
54. ●41. 449.  Flight. 
597.  Footmen or Soldiers. 
591.  Fortune. 
114.140.380.  Force. 
410.479.  Form or proportion. 
415.  Fortifications. 
572.674.  Forgetfulness. 
43.  A Friend. 
128.  Foreshowing or fore-happes. 
305.  Foreseeings or preventions. 
266.756.  Fugitives. 
315.    


G.  Gains or getting of any thing. 
492, 753.771.  Governors. 
91.103.109.215.117.801.746.766.  Glory. 
92.287.  Government. 
652.  Goodness of life. 
421.  Goodness of persons. 
90.  Goods. 
308.  Good deeds or works. 
307.377.  Gravetie. 
36.  Grace or favour. 
144.  Greatness or might. 
157.  Gross wits. 
677.624.  Gratefulness. 
795.    


H.  Hate. 
328.  Hope. 
235.  Histories. 
376.  Honesty. 
31.  Honours. 
119.318.796.796.800.801.802.    


I.  Ignorance. 
594.  Invasion or usurping. 
438.  Injuries. 
32.659.660.783.  Introductions. 
181.  Insolence. 
226.  Impressions in our minds. 
347.  Imitations. 
379.  Inconveniences. 
392.453.  Inconstancy. 
399.  Intent. 
640.  Ire or wrath. 
190.  Irresolution. 
558  Irruption or invasion. 
182.  The judge. 
142.  judgements. 
209.467.564, 518.  justice. 
175.    


K.  Kings. 
95.717.  Knowledge or perseverence. 
383.    


L,  Lamentation or complaining 
623,  Laws. 
378.435.436.791.  Leagues. 
210.216.217.234.362.457.458.719.  Letters or learning. 
286.  Liberty or free state. 
40.50.162.222.238.239.246 392.359.428.700.714.742.  Liberality. 
171.558.  Lustiness or gallant courage. 
83.  Losses. 
507.704.  Short Life. 
161.  love. 
130.627.    


M.  Magistrate. 
80.319.393.  Master. 
176.  Malcontent or evil satisfied. 
551.  To Maintain. 
391.  Measure. 
187.  Keeping of the mean. 
450.  Magnanimity. 
632.720.  Miserable. 
556.559.  Mistrust. 
30.229.663.  Misfortunes. 
26.  Multitudes or assemblies. 
258.275.429, 636.  Mutations or changes. 
580.  Mighty. 
56.59.  Money. 
302.515.    


N.  Nature of Princes. 
15.  Necessity. 
233. 382.517.6●3.698.749.762.  A Negotiatour. 
53.469, 470.575.  neutrality. 
67.207.384.385.388.389.394.395.396.397.400.  News. 
268.  To be Negligent. 
517.  Night. 
269.  Noble. 
51.  Nobility. 
482.  Notice or knowledge. 
472  Novelties. 
118.360.  Needful occasions. 
126.127.    


O,  Obedience. 
527.702.  Occasion or opportunity. 
8.82.  Offences or harms. 
409.502.562.625.  Obtemperations, temporizing or congratulation. 
81.  Orders. 
436.520.  The maker of good orders. 
381.425.438.546.  Opinions or judgements. 
337.  Overthrows. 
464.  Officer's or Servants. 
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.  Persuasion. 
228.67.  Pleasure. 
550.  Persecution. 
255.  Practices. 
582.  To premeditate. 
149.  Prevention. 
160.  Predictions. 
211.327.  Preparations. 
476.  Power. 
6.  poverty, 
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.  Prodigality's. 
29.  Prosperity. 
264.  Proceeding forward in affairs. 
487.  Promises. 
686.  Prudence. 
650.  Presumption or rash boldness. 
698.718.725.729.  To praise. 
433.663.  Praise. 
60  Pride. 
197.  Punishment. 
524.  Profitableness. 
35.    


Q.  Good qualities. 
396.803.    


R.  Rash persons. 
732.  Reign. 
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.  Revenge. 
180.  Rewards. 
75.  Riches. 
46.188.697.791.  New Rule or Empire. 
13.    


S.  Sage or wise. 
641.148.  Sects, factions, banding, or partaking. 
240.669.695.  Seditions. 
132.  Severity. 
2●6.  To Serve. 
420.422.579.604.  Security. 
79.120.249.  scandals. 
460.  Silence. 
335.  Slackness. 
561  Sincerity. 
622.  Substance. 
84.  Success of things. 
205.  Suspicion. 
220.207.346.446.447.484.629.  A Successor. 
334.516.  A Soldier. 
261.326.440.687.724.737.738.  State. 
48.99.497.  Stratagems. 
522.  Way of Sta●●. 
419.  Solitariness. 
647.  Strangers. 
463.  Strong. 
529.634.635.636.637.    


T.  Taciturnity or secrecy. 
174.  temerity or rashness. 
265.  To temporize. 
571.  tyrants. 
33.249.685.  Treason. 
7●4.  Tumults. 
431.  Time. 
150. 24●.543.  Truth or verity. 
758.  threatenings. 
100  Terror or fear. 
235.    


V  Valour. 
325.371.  Variety. 
72.  Varying or changing. 
701.  Vassals. 
630.  Virtue. 
181.  Victory. 
66.289.597.730.769.  Universal. 
658.  Uniting or knitting in one. 
94.669.  Violence. 
413.490.528.  Vices. 
93.181.  Unworthiness or indignity. 
296.    


W.  Watchfulness. 
353.  warfare. 
77.611.  Wars. 
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 affairs. 
366.402.  Wrath or displeasure. 
471.236.629.630.    


Y.  Youth. 
70.  Yielding or granting. 
257.    
FINIS.  
Captain Hichcock. THis said Captain Hichcock serving in the Low countries, Anno. 2586. with two hundredth Soldiers: brought from thence with this Book, the second book of Sansovinos politic Conceits, which shall be put to the Printing so soon as it is translated out of the Italian into English.