THE PRINCE
by Nicolo Machiavelli
Translated by W. K. Marriott
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CHAPTER X
Concerning The Way In Which The
Strength Of All Principalities Ought To Be Measured
IT IS necessary to consider another
point in examining the character of these principalities: that is,
whether a prince has such power that, in case of need, he can
support himself with his own resources, or whether he has always
need of the assistance of others. And to make this quite clear I say
that I consider those are able to support themselves by their own
resources who can, either by abundance of men or money, raise a
sufficient army to join battle against any one who comes to attack
them; and I consider those always to have need of others who cannot
show themselves against the enemy in the field, but are forced to
defend themselves by sheltering behind walls. The first case has
been discussed, but we will speak of it again should it recur. In
the second case one can say nothing except to encourage such princes
to provision and fortify their towns, and not on any account to
defend the country. And whoever shall fortify his town well, and
shall have managed the other concerns of his subjects in the way
stated above, and to be often repeated, will never be attacked
without great caution, for men are always adverse to enterprises
where difficulties can be seen, and it will be seen not to be an
easy thing to attack one who has his town well fortified, and is not
hated by his people. (Note
1)
The cities of Germany are absolutely
free, they own but little country around them, and they yield
obedience to the emperor when it suits them, nor do they fear this
or any other power they may have near them, because they are
fortified in such a way that every one thinks the taking of them by
assault would be tedious and difficult, seeing they have proper
ditches and walls, they have sufficient artillery, and they always
keep in public depots enough for one year's eating, drinking, and
firing. And beyond this, to keep the people quiet and without loss
to the state, they always have the means of giving work to the
community in those labours that are the life and strength of the
city, and on the pursuit of which the people are supported; they
also hold military exercises in repute, and moreover have many
ordinances to uphold them. (Note
2)
Therefore, a prince who has a strong
city, and had not made himself odious, will not be attacked, or if
any one should attack he will only be driven off with disgrace;
again, because that affairs of this world are so changeable, it is
almost impossible to keep an army a whole year in the field without
being interfered with. And whoever should reply: If the people have
property outside the city, and see it burnt, they will not remain
patient, and the long siege and self-interest will make them forget
their prince; to this I answer that a powerful and courageous prince
will overcome all such difficulties by giving at one time hope to
his subjects that the evil will not be for long, at another time
fear of the cruelty of the enemy, then preserving himself adroitly
from those subjects who seem to him to be too bold. (Note
3)
Further, the enemy would naturally
on his arrival at once burn and ruin the country at the time when
the spirits of the people are still hot and ready for the defence;
and, therefore, so much the less ought the prince to hesitate;
because after a time, when spirits have cooled, the damage is
already done, the ills are incurred, and there is no longer any
remedy; and therefore they are so much the more ready to unite with
their prince, he appearing to be under obligations to them now that
their houses have been burnt and their possessions ruined in his
defence. For it is the nature of men to be bound by the benefits
they confer as much as by those they receive. Therefore, if
everything is well considered, it wilt not be difficult for a wise
prince to keep the minds of his citizens steadfast from first to
last, when he does not fail to support and defend them. (Note
4)
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