the prince(王子)-第13节
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repeat； it is necessary for a prince to have the people friendly； otherwise he
has no security in adversity。
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Nabis；＇*＇ Prince of the Spartans； sustained the attack of all Greece；
and of a victorious Roman army； and against them he defended his country
and his government； and for the overcoming of this peril it was only
necessary for him to make himself secure against a few； but this would not
have been sufficient had the people been hostile。 And do not let any one
impugn this statement with the trite proverb that 〃He who builds on the
people； builds on the mud；〃 for this is true when a private citizen makes a
foundation there； and persuades himself that the people will free him when
he is oppressed by his enemies or by the magistrates； wherein he would
find himself very often deceived； as happened to the Gracchi in Rome and
to Messer Giorgio Scali＇＋＇ in Florence。 But granted a prince who has
established himself as above； who can command； and is a man of courage；
undismayed in adversity； who does not fail in other qualifications； and
who； by his resolution and energy； keeps the whole people encouraged
such a one will never find himself deceived in them； and it will be shown
that he has laid his foundations well。
＇*＇ Nabis； tyrant of Sparta； conquered by the Romans under
Flamininus in 195 B。C。； killed 192 B。C。
＇＋＇ Messer Giorgio Scali。 This event is to be found in Machiavelli's
〃Florentine History；〃 Book III。
These principalities are liable to danger when they are passing from
the civil to the absolute order of government； for such princes either rule
personally or through magistrates。 In the latter case their government is
weaker and more insecure； because it rests entirely on the goodwill of
those citizens who are raised to the magistracy； and who； especially in
troubled times； can destroy the government with great ease； either by
intrigue or open defiance； and the prince has not the chance amid tumults
to exercise absolute authority； because the citizens and subjects；
accustomed to receive orders from magistrates； are not of a mind to obey
him amid these confusions； and there will always be in doubtful times a
scarcity of men whom he can trust。 For such a prince cannot rely upon
what he observes in quiet times； when citizens have need of the state；
because then every one agrees with him； they all promise； and when death
is far distant they all wish to die for him； but in troubled times； when the
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state has need of its citizens； then he finds but few。 And so much the more
is this experiment dangerous； inasmuch as it can only be tried once。
Therefore a wise prince ought to adopt such a course that his citizens will
always in every sort and kind of circumstance have need of the state and
of him； and then he will always find them faithful。
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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 who 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。
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。
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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 the 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。
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 will 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。
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CHAPTER XI
CONCERNING ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITIES
It only remains now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities； touching
which all difficulties are prior to getting possession； because they are
acquired either by capacity or good fortune； and they can be held without
either； for they are sustained by the ancient ordinances of religion； which
are so all…powerful； and of such a character that the principalities may be
held no matter how their princes behave and live。 These princes alone
have states and do not defend them； and they have subjects and do not rule
them； and the states； although unguarded； are not taken from them； and the
