The Prince
by Nicolo Machiavelli
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.
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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- The Prince
by Nicolo Machiavelli
Chapter IX
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