line 2 of 5
In the first place, the difficulty of maintaining hereditary states accustomed to a reigning family is far less than in new monarchies; for it is sufficient not to transgress ancestral usages, and to adapt one’s self to unforeseen circumstances; in this way such a prince, if of ordinary assiduity, will always be able to maintain his position, unless some very exceptional and excessive force deprives him of it; and even if he be thus deprived, on the slightest rnischance happening to the new occupier, he will be able to regain it.
IT is CUSTOMARY for those who wish to gain the f
ALL STATES and dominions which hold or have held
I WILL NOT here speak of republics, having alrea
BUT IT is in the new monarchy that difficulties
CONSIDERING THE DIFFICULTIES there are in holdin
WHEN THOSE STATES which have been acquired are a
LET NO ONE MARVEL if in speaking of new dominion
THOSE, WHO RISE from private citizens to be prin
BUT AS THERE are still two ways of becoming prin
BUT WE NOW COME to the case where a citizen beco
IN EXAMINING the character of these principaliti
IT NOW ONLY REMAINS t0'us to
HAVING NOW DISCUSSED FULLY the qualities of thes
WHEN ONE ASKS a powerful neighbour to come to ai
A PRINCE SHOULD THEREFORE have no other aim or t
IT NOW REMAINS to be seen what are the methods a
BEGINNING NOW with the first qualities above nam
PROCEEDING to the other qualities before named,
How LAUDABLE IT Is for a prince to keep good fai
BUT AS I HAVE NOW SPOKEN of the most important o
SOME PRINCES, in order to hold their possessions
NOTHING CAUSES a prince to be so much esteemed a
THE CHOICE of a prinee’s ministers is a matter o
I MUST NOT OMIT an important subject, and mentio
THE BEFORE-MENTIONED THINGS, if prudently observ
IT IS NOT UNKNOWN to me how many have been and a
HAVING NOW CONSIDERED all the things we have spo