Chapter 20 Whether Fortresses and Other Things Vi/hich Princes Ofien Contrive Are Useful or Injurious

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But of this we cannot speak at large, as it strays from the subject; I will merely say that these men who at the beginning of a new government were enemies, if they are of a kind to need support to maintain their position, can be very easily gained by the prince, and they are the more compelled to serve him faithfully as they know they must by their deeds cancel the bad opinion pre viously held of them, and thus the prince will always derive greater help from them than from those who, serving him with greater security, neglect his interests.


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