Chapter 5 The Way to Govern Cities or Dominions That, Previous to Being Occupied, Lived Under Their Own Laws

previous next

line 9 of 12

And whoever becomes the ruler of a free city and does not destroy it, can expect to be destroyed by it, for it can always find a motive for rebellion in name of liberty and of its ancient usages, which are forgotten neither by lapse of time nor by benefits received; and whatever one does or provides, so long as the inhabitants are not separated or dispersed, they do not forget that name and those usages, but appeal to them at once in every emergency, as did Pisa after so many years held in servitude by the Florentines.


Chapters



Share