第 13 节
作者:津夏      更新:2021-02-27 02:39      字数:9321
  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