for the reasons aforesaid. Nor let any State
think they are able to make such sure parties, but
rather that they are all doubtfull; for in the order
of things we find it alwaies, that whensoever a man
seeks to avoid one inconvenient, he incurs another.
But the principal point of judgement, is in discerning
between the qualities of inconvenients, and not taking
the bad for the good. Moreover a Prince ought
to shew himself a lover of vertue, and that he honors
those that excel in every Art. Afterwards ought
he encourage his Citizens, whereby they may be enabled
quickly to exercise their faculties as well in merchandise,
and husbandry, as in any other kind of traffick, to
the end that no man forbear to adorne and cultivate
his possessions for fear that he be despoyled of them;
or any other to open the commerce upon the danger
of heavy impositions: but rather to provide rewards
for those that shall set these matters afoot, or for
any one else that shall any way amplifie his City
or State. Besides he ought in the fit times of
the year entertain the people with Feasts and Maskes;
and because every City is devided into Companies,
and arts, and Tribes, he ought to take special notice
of those bodies, and some times afford them a meeting,
and give them some proof of his humanity, and magnificence;
yet withall holding firme the majestie of his State;
for this must never fail in any case.
CHAP. XXII
Touching Princes Secretaries.
It is no small importance to a Prince, the choyce
he makes, of servants being ordinarily good or bad,
as his wisdome is. And the first conjecture one
gives of a great man, and of his understanding, is,
upon the sight of his followers and servants he hath
about him, when they prove able and faithful, and
then may he alwaies be reputed wise because he hath
known how to discern those that are able, and to keep
them true to him. But when they are otherwise,
there can be no good conjecture made of him; for the
first error he commits, is in this choyce. There
was no man that had any knowledge of Antonio of Vanafro,
the servant of Pandulfus Petrucci Prince of Sicily,
who did not esteem Pandulfus for a very discreet man,
having him for his servant. And because there
are three kinds of understandings; the one that is
advised by it self; the other that understands when
it is informed by another; the third that neither
is advised by it self nor by the demonstration of another;
the first is best, the second is good, and the last
quite unprofitable. Therefore it was of necessity,
that if Pandulfus attaind not the first degree, yet
he got to the second; for whenever any one hath the
judgement to discerne between the good and the evil,
that he does and sayes, however that he hath not his
distinction from himself, yet still comes he to take
notice of the good or evil actions of that servant;
and those he cherishes, and these he suppresses; insomuch
that the servant finding no means to deceive his master,
Copyrights
Machiavelli, Volume I from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
