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there were in these states； of which； as long as the memory of them
endured； the Romans always held an insecure possession； but with the
power and long continuance of the empire the memory of them passed away；
and the Romans then became secure possessors。 And when fighting
afterwards amongst themselves； each one was able to attach to himself
his own parts of the country； according to the authority he had assumed
there； and the family of the former lord being exterminated； none other
than the Romans were acknowledged。
When these things are remembered no one will marvel at the ease with
which Alexander held the Empire of Asia； or at the difficulties which
others have had to keep an acquisition； such as Pyrrhus and many more；
this is not occasioned by the little or abundance of ability in the
conqueror； but by the want of uniformity in the subject state。
CHAPTER V
CONCERNING THE WAY TO GOVERN CITIES OR PRINCIPALITIES WHICH LIVED UNDER
THEIR OWN LAWS BEFORE THEY WERE ANNEXED
WHENEVER those states which have been acquired as stated have been
accustomed to live under their own laws and in freedom； there are three
courses for those who wish to hold them： the first is to ruin them； the
next is to reside there in person； the third is to permit them to live
under their own laws； drawing a tribute； and establishing within it an
oligarchy which will keep it friendly to you。 Because such a government；
being created by the prince； knows that it cannot stand without his
friendship and interest； and does its utmost to support him； and
therefore he who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold it
more easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way。
There are； for example； the Spartans and the Romans。 The Spartans held
Athens and Thebes； establishing there an oligarchy； nevertheless they
lost them。 The Romans； in order to hold Capua； Carthage； and Numantia；
dismantled them； and did not lose them。 They wished to hold Greece as
the Spartans held it； making it free and permitting its laws； and did
not succeed。 So to hold it they were pelled to dismantle many cities
in the country； for in truth there is no safe way to retain them
otherwise than by ruining them。 And he who bees master of a city
accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it； may expect to be
destroyed by it； for in rebellion it has always the watch…word of
liberty and its ancient privileges as a rallying point； which neither
time nor benefits will ever cause it to forget。 And what ever you may do
or provide against； they never forget that name or their privileges
unless they are disunited or dispersed but at every chance they
immediately rally to them； as Pisa after the hundred years she had been
held in bondage by the Florentines。
But when cities or countries are accustomed to live under a prince； and
his family is exterminated； they； being on the one hand accustomed to
obey and on the other hand not having the old prince； cannot agree in
making one from amongst themselves； and they do not know how to govern
themselves。 For this reason they are very slow to take up arms； and a
prince can gain them to himself and secure them much more easily。 But in
republics there is more vitality； greater hatred； and more desire for
vengeance； which will never permit them to allow the memory of their
former liberty to rest； so that the safest way is to destroy them or to
reside there。
CHAPTER VI
CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE ACQUIRED BY ONE'S OWN ARMS AND
ABILITY
LET no one be surprised if； in speaking of entirely new principalities
as I shall do； I adduce the highest examples both of prince and of
state； because men； walking almost always in paths beaten by others； and
following by imitation their deeds； are yet unable to keep entirely to
the ways of others or attain to the power of those they imitate。 A wise
man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men； and to imitate
those who have been supreme； so that if his ability does not equal
theirs； at least it will savour of it。 Let him act like the clever
archers who； designing to hit the mark which yet appears too far
distant； and knowing the limits to which the strength of their bow
attains； take aim much higher than the mark； not to reach by their
strength or arrow to so great a height； but to be able with the aid of
so high an aim to hit the mark they wish to reach。
I say； therefore； that in entirely new principalities； where there is a
new prince； more or less difficulty is found in keeping them；
accordingly as there is more or less ability in him who has acquired the
state。 Now； as the fact of being a prince from a private station
presupposes either ability or fortune； it is clear that one or other of
these two things will mitigate in some degree many difficulties。
Nevertheless； he who has relied least on fortune is established the
strongest。 Further； it facilitates matters when the prince； having no
other state； is pelled to reside there in person。
But to e to those who； by their own ability and not through fortune；
have risen to be princes； I say that Moses； Cyrus； Romulus； Theseus； and
such like are the most excellent examples。 And although one may not
discuss Moses； he having been a mere executor of the will of God； yet he
ought to be admired； if only for that favour which made him worthy to
speak with God。 But in considering Cyrus and others who have acquired or
founded kingdoms； all will be found admirable； and if their particular
deeds and conduct shall be considered； they will not be found inferior
to those of Moses； although he had so great a preceptor。 And in
examining their actions and lives one cannot see that they owed anything
to fortune beyond opportunity； which brought them the material to mould
into the form which seemed best to them。 Without that opportunity their
powers of mind would have been extinguished； and without those powers
the opportunity would have e in vain。
It was necessary； therefore； to Moses that he should find the people of
Israel in Egypt enslaved and oppressed by the Egyptians； in order that
they should be disposed to follow him so as to be delivered out of
bondage。 It was necessary that Romulus should not remain in Alba； and
that he should be abandoned at his birth； in order that he should bee
King of Rome and founder of the fatherland。 It was necessary that Cyrus
should find the Persians discontented with the government of the Medes；
and the Medes soft and effeminate through their long peace。 Theseus
could not have shown his ability had he not found the Athenians
dispersed。 These opportunities； therefore； made those men fortunate； and
their high ability enabled them to recognize the opportunity whereby
their country was ennobled and made famous。
Those who by valorous ways bee princes； like these men； acquire a
principality with difficulty； but they it with ease。 The difficulties
they have in acquiring it arise in part from the new rules and methods
which they are forced to introduce to establish their government and its
security。 And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more
difficult to take in hand； more perilous to conduct； or more uncertain
in its success； than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order
of things。 Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done
well under the old conditions； and lukewarm defenders in those who may
do well under the new。 This coolness arises partly from fear of the
opponents； who have the laws on their side； and partly from the
incredulity of men； who do not readily believe in new things until they
have had a long experience of them。 Thus it happens that whenever those
who are hostile have the opportunity to attack they do it like
partisans； whilst the others defend lukewarmly； in such wise that the
prince is endangered along with them。
It is necessary； therefore； if we desire to discuss this ma