صفحة 200 من 310

The previous suggestions, carefully observed, will enable a new

prince to appear well established, and render him at once more

secure and fixed in the state than if he had been long seated

there. For the actions of a new prince are more narrowly observed

than those of an hereditary one, and when they are seen to be

able they gain more men and bind far tighter than ancient blood;

because men are attracted more by the present than by the past,

and when they find the present good they enjoy it and seek no

further; they will also make the utmost defence of a prince if he

fails them not in other things. Thus it will be a double glory

for him to have established a new principality, and adorned and

strengthened it with good laws, good arms, good allies, and with

a good example; so will it be a double disgrace to him who, born

a prince, shall lose his state by want of wisdom.