صفحة 186 من 310

In the second case, when those who fight are of such a character

that you have no anxiety as to who may conquer, so much the more

is it greater prudence to be allied, because you assist at the

destruction of one by the aid of another who, if he had been

wise, would have saved him; and conquering, as it is impossible

that he should not do with your assistance, he remains at your

discretion. And here it is to be noted that a prince ought to

take care never to make an alliance with one more powerful than

himself for the purposes of attacking others, unless necessity

compels him, as is said above; because if he conquers you are at

his discretion, and princes ought to avoid as much as possible

being at the discretion of any one. The Venetians joined with

France against the Duke of Milan, and this alliance, which caused

their ruin, could have been avoided.