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Now, concerning the characteristics of which mention is made

above, I have spoken of the more important ones, the others I

wish to discuss briefly under this generality, that the prince

must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid

those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as

often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part,

and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches.

It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be

rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his

subjects, from both of which he must abstain. And when neither

their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men

live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a

few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways.