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And I know that every one will confess that it would be most

praiseworthy in a prince to exhibit all the above qualities that

are considered good; but because they can neither be entirely

possessed nor observed, for human conditions do not permit it, it

is necessary for him to be sufficiently prudent that he may know

how to avoid the reproach of those vices which would lose him his

state; and also to keep himself, if it be possible, from those

which would not lose him it; but this not being possible, he may

with less hesitation abandon himself to them. And again, he need

not make himself uneasy at incurring a reproach for those vices

without which the state can only be saved with difficulty, for if

everything is considered carefully, it will be found that

something which looks like virtue, if followed, would be his

ruin; whilst something else, which looks like vice, yet followed

brings him security and prosperity.

CHAPTER XVI. CONCERNING LIBERALITY AND MEANNESS