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Therefore a wise prince ought to hold a third course by choosing

the wise men in his state, and giving to them only the liberty of

speaking the truth to him, and then only of those things of which

he inquires, and of none others; but he ought to question them

upon everything, and listen to their opinions, and afterwards

form his own conclusions. With these councillors, separately and

collectively, he ought to carry himself in such a way that each

of them should know that, the more freely he shall speak, the

more he shall be preferred; outside of these, he should listen to

no one, pursue the thing resolved on, and be steadfast in his

resolutions. He who does otherwise is either overthrown by

flatterers, or is so often changed by varying opinions that he

falls into contempt.