Pagina 145 van 310

But concerning his subjects, when affairs outside are disturbed

he has only to fear that they will conspire secretly, from which

a prince can easily secure himself by avoiding being hated and

despised, and by keeping the people satisfied with him, which it

is most necessary for him to accomplish, as I said above at

length. And one of the most efficacious remedies that a prince

can have against conspiracies is not to be hated and despised by

the people, for he who conspires against a prince always expects

to please them by his removal; but when the conspirator can only

look forward to offending them, he will not have the courage to

take such a course, for the difficulties that confront a

conspirator are infinite.