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Further, the enemy would naturally on his arrival at once burn

and ruin the country at the time when the spirits of the people

are still hot and ready for the defence; and, therefore, so much

the less ought the prince to hesitate; because after a time, when

spirits have cooled, the damage is already done, the ills are

incurred, and there is no longer any remedy; and therefore they

are so much the more ready to unite with their prince, he

appearing to be under obligations to them now that their houses

have been burnt and their possessions ruined in his defence. For

it is the nature of men to be bound by the benefits they confer

as much as by those they receive. Therefore, if everything is

well considered, it will not be difficult for a wise prince to

keep the minds of his citizens steadfast from first to last, when

he does not fail to support and defend them.

CHAPTER XI. CONCERNING ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITIES