CHAP. IX.
Of Civil Principalities.
We will now consider another point. A private individual may become the prince of his country by favour of his fellow citizens, and without employing either violence or treason. This is what I call a civil principality. To arrive at this rank, does not require either uncommon merit or extraordinary fortune-but merely a captivating address. The sovereign magistracy is obtained either by the good will of the people or of the nobles: for the different parties who have the power of dividing a state are reduced to these two elements, one of which springs from the aversion of the people to the oppressive government of the nobles, the other from the desire these have to govern and oppress the people. Now, this diversity of views and interests produces a struggle, which in the conclusion establishes either a principality, liberty, or licentiousness.
A principality emanates either from the nobles or the people, according to the decision of fortune; for the former finding themselves
