ence, and if the attachment they feel for the prince will so long continue against the inconveniencies of a long siege and the desire of preserving their property? To this I answer, that a prince who at once possesses talents and power will easily surmount these obstacles, either by inspiring the people with hopes that the siege will not be of long continuance, or by raising in their minds a dread of the resentment and rapacity of the conqueror, or by dexterously assuring himself of those who are too clamorous.
To this may be added, that the enemy wastes the country from the first moment he enters into it, and when the besieged are most animated, most disposed to defend themselves. The prince ought therefore in this respect to be devoid of fear, because that the first heat once passed, the inhabitants, perceiving that all the mischief is accomplished, and that there is no longer any remedy, will evince so much the more ardour to defend their prince, the greater sacrifices they have made for him. For who is it that is ignorant that men become attached as much by the good they do as by that which they receive?
All these considerations induce me to believę that a prince, however slender his abilities may
