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THE PRINCE.
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but at this price, he should not trouble himself much about being taxed with parsimony and avarice; so that when it shall be seen that his revenues are equal to his expences, that he is in a condițion to defend his dominions, and even to updertake useful enterprises without introducing new imposts, those from whom he takes nothing, and that is the greatest number, will find him sufficiently liberal, Those who would be tempted to accuse him of avarice, because he does not give them all they ask, are not very numerous. In pur own times we have seen no great exploits performed, except by those who have been accounted avaricious; all the others have failed. Julius II. attained the pontifical chair by means of his largesses; but he rightly judged that, to enable him to make war against the king of France, it would be useless for him to preserve that reputation which he bad acquired of liberality. His savings enabled him to support the expence of all his wars without įmposing new taxes. The present king of Spain had never been able to accomplish all his enterprises, if he had at all concerned himself of what night be said about his parsimony.

In this manner a prince, in order that he may not become impoverished, and that he may be able to defend his states, should they be attacked, without imposing new taxes on his subjects, ought to despise the dread of being taxed with avarice,