CHAP. XV.
What deserves Praise or Blame in Men, and above all in Princes.
It is now of consequence to see how a prince ought to conduct himself towards his subjects and his friends. This matter having been already treated on by others, I am afraid of being taxed with presumption, if I shall dare to consider it in a different manner from them: but as my object is to write for those who judge soundly, I am about to speak of what really is, and not of what the vulgar imagine.
Men often figure to their imaginations republics and other governments which have never existed. There is so great a difference between that which actually is, and that which ought to be, that he who takes that for truth and reality, and which unquestionably ought to be, but unfortunately is not, embraces inevitable ruin. Thus, I will not hesitate to say that he who will always be perfectly good with those who are not so, cannot fail sooner or later to be ruined by it. A prince who wishes to maintain his power ought therefore to learn not to be always good, but to be such as circum- stances and the interests of his preservation may demand of him.
Thus laying aside the false ideas which have been formed as to princes, and resting only on those which are true, I say, that we never speak of a man, and above all of a prince, as to what he is, without attributing to him some merit or demerit— some bad or good quality. One mah iş liberal—anotber parsimonious; honourable or dishonourable; effeminate and pusillanimous, or courageous and enterprising; humane or cruel; affable or haughty; wise or debauchhed; honest or dishonest; good tempered or surly; sedate or inconsiderate; religious or impious, &.
It would, doubtless, be very bappy for a prince to unite in himself all good qualities; but as our nature does not allow so great a perfection, it is necessary to have prudence enough to preserve himself from those defects and vices which may ruin him; and as ta those which can only compromise his safety and the possession of his dominions, he ought, if in his.power, to guard himself against them; but if that is beyond his strength, he should not embarrass himself about them, but watch entirely those which may cause his ruin. He should pot fear to encounter some blame for vices which are important to. the support of his states; because; every thing well considered, a quality that appeared good and praiseworthy might be such as would inevitably destroy him, and another, that had the semblance of bad and vicious, might establish his welfare and security,