The Works of Nicholas Machiavel/Volume 4/The Art of War/Prefaces
THE
FRENCH TRANSLATOR.
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Although the manner of making war is very different at present from what it was in Machiavel's days, his Treatise, or rather Dialogues, upon that subject may still be of great use. For in the first place, they are written by a Genius of the highest rank, and founded upon some general Principles which will always hold good: and in the next, (besides the pleasure of seeing what alteration is made in this Science by Time) they may furnish other men of parts and abilities with some useful and improveable hints; especially those that follow the profession of arms. There are further many judicious Reflexions in the course of this Work, which cannot fail of being very agreeable to Connoisseurs and towards the end of the second Book, the Author launches out into a digression, in which he shews with great perspicuity to what causes it is chiefly owing, that the number of eminent Commanders is greater or less in different times and places. *********
Although commonly every man, most worthy and renommed Soueraigne, seeketh specially to commende and extoll the thing, whereunto he feeleth himselfe naturally bent and inclined; yet all such partialitie and private affection laid aside, it is to be thought (that for the defence, maintenance, and advancement of a Kingdom, or Common Weale, or for the good and due observation of peace, and administracion of justice in the same) no one thing can be more profitable, necessarie, or more honourable, than the knowledge of Service in warre, and deeds of armes, because considering the ambition of the World, it is impossible for any Realme or Dominion long to continue free in quietnes and savegard, where the defence of the Sword is not alwaies in a readinesse. For like as the Greekes, being occupied about trifling matters, taking pleasure in refiting of Comedies, and such other vaine things altogether neglecting Martiall feats, gave occasion to Philip King of Macedonia, father to Alexander the great, to oppresse and to bring them in servitude under his subjection even so undoubtedly, libertie will not be kept, but men shall be troden under foote, and brought to most horrible miserie and calamitie, if they giving themselves to pastimes and pleasure, forsake the just regard of their own defence, and savegard of their countrie, which in temporall regiment, chiefly consisteth in warlike skilfulnes. And therefore the auncient Captaines and mightie Conquerours, so long as they florished, did devise with most great diligence, all manner of wayes to bring their men to the perfect knowledge of what so ever thing appertained to the warre, as manifestly appeareth by the warlike games, which in olde times the Princes of Grecia ordained upon the mount Olimpus, and also by the orders and exercises, that the auncient Romanes used in sundrie places, and especially in Campo Martio, and in their wonderfull sumptuous Theaters, which chiefly they builded to that purpose. Whereby they not onely made their Souldiours so expert, that they obtained with a few, in fighting against a great huge multitude of enemies, such marvailous victories, as in many credible histories are mentioned, but also by the same meanes, their unarmed rascall people that followed their Campes, got such understanding in the feats of warre, that they in the day of battail, being left destitute of succour, were able without any other helpe to set themselves in good order, for their defence against the enemie, that would seeke to hurt them, and in such dangerous times, have done their countrie so good service, that verie often by their helpe, the adversaries have beene put to flight, and fieldes most happily wonne. So that the antiquitie esteemed nothing more happy in a common weale, then to have in the same many men skilfull in warlike affaires: by meanes whereof their Empire continually inlarged, and most wonderfully and triumphantly prospered. For so long as men for their valiauntnes, were then rewarded and had in estimacion, glad was he that could finde occasion to venter, yea and spend his life to benefite his countrie: as by the manly actes that Marcus Curtius, Oratius Cocles, and Gaius Mucius did for the savegard of Rome, and also by other innumerable examples, doth plainly appeare. But when through long and continual peace, they began to be altogether given to pleasure and delicatenes, litle regarding Martial feats, nor such as were expert in the practise thereof, their dominion and estates did not so much before increase and prosper, as then by such meanes and oversight, they sodainly fell into decay and utter ruine. For such truly is the nature and condicion, both of peace and warre, that where in government there is not had equall consideracion of them both, the one in fine doth worke and induce the other's oblivion, and utter abbolicion. Wherefore, sith the necessitie of the science of warres is so great, and also the necessarie use thereof so manifest, that even Ladie Peace hir selfe, doth in manner from thence crave hir chiefe defence and preservacion, and the worthinesse moreover and honour of the same so great, that as by proofe wee see, the perfect glorie thereof, cannot easilie finde roote, but in the hearts of most noble, courageous, and manlike personages. I thought most excellent Princes, I could not either to the special gratefying of your highnes, the universal delight of al studious gentlemen, or the common utilitie of the publique wealth, imploy my laboures more profitable in accomplishing of my dutie and good will, then in setting forth something, that might induce to the augmenting and increase of the knowledge thereof: and especially the example of your highnesses most politike government over us, giving plaine testimonie of the wonderfull prudent desire that is in you, to have your people instructed in this kind of service, as well for the better defence of your Highnes, themselves, and their countrie, as also to discourage thereby, and be able to resist the malignitie of the enemie, who otherwise would seeke paradventure to invade this noble realme or kingdome.
When therefore, about ten yeares past, in the Emperour's warre's against the Mores and certain Turkes, being in Barbarie: at the siege and winning of Calibbia, Monesterio, and Affrica, I had as well for my further instruction in those affaires, as also the better to acquaint mee with the Italian tongue, reduced into English, the book called The arte of Warre, of the famous and excellent Nicholas Machiavel, which in times past, he being a counsailour, and Secretairie of the noble citie of Florence, not without his great laud and praise did write: and having lately againe, somewhat perused the same, the which in such continuall broyles, and unquietnes, was by me translated, I determined with my selfe, by publishing thereof, to bestow as great a gift (since greater I was not able) amongst my countrie men, not expert in the Italian tongue, as in like works I had seene before mee, the Frenchmen, Dutchmen, Spaniardes, and other forreine nacions, most lovingly to have bestowed among theirs: the rather undoubtedly, that as by private reading of the same booke, I then felt my selfe, in that knowledge marvailously holpen and increased, so by communicating the same to many, our Englishmen finding out the ordering and disposing of exploites of warre therein contained, the aide and direction of these plaine and briefe precepts, might no lesse in knowledge of warres become incomparable, then in prooves also and exercise of the same altogether invincible: which my translacion, most gracious Soveraigne, together with such other thinges, as by mee hath bene gathered, and thought good to adde thereunto, I have presumed to dedicate unto your highness, not onely because the whole charge and furniture of warlike counsailes and preparations, being determined by the arbitremen of Governours and Princes, the treatise also of like effect should in like manner as of right depend upon the protection of a most worthy and noble Patronesse, but also that the discourse itselfe, and the worke of a foraine author, under the pasport and safe conduite of your highnes most noble name, might by speciall authoritie of the same, winne amongst your Majesties subjectes, much better credite and estimacion. And if, most mighty Queene, in this kinde of Philosophie, (if I may so terme it) grave and sage counsailes, learned and wittie precepts, or pollitike and prudent admonicions, ought not to be accounted the least and basest jewells of weale publike; then dare I boldly affirme, that of many straungers, which from forreine countries, have heretofore in this your Majesties realme arrived, there is none in comparison to be preferred, before this worthy Florentine and Italian, who having freelye without any gaine of exchaunge (as after some acquaintance and familiaritie will better appear) brought with him most ritch, rare and plentifull Treasure, shall deserve, I trust of all good English hearts, most lovingly and friendly to bee intertained, imbraced and cherished; whose new English apparel, how so ever it shall seeme by mee, after a grosse fashion, more fitly appointed to the Campe, then in nice termes atired to the Carpet, and in course clothing rather put foorth to battaile, then in any brave shew prepared to the banket; neverthelesse my good will I trust, shall of your grace be taken in good part, having fashioned the phraise of my rude stile, even according to the purpose of my travaile, which was rather to profite the desirous man of warre, then to delight the ears of the fine Rethorician, or daintie curious scholeman. Most humbly beseeching your highnes, so to accept my labour herein, as the first frutes of a poore Souldiour's studie, who to the uttermost of his smal power, in the service of your most gratious majestie, and of his countrie, will at all times, according to his boundent dutie and allegeaunce, promptly yeeld himselfe to any labour, travaile or daunger, what so ever shall happen. Praying in the meane season the almightie God, to give your highnes in a long prosperous raigne, perfect health, desired tranquilitie, and against all your enemies, lucky and joyful victorie.
THE
AUTHOR's PREFACE,
ADDRESSED TO
Lorenzo Strozzi, Nobleman of Florence.
Many are now of opinion, My Dear Lorenzo, that no two things are more discordant and incongruous than a civil and a military Life. Hence we see daily, that when a man goes into the army, he presently changes, not only his dress, but his behaviour, his company, his air, his manner of speaking, and affects to throw off all appearance of any thing that may look like common life and conversation. For a man that is to be ready equipped for any sort of violence, despises the formal garb of a Citizen, and thinks no dress fit for his purpose but a suit of armour: and as to civility and politeness, how can we expect to find any such thing in one who imagines it would make him look effeminate, and rather be a hindrance to his preferment than otherwise; especially when he thinks it his duty, instead of talking and looking like other men, to fright every body he meets with a volley of oaths, and a terrible pair of whiskers? This indeed gives some countenance to such an opinion, and makes people look upon a soldier as a different sort of a creature from all other men.
But if we consider the nature of government, and the institutions of the Ancients, we shall find a very strict and intimate relation betwixt these two conditions; and that they are not only compatible and consistent with each other, but necessarily connected and united together. For all the arts and sciences which have been introduced into society for the common benefit of mankind, and all the ordinances that have been established to make them live in the fear of God, and obedience to human Laws, would be vain and insignificant, if not supported and defended by a military force; which, when properly conducted and applied, will maintain those ordinances and keep up their authority, though perhaps they may not be altogether perfect and without flaw or defect in themselves. But the best ordinances in the world will be despised and trampled under foot, if not upheld as they ought to be by a military power; like a magnificent Palace that is uncovered at the top, which though full of jewels and costly furniture, must soon moulder into ruin, as it has nothing but its splendor and riches to defend it from the injuries of the weather. The ancient Lawgivers and Governors of Kingdoms and Republics took great care therefore to inspire all their subjects, but particularly their soldiers, with fidelity, love of peace, and the fear of God. For who ought to be more faithful than a man that is entrusted with the safety of his country, and has sworn to defend it to the last drop of his blood? Who ought to be fonder of peace, than those that suffer by nothing but war? Who is under greater obligations to worship God than Soldiers, who are daily exposed to innumerable dangers, and have most occasion for his protection? These things being well considered by those who governed States and modelled armies in former times, and strongly enforced upon others that were under their command, had such an effect upon their conduct and behaviour, that the life of a soldier was edifying and served as a pattern for others. But since our discipline is now depraved to such a degree, that it is totally different from what it anciently was, it is no wonder that men have so bad an opinion of a military life, and endeavour, as much as they can, to avoid the company and conversation of all such as follow the profession of arms.
As I am of opinion, therefore, from what I have both seen and read, that it is not even yet impossible to revive the discipline of our ancestors, and in some measure to retrieve the reputation of our soldiery, I have written the following treatise concerning the Art of War, as well for the improvements of others who are desirous to imitate the Ancients in warlike exploits, as for my own private satisfaction, and to avoid the imputation of spending my leisure in idleness. Now, though perhaps it may seem a presumptuous undertaking to treat of an Art which I never professed; yet I cannot help thinking myself more excusable than some other people, who have taken upon them the actual exercise of it: for an error in my writings may easily be corrected, without prejudice to any body; but an error in their practice may ruin a whole State. Consider the nature of this work then, good Lorenzo, and freely bestow either your censure or commendation upon it, as you think it justly deserves. I inscribe it to you, not only as a testimony of my gratitude, (though conscious to myself how small a return it is for the favours I have received from you) but because it is usual to address things of this nature to persons who are distinguished by their nobility, their riches, their great parts, or munificence; and I know very well that in birth and fortune you have not many equals, still fewer in parts, and in generosity and liberality, none at all.