《君主论-the prince(英文版)》the prince(英文版)-第11章


to the magistracy; and who; especiallyin troubled times; can destroy the government with great ease; either byintrigue or open defiance; and the prince has not the chance amidtumults to exercise absolute authority; because the citizens andsubjects; accustomed to receive orders from magistrates; are not of amind to obey him amid these confusions; and there will always be indoubtful times a scarcity of men whom he can trust。 For such a princecannot rely upon es; when citizens had needof the state; because then every one agrees with him; they all promise;and when death is far distant they all wish to die for him; but introubled times; when the state has need of its citizens; then he findsbut few。 And so much the more is this experiment dangerous; inasmuch asit can only be tried once。 Therefore a wise prince ought to adopt such acourse that his citizens will always in every sort and kind ofcircumstance have need of the state and of him; and then he will alwaysfind them faithful。CHAPTER XCONCERNING THE WAY IN WHICH THE STRENGTH OF ALL PRINCIPALITIES OUGHT TOBE MEASUREDIT IS necessary to consider another point in examining the character ofthese principalities: that is; whether a prince has such power that; incase of need; he can support himself with his own resources; or whetherhe has always need of the assistance of others。 And to make this quiteclear I say that I consider those are able to support themselves bytheir own resources who can; either by abundance of men or money; raisea sufficient army to join battle against any one who es to attackthem; and I consider those always to have need of others who cannot showthemselves against the enemy in the field; but are forced to defendthemselves by sheltering behind walls。 The first case has beendiscussed; but we will speak of it again should it recur。 In the secondcase one can say nothing except to encourage such princes to provisionand fortify their towns; and not on any account to defend the country。And whoever shall fortify his town well; and shall have managed theother concerns of his subjects in the way stated above; and to be oftenrepeated; will never be attacked without great caution; for men arealways adverse to enterprises where difficulties can be seen; and itwill be seen not to be an easy thing to attack one who has his town wellfortified; and is not hated by his people。The cities of Germany are absolutely free; they own but little countryaround them; and they yield obedience to the emperor when it suits them;nor do they fear this or any other power they may have near them;because they are fortified in such a way that every one thinks thetaking of them by assault would be tedious and difficult; seeing theyhave proper ditches and walls; they have sufficient artillery; and theyalways keep in public depots enough for one year"s eating; drinking; andfiring。 And beyond this; to keep the people quiet and without loss tothe state; they always have the means of giving work to the munity inthose labours that are the life and strength of the city; and on thepursuit of which the people are supported; they also hold militaryexercises in repute; and moreover have many ordinances to uphold them。Therefore; a prince who has a strong city; and had not made himselfodious; will not be attacked; or if any one should attack he will onlybe driven off with disgrace; again; because that affairs of this worldare so changeable; it is almost impossible to keep an army a whole yearin the field without being interfered with。 And whoever should reply: Ifthe people have property outside the city; and see it burnt; they willnot remain patient; and the long siege and self…interest will make themforget their prince; to this I answer that a powerful and courageousprince will overe all such difficulties by giving at one time hope tohis subjects that the evil will not be for long; at another time fear ofthe cruelty of the enemy; then preserving himself adroitly from thosesubjects who seem to him to be too bold。Further; the enemy would naturally on his arrival at once burn and ruinthe country at the time when the spirits of the people are still hot andready for the defence; and; therefore; so much the less ought the princeto hesitate; because after a time; when spirits have cooled; the damageis already done; the ills are incurred; and there is no longer anyremedy; and therefore they are so much the more ready to unite withtheir prince; he appearing to be under obligations to them now thattheir houses have been burnt and their possessions ruined in hisdefence。 For it is the nature of men to be bound by the benefits theyconfer as much as by those they receive。 Therefore; if everything iswell considered; it wilt not be difficult for a wise prince to keep theminds of his citizens steadfast from first to last; when he does notfail to support and defend them。CHAPTER XICONCERNING ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITIESIT ONLY remains now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities; touchingwhich all difficulties are prior to getting possession; because they areacquired either by capacity or good fortune; and they can be heldwithout either; for they are sustained by the ordinances of religion;which are so all…powerful; and of such a character that theprincipalities may be held no matter how their princes behave and live。These princes alone have states and do not defend them; they havesubjects and do not rule them; and the states; although unguarded; arenot taken from them; and the subjects; although not ruled; do not care;and they have neither the desire nor the ability to alienate themselves。Such principalities only are secure and happy。 But being upheld bypowers; to which the human mind cannot reach; I shall speak no more ofthem; because; being exalted and maintained by God; it would be the actof a presumptuous and rash man to discuss them。Nevertheless; if any one should ask of me how es it that the Churchhas attained such greatness in temporal power; seeing that fromAlexander backwards the Italian potentates (not only those who have beencalled potentates; but every baron and lord; though the smallest) havevalued the temporal power very slightly …… yet now a king of Francetrembles before it; and it has been able to drive him fr
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