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dismantled them； and did not lose them。 They wished to hold Greece as
the Spartans held it； making it free and permitting its laws； and did not
succeed。 So to hold it they were compelled to dismantle many cities in the
country； for in truth there is no safe way to retain them otherwise than by
ruining them。 And he who becomes master of a city accustomed to
freedom and does not destroy it； may expect to be destroyed by it； for in
rebellion it has always the watchword of liberty and its ancient privileges
as a rallying point； which neither time nor benefits will ever cause it to
forget。 And whatever you may do or provide against； they never forget that
name or their privileges unless they are disunited or dispersed； but at every
chance they immediately rally to them； as Pisa after the hundred years she
had been held in bondage by the Florentines。
But when cities or countries are accustomed to live under a prince； and
his family is exterminated； they； being on the one hand accustomed to
obey and on the other hand not having the old prince； cannot agree in
making one from amongst themselves； and they do not know how to
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govern themselves。 For this reason they are very slow to take up arms； and
a prince can gain them to himself and secure them much more easily。 But
in republics there is more vitality； greater hatred； and more desire for
vengeance； which will never permit them to allow the memory of their
former liberty to rest； so that the safest way is to destroy them or to reside
there。
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CHAPTER VI
CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE
ACQUIRED BY ONE'S OWN ARMS AND ABILITY
Let no one be surprised if； in speaking of entirely new principalities as
I shall do； I adduce the highest examples both of prince and of state；
because men； walking almost always in paths beaten by others； and
following by imitation their deeds； are yet unable to keep entirely to the
ways of others or attain to the power of those they imitate。 A wise man
ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men； and to imitate those
who have been supreme； so that if his ability does not equal theirs； at least
it will savour of it。 Let him act like the clever archers who； designing to hit
the mark which yet appears too far distant； and knowing the limits to
which the strength of their bow attains； take aim much higher than the
mark； not to reach by their strength or arrow to so great a height； but to be
able with the aid of so high an aim to hit the mark they wish to reach。
I say； therefore； that in entirely new principalities； where there is a new
prince； more or less difficulty is found in keeping them； accordingly as
there is more or less ability in him who has acquired the state。 Now； as the
fact of becoming a prince from a private station presupposes either ability
or fortune； it is clear that one or other of these things will mitigate in some
degree many difficulties。 Nevertheless； he who has relied least on fortune
is established the strongest。 Further； it facilitates matters when the prince；
having no other state； is compelled to reside there in person。
But to come to those who； by their own ability and not through fortune；
have risen to be princes； I say that Moses； Cyrus； Romulus； Theseus； and
such like are the most excellent examples。 And although one may not
discuss Moses； he having been a mere executor of the will of God； yet he
ought to be admired； if only for that favour which made him worthy to
speak with God。 But in considering Cyrus and others who have acquired
or founded kingdoms； all will be found admirable； and if their particular
deeds and conduct shall be considered； they will not be found inferior to
those of Moses； although he had so great a preceptor。 And in examining
their actions and lives one cannot see that they owed anything to fortune
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beyond opportunity； which brought them the material to mould into the
form which seemed best to them。 Without that opportunity their powers of
mind would have been extinguished； and without those powers the
opportunity would have come in vain。
It was necessary； therefore； to Moses that he should find the people of
Israel in Egypt enslaved and oppressed by the Egyptians； in order that they
should be disposed to follow him so as to be delivered out of bondage。 It
was necessary that Romulus should not remain in Alba； and that he should
be abandoned at his birth； in order that he should become King of Rome
and founder of the fatherland。 It was necessary that Cyrus should find the
Persians discontented with the government of the Medes； and the Medes
soft and effeminate through their long peace。 Theseus could not have
shown his ability had he not found the Athenians dispersed。 These
opportunities； therefore； made those men fortunate； and their high ability
enabled them to recognize the opportunity whereby their country was
ennobled and made famous。
Those who by valorous ways become princes； like these men； acquire
a principality with difficulty； but they keep it with ease。 The difficulties
they have in acquiring it rise in part from the new rules and methods
which they are forced to introduce to establish their government and its
security。 And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more
difficult to take in hand； more perilous to conduct； or more uncertain in its
success； then to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things。
Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under
the old conditions； and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well
under the new。 This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents； who
have the laws on their side； and partly from the incredulity of men； who do
not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of
them。 Thus it happens that whenever those who are hostile have the
opportunity to