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them。 Thus it happens that whenever those who are hostile have the
opportunity to attack they do it like partisans； whilst the others defend
lukewarmly； in such wise that the prince is endangered along with them。
It is necessary； therefore； if we desire to discuss this matter thoroughly；
to inquire whether these innovators can rely on themselves or have to
depend on others： that is to say； whether； to consummate their enterprise；
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have they to use prayers or can they use force？ In the first instance they
always succeed badly； and never compass anything； but when they can
rely on themselves and use force； then they are rarely endangered。 Hence
it is that all armed prophets have conquered； and the unarmed ones have
been destroyed。 Besides the reasons mentioned； the nature of the people is
variable； and whilst it is easy to persuade them； it is difficult to fix them in
that persuasion。 And thus it is necessary to take such measures that； when
they believe no longer； it may be possible to make them believe by force。
If Moses； Cyrus； Theseus； and Romulus had been unarmed they could
not have enforced their constitutions for longas happened in our time to
Fra Girolamo Savonarola； who was ruined with his new order of things
immediately the multitude believed in him no longer； and he had no means
of keeping steadfast those who believed or of making the unbelievers to
believe。 Therefore such as these have great difficulties in consummating
their enterprise； for all their dangers are in the ascent； yet with ability they
will overcome them； but when these are overcome； and those who envied
them their success are exterminated； they will begin to be respected； and
they will continue afterwards powerful； secure； honoured； and happy。
To these great examples I wish to add a lesser one； still it bears some
resemblance to them； and I wish it to suffice me for all of a like kind： it is
Hiero the Syracusan。＇*＇ This man rose from a private station to be Prince
of Syracuse； nor did he； either； owe anything to fortune but opportunity；
for the Syracusans； being oppressed； chose him for their captain；
afterwards he was rewarded by being made their prince。 He was of so
great ability； even as a private citizen； that one who writes of him says he
wanted nothing but a kingdom to be a king。 This man abolished the old
soldiery； organized the new； gave up old alliances； made new ones； and as
he had his own soldiers and allies； on such foundations he was able to
build any edifice： thus； whilst he had endured much trouble in acquiring；
he had but little in keeping。
＇*＇ Hiero II； born about 307 B。C。； died 216 B。C。
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CHAPTER VII
CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE
ACQUIRED EITHER BY THE ARMS OF OTHERS OR BY GOOD
FORTUNE
Those who solely by good fortune become princes from being private
citizens have little trouble in rising； but much in keeping atop； they have
not any difficulties on the way up； because they fly； but they have many
when they reach the summit。 Such are those to whom some state is given
either for money or by the favour of him who bestows it； as happened to
many in Greece； in the cities of Ionia and of the Hellespont； where princes
were made by Darius； in order that they might hold the cities both for his
security and his glory； as also were those emperors who； by the corruption
of the soldiers； from being citizens came to empire。 Such stand simply
elevated upon the goodwill and the fortune of him who has elevated them…
…two most inconstant and unstable things。 Neither have they the
knowledge requisite for the position； because； unless they are men of great
worth and ability； it is not reasonable to expect that they should know how
to command； having always lived in a private condition； besides； they
cannot hold it because they have not forces which they can keep friendly
and faithful。
States that rise unexpectedly； then； like all other things in nature which
are born and grow rapidly； cannot leave their foundations and
correspondencies＇*＇ fixed in such a way that the first storm will not
overthrow them； unless； as is said； those who unexpectedly become
princes are men of so much ability that they know they have to be
prepared at once to hold that which fortune has thrown into their laps； and
that those foundations； which others have laid BEFORE they became
princes； they must lay AFTERWARDS。
＇*＇ 〃Le radici e corrispondenze；〃 their roots （i。e。 foundations） and
correspondencies or relations with other statesa common meaning of
〃correspondence〃 and 〃correspondency〃 in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries。
Concerning these two methods of rising to be a prince by ability or
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fortune； I wish to adduce two examples within our own recollection； and
these are Francesco Sforza＇*＇ and Cesare Borgia。 Francesco； by proper
means and with great ability； from being a private person rose to be Duke
of Milan； and that which he had acquired with a thousand anxieties he kept
with little trouble。 On the other hand； Cesare Borgia； called by the people
Duke Valentino； acquired his state during the ascendancy of his father； and
on its decline he lost it； notwithstanding that he had taken every measure
and done all that ought to be done by a wise and able man to fix firmly his
roots in the states which the arms and fortunes of others had bestowed on
him。
＇*＇ Francesco Sforza； born 1401； died 1466。 He married Bianca Maria
Visconti； a natural daughter of Filippo Visconti； the Duke of Milan； on
whose death he procured his own elevation to the duchy。 Machiavelli was
the accredited agent of the Florentine Republic to Cesare Borgia （1478…
1507） during the transactions which led up to the assassinations of the
Orsini and Vitelli at Sinigalia； and along with his letters to his chiefs in
Florence he has left an account； written ten years before 〃The Prince；〃 of
the proceedings of the duke in his 〃Descritio