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discourses； speaking of the greatness of Pope Alexander and his son
Cesare； and of their enterprises； to which discourse Giovanni and others
answered； but he rose at once； saying that such matters ought to be
discussed in a more private place； and he betook himself to a chamber；
whither Giovanni and the rest of the citizens went in after him。 No sooner
were they seated than soldiers issued from secret places and slaughtered
Giovanni and the rest。 After these murders Oliverotto； mounted on
horseback； rode up and down the town and besieged the chief magistrate
in the palace； so that in fear the people were forced to obey him； and to
form a government； of which he made himself the prince。 He killed all the
malcontents who were able to injure him； and strengthened himself with
new civil and military ordinances； in such a way that； in the year during
which he held the principality； not only was he secure in the city of Fermo；
but he had become formidable to all his neighbours。 And his destruction
would have been as difficult as that of Agathocles if he had not allowed
himself to be overreached by Cesare Borgia； who took him with the Orsini
and Vitelli at Sinigalia； as was stated above。 Thus one year after he had
committed this parricide； he was strangled； together with Vitellozzo；
whom he had made his leader in valour and wickedness。
Some may wonder how it can happen that Agathocles； and his like；
after infinite treacheries and cruelties； should live for long secure in his
country； and defend himself from external enemies； and never be
conspired against by his own citizens； seeing that many others； by means
of cruelty； have never been able even in peaceful times to hold the state；
still less in the doubtful times of war。 I believe that this follows from
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severities＇*＇ being badly or properly used。 Those may be called properly
used； if of evil it is possible to speak well； that are applied at one blow and
are necessary to one's security； and that are not persisted in afterwards
unless they can be turned to the advantage of the subjects。 The badly
employed are those which； notwithstanding they may be few in the
commencement； multiply with time rather than decrease。 Those who
practise the first system are able； by aid of God or man； to mitigate in
some degree their rule； as Agathocles did。 It is impossible for those who
follow the other to maintain themselves。
＇*＇ Mr Burd suggests that this word probably comes near the modern
equivalent of Machiavelli's thought when he speaks of 〃crudelta〃 than the
more obvious 〃cruelties。〃
Hence it is to be remarked that； in seizing a state； the usurper ought to
examine closely into all those injuries which it is necessary for him to
inflict； and to do them all at one stroke so as not to have to repeat them
daily； and thus by not unsettling men he will be able to reassure them； and
win them to himself by benefits。 He who does otherwise； either from
timidity or evil advice； is always compelled to keep the knife in his hand；
neither can he rely on his subjects； nor can they attach themselves to him；
owing to their continued and repeated wrongs。 For injuries ought to be
done all at one time； so that； being tasted less； they offend less； benefits
ought to be given little by little； so that the flavour of them may last
longer。
And above all things； a prince ought to live amongst his people in such
a way that no unexpected circumstances； whether of good or evil； shall
make him change； because if the necessity for this comes in troubled times；
you are too late for harsh measures； and mild ones will not help you； for
they will be considered as forced from you； and no one will be under any
obligation to you for them。
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CHAPTER IX
CONCERNING A CIVIL PRINCIPALITY
But coming to the other pointwhere a leading citizen becomes the
prince of his country； not by wickedness or any intolerable violence； but
by the favour of his fellow citizensthis may be called a civil principality：
nor is genius or fortune altogether necessary to attain to it； but rather a
happy shrewdness。 I say then that such a principality is obtained either by
the favour of the people or by the favour of the nobles。 Because in all
cities these two distinct parties are found； and from this it arises that the
people do not wish to be ruled nor oppressed by the nobles； and the nobles
wish to rule and oppress the people； and from these two opposite desires
there arises in cities one of three results； either a principality； self…
government； or anarchy。
A principality is created either by the people or by the nobles；
accordingly as one or other of them has the opportunity； for the nobles；
seeing they cannot withstand the people； begin to cry up the reputation of
one of themselves； and they make him a prince； so that under his shadow
they can give vent to their ambitions。 The people； finding they cannot
resist the nobles； also cry up the reputation of one of themselves； and
make him a prince so as to be defended by his authority。 He who obtains
sovereignty by the assistance of the nobles maintains himself with more
difficulty than he who comes to it by the aid of the people； because the
former finds himself with many around him who consider themselves his
equals； and because of this he can neither rule nor manage them to his
liking。 But he who reaches sovereignty by popular favour finds himself
alone； and has none around him； or few； who are not prepared to obey him。
Besides this； one cannot by fair dealing； and without injury to others；
satisfy the nobles； but you can satisfy the people； for their object is more
righteous than that of the nobles； the latter wishing to oppress； while the
former only desire not to be oppressed。 It is to be added also that a prince
can never secure himself against a hostile people； because of their being
too many； whilst from the