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always need of the assistance of others。 And to make this quite clear I say
that I consider those who are able to support themselves by their own
resources who can； either by abundance of men or money； raise a
sufficient army to join battle against any one who comes to attack them；
and I consider those always to have need of others who cannot show
themselves against the enemy in the field； but are forced to defend
themselves by sheltering behind walls。 The first case has been discussed；
but we will speak of it again should it recur。 In the second case one can
say nothing except to encourage such princes to provision and fortify their
towns； and not on any account to defend the country。 And whoever shall
fortify his town well； and shall have managed the other concerns of his
subjects in the way stated above； and to be often repeated； will never be
attacked without great caution； for men are always adverse to enterprises
where difficulties can be seen； and it will be seen not to be an easy thing to
attack one who has his town well fortified； and is not hated by his people。
The cities of Germany are absolutely free； they own but little country
around 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 the taking of them by
assault would be tedious and difficult； seeing they have proper ditches and
walls； they have sufficient artillery； and they always keep in public depots
enough for one year's eating； drinking； and firing。 And beyond this； to
keep the people quiet and without loss to the state； they always have the
means of giving work to the community in those labours that are the life
and strength of the city； and on the pursuit of which the people are
supported； they also hold military exercises in repute； and moreover have
many ordinances to uphold them。
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Therefore； a prince who has a strong city； and had not made himself
odious； will not be attacked； or if any one should attack he will only be
driven off with disgrace； again； because that the affairs of this world are so
changeable； it is almost impossible to keep an army a whole year in the
field without being interfered with。 And whoever should reply： If the
people have property outside the city； and see it burnt； they will not remain
patient； and the long siege and self… interest will make them forget their
prince； to this I answer that a powerful and courageous prince will
overcome all such difficulties by giving at one time hope to his subjects
that the evil will not be for long； at another time fear of the cruelty of the
enemy； then preserving himself adroitly from those subjects who seem to
him to be too bold。
Further； the enemy would naturally on his arrival at once burn and ruin
the country at the time when the spirits of the people are still hot and ready
for the defence； and； therefore； so much the less ought the prince to
hesitate； because after a time； when spirits have cooled； the damage is
already done； the ills are incurred； and there is no longer any remedy； and
therefore they are so much the more ready to unite with their prince； he
appearing to be under obligations to them now that their houses have been
burnt and their possessions ruined in his defence。 For it is the nature of
men to be bound by the benefits they confer as much as by those they
receive。 Therefore； if everything is well considered； it will not be difficult
for a wise prince to keep the minds of his citizens steadfast from first to
last； when he does not fail to support and defend them。
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CHAPTER XI
CONCERNING ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITIES
It only remains now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities； touching
which all difficulties are prior to getting possession； because they are
acquired either by capacity or good fortune； and they can be held without
either； for they are sustained by the ancient ordinances of religion； which
are so all…powerful； and of such a character that the principalities may be
held no matter how their princes behave and live。 These princes alone
have states and do not defend them； and they have subjects and do not rule
them； and the states； although unguarded； are not 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 by powers； to which the human mind cannot
reach； I shall speak no more of them； because； being exalted and
maintained by God； it would be the act of a presumptuous and rash man to
discuss them。
Nevertheless； if any one should ask of me how comes it that the
Church has attained such greatness in temporal power； seeing that from
Alexander backwards the Italian potentates （not only those who have been
called potentates； but every baron and lord； though the smallest） have
valued the temporal power very slightlyyet now a king of France
trembles before it； and it has been able to drive him from Italy； and to ruin
the Venetiansalthough this may be very manifest； it does not appear to
me superfluous to recall it in some measure to memory。
Before Charles； King of France； passed into Italy；＇*＇ this country was
under the dominion of the Pope； the Venetians； the King of Naples； the
Duke of Milan； and the Florentines。 These potentates had two principal
anxieties： the one； that no foreigner should enter Italy under arms； the
other； that none of themselves should seize more territory。 Those about
whom there was the most anxiety were the Pope and the Venetians。 To
restrain the Venetians the union of all the others was necessary； as it was
for the defence of Ferrara； and to keep down the Pope they made use of
the barons of Rome； who； being divided into two factions； Orsini and
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Colonnesi；