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The choice of servants is of no little importance to a prince； and they
are good or not according to the discrimination of the prince。 And the first
opinion which one forms of a prince； and of his understanding； is by
observing the men he has around him； and when they are capable and
faithful he may always be considered wise； because he has known how to
recognize the capable and to keep them faithful。 But when they are
otherwise one cannot form a good opinion of him； for the prime error
which he made was in choosing them。
There were none who knew Messer Antonio da Venafro as the servant
of Pandolfo Petrucci； Prince of Siena； who would not consider Pandolfo to
be a very clever man in having Venafro for his servant。 Because there are
three classes of intellects： one which comprehends by itself； another which
appreciates what others comprehended； and a third which neither
comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others； the first is the most
excellent； the second is good； the third is useless。 Therefore； it follows
necessarily that； if Pandolfo was not in the first rank； he was in the second；
for whenever one has judgment to know good and bad when it is said and
done； although he himself may not have the initiative； yet he can recognize
the good and the bad in his servant； and the one he can praise and the other
correct； thus the servant cannot hope to deceive him； and is kept honest。
But to enable a prince to form an opinion of his servant there is one
test which never fails； when you see the servant thinking more of his own
interests than of yours； and seeking inwardly his own profit in everything；
such a man will never make a good servant； nor will you ever be able to
trust him； because he who has the state of another in his hands ought never
to think of himself； but always of his prince； and never pay any attention
to matters in which the prince is not concerned。
On the other hand； to keep his servant honest the prince ought to study
him； honouring him； enriching him； doing him kindnesses； sharing with
him the honours and cares； and at the same time let him see that he cannot
stand alone； so that many honours may not make him desire more； many
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riches make him wish for more； and that many cares may make him dread
chances。 When； therefore； servants； and princes towards servants； are thus
disposed； they can trust each other； but when it is otherwise； the end will
always be disastrous for either one or the other。
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CHAPTER XXIII
HOW FLATTERERS SHOULD BE AVOIDED
I do not wish to leave out an important branch of this subject； for it is a
danger from which princes are with difficulty preserved； unless they are
very careful and discriminating。 It is that of flatterers； of whom courts are
full； because men are so self…complacent in their own affairs； and in a way
so deceived in them； that they are preserved with difficulty from this pest；
and if they wish to defend themselves they run the danger of falling into
contempt。 Because there is no other way of guarding oneself from
flatterers except letting men understand that to tell you the truth does not
offend you； but when every one may tell you the truth； respect for you
abates。
Therefore a wise prince ought to hold a third course by choosing the
wise men in his state； and giving to them only the liberty of speaking the
truth to him； and then only of those things of which he inquires； and of
none others； but he ought to question them upon everything； and listen to
their opinions； and afterwards form his own conclusions。 With these
councillors； separately and collectively； he ought to carry himself in such a
way that each of them should know that； the more freely he shall speak；
the more he shall be preferred； outside of these； he should listen to no one；
pursue the thing resolved on； and be steadfast in his resolutions。 He who
does otherwise is either overthrown by flatterers； or is so often changed by
varying opinions that he falls into contempt。
I wish on this subject to adduce a modern example。 Fra Luca； the man
of affairs to Maximilian；＇*＇ the present emperor； speaking of his majesty；
said： He consulted with no one； yet never got his own way in anything。
This arose because of his following a practice the opposite to the above；
for the emperor is a secretive manhe does not communicate his designs
to any one； nor does he receive opinions on them。 But as in carrying them
into effect they become revealed and known； they are at once obstructed
by those men whom he has around him； and he； being pliant； is diverted
from them。 Hence it follows that those things he does one day he undoes
the next； and no one ever understands what he wishes or intends to do； and
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no one can rely on his resolutions。
＇*＇ Maximilian I； born in 1459； died 1519； Emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire。 He married； first； Mary； daughter of Charles the Bold；
after her death； Bianca Sforza； and thus became involved in Italian
politics。
A prince； therefore； ought always to take counsel； but only when he
wishes and not when others wish； he ought rather to discourage every one
from offering advice unless he asks it； but； however； he ought to be a
constant inquirer； and afterwards a patient listener concerning the things of
which he inquired； also； on learning that any one； on any consideration；
has not told him the truth； he should let his anger be felt。
And if there are some who think that a prince who conveys an
impression of his wisdom is not so through his own ability； but through the
good advisers that he has around him； beyond doubt they are deceived；
because this is an axiom which never fails： that a prince who is not wise
himself will never take good advice； unless by chance he has yielded his
affairs entirely to one person who happens to be a very prudent man。 In
this case indeed he may be well governed； but it would not be for long；
because such a governor would in a short time take away his state from
him。
But if a prince who is not inexperienced s