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exasperated； because the whole state is injured； through the shifting of the
garrison up and down all become acquainted with hardship； and all
become hostile； and they are enemies who； whilst beaten on their own
ground； are yet able to do hurt。 For every reason； therefore； such guards
are as useless as a colony is useful。
Again； the prince who holds a country differing in the above respects
ought to make himself the head and defender of his less powerful
neighbours； and to weaken the more powerful amongst them； taking care
that no foreigner as powerful as himself shall； by any accident； get a
footing there； for it will always happen that such a one will be introduced
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by those who are discontented； either through excess of ambition or
through fear； as one has seen already。 The Romans were brought into
Greece by the Aetolians； and in every other country where they obtained a
footing they were brought in by the inhabitants。 And the usual course of
affairs is that； as soon as a powerful foreigner enters a country； all the
subject states are drawn to him； moved by the hatred which they feel
against the ruling power。 So that in respect to those subject states he has
not to take any trouble to gain them over to himself； for the whole of them
quickly rally to the state which he has acquired there。 He has only to take
care that they do not get hold of too much power and too much authority；
and then with his own forces； and with their goodwill； he can easily keep
down the more powerful of them； so as to remain entirely master in the
country。 And he who does not properly manage this business will soon
lose what he has acquired； and whilst he does hold it he will have endless
difficulties and troubles。
The Romans； in the countries which they annexed； observed closely
these measures； they sent colonies and maintained friendly relations
with＇*＇ the minor powers； without increasing their strength； they kept
down the greater； and did not allow any strong foreign powers to gain
authority。 Greece appears to me sufficient for an example。 The Achaeans
and Aetolians were kept friendly by them； the kingdom of Macedonia was
humbled； Antiochus was driven out； yet the merits of the Achaeans and
Aetolians never secured for them permission to increase their power； nor
did the persuasions of Philip ever induce the Romans to be his friends
without first humbling him； nor did the influence of Antiochus make them
agree that he should retain any lordship over the country。 Because the
Romans did in these instances what all prudent princes ought to do； who
have to regard not only present troubles； but also future ones； for which
they must prepare with every energy； because； when foreseen； it is easy to
remedy them； but if you wait until they approach； the medicine is no
longer in time because the malady has become incurable； for it happens in
this； as the physicians say it happens in hectic fever； that in the beginning
of the malady it is easy to cure but difficult to detect； but in the course of
time； not having been either detected or treated in the beginning； it
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becomes easy to detect but difficult to cure。 This it happens in affairs of
state； for when the evils that arise have been foreseen （which it is only
given to a wise man to see）； they can be quickly redressed； but when；
through not having been foreseen； they have been permitted to grow in a
way that every one can see them； there is no longer a remedy。 Therefore；
the Romans； foreseeing troubles； dealt with them at once； and； even to
avoid a war； would not let them come to a head； for they knew that war is
not to be avoided； but is only to be put off to the advantage of others；
moreover they wished to fight with Philip and Antiochus in Greece so as
not to have to do it in Italy； they could have avoided both； but this they did
not wish； nor did that ever please them which is for ever in the mouths of
the wise ones of our time：Let us enjoy the benefits of the timebut rather
the benefits of their own valour and prudence； for time drives everything
before it； and is able to bring with it good as well as evil； and evil as well
as good。
＇*＇ See remark in the introduction on the word 〃intrattenere。〃
But let us turn to France and inquire whether she has done any of the
things mentioned。 I will speak of Louis＇*＇ （and not of Charles＇＋＇） as the
one whose conduct is the better to be observed； he having held possession
of Italy for the longest period； and you will see that he has done the
opposite to those things which ought to be done to retain a state composed
of divers elements。
＇*＇ Louis XII； King of France； 〃The Father of the People；〃 born 1462；
died 1515。
＇＋＇ Charles VIII； King of France； born 1470； died 1498。
King Louis was brought into Italy by the ambition of the Venetians；
who desired to obtain half the state of Lombardy by his intervention。 I will
not blame the course taken by the king； because； wishing to get a foothold
in Italy； and having no friends thereseeing rather that every door was
shut to him owing to the conduct of Charleshe was forced to accept those
friendships which he could get； and he would have succeeded very quickly
in his design if in other matters he had not made some mistakes。 The king；
however； having acquired Lombardy； regained at once the authority which
Charles had lost： Genoa yielded； the Florentines became his friends； the
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Marquess of Mantua； the Duke of Ferrara； the Bentivogli； my lady of Forli；
the Lords of Faenza； of Pesaro； of Rimini； of Camerino； of Piombino； the
Lucchese； the Pisans； the Sieneseeverybody made advances to him to
become his friend。 Then could the Venetians realize the rashness of the
course taken by them； which； in order that they might secure two towns in
Lombardy； had made the king master of two…thirds of Italy。
Let any one now consider