Niccolò Machiavelli · Complete work
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXI of 27. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
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Come si debba governare un Principe per acquistarsi riputazione.
Nissuna cosa fa tanto stimare un Principe, quanto fanno le grandi imprese, e il dare di sè esempi rari. Noi abbiamo nei nostri tempi Ferrando Re d'Aragona, presente Re di Spagna. Costui si può chiamare quasi Principe nuovo, perchè d'un Re debole è diventato per fama e per gloria il primo Re dei Cristiani; e se considererete le azioni sue, le troverete tutte grandissime, e qualcuna straordinaria. Egli nel principio del suo regno assaltò la Granata, e quella impresa fu il fondamento dello Stato suo. In prima ei la fece ozioso, e senza sospetto di essere impedito; tenne occupati in quella gli animi de’ Baroni di Castiglia, li quali pensando a quella guerra non pensavano ad innovare; e lui acquistava in questo mezzo riputazione ed imperio sopra di loro, che non se ne accorgevano. Potè nutrire, con danari della Chiesa e de’ popoli, gli eserciti, e fare un fondamento con quella guerra lunga alla milizia, la quale dipoi lo ha onorato. Oltra questo, per potere intraprender maggiori imprese, servendosi sempre della Religione, si volse a una pietosa crudeltà, cacciando e spogliando il suo Regno de’ Marrani; nè può essere questo esempio più mirabile, nè più raro. Assaltò sotto questo medesimo mantello l’Affrica, fece l’impresa d’Italia, ha ultimamente assaltato la Francia, e così sempre ordito cose grande, le quali sempre hanno tenuto sospesi ed ammirati gli animi de’ sudditi, ed occupati nell’evento di esse. E sono nate queste sue azioni in modo l’una dall’altra, che non hanno dato mai spazio agli uomini di quietare ed operargli contro.
Giova ancora assai a un Principe dare di sè esempi rari circa il governo di dentro, simili a quelli che si narrano di Messer Bernabò di Milano, quando si ha l’occasione di qualcuno che operi qualche cosa straordinaria o in bene o in male nella vita civile, e trovare un modo circa il premiarlo o punirlo, di che s’abbi a parlare assai. E soprattutto un Principe si debbe ingegnare dare di sè in ogni sua azione fama di grande ed eccellente. È ancora stimato un Principe quando egli è vero amico, o vero nimico, cioè quando senza alcun rispetto si scuopre in favore di alcuno contro un altro; il qual partito fia sempre più utile, che star neutrale; perchè se duoi potenti tuoi vicini vengono alle mani, o essi sono di qualità che vincendo un di quelli tu abbi da temere del vincitore, o no. In qualunque di questi duoi casi ti sarà sempre più utile lo scuoprirti, e far buona guerra; perchè nel primo caso se tu non ti scuopri sarai sempre preda di chi vince con piacere e satisfazione di colui che è stato vinto, e non arai ragione nè cosa alcuna che ti difenda, nè chi ti riceva. Perchè chi vince non vuole amici sospetti, e che nelle avversità non l'aiutino; chi perde non ti riceve, per non aver tu voluto con l'armi in mano correre la fortuna sua.
Era passato Antioco in Grecia, messovi dagli Etoli per cacciarne i Romani. Mandò Antioco oratori agli Achei, che erano amici de’ Romani, a confortarli a star di mezzo; e dall'altra parte i Romani gli persuadevano a pigliare l'armi per loro. Venne questa cosa a deliberarsi nel concilio degli Achei, dove il legato d'Antioco gli persuadeva a stare neutrali; a che il legato Romano rispose: Quanto alla parte, che si dice essere ottimo ed utilissimo allo Stato vostro il non v'intromettere nella guerra nostra, niente vi è più contrario; imperocchè, non vi ci intromettendo, senza grazia e senza riputazione alcuna resterete premio del vincitore. E sempre interverrà, che quello che non è ti amico, ti richiederà della neutralità, e quello che ti è amico, ti ricercherà che ti scuopra con l'armi. E li Principi mal risoluti, per fuggire i presenti pericoli, seguono il più delle volte quella via neutrale, ed il più delle volte rovinano. Ma quando il Principe si scuopre gagliardamente in favore di una parte, se colui, con chi tu aderisci, vince, ancorachè sia potente e che tu rimanga a sua discrezione, egli ha teco obbligo, e vi è contratto l’amore, e gli uomini non sono mai sì disonesti, che con tanto esemplo d'ingratitudine ti opprimessero. Dipoi le vittorie non sono mai sì prospere, che il vincitore non abbia ad avere qualche rispetto; e massime alla giustizia. Ma se quello, con il quale tu aderisci, perde, tu siei ricevuto da lui; e, mentre che può, ti aiuta, e diventi compagno di una fortuna che può risurgere. Nel secondo caso quando quelli che combattono insieme sono di qualità, che tu non abbia da temere di quello che vince, tantopiù è gran prudenza lo aderire; perchè tu vai alla rovina d’uno con l'aiuto di chi lo dovrrebbe salvare, se fusse savio, e vincendo rimane alla tua discrezione, ed è impossibile con l'aiuto tuo non vinca. E qui è da notare, che un Principe deve avvertire non far mai compagnia con uno più potente di sè per offendere altri, se non quando la necessità lo strigne, come di sopra si dice; perchè, vincendo lui, tu rimani a sua discrezione, e li Principi debbono fuggire quanto possono lo stare a discrezione d'altri. I Viniziani si accompagnarono con Francia contro al Duca di Milano, e potevano fuggire di non fare quella compagnia; di che ne risultò la rovina loro. Ma quando non si può fuggirla, come intervenne a’ Fiorentini quando il Papa e Spagna andarono con gli eserciti ad assaltare la Lombardia, allora vi deve il Principe aderire per le sopradette ragioni. Nè creda mai alcuno Stato poter pigliare partiti sicuri; anzi pensi d'avere a prenderli tutti dubbi; perchè si trova questo nell’ordine delle cose, che mai si cerca fuggire uno inconveniente, che non s'incorra in un altro: ma la prudenza consiste in saper cognoscere la qualità degli inconvenienti, e prendere il manco tristo per buono.
Deve ancora un Principe mostrarsi amatore delle virtù, e onorare gli eccellenti in ciascuna arte. Appresso deve animare i suoi cittadini di poter quietamente esercitare gli esercizi loro e nella mercanzia, e nell'agricultura, ed in ogni altro esercizio degli uomini, acciocchè quello non si astenga di ornare le sue possessioni per timore che non gli sieno tolte, e quell’altro di aprire un traffico per paura delle taglie; ma deve preparare premi a chi vuol fare queste cose, ed a qualunque pensa in qualunque modo di ampliare la sua città o il suo Stato. Deve oltre a questo ne’ tempi convenienti dell’anno tenere occupati li popoli con le feste e spettacoli; e perchè ogni città è divisa o in arti o in tribù, deve tenere conto di quelle università, ragunarsi con loro qualche volta, dare di sè esempio di umanità e di magnificenza; tenendo nondimeno sempre ferma la maestà della dignità sua; perchè questo non si vuole mai che manchi in cosa alcuna.
Musean translation
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the Italian text of all 26 chapters and the dedication for fidelity, Machiavelli’s force and cadence, and modern clarity.
How a Prince Should Conduct Himself to Win a Reputation
Nothing makes a Prince so esteemed as great undertakings and rare examples of his own conduct. In our own times we have Ferdinand, King of Aragon and now King of Spain. He may almost be called a new Prince, for from being a weak king he has become, in fame and glory, the foremost king of Christendom. Consider his actions and you will find them all very great, some extraordinary. At the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and that enterprise was the foundation of his power. At first he undertook it at leisure, with no fear of interference. He kept the barons of Castile occupied with it; thinking of that war, they did not think of making changes, while he acquired reputation and authority over them without their noticing. With money from the Church and the people he was able to maintain his armies; that long war laid the foundation of the military power that has since brought him honor. Moreover, so that he could undertake greater enterprises, he made constant use of religion and turned to a pious cruelty, driving the Marranos out of his kingdom and despoiling them. No example could be more remarkable or more extraordinary. Under the same cloak he attacked Africa, launched his enterprise in Italy, and lately attacked France. Thus he has always planned great things, which have kept his subjects' minds in suspense and wonder, occupied with their outcome. And these actions have followed one upon another so closely that they have never given men time to settle down and act against him.
It also greatly helps a Prince to furnish rare examples of himself in domestic government, such as those told of Messer Bernabò of Milan: when someone has done something extraordinary, whether good or bad, in civic life, he should find a way to reward or punish the deed that will be much talked about. Above all, a Prince should strive in every action to acquire a reputation for greatness and excellence. A Prince is also esteemed when he is a true friend or a true enemy: that is, when he openly takes one side against another without reservation. This course will always be more useful than remaining neutral. For if two powerful neighbors come to blows, either the victor will be someone you have reason to fear, or he will not. In either case, it will always serve you better to declare yourself and wage a vigorous war. In the first case, if you do not declare yourself, you will always be the victor's prey, to the pleasure and satisfaction of the defeated; and you will have neither a claim nor anything else to defend you, nor anyone to take you in. The victor does not want doubtful friends who failed to help him in adversity, and the loser will not receive you, because you refused to take your arms in hand and share his fortune.
Antiochus crossed into Greece at the invitation of the Aetolians, to drive out the Romans. He sent envoys to the Achaeans, who were friends of the Romans, urging them to stand aside; meanwhile the Romans urged them to take up arms on their side. The matter came before the council of the Achaeans, where Antiochus's envoy urged them to remain neutral. The Roman envoy replied: "As for the claim that keeping out of our war would be best and most useful for your state, nothing could be further from the truth. For if you keep out of it, you will remain, without favor or reputation, the prize of the victor." It will always happen that the one who is not your friend asks you to be neutral, while the one who is your friend asks you to declare yourself with arms. Irresolute Princes, in order to escape immediate dangers, most often take the neutral course, and most often come to ruin. But when a Prince boldly declares himself for one side, and his ally wins, then even if that ally is powerful and you remain at his mercy, he is indebted to you and a bond of affection has been formed. Men are never so shameless that they would oppress you with so conspicuous an example of ingratitude. Besides, victories are never so complete that the victor need have no regard for anything, especially justice. If your ally loses, he will receive you, help you as long as he can, and you become the companion of a fortune that may rise again. In the second case, when the combatants are such that you have no reason to fear the victor, it is all the more prudent to take a side: with the help of one who ought, if he were wise, to save his opponent, you bring about that opponent's ruin; and once your ally wins, he remains at your mercy. With your help it is impossible for him not to win. Here it should be noted that a Prince must take care never to ally himself with someone more powerful than himself to attack a third party, unless necessity compels him, as I said above. For if that ally wins, you remain at his mercy, and Princes should avoid being at the mercy of others as far as they can. The Venetians allied themselves with France against the Duke of Milan, although they could have avoided that alliance; it brought about their ruin. But when such an alliance cannot be avoided, as happened to the Florentines when the Pope and Spain marched with their armies against Lombardy, then the Prince should join them for the reasons given above. Nor should any state believe it can make a choice free of danger; rather, it should expect every choice to be uncertain. Such is the order of things: we never try to escape one difficulty without falling into another. Prudence consists in knowing how to discern the character of the difficulties and in accepting the lesser evil as the good.
A Prince should also show himself a lover of virtue and honor those who excel in every art. Furthermore, he should encourage his citizens to practice their occupations in peace, in trade, agriculture, and every other human calling, so that one man does not refrain from improving his property for fear of losing it, nor another from opening a business for fear of taxes. Instead, he should offer rewards to those who wish to do these things, and to anyone who in any way plans to enlarge his city or his state. Beyond this, at fitting times of the year he should keep the people engaged with festivals and spectacles. And because every city is divided into guilds or districts, he should pay attention to these associations, meet with them from time to time, and set an example of humanity and magnificence, while always preserving the majesty of his rank; for this must never be absent from anything he does.
Plain English translation
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from the Italian text of all 26 chapters and the dedication.
How a Prince should act to win a reputation.
Nothing makes people respect a Prince as much as great undertakings and striking examples of his conduct. In our own times we have Ferdinand, King of Aragon and now King of Spain. He can almost be called a new Prince: from a weak king, he has become, in fame and glory, the leading king among Christians. If you consider his actions, you will find them all very great, and some extraordinary. At the start of his reign he attacked Granada, and that campaign laid the foundation for his power. First, he undertook it when he was otherwise at peace and had no reason to fear interference. It kept the nobles of Castile occupied. While they thought about the war, they did not think about changing the government. Meanwhile, without their noticing, he gained a reputation and authority over them. He paid for his armies with money from the Church and the people. Through that long war, he established a military force that later brought him honor. Moreover, to undertake still greater campaigns, he always made use of religion. In an act of cruelty presented as an act of faith, he drove the Marranos out of his kingdom and stripped them of their possessions. No example could be more remarkable or more unusual. Under the same cover he attacked Africa, launched a campaign in Italy, and most recently attacked France. In this way he has constantly planned great actions. They have always kept his subjects astonished and waiting to see how things would turn out. One action has followed so closely on another that people have never had time to settle down and act against him.
It also helps a Prince greatly to set striking examples in his rule at home, like those told about Bernabò of Milan. When someone does something extraordinary in public life, whether good or bad, the Prince should find a way to reward or punish that person that will be talked about widely. Above all, a Prince should try to gain a reputation for greatness and excellence in everything he does. A Prince is also respected when he shows himself to be a true friend or a true enemy. That means openly taking one side against another without holding back. This is always better than remaining neutral. Suppose two powerful neighbors go to war. Either the winner will be someone you must fear, or the winner will not. In either case, it is better to declare your position and fight decisively. In the first case, if you do not take a side, the winner will make you his prey, to the pleasure and satisfaction of the loser. You will have no claim or means to defend yourself, and no one will take you in. A winner does not want untrustworthy friends who failed to help in hard times. A loser will not accept you because you refused to take up arms and share his fate. Antiochus had entered Greece at the invitation of the Aetolians to drive out the Romans. He sent envoys to the Achaeans, who were friends of the Romans, urging them to stay out of the conflict. The Romans, on the other hand, urged them to fight on their side. The matter came before the Achaean council. There Antiochus's envoy urged them to remain neutral, and the Roman envoy replied: "As for the claim that staying out of our war is the best and most useful course for your state, nothing could be further from the truth. If you stay out, you will gain neither favor nor respect, and you will become the victor's prize." It always happens that the one who is not your friend will ask you to remain neutral, while the one who is your friend will ask you to show your support with arms. Undecided princes most often choose neutrality to avoid immediate danger, and most often come to ruin. But when a Prince takes a firm stand for one side, and the ally he joins wins, that ally owes him a debt, even if he is powerful and the Prince is left at his mercy. They have formed a bond of affection. People are never so dishonorable that they would crush an ally in such a glaring act of ingratitude. Besides, victories are never so complete that the victor need not show some consideration, especially for justice. If instead your ally loses, he will welcome you and help you as long as he can. You will share the fortunes of someone who may rise again. In the second case, where neither of the two combatants would be dangerous to you if he won, there is all the more reason to join one side. With the help of a man who ought to save his opponent if he were wise, you will bring that opponent down. With your help your ally cannot fail to win, and when he wins he will be at your mercy. Here one must note that a Prince should never join forces with someone more powerful than himself to attack another, unless necessity forces him to do so, as I said above. If that powerful ally wins, you will be at his mercy, and princes should avoid being at anyone else's mercy as far as they can. The Venetians joined with France against the Duke of Milan. They could have avoided that alliance, and it led to their ruin. But when it cannot be avoided, as when the Pope and Spain marched with their armies to attack Lombardy and the Florentines had to choose, a Prince should take a side for the reasons already given. No state should ever expect to find a completely safe course of action. It should expect every choice to carry risks. That is how things work: whenever you try to avoid one problem, you run into another. Good judgment means knowing what kind of problems you face and treating the less bad choice as the good one.
A Prince should also show that he values ability and honor people who excel at every craft. He should encourage his citizens to practice their occupations in peace, whether in trade, farming, or any other work. No one should be afraid to improve his property for fear it will be taken from him, or to open a business for fear of taxes. Instead, the Prince should offer rewards to those who do these things, and to anyone who plans in any way to enlarge his city or his state. At suitable times of year he should also keep the people engaged with festivals and shows. Since every city is divided into guilds or tribes, he should pay attention to these groups and meet with them sometimes. He should show kindness and generosity, while always maintaining the dignity of his position. That must never be lost in anything he does.