君主论-the prince(英文版)-第18章
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the minds of the barons of Castileoccupied in thinking of the war and not anticipating any innovations；thus they did not perceive that by these means he was acquiring powerand authority over them。 He was able with the money of the Church and ofthe people to sustain his armies； and by that long war to lay thefoundation for the military skill which has since distinguished him。Further； always using religion as a plea； so as to undertake greaterschemes； he devoted himself with a pious cruelty to driving out andclearing his kingdom of the Moors； nor could there be a more admirableexample； nor one more rare。 Under this same cloak he assailed Africa； hecame down on Italy； he has finally attacked France； and thus hisachievements and designs have always been great； and have kept the mindsof his people in suspense and admiration and occupied with the issue ofthem。 And his actions have arisen in such a way； one out of the other；that men have never been given time to work steadily against him。Again； it much assists a prince to set unusual examples in internalaffairs； similar to those which are related of Messer Bernabo da Milano；who； when he had the opportunity； by any one in civil life doing someextraordinary thing； either good or bad； would take some method ofrewarding or punishing him； which would be much spoken about。 And aprince ought； above all things； always to endeavour in every action togain for himself the reputation of being a great and remarkable man。A prince is also respected when he is either a true friend or adownright enemy； that to say； when； without any reservation； he declareshimself in favour of one party against the other； which course willalways be more advantageous than standing neutral； because if two ofyour powerful neighbours e to blows； they are of such a characterthat； if one of them conquers； you have either to fear him or not。 Ineither case it will always be more advantageous for you to declareyourself and to make war strenuously； because； in the first case； if youdo not declare yourself； you will invariably fall a prey to theconqueror； to the pleasure and satisfaction of him who has beenconquered； and you will have no reasons to offer； nor anything toprotect or to shelter you。 Because he who conquers does not wantdoubtful friends who will not aid him in the time of trial； and he wholoses will not harbour you because you did not willingly； sword in hand；court his fate。Antiochus went into Greece； being sent for by the Aetolians to drive outthe Romans。 He sent envoys to the Achaeans； who were friends of theRomans； exhorting them to remain neutral； and on the other hand theRomans urged them to take up arms。 This question came to be discussed inthe council of the Achaeans； where the legate of Antiochus urged them tostand neutral。 To this the Roman legate answered： 〃As for that which hasbeen said； that it is better and more advantageous for your state not tointerfere in our war； nothing can be more erroneous； because by notinterfering you will be left； without favour or consideration； theguerdon of the conqueror。〃 Thus it will always happen that he who is notyour friend will demand your neutrality； whilst he who is your friendwill entreat you to declare yourself with arms。 And irresolute princes；to avoid present dangers； generally follow the neutral path； and aregenerally ruined。 But when a prince declares himself gallantly in favourof one side； if the party with whom he allies himself conquers； althoughthe victor may be powerful and may have him at his mercy； yet he isindebted to him； and there is established a bond of amity； and men arenever so shameless as to bee a monument of ingratitude by oppressingyou。 Victories after all are never so plete that the victor must notshow some regard； especially to justice。 But if he with whom you allyyourself loses； you may be sheltered by him； and whilst he is able hemay aid you； and you bee panions in a fortune that may rise again。In the second case； when those who fight are of such a character thatyou have no anxiety as to ore is itgreater prudence to be allied； because you assist at the destruction ofone by the aid of another who； if he had been wise； would have savedhim； and conquering； as it is impossible that he should not with yourassistance； he remains at your discretion。 And here it is to be notedthat a prince ought to take care never to make an alliance with one morepowerful than himself for the purpose of attacking others； unlessnecessity pels him； as is said above； because if he conquers you areat his discretion； and princes ought to avoid as much as possible beingat the discretion of any one。 The Veians joined with France againstthe Duke of Milan； and this alliance； which caused their ruin； couldhave been avoided。 But when it cannot be avoided； as happened to theFlorentines when the Pope and Spain sent armies to attack Lombardy； thenin such a case； for the above reasons； the prince ought to favour one ofthe parties。Never let any Government imagine that it can choose perfectly safecourses； rather let it expect to have to take very doubtful ones；because it is found in ordinary affairs that one never seeks to avoidone trouble without running into another； but prudence consists inknowing how to distinguish the character of troubles； and for choice totake the lesser evil。A prince ought also to show himself a patron of ability； and to honourthe proficient in every art。 At the same time he should encourage hiscitizens to practise their callings peaceably； both in merce andagriculture； and in every other following； so that the one should not bedeterred from improving his possessions for fear lest they be taken awayfrom him or another from opening up trade for fear of taxes； but theprince ought to offer rewards to whoever wishes to do these things anddesigns in any way to honour his city or state。Further； he ought to entertain the people with festivals and spectaclesat convenient seasons of the year； and as every city is divided intoguilds or into societies； he ought to hold such bodies in esteem； andassociate with them sometimes； and show himself an example of courtesyand liberality； nevertheless； always maintaining the majesty of hisrank； for this he must never consent to abate in anything。CHAPTER XXIICONCERNING THE SECRETARIES OF PRINCESTHE choice of servants is of no little importance to a prince； and theyare good or not according to the discrimination of the prince。 And thefirst opinion which one forms of a prince； and of his understanding； isby observing the men he has around him； and when they are capable andfaithful he may always be considered wise； because he has known how torecognize the capable and to keep them faithful。 But when they areotherwise one cannot form a good opinion of him； for the prime errorwhich he made was in choosing them。There were none who knew Messer Antonio da Venafro as the servant ofPandolfo Petrucci； Prince of Siena； who would not consider Pandolfo tobe a very clever man in having Venafro for his servant。 Because thereare three classes of intellects： one which prehends by itself；another which appreciates what others prehend； and a third whichneither prehends by itself nor by the showing of others； the first isthe most excellent； the second is good； the third is useless。 Therefore；it follows necessarily that； if Pandolfo was not in the first rank； hewas in the second； for whenever one has judgment to know good or badwhen it is said and done； although he himself may not have theinitiative； 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 cannothope to deceive him； and is kept honest。But to enable a prince to form an opinion of his servant there is oest which never falls； when you see the servant thinking more of hisown interests than of yours； and seeking inwardly his own profit ineverything； such a man will never make a good servant； nor will you everbe able to trust him； because he who has the state of another in hishands ought never to think of himself； but always of his prince； andnever pay any attention to matters in which the prince is not concerned。On the other to keep his servant honest the prince ought to study him；honouring him； enriching him； doing him kindnesse
