Seite 153 von 310

Hence it arose that those emperors were always overthrown who,

either by birth or training, had no great authority, and most of

them, especially those who came new to the principality,

recognizing the difficulty of these two opposing humours, were

inclined to give satisfaction to the soldiers, caring little

about injuring the people. Which course was necessary, because,

as princes cannot help being hated by someone, they ought, in the

first place, to avoid being hated by every one, and when they

cannot compass this, they ought to endeavour with the utmost

diligence to avoid the hatred of the most powerful. Therefore,

those emperors who through inexperience had need of special

favour adhered more readily to the soldiers than to the people; a

course which turned out advantageous to them or not, accordingly

as the prince knew how to maintain authority over them.