Pagina 140 de 310

For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets

anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the

above-named five qualities, that he may appear to him who sees

and hears him altogether merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and

religious. There is nothing more necessary to appear to have than

this last quality, inasmuch as men judge generally more by the

eye than by the hand, because it belongs to everybody to see you,

to few to come in touch with you. Every one sees what you appear

to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not

oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the

majesty of the state to defend them; and in the actions of all

men, and especially of princes, which it is not prudent to

challenge, one judges by the result.