Pagina 74 de 310

Therefore, one who becomes a prince through the favour of the

people ought to keep them friendly, and this he can easily do

seeing they only ask not to be oppressed by him. But one who, in

opposition to the people, becomes a prince by the favour of the

nobles, ought, above everything, to seek to win the people over

to himself, and this he may easily do if he takes them under his

protection. Because men, when they receive good from him of whom

they were expecting evil, are bound more closely to their

benefactor; thus the people quickly become more devoted to him

than if he had been raised to the principality by their favours;

and the prince can win their affections in many ways, but as

these vary according to the circumstances one cannot give fixed

rules, so I omit them; but, I repeat, it is necessary for a

prince to have the people friendly, otherwise he has no security

in adversity.