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CHAPTER VI. CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE ACQUIRED BY

ONE'S OWN ARMS AND ABILITY

Let no one be surprised if, in speaking of entirely new

principalities as I shall do, I adduce the highest examples both

of prince and of state; because men, walking almost always in

paths beaten by others, and following by imitation their deeds,

are yet unable to keep entirely to the ways of others or attain

to the power of those they imitate. A wise man ought always to

follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who

have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs,

at least it will savour of it. Let him act like the clever

archers who, designing to hit the mark which yet appears too far

distant, and knowing the limits to which the strength of their

bow attains, take aim much higher than the mark, not to reach by

their strength or arrow to so great a height, but to be able with

the aid of so high an aim to hit the mark they wish to reach.