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And above all things, a prince ought to live amongst his people

in such a way that no unexpected circumstances, whether of good

or evil, shall make him change; because if the necessity for this

comes in troubled times, you are too late for harsh measures; and

mild ones will not help you, for they will be considered as

forced from you, and no one will be under any obligation to you

for them.

CHAPTER IX. CONCERNING A CIVIL PRINCIPALITY