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Therefore, do not let our princes accuse fortune for the loss of

their principalities after so many years' possession, but rather

their own sloth, because in quiet times they never thought there

could be a change (it is a common defect in man not to make any

provision in the calm against the tempest), and when afterwards

the bad times came they thought of flight and not of defending

themselves, and they hoped that the people, disgusted with the

insolence of the conquerors, would recall them. This course, when

others fail, may be good, but it is very bad to have neglected

all other expedients for that, since you would never wish to fall

because you trusted to be able to find someone later on to

restore you. This again either does not happen, or, if it does,

it will not be for your security, because that deliverance is of

no avail which does not depend upon yourself; those only are

reliable, certain, and durable that depend on yourself and your

valour.