《君主论-the prince(英文版)》

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君主论-the prince(英文版)- 第7部分


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les by the Spaniards; and in this way both were pelled to buyhis goodwill); he pounced down upon Pisa。 After this; Lucca and Sienayielded at once; partly through hatred and partly through fear of theFlorentines; and the Florentines would have had no remedy had hecontinued to prosper; as he was prospering the year that Alexander died;for he had acquired so much power and reputation that he would havestood by himself; and no longer have depended on the luck and the forcesof others; but solely on his own power and ability。But Alexander died five years after he had first drawn the sword。 Heleft the duke with the state of Romagna alone consolidated; with therest in the air; between two most powerful hostile armies; and sick untodeath。 Yet there were in the duke such boldness and ability; and he knewso well how men are to be won or lost; and so firm were the foundationswhich in so short a time he had laid; that if he had not had thosearmies on his back; or if he had been in good health; he would haveovere all difficulties。 And it is seen that his foundations weregood; for the Romagna awaited him for more than a month。 In Rome;although but half alive; he remained secure; and whilst the Baglioni;the Vitelli; and the Orsini might e to Rome; they could not effectanything against him。 If he could not have made Pope him whom he wished;at least the one whom he did not wish would not have been elected。 Butif he had been in sound health at the death of Alexander; everythingwould have been easy to him。 On the day that Julius II was elected; hetold me that he had thought of everything that might occur at the deathof his father; and had provided a remedy for all; except that he hadnever anticipated that; when the death did happen; he himself would beon the point to die。When all the actions of the duke are recalled; I do not know how toblame him; but rather it appears to me; as I have said; that I ought tooffer him for imitation to all those who; by the fortune or the arms ofothers; are raised to government。 Because he; having a lofty spirit andfar…reaching aims; could not have regulated his conduct otherwise; andonly the shortness of the life of Alexander and his own sicknessfrustrated his designs。 Therefore; he who considers it necessary tosecure himself in his new principality; to win friends; to overeeither by force or fraud; to make himself beloved and feared by thepeople; to be followed and revered by the soldiers; to exterminate thosewho have power or reason to hurt him; to change the old order of thingsfor new; to be severe and gracious; magnanimous and liberal; to destroya disloyal soldiery and to create new; to maintain friendship with kingsand princes in such a way that they must help him with zeal and offendwith caution; cannot find a more lively example than the actions of thisman。Only can he be blamed for the election of Julius II; in whom he made abad choice; because; as is said; not being able to elect a Pope to hisown mind; he could have hindered any other from being elected Pope; andhe ought never to have consented to the election of any cardinal whom hehad injured or who had cause to fear him if they became pontiffs。 Formen injure either from fear or hatred。 Those whom he had injured;amongst others; were San Pietro ad Vincula; Colonna; San Giorgio; andAscanio。 '1' Any one of the others; on being Pope; would have had tofear him; Rouen and the Spaniards excepted; the latter from theirrelationship and obligations; the former from his influence; the kingdomof France having relations with him。 Therefore; above everything; theduke ought to have created a Spaniard Pope; and; failing him; he oughtto have consented to Rouen and not San Pietro ad Vincula。 He whobelieves that new benefits will cause great personages to forget oldinjuries is deceived。 Therefore; the duke erred in his choice; and itwas the cause of his ultimate ruin。1。 Julius II had been Cardinal of San Pietro ad Vincula; San Giorgio wasRaffaells Riaxis; and Ascanio was Cardinal Ascanio Sforza。CHAPTER VIIICONCERNING THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED A PRINCIPALITY BY WICKEDNESSALTHOUGH a prince may rise from a private station in two ways; neitherof which can be entirely attributed to fortune or genius; yet it ismanifest to me that I must not be silent on them; although one could bemore copiously treated when I discuss republics。 These methods are when;either by some wicked or nefarious ways; one ascends to theprincipality; or when by the favour of his fellow…citizens a privateperson bees the prince of his country。 And speaking of the firstmethod; it will be illustrated by two examples …… one ancient; the othermodern …… and without entering further into the subject; I considerthese two examples will suffice those who may be pelled to followthem。Agathocles; the Sicilian; became King of Syracuse not only from aprivate but from a low and abject position。 This man; the son of apotter; through all the changes in his fortunes always led an infamouslife。 Nevertheless; he acpanied his infamies with so much ability ofmind and body that; having devoted himself to the military profession;he rose through its ranks to be Praetor of Syracuse。 Being establishedin that position; and having deliberately resolved to make himselfprince and to seize by violence; without obligation to others; thatwhich had been conceded to him by assent; he came to an understandingfor this purpose with Hamilcar; the Carthaginian; who; with his army;was fighting in Sicily。 One morning he assembled the people and senateof Syracuse; as if he had to discuss with them things relating to theRepublic; and at a given signal the soldiers killed all the senators andthe richest of the people; these dead; he seized and held the princedomof that city without any civil motion。 And although he was twicerouted by the Carthaginians; and ultimately besieged; yet not only washe able to defend his city; but leaving part of his men for its defence;with the others he attacked Africa; and in a short time raised the siegeof Syracuse。 The Carthaginians; reduced to extreme necessity; werepelled to e to terms with Agathocles; and; leaving Sicily to him;had to be content with the possession of Africa。Therefore; he who considers the actions and the genius of this man willsee nothing; or little; which can be attributed to fortune; inasmuch ashe attained pre…eminence; as is shown above; not by the favour of anyone; but step by step in the military profession; which steps weregained with a thousand troubles and perils; and were afterwards boldlyheld by him with many hazards and dangers。 Yet it cannot be calledtalent to slay fellow…citizens; to deceive friends; to be without faith;without mercy; without religion; such methods may gain empire; but notglory。 Still; if the courage of Agathocles in entering into andextricating himself from dangers be considered; together with hisgreatness of mind in enduring overing hardships; it cannot be seenwhy he should be esteemed less than the most notable captain。Nevertheless; his barbarous cruelty and inhumanity with infinitewickednesses do not permit him to be celebrated among the most excellentmen。 What he achieved cannot be attributed either to fortune or togenius。In our times; during the rule of Alexander VI; Oliver

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