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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。
I say； therefore； that in entirely new principalities； where there is a
new prince； more or less difficulty is found in keeping them；
accordingly as there is more or less ability in him who has acquired the
state。 Now； as the fact of being a prince from a private station
presupposes either ability or fortune； it is clear that one or other of
these two things will mitigate in some degree many difficulties。
Nevertheless； he who has relied least on fortune is established the
strongest。 Further； it facilitates matters when the prince； having no
other state； is pelled to reside there in person。
But to e to those who； by their own ability and not through fortune；
have risen to be princes； I say that Moses； Cyrus； Romulus； Theseus； and
such like are the most excellent examples。 And although one may not
discuss Moses； he having been a mere executor of the will of God； yet he
ought to be admired； if only for that favour which made him worthy to
speak with God。 But in considering Cyrus and others who have acquired or
founded kingdoms； all will be found admirable； and if their particular
deeds and conduct shall be considered； they will not be found inferior
to those of Moses； although he had so great a preceptor。 And in
examining their actions and lives one cannot see that they owed anything
to fortune beyond opportunity； which brought them the material to mould
into the form which seemed best to them。 Without that opportunity their
powers of mind would have been extinguished； and without those powers
the opportunity would have e in vain。
It was necessary； therefore； to Moses that he should find the people of
Israel in Egypt enslaved and oppressed by the Egyptians； in order that
they should be disposed to follow him so as to be delivered out of
bondage。 It was necessary that Romulus should not remain in Alba； and
that he should be abandoned at his birth； in order that he should bee
King of Rome and founder of the fatherland。 It was necessary that Cyrus
should find the Persians discontented with the government of the Medes；
and the Medes soft and effeminate through their long peace。 Theseus
could not have shown his ability had he not found the Athenians
dispersed。 These opportunities； therefore； made those men fortunate； and
their high ability enabled them to recognize the opportunity whereby
their country was ennobled and made famous。
Those who by valorous ways bee princes； like these men； acquire a
principality with difficulty； but they it with ease。 The difficulties
they have in acquiring it arise in part from the new rules and methods
which they are forced to introduce to establish their government and its
security。 And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more
difficult to take in hand； more perilous to conduct； or more uncertain
in its success； than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order
of things。 Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done
well under the old conditions； and lukewarm defenders in those who may
do well under the new。 This coolness arises partly from fear of the
opponents； who have the laws on their side； and partly from the
incredulity of men； who do not readily believe in new things until they
have had a long experience of them。 Thus it happens that whenever those
who are hostile have the opportunity to attack they do it like
partisans； whilst the others defend lukewarmly； in such wise that the
prince is endangered along with them。
It is necessary； therefore； if we desire to discuss this matter
thoroughly； to inquire whether these innovators can rely on themselves
or have to depend on others： that is to say； whether； to consummate
their enterprise； have they to use prayers or can they use force？ In the
first instance they always succeed badly； and never pass anything；
but when they can rely on themselves and use force； then they are rarely
endangered。 Hence it is that all armed prophets have conquered； and the
unarmed ones have been destroyed。 Besides the reasons mentioned； the
nature of the people is variable； and whilst it is easy to persuade
them； it is difficult to fix them in that persuasion。 And thus it is
necessary to take such measures that； when they believe no longer； it
may be possible to make them believe by force。
If Moses； Cyrus； Theseus； and Romulus had been unarmed they could not
have enforced their constitutions for long as happened in our time to
Fra Girolamo Savonarola； who was ruined with his new order of things
immediately the multitude believed in him no longer； and he had no means
of keeping steadfast those who believed or of making the unbelievers to
believe。 Therefore such as these have great difficulties in consummating
their enterprise； for all their dangers are in the ascent； yet with
ability they will overe them； but when these are overe； and those
who envied them their success are exterminated； they will begin to be
respected； and they will continue afterwards powerful； secure； honoured；
and happy。
To these great examples I wish to add a lesser one； still it bears some
resemblance to them； and I wish it to suffice me for all of a like kind：
it is Hiero the Syracusan。 This man rose from a private station to be
Prince of Syracuse； nor did he； either； owe anything to fortune but
opportunity； for the Syracusans； being oppressed； chose him for their
captain； afterwards he was rewarded by being made their prince。 He was
of so great ability； even as a private citizen； that one who writes of
him says he wanted nothing but a kingdom to be a king。 This man
abolished the old soldiery； organized the new； gave up old alliances；
made new ones； and as he had his own soldiers and allies； on such
foundations he was able to build any edifice： thus； whilst he had
endured much trouble in acquiring； he had but little in keeping。
CHAPTER VII
CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE ACQUIRED EITHER BY THE ARMS OF
OTHERS OR BY GOOD FORTUNE
THOSE who solely by good fortune bee princes from being private
citizens have little trouble in rising； but much in keeping atop； they
have not any difficulties on the way up； because they fly； but they have
many when they reach the summit。 Such are those to whom some state is
given either for money or by the favour of him who bestows it； as
happened to many in Greece； in the cities of Ionia and of the
Hellespont； where princes were made by Darius； in order that they might
hold the cities both for his security and his glory； as also were those