ature have thrown all human fortunes
into the midst of mankind; and they are thus attainable rather by rapine
than by industry, by wicked actions rather than by good. Hence it is
that men feed upon each other, and those who cannot defend themselves
must be worried. Therefore we must use force when the opportunity
offers; and fortune cannot present us one more favorable than the
present, when the citizens are still disunited, the Signory doubtful,
and the magistrates terrified; for we may easily conquer them before
they can come to any settled arrangement. By this means we shall either
obtain the entire government of the city, or so large a share of it, as
to be forgiven past errors, and have sufficient authority to threaten
the city with a renewal of them at some future time. I confess this
course is bold and dangerous, but when necessity presses, audacity
becomes prudence, and in great affairs the brave never think of dangers.
The enterprises that are begun with hazard always have a reward at last;
and no one ever escaped from embarrassment without some peril. Besides,
it is easy to see from all their preparations of prisons, racks, and
instruments of death, that there is more danger in inaction than in
endeavoring to secure ourselves; for in the first case the evils are
certain, in the latter doubtful. How often have I heard you complain of
the avarice of your superiors and the injustice of your magistrates. Now
then is the time, not only to liberate yourself from them, but to become
so much superior, that they will have more causes of grief and fear
from you, than you from them. The opportunity presented by circumstances
passes away, and when gone, it will be vain to think it can be recalled.
You see the preparations of our enemies; let us anticipate them; and
those who are first in arms will certainly be victors, to the ruin of
their enemies and their own exaltation; and thus honors will accrue to
many of us and security to all." These arguments greatly inflamed minds
already disposed to mischief, so that they determined to take up arms as
soon as they had acquired a sufficient number of associates, and bound
themselves by oath to mutual defense, in case any of them were subdued
by the civil power.

While they were arranging to take possession of the republic, their
design became known to the Signory, who, having taken a man named
Simone, learned from him the particulars of the conspiracy, and that the
outbreak was