ruine one with his assistance, who ought to do the
best he could to save him, if he were well advised; and he overcomming,
is left at thy discretion; and it is unpossible but with thy ayd he must
overcome. And here it is to be noted, that a Prince should be well aware
never to joyn with any one more powerfull than himself, to offend
another, unless upon necessity, as formerly is said. For when he
overcomes, thou art left at his discretion, and Princes ought avoid as
much as they are able, to stand at anothers discretion. The Venetians
took part with France against the Duke of Milan, and yet could have
avoided that partaking, from which proceeded their ruine. But when it
cannot be avoyded, as it befel the Florentines when the Pope and the
King of Spain went both with their armies to Lombardy, there the Prince
ought to side with them for the reasons aforesaid. Nor let any State
think they are able to make such sure parties, but rather that they are
all doubtfull; for in the order of things we find it alwaies, that
whensoever a man seeks to avoid one inconvenient, he incurs another. But
the principal point of judgement, is in discerning between the qualities
of inconvenients, and not taking the bad for the good. Moreover a Prince
ought to shew himself a lover of vertue, and that he honors those that
excel in every Art. Afterwards ought he encourage his Citizens, whereby
they may be enabled quickly to exercise their faculties as well in
merchandise, and husbandry, as in any other kind of traffick, to the end
that no man forbear to adorne and cultivate his possessions for fear
that he be despoyled of them; or any other to open the commerce upon the
danger of heavy impositions: but rather to provide rewards for those
that shall set these matters afoot, or for any one else that shall any
way amplifie his City or State. Besides he ought in the fit times of the
year entertain the people with Feasts and Maskes; and because every City
is devided into Companies, and arts, and Tribes, he ought to take
special notice of those bodies, and some times afford them a meeting,
and give them some proof of his humanity, and magnificence; yet withall
holding firme the majestie of his State; for this must never fail in any
case.

CHAP. XXII

Touching Princes Secretaries.

It is no small importance to a Prince, the choyce he makes, of servants
being ordinarily good or bad, as his wisdome is. And the first
conjecture one gives of a