e case
of the Romans, it is skilfully concealed.

CHAPTER XIV.--_That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by
Humility._

You shall often find that humility is not merely of no service to you,
but is even hurtful, especially when used in dealing with insolent men,
who, through envy or other like cause, have conceived hatred against
you. Proof whereof is supplied by our historian where he explains
the causes of this war between the Romans and the Latins. For on the
Samnites complaining to the Romans that the Latins had attacked them,
the Romans, desiring not to give the Latins ground of offence, would not
forbid them proceeding with the war. But the endeavour to avoid giving
offence to the Latins only served to increase their confidence, and led
them the sooner to declare their hostility. Of which we have evidence
in the language used by the same Latin Praetor, Annius Setinus, at the
aforesaid council, when he said:--"_You have tried their patience by
refusing them, soldiers. Who doubts but that they are offended?
Still they have put up with the affront. They have heard that we are
assembling an army against their allies the Samnites; and yet they have
not stirred from their city. Whence this astonishing forbearance, but
from their knowing our strength and their own weakness_?" Which words
give us clearly to understand how much the patience of the Romans
increased the arrogance of the Latins.

A prince, therefore, should never stoop from his dignity, nor should he
if he would have credit for any concession make it voluntarily, unless
he be able or believe himself able to withhold it. For almost always
when matters have come to such a pass that you cannot give way with
credit it is better that a thing be taken from you by force than yielded
through fear of force. For if you yield through fear and to escape war,
the chances are that you do not escape it; since he to whom, out of
manifest cowardice you make this concession, will not rest content, but
will endeavour to wring further concessions from you, and making less
account of you, will only be the more kindled against you. At the same
time you will find your friends less zealous on your behalf, since to
them you will appear either weak or cowardly. But if, so soon as the
designs of your enemy are disclosed, you at once prepare to resist
though your strength be inferior to his, he will begin to think more
of you, other neighbouring princes will think mo