kingdom
itself must fall to pieces.

This, then, is our conclusion--that nothing is so necessary in any
society, be it a religious sect, a kingdom, or a commonwealth, as to
restore to it that reputation which it had at first, and to see that it
is provided either with wholesome laws, or with good men whose actions
may effect the same ends, without need to resort to external force. For
although this last may sometimes, as in the case of Rome, afford an
efficacious remedy, it is too hazardous a remedy to make us ever wish to
employ it.

And that all may understand how much the actions of particular citizens
helped to make Rome great, and how many admirable results they wrought
in that city, I shall now proceed to set them forth and examine them;
with which survey this Third Book of mine, and last division of the
First Decade of Titus Livius, shall be brought to a close. But, although
great and notable actions were done by the Roman kings, nevertheless,
since history has treated of these at much length, here I shall pass
them over, and say no more about these princes, save as regards certain
things done by them with an eye to their private interest. I shall
begin, therefore, with Brutus, the father of Roman freedom.

[Footnote 1: "Quod quotidie aggregatur aliquid quod quandoque indiget
curatione."]

CHAPTER II.--_That on occasion it is wise to feign Folly._

Never did any man by the most splendid achievements gain for himself so
great a name for wisdom and prudence as is justly due to Junius Brutus
for feigning to be a fool. And although Titus Livius mentions one cause
only as having led him to assume this part, namely, that he might live
more securely and look after his patrimony; yet on considering his
behavior we may believe that in counterfeiting folly it was also his
object to escape notice, and so find better convenience to overthrow the
kings, and to free his country whenever an occasion offered. That this
was in his mind is seen first of all from the interpretation he gave
to the oracle of Apollo, when, to render the gods favourable to his
designs, he pretended to stumble, and secretly kissed his mother earth;
and, again, from this, that on the death of Lucretia, though her father,
her husband, and others of her kinsmen were present, he was the first to
draw the dagger from her wound, and bind the bystanders by oath never
more to suffer king to reign in Rome.

From his example all who are discontented