The works of the famous Nicholas Machiavel, citizen and secretary of Florence written originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully translated into English.

CHAP. XXIV.

In well Ordered Governments, offence and desert are never set one against the other, but he who does well, is rewarded, and he who does otherwise, is punished.

THE merits of Horatius were very great, having by his own single valor and conduct, overcome the Curiatii; after which he committed a most abominable act, in killing his own Sister: which Murther was so hainous in the Eyes of the Romans, that he was brought to a Trial for his life, though his deserts were so fresh and considerable; which at first sight seem ingrateful in the people; but he who examins it strictly, and weighs how necessary and sacred a thing Justice ought to be in every Common-wealth, will find them more blameable for discharging, than they would have been for condemning him; and the reason is, because in a well constituted State no man's good actions should indemnisie him for doing ill; for punishment being as due to ill actions, as rewards are to good, having rewarded in a man for doing well, he is satisfied for what he did, and the obligation dischar∣ged; so as if afterwards he commits a Crime, he is to be punished severely according to the Nature of his offence; by the observation of which Orders, a City may continue free a long time, which otherwise will quickly go to ruine. For if a Citizen having perform'd any great Exploit for his Country, should expect not only honor and reward for what he has done, but priviledge, and impunity for any mischief he should do afterwards, his insolence would in a short time grow insupportable, and inconsistent with Civil Government. So

then it is very necessary for discouragement from ill actions, to recompense good, which was the practice in Rome, and though where a Common-wealth is poor, her t••wards can∣not be great; yet even out of that small stock, she is to be punctually grateful, for a thing (how little soever) given in acknowledgment of ones good Service (let it be never so great) is look'd upon as Honorable, and received as a Magnificent reward. The Stories of Hora∣tius Cocles, and Mutius Scaevola are generally famous. Coles with incomp••rable courage maintained fight against a great body of the Enemy upon the Bridge over Tiber, till it was cut behind him, and their passage obstructed: The other designing against the life of Por∣senna King of Tuscany, and killing his Secretary by mistake, being apprehended and brought before the King, to show the courage and constancy of the Romans, he thrust his own hand into the fire, and burnt it off before his face; and how were they gratified? marry each of them had two Staiora's, which is as much ground as can be sown with two Bushels of Corn. The History of Manlius Capitolinus is no less remarkable: Having relieved the Ca∣pitol (which the French had surprized in the night) and beaten them out again, his Come∣rades in requital gave him a certain measure of Flower, which (as times went then) was a mighty reward, and esteemed so adequate to the Service, that Manlius afterwards either out of ambition or ill nature, causing a tumult in Rome, and endeavouring to debauch the peo∣ple, (his former exploits being as they thought amply rewarded) without farther regard to him, they threw him headlong down that Capitol, which he had so gloriously preserved.