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. XVI.

That in times of difficulty, virtue is in esteem; in times of ease and luxury, men of riches and alliance are in greatest request.

IT always was, and always will be the fortune of persons of more than ordinary endow∣ments, to be laid aside and neglected in times of peace, especially in a Commonwealth; for that envy which is contracted by their virtue, sets up many Citizens against them, who will not only be their equals, but superiors. To this purpose Thucidides (a Greek author) has a place in his History, where he shews how the Republick of Athens, having had the better in the Peloponesian War, depressed the pride of the Spartans, and subdued the greatest part of Greece, was so inhansed and elated with their success, that it was proposed to fall upon Sicily.

It was seriously debated in Athens whether the said enterprize should be undertaken or not; Alcibiades and other Citizens of his party promoted it highly, not so much in respect of the publick good as their own private advantage, expecting that the management of that war would be placed in their hands. But Nicias (a person of the greatest reputation in Athens) dissuaded it; and his great argument to make the People believe he spake his judgment, and more for the benefit of the Commonwealth than any interest of his own, was, that he advised rather contrary to his own advantage, because in time of peace there were many of his fellow Citizens before him, but in time of war he knew he should be the first: by which we may see it has been an ancient infirmity in Commonwealths not to value persons of worth in time of peace, which disobliges them doubly; to see themselves deprived of their dignities, and to see others preferred to them of less sufficiency than they, which error has been the occasion of much confusion; for those persons who find them∣selves neglected, and know the reason of all is, the tranquillity of the times, make it their business to embroil them, and put their Country upon war, though never so much to its prejudice. And thinking sometimes with my self what remedies were most proper, I could light but on two, one was to keep the Citizens from growing too rich, that wealth without virtue might not be sufficient to advance any man, or able to corrupt other people, or themselves: the other, so to prepare and adapt themselves for war, that they may never be surprized, but have always employment forthe bravest of their Citizens, as Rome had in the time of her prosperity. For that City having Armies always abroad, there was con∣stant

exercise for the virtue of their Citizens: nor could a man of worth be degraded, nor an improper man be prefer'd in his place, because when ever such a thing was done, (whe∣ther by way of error or experiment, it was the same) the disorders and dangers which fol∣lowed, were so sudden and great, that they quickly found their mistake, and return'd to their old method again. But other Cities and States not so well constituted as that, which make war only in cases of necessity, cannot defend themselves from those inconveniences but are always in trouble and disorder, when ever that excellent Citizen which is neglected is vindicative, and hath any reputation or part in the City. And though for some time Rome kept her self free from these inconveniences, yet after she had conquered Carthage and Antiochus, (as has been said before) and seemed to be past all fear of war for the future, she chose several Commanders for her Army, not so much for their conduct or virtue, as for those qualities which were likely to recommend them to the people. Paulus Aemilius stood many times for the Consulship, and was repulsed; nor could he ever be made Con∣sul till the Macedonian war, which was committed unanimously to his conduct, because they saw it was like to be dangerous and difficult. After the year 1494 our City of Flo∣rence being engaged in several wars▪ in which none of our Citizens had perform'd any great matter, at last the City hapned upon a person who shewed them after what manner an Army was to be commanded, his name was Antonio Giacomini; whilst the war was dan∣gerous, and there was any trouble or difficulty to manage it, Antonio was free from the am∣bition of his fellow Citizens, and had no competitor in his election to be Commissary, and General of their Armies: but when those were past, and new wars that were more easie and honourable were to be undertaken, he had so many competitors, that when three Commissa∣ries were to be chosen for the reduction of Pisa, Antonio could not obtain to be one: and though it be not manifest what inconveniences accrewed to the Commonwealth by the wa∣ving of Antonio, yet it may be easily conjectured, for the Pisans being distressed for want of provisions, and having nothing left wherewithal to defend themselves, (had Antonio been there) would have been forc'd to have surrendred at discretion; but being besieged by such Officers as knew not how to streighten or press them, they held out so long, that the Florentines were glad to buy them out at last, whereas they might as well have had them by force. No question but Antonio resented it highly, and he had need be a good man, and of more than ordinary patience not to think of revenging himself, though with the subversion of the whole City, (if he could) and the ruine of every private Citizen, which is to be carefully prevented by every State, as shall be shewn in the following Chapter.