Machivael's [sic] discourses upon the first decade of T. Livius, translated out of the Italian. To which is added his Prince. With some marginal animadversions noting and taxing his errors. By E.D.

CHAP. IX.

How needful it is, that he who frames anew the Laws, and laies new foundations of a Common wealth, be alone without Com∣panion or Competitor.

ANd perchance some will think, that I have run too far within the Roman History, not having made any mention yet, of the founders of that Republick, nor of the Laws which belong'd, either to their Reli∣gion, or their military discipline. And there∣fore not willing to hold them longer in sus∣pence, who are desirous to understand some∣what in this case, I say, that many perad∣venture will think this a matter of evil example, that the ordainer of a civil Go∣vernment, as was Romulus, should first * 1.1

have taken his bro∣thers life from him, and after have consen∣ted to T. Tacius the Sabines death, chosen by him his compani∣on in the Kingdom; judging hereby that his own Citizens might by Authority taken from their Prince for ambition, or desire to rule, en∣damage those that should oppose their power. Whose opi∣nion we should ac∣knowledg true, if we consider nor the end which induc'd him to commit this homicide. And we may take this for a general rule, that ne∣ver or seldom it chan∣ces, that any Repub∣lick or Kingdom is from the beginning well ordein'd or throughly new refor∣med of its old customs, unless the disposing of it depend absolute∣ly upon the will of one. Nay rather there is a necessity of it, that that one be ab∣solute,

that appoints the manner how, and by whose understand∣ing all such ordination is regulated. Where∣fore a wise founder of a Republick, who seeks not his own ad∣vantage, but the pub∣lick good; not to strengthen his own succession, but seeks his Countries profit, ought indeavor to get the power wholly in∣to his own hands: neither will any man of good judgment ever blame any ex∣traordinary action he shall put in practice, for the setling of a good Government in a Kingdom, or fra∣ming sure foundations in a Commonwealth. It holds well together, though the act accuse him, that the effect excuse him; and when that is good, as it prov'd to Romulus, it will alwaies excuse him; for he that uses violence to waste, is blameable, not he that uses it for redress and order. And therefore ought he be so wise and virtuous, that the Authority he hath possest himself of, he leave not to de∣scend hereditarily on another. For men being more inclined to ill then good, his successor may turne that to ambition which he ma∣nag'd vertuously. Besides this, though one

be fit to ordein a thing, yet its not so or∣dein'd to last long, when it rests upon the shoulders of one man; well may it indure, being committed to the care of many, to whom it belongs to maintain it. For even so, as many are not proper for the framing of one thing, because all of them hit not on the true good of it, by reason of their seve∣ral opinions among them so; after they have known it, neither agree they to let it pro∣ceed to its advantage. And that Romulus was one of those, who for the death of his bro∣ther and companion, might be excus'd: and that what he did was for the common good, and not for his own ambition, it ap∣pears, in that he forth with ordain'd a Se∣nate, with whom he might take counsell, and by their opinions be advis'd. And he, who considers well the Authority Romulus re∣serv'd himself, will perceive it was no more than to command the Armies, when they had resolv'd on War; and to assemble the Senate; which was apparent afterwards, when Rome became free upon the banish∣ment of the Tarquins: whereupon the Ro∣mans were never brought in any new order, unless that in lieu of a King during life, they made two Consuls yearly: Which confirms, that all the first ordinances of that City were more agreeable to a civil and free Govern∣ment, then to one absolute and Monarchical. To verifie the thing abovesaid, we might bring many examples, as Moses, Lycurgus, Solon, and other founders of Kingdomes and Commonwealths, who could well, having an absolute power in their hands, ordain laws for the common good; but I will let

them pass, as well know. I shall alleadg only one, not so famous, but well worthy their consideration, who desire to be good Law-makers: which is, That Agis King of Sparta advising to reduce the Spartans with∣in those bounds the Laws of Licurgus had included them; thinking that, because they had broken out of that strictness, his City had lost very much of the ancient vertue, and by consequent of force and government, was in the beginning of his attempts slain by the Spartan Ephores, as one, that aim'd to possess himself of the Tyranny. But Cleomenes after∣wards succeeding him in the Kingdom, upon his reading of Agis Records and Writings, which fell into his hands, he understood his intention, and grew desirous himself, to bring the same thing to pass; but found it was impossible to do that good to his Coun∣try, unless he became absolute of authority, it seeming to him, by reason of mens ambition, that he was unable to do good to many, a∣gainst the will of a few. And taking a fit opportunity, at length hee brought in all the Ephores, and every one else that could with∣stand him, and afterwards restor'd into force Licurgus his Lawes: Which delibera∣tion had bin able to have a new reviv'd Sparta, and gain'd Cleomenes the reputation Licur∣gus had, if then the Macedons power had not grown so vast, and the other Grecian Re∣publick been so weake. For after such order given, being set upon by the Macedons, and finding himself single too weak to deale with them, there being none could give him assistance, was overcome; and his project (though just and commendable) became

unperfect. Wheresore, upon the weighing of all these things together, I conclude, it ne∣cessary that a founder of a Republiek ought alone to have an absolute authority; and that Romulus, for the death of Remus and Tatius, deserves rather excuse than blame.

Notes

• * 1.1

  * Without question the end was ambition, Royalty admitting no companion. Of whom to free himself, it seems that Romulus stood not much upon how lawful meanes he used, for Cain-like he slew his brother, and con∣sented to Titus Tatius his death, without doubt, for venturing to take part in the Autho∣rity. And touching this, it may be Machiavel will speak truer neare the latter end of his 18. Chapt. Where hee saies, Because the restoring of a City to a civil and politick Govern∣ment presupposes a good man, and by vio∣lence to become a Prince of a Common-wealth presupposes an evil man, for this cause it shall very seldome come to pass, that a good man will ever strive to make himself Prince by mischievous waies, although his ends therein be all good; nor will a wicked man, by wicked meanes, at∣taining to be Prince do good, nor ever comes it into his heart to use that Authority well, which by evil meanes he came to. And so at the very end of the same 18. Chap. he concludes, that though the intent were not good, there might be a faire co∣lour set upon it by a good success. Where∣by our Polititian, how∣ever he windes and turns, comes at length to discover his evil ground he took, that Jus reg∣nandi gratia violan∣dum est; aliis in rebus pietatem colas, as is that of Euripides.