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. XIIII.

They are often deceiv'd, who think with humili∣ty to overcome pride.

WEE often see that humility does not onely not help, but hurt some times, e∣specially when it is used towards insolent men; who either for envie or some other occasion, have conceiv'd hatred against thee. Whereof our Historian gives us good testimony in this occasion of war between the Romans and the Latins: for the Samnites complaining to the Romans, that the Latins had assaild them, the Romans would not yet forbid the Latins that war, being desirous nor any way to incense them. Whereby they did not onely not incense them, but made them become more insolent towards them, so that they sooner discover'd themselves enemies, whereof the words us'd * 1.1 by the forenamed: Latin Pretour, Annlus in the same assembly, give good proof, saying:

Te tryed their patience in refusing them souldiers; who doubts but they were angry, yet this disgrace have they sufferd: they have heard we prepare an armie against the Samnites their allyes; nor for this stirred they one foot out of the City: and whence came this modesty of theirs think ye, but from their knowledge as well of your Forces as their own? And therefore hereby we plainly see, how much the Romans patience increased the Latines arrogance. Wherefore a Prince should never agree to descend a whit from his ra••ck, not ever let goe any thing upon accord, if he have a minde to leave it honorably, but onely then when he is able, or when he thinks also he is able to maintain it: for it is better for the most part (the matter being brought to such termes, that thou canst not let it goe in the manner above said) to let it be taken from thee by force, rather than by fear of forces: for it thou lettestit goe for fear, thou do∣est it to free thy self from war, which most commonly it will not doe; for he to whom with such open cowa••dise thou hast yeelded this, will not there with rest satisfi'd, but take o∣ther things from thee also, and will the rather be incited against thee, in that he values thee less; when likewise on the other side, thou shalt finde thy friends more slack in thy defence, esteeming thee either weak or cowardly. But if thou forthwith upon discovery of thy ene∣mies intent, gettest thy forces in a readiness, howsoever they be inferior to his, he will be∣gin to make account of thee, as also will other Princes thy neighbours abou thee, so that some there will be who will have a minde to ayd thee (thou being in armes) who, if thou hadst abandon'd thy self, would never have

struck stroke for thee. This is meant, when thou hast but one enemy. But in case thou hast more, thou shalt do very wisely, to render what thou hast belonging to any one of them for to regain him to thee, notwithstanding the war be discoverd, that thou mayest take him asunder from the other confederates thine enemies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ten∣tastis patien∣tiam, negando militem; quis dubitat exarsisse eos? Pertulerunt tamen hunc doloren; exercitus nos parare adversus Samnites faeri∣tos suos audierunt nec moy erunt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ab•• urbe; unde laec illi•• nan∣ra modestia nisi conscientia virium & nostrarum & suarum?