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IT is very necessary to know the designs of an Enemy, before he be in a condition to put them in Execution, and this foresight is so much the more commendable, by how much it is profitable and commodious to the good of a Commonwealth.
That Prince is much to be blamed, who begins to make preparations of defence, when he sees an Armed Enemy at his Gates, and he is oftentimes well beaten for his negligence.
The preparations of War, which a Prince maketh in expectation of being assaul∣ted or set upon, are a certain Index of his courage, and a sure testimony of his reso∣lution, which allayes and cheques, the heat and fury of an Enemy, who may from thence gather, that he disposeth himself in good earnest to entertain the War, and that one thing is sometimes capable of frighting them from making any incursions or invasions into a Country. It is very dangerous to despise an Enemy after a victo∣ry, and as great a fault to slight him before a fight. Fear is still attended with shame and confusion, when it faintly withdraws from the Battle; But that which produceth no other effect in the Soul of a Prince, then the resolution of preparation for the War when he finds himself threatned with an Invation, cannot but be allowable, honourable and commendable. On the otherside, the little esteem which a man hath of his Enemies, gives them a notable advantage, seeing it causeth a neglect of the keeping Forces in a condition of repelling Enemies, and gives them oportunities of time and place to advance, to fortifie and to put all their designs in Execution; so that it will be at last full as difficult to compel them to retire, as at first it had been easie to have stop't and impeded their entrance or approches. And this Maxime I learn from Caesar, who instead of neglecting or slighting his Enemies, made his Souldiers alwayes believe that their Enemies were very strong, that every one might dispose himself to fight, either by redoubling his courage, or resolving to preserve himself in that Station and Orders, which his Officers should allot and assign unto him.