the prince(王子)-第12章
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Rome； they could not effect anything against him。 If he could not have
made Pope him whom he wished； at least the one whom he did not wish
would not have been elected。 But if he had been in sound health at the
death of Alexander；＇*＇ everything would have been different to him。 On
the day that Julius the Second＇＋＇ was elected； he told me that he had
thought of everything that might occur at the death of his father； and had
provided a remedy for all； except that he had never anticipated that； when
the death did happen； he himself would be on the point to die。
＇*＇ Alexander VI died of fever； 18th August 1503。
＇＋＇ Julius II was Giuliano della Rovere； Cardinal of San Pietro ad
Vincula； born 1443； died 1513。
When all the actions of the duke are recalled； I do not know how to
blame him； but rather it appears to be； as I have said； that I ought to offer
him for imitation to all those who； by the fortune or the arms of others； are
raised to government。 Because he； having a lofty spirit and far…reaching
aims； could not have regulated his conduct otherwise； and only the
shortness of the life of Alexander and his own sickness frustrated his
designs。 Therefore； he who considers it necessary to secure himself in his
new principality； to win friends； to overcome either by force or fraud； to
make himself beloved and feared by the people； to be followed and
revered by the soldiers； to exterminate those who have power or reason to
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hurt him； to change the old order of things for new； to be severe and
gracious； magnanimous and liberal； to destroy a disloyal soldiery and to
create new； to maintain friendship with kings and princes in such a way
that they must help him with zeal and offend with caution； cannot find a
more lively example than the actions of this man。
Only can he be blamed for the election of Julius the Second； in whom
he made a bad choice； because； as is said； not being able to elect a Pope to
his own mind； he could have hindered any other from being elected Pope；
and he ought never to have consented to the election of any cardinal whom
he had injured or who had cause to fear him if they became pontiffs。 For
men injure either from fear or hatred。 Those whom he had injured；
amongst others； were San Pietro ad Vincula； Colonna； San Giorgio； and
Ascanio。＇*＇ The rest； in becoming Pope； had to fear him； Rouen and the
Spaniards excepted； the latter from their relationship and obligations； the
former from his influence； the kingdom of France having relations with
him。 Therefore； above everything； the duke ought to have created a
Spaniard Pope； and； failing him； he ought to have consented to Rouen and
not San Pietro ad Vincula。 He who believes that new benefits will cause
great personages to forget old injuries is deceived。 Therefore； the duke
erred in his choice； and it was the cause of his ultimate ruin。
＇*＇ San Giorgio is Raffaello Riario。 Ascanio is Ascanio Sforza。
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The Prince
CHAPTER VIII
CONCERNING THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED A
PRINCIPALITY BY WICKEDNESS
Although a prince may rise from a private station in two ways； neither
of which can be entirely attributed to fortune or genius； yet it is manifest
to me that I must not be silent on them； although one could be more
copiously treated when I discuss republics。 These methods are when；
either by some wicked or nefarious ways； one ascends to the principality；
or when by the favour of his fellow…citizens a private person becomes the
prince of his country。 And speaking of the first method； it will be
illustrated by two examplesone ancient； the other modernand without
entering further into the subject； I consider these two examples will suffice
those who may be compelled to follow them。
Agathocles； the Sicilian；＇*＇ became King of Syracuse not only from a
private but from a low and abject position。 This man； the son of a potter；
through all the changes in his fortunes always led an infamous life。
Nevertheless； he accompanied his infamies with so much ability of mind
and body that； having devoted himself to the military profession； he rose
through its ranks to be Praetor of Syracuse。 Being established in that
position； and having deliberately resolved to make himself prince and to
seize by violence； without obligation to others； that which had been
conceded to him by assent； he came to an understanding for this purpose
with Amilcar； the Carthaginian； who； with his army； was fighting in Sicily。
One morning he assembled the people and the senate of Syracuse； as if he
had to discuss with them things relating to the Republic； and at a given
signal the soldiers killed all the senators and the richest of the people；
these dead； he seized and held the princedom of that city without any civil
commotion。 And although he was twice routed by the Carthaginians； and
ultimately besieged； yet not only was he able to defend his city； but
leaving part of his men for its defence； with the others he attacked Africa；
and in a short time raised the siege of Syracuse。 The Carthaginians；
reduced to extreme necessity； were compelled to come to terms with
Agathocles； and； leaving Sicily to him； had to be content with the
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possession of Africa。
＇*＇ Agathocles the Sicilian； born 361 B。C。； died 289 B。C。
Therefore； he who considers the actions and the genius of this man
will see nothing； or little； which can be attributed to fortune； inasmuch as
he attained pre…eminence； as is shown above； not by the favour of any one；
but step by step in the military profession； which steps were gained with a
thousand troubles and perils； and were afterwards boldly held by him with
many hazardous dangers。 Yet it cannot be called talent to slay fellow…
citizens； to deceive friends； to be without faith； without mercy； without
religion； such methods may gain empire； but not glory。 Still； if the courage
of Agathocles in entering into and extricating himself from dangers be
considered； together with his greatness of mind in enduring and
overcoming hardships； it cannot be seen why he should be esteemed less
than the most notable captain。 Nevertheless； his barbarous cruelty and
inhumanity with infinite wickedness do not permit him to be celebrated
among the most excellent men。 What he achieved cannot be attributed
either to fortune or genius。
In our times； during the rule of Alexander the Sixth； Oliverotto da
Fermo； having been left an orphan many years before； was brought up by
his maternal uncle； Giovanni Fogliani； and in the early days of his youth
sent to fight under Pagolo Vitelli； that； being trained under his discipline；
he might attain some high position in the militar
