Why Princes Are Praised Or Blamed

How should a prince deal with his subjects and friends?

Anyone who neglects to do what should be done sooner brings about his ruin rather than his preservation.

A man who wishes to act entirely virtuously might soon be destroyed in an evil world.

Hence a prince who wishes to survive must know, according to necessity, how to do or not do wrong.

The chiefly princes are known for real qualities.

Thus:

• one has the reputation of being liberal, another mean.
• one is generous, another greedy
• one cruel, one kind
• one disloyal another faithful
• one weak and cowardly, another bold and brave
• one friendly, another proud
• one pleasure loving, another restrained
• one sincere, another not truthful
• one hard, another easy
• one serious, another foolish
• one religious, another unbelieving, and the like.

A prince:

• should be careful so that he can avoid the criticism which would lose him his state.

• should not feel uneasy about being criticised for that bad behaviour which is necessary to maintain the state.

Sometimes:

• virtue would lead to his ruin
• vice may bring him security and wealth.