Page:The Prince.djvu/169

54 in him has been destroyed by recent and repeated attacks; for I repeat it, these offences should all be committed at one time, because, having less time for resenting them, the wound is not so deep; but benefits should be conferred in small portions, and one by one, that the receivers may the better relish them. It is above all necessary that a prince should live on such terms with his subjects, that no accident, good or bad, should oblige him to vary his conduct towards them. For when necessity presses, it is not a proper time to avenge himself; and the good which he does will avail him nothing, because they will not give him credit for a change which they conceive to be forced.