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ought, therefore, to make the art of iwar their sole study and occupation, for it is peculiarly the science of those who govern. By it he maintains himself in possession of his dominions; and by it also private individuals are sometimes raised to supreme authority, whilst we frequently see princes shamefully reduced to nothing, by suffering themselves to be enfeebled by slothful inactivity. I repeat it, that it is owing to a neglect of this art, that states are lost, and it is by cultivating it they are conquered.

Francis Sforza from a private individual becamę Duke of Milan, because he had an army at his disposal, and his children, who were dukes, by a deviation from this rule, were reduced to private individuals. It is not surprising, for in the first place there is nothing so likely to lose the consideration which a prince enjoys, as not to be at the head of his troops; and that which a prince should most particularly guard against is, as I shall hereafter prove, the danger of becoming contemptible.