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Rh excițing the hatred of the greater or lesser number, (it is necessary to chuse the strongest. This was the reason why those of the Cæsars who raised themselves to empire, having occasion for extraordinary favour to maintain their power, attached themselves to the legions in preference to the people, and they never failed, but for want of knowing how to preserve their affection.

Marcus the philosopher, Pertinax and Alexander, who were princes commendable by their clemency, their love of justice, and the simplicity of their manners, all perished except the first, who lived and died honoured, because, having arrived at empire by hereditary right, he was under no obligation either to the troops or to the people; which joined to his other qualities rendered him dear to all, and facilitated to him the means of restraining them within the bounds of duty. But. Pertinax being desirous to subject the legions (against whose inclination also he had been elected emperor) to a very different and more severe discipline than had been observed by his predecessor Commodus, perished a few months after his elevation, a victim of their hatred, and perhaps also of the contempt which his great age inspired; and it is here to be remarked that hatred is acquired as well by doing good as by doing evil. Thus, as I have said before, a prince is often compelled to be wicked in order to maintain his power. For