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122 they divert the attention of the people from every idea of rebellion, but which in time of war lay open the impotence of a power that is so devoid of reason as to recur to it.

It is by conquering difficulties that princes aggrandise themselves, and fortune has not a more successful mean of elevating a new prince than that of creating him enemies who may surround him with difficulties, which may stimulate his genius, exercise his courage, and serve him as so many ladders whereby to clmb to a high degree of power. Thus many persons are of opinion that it is advantageous for a prince to create himself enemies, which, by preventing him from the indulgence of a dangerous repose, will attract the esteem and admiration of both his faithful and rebellious subjects.

Princes, and above all new ones, have often experienced more zeal and fidelity in those of their subjects whom they had, at the commencement.of their reign, cause to suspect, than those in whom they supposed at the same period they could place the utmost reliance. Pandolpho Petrucci, Prince of Sienna, was less inclined to employ those than the others: It is, however, difficult to establish general rules by an object that varies according to circumstances. I shall only observe, that if those whom the prince had for enemies at the beginning of bis reign stand in need of his