第13部分(第6/7 頁)

ase；　for　the　above　reasons；　the　prince　ought　to　favour　one　ofthe　parties。Never　let　any　Government　imagine　that　it　can　choose　perfectly　safecourses；　rather　let　it　expect　to　have　to　take　very　doubtful　ones；because　it　is　found　in　ordinary　affairs　that　one　never　seeks　to　avoidone　trouble　without　running　into　another；　but　prudence　consists　inknowing　how　to　distinguish　the　character　of　troubles；　and　for　choice　totake　the　lesser　evil。A　prince　ought　also　to　show　himself　a　patron　of　ability；　and　to　honourthe　proficient　in　every　art。　At　the　same　time　he　should　encourage　hiscitizens　to　practise　their　callings　peaceably；　both　in　merce　andagriculture；　and　in　every　other　following；　so　that　the　one　should　not　bedeterred　from　improving　his　possessions　for　fear　lest　they　be　taken　awayfrom　him　or　another　from　opening　up　trade　for　fear　of　taxes；　but　theprince　ought　to　offer　rewards　to　whoever　wishes　to　do　these　things　anddesigns　in　any　way　to　honour　his　city　or　state。Further；　he　ought　to　entertain　the　people　with　festivals　and　spectaclesat　convenient　seasons　of　the　year；　and　as　every　city　is　divided　intoguilds　or　into　societies；　he　ought　to　hold　such　bodies　in　esteem；　andassociate　with　them　sometimes；　and　show　himself　an　example　of　courtesyand　liberality；　nevertheless；　always　maintaining　the　majesty　of　hisrank；　for　this　he　must　never　consent　to　abate　in　anything。CHAPTER　XXIICONCERNING　THE　SECRETARIES　OF　PRINCESTHE　choice　of　servants　is　of　no　little　importance　to　a　prince；　and　theyare　good　or　not　according　to　the　discrimination　of　the　prince。　And　thefirst　opinion　which　one　forms　of　a　prince；　and　of　his　understanding；　isby　observing　the　men　he　has　around　him；　and　when　they　are　capable　andfaithful　he　may　always　be　considered　wise；　because　he　has　known　how　torecognize　the　capable　and　to　keep