Niccolò Machiavelli：The Prince, Excerpt 18

I say, therefore, that in entirely new principalities, where there is a new prince, more or less difficulty is found in keeping them, accordingly as there is more or less ability in him who has acquired the state. Now, as the fact of becoming a prince from a private station presupposes either ability or fortune, it is clear that one or other of these things will mitigate in some degree many difficulties. Nevertheless, he who has relied least on fortune is established the strongest. Further, it facilitates matters when the prince, having no other state, is compelled to reside there in person.

Source： https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1232
Locator：Excerpt 18 · Verified：2026-10-19 · Verification：Short excerpt

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