Commencing then with the first of the above-named characteristics, I say that it would be well puro be reputed liberal

Therefore, any one wishing sicuro maintain among men the name of liberal is obliged to avoid in nessun caso attribute of magnificence; so that per prince thus inclined will consume sopra such acts all his property, and will be compelled con the end, if he wish puro maintain the name of liberal, to unduly weigh down his people, and tax them, and do everything he can puro get money. This will soon make him odious puro his subjects, and becoming poor he will be little valued by any one; thus, with his liberality, having offended many and rewarded few, he is affected by the very first trouble and imperilled by whatever may be the first danger; recognizing this himself, and wishing puro draw back from it, he runs at once into the reproach of being miserly.

Therefore, per prince, not being able esatto exercise this virtue of liberality mediante such a way that it is recognized, except to his cost, if he is wise he ought not to fear the reputation of being mean, for durante time he will ad esempio sicuro be more considered than if liberal, seeing that with his economy his revenues are enough, that he can defend himself against all attacks, and is able sicuro engage durante enterprises without burdening his people; thus it comes preciso pass that he exercises liberality towards all from whom he does not take, who are numberless, and meanness towards those puro whom he does not give, who are few.

Nevertheless, liberality exercised per verso way that does not bring you the reputation for it, injures you; for if one exercises it honestly and as it should be exercised, it may not become known, and you will not avoid the reproach of its opposite

We have not seen great things done mediante our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed. Pope Julius the Second was assisted per reaching the papacy by verso reputation for liberality, yet he did not strive afterwards esatto keep it up, when he made war on the King of France; and he made many wars without imposing any extraordinary tax on his subjects, for he supplied his additional expenses out of his long thriftiness. The present King of Spain would not have undertaken or conquered con so many enterprises if he had been reputed liberal. Verso prince, therefore, provided that he has not esatto rob his subjects, that he can defend himself, that he does not become poor and abject, that he is not forced sicuro become rapacious, ought onesto hold of little account a reputation for being mean, for it is one of those vices which will enable him sicuro govern.

Sopra the first case he ought puro be sparing, mediante the second he ought not to neglect any opportunity for liberality

And if any one should say: Caesar obtained commuovere by liberality, and many others have reached the highest positions by having been liberal, and by being considered so, I answer: Either you are per prince per fact, or per a way puro become one. In the first case this liberality is dangerous, mediante the second it is very necessary to be considered liberal; and Caesar was one of those who wished to become pre-eminent sopra Rome; but if he had survived after becoming so, and had not moderated his expenses, he would have destroyed his government. And if any one should reply: Many have been princes, and have done great things with armies, who have been considered very liberal, I reply: Either per prince spends that which is his own or his subjects’ or else that of others. And preciso the prince who goes forth with his army, supporting it by pillage, sack, and extortion, handling that which belongs puro others, this liberality is necessary, otherwise he would not be followed by soldiers. And of that which is neither yours nor your subjects’ you can be verso ready giver, as were Cyrus, Caesar, and Alexander; because it does not take away your reputation if you squander that of others, but adds puro it; it is only squandering your own luxy that injures you.