CHAP. XIX.
That it is necessary to avoid being hated and despised.
I have separately treated of the principal qualities with which a prince should be endowed. To abridge the subject, I will comprehend all the others under this general title; viz. that a prince ought sedulously to avoid every thing which may cause him to be hated or despised.
Nothing, in my opinion, renders a prince so odious as the violation of the right of property, and not shewing a due regard to the honour of married women. Subjects are always content with a prince who does not injure either their property or their honour; and then, he has only to contend with the pretensions of a few ambitious persons, whom he can easily circumvent.
A prince whose conduct is light, inconstant, pusillanimous, irresolute, and effeminate, is sure to be despised: these are defects which he ought to shun as he would so many rocks, and earnestly endeavour to shew courage, gravity, energy, and magnificence in all his actions. His decisions in matters betweem individuals should be irrevocable,
