This page needs to be proofread.
xxx
INTRODUCTION.
Prince is only pregnant with dangers to that monarch who has not deigned to study it, or whose imbecility prevents him from appreciating its value. It is an epitome of the wisdom of all the warriors and legislators of antiquity; it is the book of fate, in which a wise prince will read the future in the mirror of the past[1]. Hence what a
- ↑ Machiavelli severely reprehends this neglect of the examples of antiquity; he expresses himself thus: "If our respect for antiquity is considered, or to confine self to a single example, the value which we often set on even the fragments of antique statues, which we are proud to possess, to ornament our houses, and offer as models to artists to imitate in their works. If, on the other hand, we perceive the wonderful examples which the history of ancient kingdoms and republics present to us, the prodigies of wisdom and virtue displayed by citizens, generals, legislators, and kings, who sacrificed themselves for their country; if we find them, I say, more admired than imitated, or even so completely neglected as that there remains no trace of this ancient virtue, we cannot fail of being at once greatly surprised and deeply affected. Yet, in the differences arising between citizens, or the diseases to which they are liable, we find the same men refer to former decisions and remedies prescribed by the ancients. The civil laws are, in fact, only the sentences of ancient lawgivers, reduced into principles, and methodically arranged. Nay, what is me-
