Page:The Prince.djvu/53

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xxxiv
INTRODUCTION.

nimity into her distracted councils[1]. On this view of the subject we must premise, that it is our bounden duty not only to watch the operations of our enemy, but by anticipating his designs, endeavour to defeat them. Let us also bear in mind, that

Con forza e con ingano
Si vive mezzo l'anno
Con forza e con arte
Si vive l'altra parte.

"One half the year he lives by force and art,
By art and force he lives the other part."

I therefore beg leave to deprecate all future censure, when, in the consideration of the tenets of Machiavelli, I am compelled to give Buonaparte credit for susperior talents. My object being to enable us more effectually to resist him, and blow the spark of British emulation into a flame, which shall transcend in brilliancy and grandeur that which our enemy displays.

  1. Concordia res parvæ crescunt, discordia maxime dilabuntur.