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Chapter XXII.
Chapter XXII.
Of the Secretaries of Princes
The choice of Ministers is a matter of no small moment to a Prince.
Whether they shall be good or no depends on his prudence, so that the readiest
conjecture we can form of the character and sagacity of a Prince, is from
seeing what sort of men he has about him. When they are at once capable and
faithful, we may always account him wise, since he has known to recognize
their merit and to retain their fidelity. But if they be otherwise, we must
pronounce unfavourably of him, since he has committed a first fault in making
this selection.
There was none who knew Messer Antonio of Venafro, as Minister of
Pandolfo Petrucci, Lord of Siena, but thought Pandolfo a most prudent ruler in
having him for his servant. And since there are three scales of intelligence,
one which understands by itself, a second which understands what is shown it
by others, and a third which understands neither by itself nor on the showing
of others, the first of which is most excellent, the second good, but the
third worthless, we must needs admit that if Pandolfo was not in the first of
these degrees, he was in the second; for when one has the judgment to discern
the good from the bad in what another says or does, though he be devoid of
invention, he can recognize the merits and demerits of his servant, and will
commend the former while he corrects the latter. The servant cannot hope to
deceive such a master, and will continue good.
As to how a Prince is to know his Minister, this unerring rule may be
laid down. When you see a Minister thinking more of himself than of you, and
in all his actions seeking his own ends, that man can never be a good Minister
or one that you can trust. For he who has the charge of the State committed to
him, ought not to think of himself, but only of his Prince, and should never
bring to the notice of the latter what does not directly concern him. On the
other hand, to keep his Minister good, the Prince should be considerate of
him, dignifying him, enriching him, binding him to himself by benefits, and
sharing with him the honours as well as the burthens of the State, so that the
abundant honours and wealth bestowed upon him may divert him from seeking them
at other hands; while the great responsibilities wherewith he is charged may
lead him to dread change, knowing that he cannot stand alone without his
master`s support. When Prince and Minister are upon this footing they can
mutually trust one another; but when the contrary is the case, it will always
fare ill with one or other of them.
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