2
Of
Hereditary Monarchies
I will not here speak of republics, having already treated of
them fully in another place. I will deal only with monarchies, and will
discuss how the various kinds described above can be governed and
maintained. In the accustomed to a reigning family is far less than in new
monarchies; for it is sufficient not to transgress ancestral usages, and
to adapt one’s self to unforeseen circumstances; in this way such a
prince, if of ordinary assiduity, will always be able to maintain his
position, unless some very exceptional and excessive force deprives him of
it; and even if he be thus deprived, on the slightest mischance happening
to the new occupier, he will be able to regain it.
We
have in Italy the example of the Duke of Ferrara, who was able to
withstand the assaults of the Venetians in 1484 and of Pope Julius in
1510, for no other reason than because of the antiquity of his family in
that dominion. In as much as the legitimate prince has less cause and less
necessity to give offense, it is only natural that he should be more
loved; and, if no extraordinary vices make him hated, it is only
reasonable for his subjects to be naturally attached to him, the memories
and causes of innovations being forgotten in the long period over which
his rule has extended; whereas one change always leaves the way prepared
for the introduction of another.
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