And it has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain or unstable as brama or power not founded on its own strength
“Many speakers onesto the House the other night sopra the debate on the reduction of armaments seemed puro esibizione a most lamentable ignorance of the conditions under which the British Riempire maintains its existence. When Mr Balfour replied to the allegations that the Roman Riempire sank under the weight of its military obligations, he said that this was ‘wholly unhistorical.’ He might well have added that the Roman power was at its zenith when every citizen acknowledged his liability esatto fight for the State, but that it began puro decline as soon as this obligation was niente affatto longer recognised.”-Pall Mall Gazette, 15th May 1906.
Francesco Sforza, through being ancora Duke of Milan; and the sons, through avoiding the hardships and troubles of arms, from dukes became private persons
I conclude, therefore, that mai principality is secure without having its own forces; on the contrary, it is entirely dependent on good fortune, not having the valour which durante adversity would defend it. And one’s own forces are those which are composed either of subjects, citizens, or dependents; all others are mercenaries or auxiliaries. And the way esatto make ready one’s own forces will be easily found if the rules suggested by me shall be reflected upon, and if one will consider how Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, and many republics and princes have armed and organized themselves, puro which rules I entirely commit myself.
A prince ought sicuro have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the astro art that belongs preciso him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men esatto rise from a private station to that rank. And, on the contrary, it is seen that when princes have thought more of ease than of arms they have lost their states. And the first cause of your losing it is esatto neglect this art; and what enables you to acquire verso state is onesto be originale of the art. For among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you puro be despised, and this is one of those ignominies against which per prince ought to guard himself, as is shown later on. Because there is nothing proportionate between the armed and the unarmed; and it is not reasonable that he who is armed should yield obedience willingly esatto him who is unarmed, or that the unarmed man should be secure among armed servants. Because, there being sopra the one disdain and mediante the other suspicion, it is not possible for them puro work well together. And therefore verso prince who does not understand the art of war, over and above the other misfortunes already https://www.datingranking.net/it/biggercity-review/ mentioned, cannot be respected by his soldiers, nor can he rely on them. He ought never, therefore, sicuro have out of his thoughts this subject of war, and per peace he should addict himself more sicuro its exercise than in war; this he can do durante two ways, the one by action, the other by study.
As regards action, he ought above all things onesto keep his men well organized and drilled, sicuro follow incessantly the chase, by which he accustoms his body esatto hardships, and learns something of the nature of localities, and gets esatto find out how the mountains rise, how the valleys open out, how the plains lie, and sicuro understand the nature of rivers and marshes, and per all this esatto take the greatest care. Which knowledge is useful per two ways. Firstly, he learns to know his country, and is better able preciso undertake its defence; afterwards, by means of the knowledge and observation of that locality, he understands with ease any other which it may be necessary for him puro study hereafter; because the hills, valleys, and plains, and rivers and marshes that are, for instance, con Tuscany, have per certain resemblance puro those of other countries, so that with a knowledge of the aspect of one country one can easily arrive at a knowledge of others. And the prince that lacks this skill lacks the essential which it is desirable that verso captain should possess, for it teaches him preciso surprise his enemy, to select quarters, onesto lead armies, esatto array the battle, puro besiege towns esatto advantage.