THE
PREFACE
OF
NICOLO MACHIAVELLI,
TO
Lorenzo, the Son of Philippo Strozzi, Gentleman of
FLORENCE.
Many have been and are ſtill of opinion, that in the whole world no two things are more incongruous and diſſimilar than a Civil and a Military life; inſomuch that many times when a man deſigns himſelf for a Soldier, he not only takes upon him a new Habit, but he changes his Cuſtoms, his Company, his manner of Diſcourſe, and leaves off all ways of civil converſation; for he who would be light and nimble, and ready for the execution of all ſort of violence, looks upon a civil habit as improper and cumberſome; civil cuſtoms are unſuitable to him who thinks them ſoft and effeminate, and inconſiſtent with the life he propoſes; and indeed it would he undecent if a man whoſe buſineſs it is to look big, and hector, and fright the whole World with his Oaths and his Blaſphemies, ſhould carry himſelf demurely, and behave himſelf with the uſual gentleneſs and complaiſancy of other men; and this is it which in our days makes this opinion true: But if we conſider the condition and method of old times, we ſhall find no two things more united, more conformable, nor more neceſſarily amicable than they. For all the Arts which are contrived in a City for the common good; all the courſes invented to keep men in fear of God and the Laws would be uſeleſs and vain, were not force provided for their defence; which force (if well ordered) will be able to make them good, though perhaps the Laws are not ſo exact in themſelves, for this is moſt certain, good Orders without Military Coertion will quickly moulder to nothing, and run to decay, like a Noble and Princely Palace that is uncovered at the top, and has nothing but the ſplendour and richneſs of its furniture to defend it from the weather. And if anciently Kingdoms and States imploy'd great induſtry to keep people in peace, and in the faith and fear of God; certainly in the regulation of their Military Diſcipline they employ'd much more; for where can ones
