traps and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must,
therefore, be a fox to recognise traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.
Those that wish to be only lions do not understand this. Therefore, a
prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be
against his interest and when the reasons which made him bind
himself no longer exist.(16)
After mentioning a few good qualities of conduct he says:
It is not, therefore, necessary for a prince to have all the above named
(good) qualities, but it is very necessary to seem to have them. I would
even be abold to say that to possess them and always to observe them is
dangerous, but to appear to possess them is useful. Thus it is well to
seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious and also to be so;
but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is needful to be
otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities. And it
must be understood that a prince, and especially a new prince, cannot
observe all those things which are considered good in men, being often
obliged, in order to maintain the State, to act against faith, against
charity, against humanity, and against religion. And, therefore, he must
have a mind disposed to adapt itself according to the wind, and as the
variations of fortune dictate, and as I said before, not deviate from
what is good, if possible, but be able to do evil if constrained.(17)
No apology is needed for quoting at such length from the book
as it is well known that the Prince has been the Bible of Western
politicians and rulers ever since it was written. It was the constant
companion of Charles V, his son and his courtiers. Thomas
Cromwell brought a copy from Italy and kept it under his pillow
when he went to bed. Catherine de Medici, the daughter of the
prince to whom the book was dedicated, brought it to France and
her political views were deeply influenced by it. Her son, Henry III,
always carried it in his pocket. When he was murdered, it was found
on his person. The same was the case with Henry IV. Several Popes
and kings admired it and approved of its political philosophy.
Frederick II, who invariably acted on its principles in his dealings
with other rulers, wrote in his Political Testament as follows:
The great matter is to conceal one's designs and to cover up one's
character ...... Policy consists rather in profiting by favourable
conjunctures than in preparing them in advance. This is why I counsel
you not to make treaties depending on uncertain events, and to keep
your hands free. For then you can make your decision according to
time and place, and the conditions of your affairs, in a word, according
Islam: A Challenge to Religion 221