Politics and Metaphysics |
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affairs afterwards appear atheism attack Austrians battle battle of Ligny battle of Waterloo become believe Blücher Cćsar Borgia campaign cause cavalry century character commander considered d'Erlon Dante Dante's death defeated doubt Duke emperor enemies England English equal Europe evidently exile fact favor fighting Florence force France Frederick French German Ghibeline Goethe Grouchy Guelph Helena Hohenstaufen human Italian Italy John Stuart Mill Julius Cćsar killed La Haye Sainte liberal lives look Machiavelli manner Marengo Marmont Marshal Masséna Medici memoirs ment mental metaphysics Metternich military mind moral Murat Napo Napoleon nature never objective reality obliged obtain opinion party peace person political pope position possessed practical pragmatism Prince principles reforms revolution Rome Savary says sense Sir Hudson soldiers Soult space Spain supposed Thiers thousand tion troops true truth Victor Waterloo Waterloo campaign Weimar Wellington whole writer
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Page 4 - RUBY wine is drunk by knaves, Sugar spends to fatten slaves, Rose and vine-leaf deck buffoons ; Thunderclouds are Jove's festoons, Drooping oft in wreaths of dread Lightning-knotted round his head ; The hero is not fed on sweets, Daily his own heart he eats; Chambers of the great are jails, And head-winds right for royal sails.
Page 128 - The reason for which government exists is, that one man, if stronger than another, will take from him whatever that other possesses and he desires. But if one man will do this, so will several. And if powers are put into the hands of a comparatively small number, called an aristocracy, — powers which make them stronger than the rest of the community, they will take from the rest of the community as much as they please of the objects of desire.
Page 119 - I should be cautious in inculcating such a precept if all men were good ; but as the generality of mankind are wicked, and ever ready to break their words, a prince should not pique himself in keeping his more scrupulously, especially as it is always easy to justify a breach of faith on his part.
Page 139 - We Italians then owe to the Church of Rome and to her priests our having become irreligious and bad ; but we owe her a still greater debt, and one that will be the cause of our ruin, namely, that the Church has kept and still keeps our country divided.
Page 139 - Cardinal Pole, who was the first to exclaim against the atrocious doctrines in "The Prince," and who afterwards helped to promote the human conflagrations at Smithfield, may have had a similar reason at heart. It is well to note in this connection that, during the long struggle between the pope and the emperor, the bishops in the large cities of northern Italy were nearly always to be found on the side of the latter; a fact which the historian Hallam finds himself quite unable to account for, as...
Page 117 - There is no better fortress for a prince than the affection of the people. If he is hated by his subjects, all other fortresses will be in vain, for when they fly to arms, there will be no want of enemies without the walls to afford them assistance.
Page 118 - ... and the people are allowed to retain their ancient customs and manners, there need be little fear of insurrection or civil disturbance. If, however, a subjugated city or state has once revolted, it is best to destroy it, and colonize it with citizens from one's own country. " The Romans, to make sure of Capua, Carthage, and Numantia, destroyed them and did not lose them...
Page 115 - Subjects will live contentedly enough under a prince who neither invades their property nor their honour ; and then he will only have to contend against the pretensions of a few ambitious persons, whom he can easily find means to restrain. A prince whose conduct is light, inconstant, pusillanimous, irresolute, and effeminate, is sure to be despised : these defects he ought to shun as he would so many rocks, and endeavour to display a character for courage, gravity, energy, and magnificence in all...
Page 118 - Greece, in order to retain the country ; and doubtless that was the safest way, for otherwise whoever becomes master of a- free state, and does not destroy it, may expect to be ruined by it himself. In all its revolts it has ever the cry of liberty for its rallying point and its refuge, as well as the remembrance of its ancient institutions, which neither length of time nor benefits can efface ; do what we may, take whatever precautions we can, unless we divide and disperse the inhabitants, this...
Page 186 - There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." It is this inspiration from God, proceeding throughout all his creations, that enlighteneth the children of men ; and it is nothing more...