It is very true that, after acquiring rebellious provinces a second time, they are not so lightly lost afterwards, because the prince, with little reluctance, takes the opportunity of the rebellion to punish the delinquents, to clear out the suspects, and to strengthen himself in the weakest places.
History of Florence and the Affairs of Italy by Niccolò MachiavelliFrom the Earliest Times to the Death of Lorenzo the Magnificent
Etext prepared by John Bickers, jbickers@ihug.co.nz and Dagny, dagnyj@hotmail.com HISTORY OF FLORENCE AND OF THE AFFAIRS OF ITALY FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE DEATH OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT by NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI With an Introduction by HUGO ALBERT RENNERT, Ph.D. Professor of Romanic Languages and Literature, University of Pennsylvania. PREPARER’S NOTE This text was typed