《君主论·第六章·凭自己的武力与能力获得的新君主国》第3节
Those who by valorous ways become princes, like these men, acquire a principality with difficulty, but they keep it with ease. The difficulties they have in acquiring it rise in part from the new rules and methods which they are forced to introduce to establish their government and its security. And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things, because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them. Thus it happens that whenever those who are hostile have the opportunity to attack they do it like partisans, whilst the others defend lukewarmly, in such wise that the prince is endangered along with them. It is necessary, therefore, if we desire to discuss this matter thoroughly, to inquire whether these innovators can rely on themselves or have to depend on others: that is to say, whether, to consummate their enterprise, have they to use prayers or can they use force? In the first instance they always succeed badly, and never compass anything; but when they can rely on themselves and use force, then they are rarely endangered. Hence it is that all armed prophets have conquered, and the unarmed ones have been destroyed. Besides the reasons mentioned, the nature of the people is variable, and whilst it is easy to persuade them, it is difficult to fix them in that persuasion. And thus it is necessary to take such measures that, when they believe no longer, it may be possible to make them believe by force.
注释摘要
这一段是马基雅维利全书的论证枢纽之一：他要在“凭自己武力和能力”的夺权之路与“凭幸运”的夺权之路之间划出清晰的分界线。前面他已经把摩西、居鲁士、罗慕路斯、忒修斯列为最高典范，现在他要解释他们的政治生涯为什么遵循同一种模式——获取时极其艰难，保有反而相对容易。他用这个看似反常的命题来挑战一般人的直觉，因为一般而言，夺取已经很难，守住更难。但他论证说，纯靠能力…