《君主论·第六章·凭自己的武力与能力获得的新君主国》第4节
If Moses, Cyrus, Theseus, and Romulus had been unarmed they could not have enforced their constitutions for long—as happened in our time to Fra Girolamo Savonarola, who was ruined with his new order of things immediately the multitude believed in him no longer, and he had no means of keeping steadfast those who believed or of making the unbelievers to believe. Therefore such as these have great difficulties in consummating their enterprise, for all their dangers are in the ascent, yet with ability they will overcome them; but when these are overcome, and those who envied them their success are exterminated, they will begin to be respected, and they will continue afterwards powerful, secure, honoured, and happy. To these great examples I wish to add a lesser one; still it bears some resemblance to them, and I wish it to suffice me for all of a like kind: it is Hiero the Syracusan. This man rose from a private station to be Prince of Syracuse, nor did he, either, owe anything to fortune but opportunity; for the Syracusans, being oppressed, chose him for their captain, afterwards he was rewarded by being made their prince. He was of so great ability, even as a private citizen, that one who writes of him says he wanted nothing but a kingdom to be a king. This man abolished the old soldiery, organized the new, gave up old alliances, made new ones; and as he had his own soldiers and allies, on such foundations he was able to build any edifice: thus, whilst he had endured much trouble in acquiring, he had but little in keeping. Hiero II, born about 307 B.C., died 216 B.C.
注释摘要
这段论证在第六章的逻辑链条中处于一个关键转折：马基雅维利刚讲完凭自身能力崛起的新君主必须推行新制度，也承认这是最危险的事，因为旧秩序的受益者会激烈反对，而新秩序的潜在受益者又态度冷淡。由此他引出一个极冷酷的判断：变革者必须自备武力，否则一切免谈。于是他写下这句著名的话——所有武装的先知都胜利了，没有武装的先知都毁灭了。 为了证明这个道理，他先从古代的崇高范…