《君主论·第八章·以邪恶之道获得君权者》第7节
Hence it is to be remarked that, in seizing a state, the usurper ought to examine closely into all those injuries which it is necessary for him to inflict, and to do them all at one stroke so as not to have to repeat them daily; and thus by not unsettling men he will be able to reassure them, and win them to himself by benefits. He who does otherwise, either from timidity or evil advice, is always compelled to keep the knife in his hand; neither can he rely on his subjects, nor can they attach themselves to him, owing to their continued and repeated wrongs. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer. And above all things, a prince ought to live amongst his people in such a way that no unexpected circumstances, whether of good or evil, shall make him change; because if the necessity for this comes in troubled times, you are too late for harsh measures; and mild ones will not help you, for they will be considered as forced from you, and no one will be under any obligation to you for them.
注释摘要
在这一段里，马基雅维利要回答一个让当时的读者——也让今天的读者——感到困惑的问题：为什么阿加托克利斯和奥利韦罗托这样靠屠杀和背信上台的人，竟然能安安稳稳地统治下去，而其他一些同样残暴的君主却在太平年月也坐不稳江山。他的答案是，关键不在于残暴本身，而在于残暴是否被“妥善运用”。这个“妥善”完全是从效果出发的判断，与道德无关。他提出了一条著名的行为法则：夺取国…