《君主论·第十章·如何衡量君主国的实力》第2节
The cities of Germany are absolutely free, they own but little country around them, and they yield obedience to the emperor when it suits them, nor do they fear this or any other power they may have near them, because they are fortified in such a way that every one thinks the taking of them by assault would be tedious and difficult, seeing they have proper ditches and walls, they have sufficient artillery, and they always keep in public depots enough for one year’s eating, drinking, and firing. And beyond this, to keep the people quiet and without loss to the state, they always have the means of giving work to the community in those labours that are the life and strength of the city, and on the pursuit of which the people are supported; they also hold military exercises in repute, and moreover have many ordinances to uphold them. Therefore, a prince who has a strong city, and had not made himself odious, will not be attacked, or if any one should attack he will only be driven off with disgrace; again, because that the affairs of this world are so changeable, it is almost impossible to keep an army a whole year in the field without being interfered with. And whoever should reply: If the people have property outside the city, and see it burnt, they will not remain patient, and the long siege and self-interest will make them forget their prince; to this I answer that a powerful and courageous prince will overcome all such difficulties by giving at one time hope to his subjects that the evil will not be for long, at another time fear of the cruelty of the enemy, then preserving himself adroitly from those subjects who seem to him to be too bold.
注释摘要
在这段论述中，马基雅维利把目光投向了德意志的自由城市，用它们作为典范，来论证那种“没有能力在旷野上与敌人正面交战、只能据城固守”的君主国，完全可以通过充分的城防准备和内部的妥善治理来确保安全。他所勾勒的德意志城市是高度自治的政治体，名义上隶属神圣罗马帝国皇帝，但实际上只在符合自身利益时才表示服从，四周或近旁的任何强权都不足以令它们畏惧。支撑这种底气的，首先…