《君主论·第十三章·援军·混合军与自己的军队》第6节
I conclude, therefore, that no principality is secure without having its own forces; on the contrary, it is entirely dependent on good fortune, not having the valour which in adversity would defend it. And it has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain or unstable as fame or power not founded on its own strength. And one’s own forces are those which are composed either of subjects, citizens, or dependents; all others are mercenaries or auxiliaries. And the way to make ready one’s own forces will be easily found if the rules suggested by me shall be reflected upon, and if one will consider how Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, and many republics and princes have armed and organized themselves, to which rules I entirely commit myself.
注释摘要
马基雅维利把第十三章的论证推到这一步，是要为整个关于武装力量类型的讨论给出一个斩钉截铁的判定。此前他仔细剥开了雇佣军、援军和自己的军队三种模式在实效上的根本差异，现在用这个结论把三条线收拢：国家若没有由本国臣民、公民或附庸组成的武装，而是指望别人出钱出命来替自己打仗，就谈不上安全，因为它已经把自己的存亡外包出去了，剩下的只是全盘依赖运气。 梳理一下他在这条…