《君主论·第十九章·应当避免受轻视与憎恨》第1节
Now, concerning the characteristics of which mention is made above, I have spoken of the more important ones, the others I wish to discuss briefly under this generality, that the prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches. It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of which he must abstain. And when neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways. It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him.
注释摘要
这一节构成了第十九章的前半部分，马基雅维利在此展开他对君主政治生存术的核心推论：统治者的根本危险来自内部，而内部危险的根本来源是被臣民憎恨或轻视。他力主把这个问题从一般道德评价中分离出来，当作一个纯粹的权力维持问题来处理。他的论证路径是：先分别定义憎恨和轻视的来源，再指出只要能避开这两者，君主就无须担心其他指控，因为大多数人的不满只要不触及财产和名誉就不会…