Hence it arises that the French cannot stand against the Switzers, and without the Switzers they do not come off well against others.

The armies of the French have thus become mixed, partly mercenary and partly national, both of which arms together are much better than mercenaries alone or auxiliaries alone, but much inferior to one's own forces.

And this example proves it, for the kingdom of France would be unconquerable if the ordinance of Charles had been enlarged or maintained.
(*) Charles VII of France, surnamed "The Victorious," born 1403, died 1461.
(+) Louis XI, son of the above, born 1423, died 1483.
But the scanty wisdom of man, on entering into an affair which looks well at first, cannot discern the poison that is hidden in it, as I have said above of hectic fevers.

Therefore, if he who rules a principality cannot recognize evils until they are upon him, he is not truly wise; and this insight is given to few.

And if the first disaster to the Roman Empire( *) should be examined, it will be found to have commenced only with the enlisting of the Goths; because from that time the vigour of the Roman Empire began to decline, and all that valour which had raised it passed away to others.
(*) "Many speakers to the House the other night in the debate on the reduction of armaments seemed to show a most lamentable ignorance of the conditions under which the British Empire maintains its existence.