Finally he reminds him that a prince is impotent unless he can command obedience by his arms.

Fortresses are a doubtful source of strength; against foreign foes they are worse than useless; against subjects they are worthless in comparison with the goodwill of the people: 'the best fortress possible is to escape the hatred of your subjects.' Everything therefore depends upon the well-ordering of a national militia.

The neglect of that ruined the princes of Italy and enabled Charles VIII.

to conquer the fairest of European kingdoms with wooden spurs and a piece of chalk.[2] [1] In the _Discorsi_, lib.i.cap.55, he calls Italy 'la coruttela del mondo,' and judges that her case is desperate; 'non si puo sperare nelle provincie che in questi tempi si veggono corrotte, come e l' Italia sopra tutte le altre.' [2] The references in this paragraph are made to chapters xx.-xxiv.

and chapter xii.