t is not unknown to me how many men have had, and
\nstill have, the opinion that the affairs of the world are in
\nsuch wise governed by fortune and by God that men with
\ntheir wisdom cannot direct them and that no one can even
\nhelp them; and because of this they would have us believe
\nthat it is not necessary to labour much in affairs, but to let
\nchance govern them. This opinion has been more credited
\nin our times because of the great changes in affairs which
\nhave been seen, and may still be seen, every day, beyond all
\nhuman conjecture. Sometimes pondering over this, I am in
\nsome degree inclined to their opinion. Nevertheless, not to
\nextinguish our free will, I hold it to be true that Fortune is
\nthe arbiter of one-half of our actions,[*] but that she still
\nleaves us to direct the other half, or perhaps a little less.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I compare her to one of those raging rivers, which when
\nin flood overflows the plains, sweeping away trees and
\nbuildings, bearing away the soil from place to place; every-
\nthing flies before it, all yield to its violence, without being
\nable in any way to withstand it; and yet, though its nature
\nbe such, it does not follow therefore that men, when the
\nweather becomes fair, shall not make provision, both with
\ndefences and barriers, in such a manner that, rising again,
\nthe waters may pass away by canal, and their force be nei-
\nther so unrestrained nor so dangerous. So it happens with
\nfortune, who shows her power where valour has not pre-
\npared to resist her, and thither she turns her forces where
\nshe knows that barriers and defences have not been raised
\nto constrain her.<\/p>\n
I conclude, therefore that, fortune being changeful and
\nmankind steadfast in their ways, so long as the two are in
\nagreement men are successful, but unsuccessful when they
\nfall out. For my part I consider that it is better to be adven-
\nturous than cautious, because fortune is a woman, and if
\nyou wish to keep her under it is necessary to beat and ill-
\nuse her; and it is seen that she allows herself to be mastered
\nby the adventurous rather than by those who go to work
\nmore coldly. She is, therefore, always, woman-like, a lover
\nof young men, because they are less cautious, more violent,
\nand with more audacity command her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The prince<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Niccolo Machiavelli<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" t is not unknown to me how many men have had, and still have, the opinion that the affairs of the world are in such wise governed by fortune and by God that men with their wisdom cannot direct them and that no one 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