It is necessary to consider another point in examining the character of these principalities: that is, whether a prince has such power that, in case of need, he can support himself with his own resources, or whether he has always need of the assistance of others. And to make this quite clear I say that I consider those who are able to support themselves by their own resources who can, either by abundance of men or money, raise a sufficient army to join battle against any one who comes to attack them; and I consider those always to have need of others who cannot show themselves against the enemy in the field, but are forced to defend themselves by sheltering behind walls. The first case has been discussed, but we will speak of it again should it recur. In the second case one can say nothing except to encourage such princes to provision and fortify their towns, and not on any account to defend the country. And whoever shall fortify his town well, and shall have managed the other concerns of his subjects in the way stated above, and to be often repeated, will never be attacked without great caution, for men are always adverse to enterprises where difficulties can be seen, and it will be seen not to be an easy thing to attack one who has his town well fortified, and is not hated by his people.
Another point must be considered when examining these principalities. Can a prince rely on his own resources in times of need, or does he always need help from others? Let me make this clear. Princes can support themselves if they have enough men or money to raise a sufficient army. That army must be able to meet any attacker in open battle. Princes always need help from others if they cannot face the enemy in the field. Instead, they must defend themselves by taking shelter behind walls. The first case has already been discussed, but we will return to it if it comes up again. In the second case, the only advice is to urge these princes to stock and fortify their towns. They must not attempt to defend the countryside under any circumstances. A prince who fortifies his town well and manages his subjects' other affairs as described above will discourage attacks. This advice bears frequent repeating. No one will attack such a prince without great caution. People are always reluctant to undertake ventures when they can see the difficulties ahead. Attacking a prince whose town is well fortified and whose people do not hate him will clearly be difficult.
The cities of Germany are absolutely free, they own but little country around them, and they yield obedience to the emperor when it suits them, nor do they fear this or any other power they may have near them, because they are fortified in such a way that every one thinks the taking of them by assault would be tedious and difficult, seeing they have proper ditches and walls, they have sufficient artillery, and they always keep in public depots enough for one year’s eating, drinking, and firing. And beyond this, to keep the people quiet and without loss to the state, they always have the means of giving work to the community in those labours that are the life and strength of the city, and on the pursuit of which the people are supported; they also hold military exercises in repute, and moreover have many ordinances to uphold them.
The cities of Germany are completely free and control little land around them. They obey the emperor only when it suits them. They fear neither him nor any other nearby power. Their defenses are so strong that everyone considers taking them by assault a slow and difficult task. They have proper moats and walls, along with enough artillery. Their public storehouses always hold enough food, drink, and fuel for one year. Beyond this, they always have the means to provide work for the people, keeping them content without draining state resources. This work is in the trades that give the city its life and strength and support its people. They also place great value on military training and have many laws to maintain it.
Therefore, a prince who has a strong city, and had not made himself odious, will not be attacked, or if any one should attack he will only be driven off with disgrace; again, because that the affairs of this world are so changeable, it is almost impossible to keep an army a whole year in the field without being interfered with. And whoever should reply: If the people have property outside the city, and see it burnt, they will not remain patient, and the long siege and self-interest will make them forget their prince; to this I answer that a powerful and courageous prince will overcome all such difficulties by giving at one time hope to his subjects that the evil will not be for long, at another time fear of the cruelty of the enemy, then preserving himself adroitly from those subjects who seem to him to be too bold.
Therefore, a prince with a well-fortified city who has not made himself hated will not be attacked. If anyone does attack, the attacker will be driven off in disgrace. Moreover, the affairs of this world change so much that keeping an army in the field for a whole year without interference is almost impossible. Someone might object that people who own property outside the city will lose patience when they see it burned. A long siege and concern for their own interests will make them forget their prince. I answer that a powerful and courageous prince will overcome all these difficulties. At one moment, he will give his subjects hope that their suffering will not last long. At another, he will make them fear the enemy’s cruelty. He will also skillfully protect himself against those subjects he considers too bold.
Further, the enemy would naturally on his arrival at once burn and ruin the country at the time when the spirits of the people are still hot and ready for the defence; and, therefore, so much the less ought the prince to hesitate; because after a time, when spirits have cooled, the damage is already done, the ills are incurred, and there is no longer any remedy; and therefore they are so much the more ready to unite with their prince, he appearing to be under obligations to them now that their houses have been burnt and their possessions ruined in his defence. For it is the nature of men to be bound by the benefits they confer as much as by those they receive. Therefore, if everything is well considered, it will not be difficult for a wise prince to keep the minds of his citizens steadfast from first to last, when he does not fail to support and defend them.
Furthermore, an invading enemy would naturally burn and destroy the countryside as soon as he arrived. At that point, the people are still fired up and ready to defend themselves. The prince should therefore hesitate all the less. By the time their enthusiasm has cooled, the damage is already done. They have suffered the losses, and nothing can be done to undo them. They are therefore all the more ready to stand with their prince. He now seems indebted to them, since their homes and possessions were destroyed in his defense. People are bound to others as much by the benefits they give as by those they receive. So, taking everything into account, a wise prince will not find it difficult to keep his citizens loyal throughout. He must, however, continue to support and defend them.