LI. What we have written in this discourse, if we attend precisely
to the present state of Spain, can produce no other benefit to him
who reads it, but that of an honest amusement; or at most, can only
furnish the people here with a knowledge of some moral truths, the
effects of which do not reach them, nor have they any experience of the
consequences resulting from them; for neither the royal children of
this day, who for the good of this kingdom proceed to grow and increase
in virtue, nor those who are appointed to instruct them, stand in need
of my advice; but rather, my theory is marked out by their steps,
and copied from their practice. Besides, it is the general condition
of all cautions and admonitions which are written to warn Princes,
that they are only printed when they are not necessary. Nobody writes
against tyranny, when a tyrant is seated on the throne; nobody against
ambition, while an ambitious Prince reigns; nobody against avarice,
while a covetous prince sways the sceptre. All maxims that issue from
the press, which are opposite to the existing mode of ruling, are
reputed satires upon government, so that the author by publishing them
incurs the indignation of the Prince, and fails to benefit the public.
His work is suppressed as offensive, and by that means his labour is
totally lost, because the fruits of it can never be enjoyed, neither
then, nor in any future time.
LII. From hence it follows, that the most opportune time to exhibit to
the world treatises upon just and right policy, is that in which such
policy is practised. It is then you should sow, for then you have a
favourable prospect, that the seed will produce a good crop hereafter;
and even then you may enjoy the produce in part; for the reigning
Prince being confirmed that the road he pursues is right, is fortified
in his good purposes. To him such doctrine serves as a cordial, and to
future ages it acts as a preservative.