I will bring thisdiscourse to a conclusion by saying that princes in our times have thisdifficulty of giving inordinate satisfaction to their soldiers in a farless degree； because； notwithstanding one has to give them someindulgence； that is soon done； none of these princes have armies thatare veterans in the governance and administration of provinces； as werethe armies of the Roman Empire； and whereas it was then more necessaryto give satisfaction to the soldiers than to the people； it is now morenecessary to all princes； except the Turk and the Soldan； to satisfy thepeople rather than the soldiers； because the people are the morepowerful。From the above I have excepted the Turk； who always keeps round himtwelve infantry and fifteen thousand cavalry on which depend thesecurity and strength of the kingdom； and it is necessary that； puttingaside every consideration for the people； he should keep them hisfriends。 The kingdom of the Soldan is similar； being entirely in thehands of soldiers； follows again that； without regard to the people； hemust keep them his friends。 But you must note that the state of theSoldan is unlike all other principalities； for the reason that it islike the Christian pontificate； which cannot be called either anhereditary or a newly formed principality； because the sons of the oldprince not the heirs； but he who is elected to that position by thosewho have authority； and the sons remain only noblemen。 And this being anancient custom； it cannot be called a new principality； because thereare none of those difficulties in it that are met with in new ones； foralthough the prince is new； the constitution of the state is old； and itis framed so as to receive him as if he were its hereditary lord。But returning to the subject of our discourse； I say that w