not believe that it can be accepted as a precept forto…day； because I do not believe that factions can ever be of use；rather it is certain that when the enemy es upon you in dividedcities you are quickly lost； because the weakest party will alwaysassist the outside forces and the other will not be able to resist。 TheVeians； moved； as I believe； by the above reasons； fostered theGuelph and Ghibelline factions in their tributary cities； and althoughthey never allowed them to e to bloodshed； yet they nursed thesedisputes amongst them； so that the citizens； distracted by theirdifferences； should not unite against them。 Which； as we saw； did notafterwards turn out as expected； because； after the rout at Vaila； oneparty at once took courage and seized the state。 Such methods argue；therefore； weakness in the prince； because these factions will never bepermitted in a vigorous principality； such methods for enabling one themore easily to manage subjects are only useful in times of peace； but ifwar es this policy proves fallacious。4。 Without doubt princes bee great when they overe thedifficulties and obstacles by which they are confronted； and thereforefortune； especially when she desires to make a new prince great； who hasa greater necessity to earn renown than an hereditary one； causesenemies to arise and form designs against him； in order that he may havethe opportunity of overing them； and by them to mount higher； as by aladder which his enemies have raised。 For this reason many consider thata wise prince； when he has the opportunity； ought with craft to fostersome animosity against himself； so that； having crushed it； his renownmay rise higher。5。 Princes； especially new ones； have found more fidelity and assistancein those men who in the beginning of their rule were distrus