Hence it follows that those things hedoes one day he undoes the next； and no one ever understands what hewishes or intends to do； and no one can rely on his resolutions。A prince； therefore； ought always to take counsel； but only when hewishes and not when others wish； he ought rather to discourage every onefrom offering advice unless he asks it； but； however； he ought to be aconstant inquirer； and afterwards a patient listener concerning thethings of which he inquired； also； on learning that any one； on anyconsideration； has not told him the truth； he should let his anger befelt。And if there are some who think that a prince who conveys an impressionof his wisdom is not so through his own ability； but through the goodadvisers that he has around him； beyond doubt they are deceived； becausethis is an axiom which never fails： that a prince who is not wisehimself will never take good advice； unless by chance he has yielded hisaffairs entirely to one person who happens to be a very prudent man。 Inthis case indeed he may be well governed； but it would not be for long；because such a governor would in a short time take away his state fromhim。But if a prince who is not experienced should take counsel from morethan one he will never get united counsels； nor will he know how tounite them。 Each of the counsellors will think of his own interests； andthe prince will not know how to control them or to see through them。 Andthey are not to be found otherwise； because men will always prove untrueto you unless they are kept honest by constraint。 Therefore it must beinferred that good counsels； whencesoever they e； are born of thewisdom of the prince； and not the wisdom of the prince from goodcounsels。CHAPTER XXIVTHE PRINCES OF ITALY HAVE LOST THEIR STATESTHE previous suggestions； carefull