XXIV+-+THE+PRINCES+OF+ITALY+HAVE+LOST+THEIR+STATES

The princes of Italy have sufferd from high egos. They have let the fact that they are princes with riches get in the way of the fact that they have a civic duty.

"Therefore, these princes of ours who have been in there principalities for many years may not accuse fortune when they have lost them afterwords, but their own indolence." (Machiavelli)

A new prince in power will be scrutinized by the public for obvious reasons: the new prince should take his job seriously and avoid the previously stated (in earlier chapters) flatterers. //"For a new prince is observed much more in his actions then a hereditary one; and when they are recognized as virtuous, they take hold of men much in obligated them much more than ancient blood"// (Machiavelli)