d the fortune ofhim who has elevated them …… two most inconstant and unstable things。Neither have they the knowledge requisite for the position； because；unless they are men of great worth and ability； it is not reasonable toexpect that they should know how to mand； having always lived in aprivate condition； besides； they cannot hold it because they have notforces which they can keep friendly and faithful。States that rise unexpectedly； then； like all other things in naturewhich are born and grow rapidly； cannot have their foundations andrelations with other states fixed in such a way that the first stormwill not overthrow them； unless； as is said； those who unexpectedlybee princes are men of so much ability that they know they have to beprepared at once to hold that which fortune has thrown into their laps；and that those foundations； which others have laid before they becameprinces； they must lay afterwards。Concerning these two methods of rising to be a prince by ability orfortune； I wish to adduce two examples within our own recollection； andthese are Francesco Sforza and Cesare Borgia。 Francesco； by proper meansand with great ability； from being a private person rose to be Duke ofMilan； and that which he had acquired with a thousand anxieties he keptwith little trouble。 On the other hand； Cesare Borgia； called by thepeople Duke Valentino； acquired his state during the ascendancy of hisfather； and on its decline he lost it； notwithstanding that he had takenevery measure and done all that ought to be done by a wise and able manto fix firmly his roots in the states which the arms and fortunes ofothers had bestowed on him。Because； as is stated above； he who has not first laid his foundationsmay be able with great ability to lay them afterwards； but they will belaid wit
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