hneither prehends by itself nor by the showing of others； the first isthe most excellent； the second is good； the third is useless。 Therefore；it follows necessarily that； if Pandolfo was not in the first rank； hewas in the second； for whenever one has judgment to know good or badwhen it is said and done； although he himself may not have theinitiative； yet he can recognize the good and the bad in his servant；and the one he can praise and the other correct； thus the servant cannothope to deceive him； and is kept honest。But to enable a prince to form an opinion of his servant there is oest which never falls； when you see the servant thinking more of hisown interests than of yours； and seeking inwardly his own profit ineverything； such a man will never make a good servant； nor will you everbe able to trust him； because he who has the state of another in hishands ought never to think of himself； but always of his prince； andnever pay any attention to matters in which the prince is not concerned。On the other to keep his servant honest the prince ought to study him；honouring him； enriching him； doing him kindnesses； sharing with him thehonours and cares； and at the same time let him see that he cannot standalone； so that many honours not make him desire more； many riches makehim wish for more； and that many cares may make him dread changes。 When；therefore； servants； and princes towards servants； are thus disposed；they can trust each other； but when it is otherwise； the end will alwaysbe disastrous for either one or the other。CHAPTER XXIIIHOW FLATTERERS SHOULD BE AVOIDEDI DO NOT wish to leave out an important branch of this subject； for itis a danger from which princes are with difficulty preserved； unlessthey are very careful and discriminating。 It is that of flatterers； o
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