The Prince, and Other Pieces

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 edition. Excerpt: ...as well as he, reproached Castruccio one day by the luxury and extravagance of his table. If that were a sin, replied Castruccio, there would not be so. much feasting upon holy days. Passing, one day, through a street where there lodged certain women of but indifferent reputation, and seeing a young man come from them who blushed, and was in mighty confusion that Castruccio had seen him: Friend, says Castruccio, you should not be ashamed when you come out, but when you go in. He was always of an opinion that a conqueror ought not to give too much liberty to his new subjects, which, upon a time, he explained very U subtilely to some who understood him. Having a knot given him that was very fast tied, he was desired to undo it, and having tried a good while to no purpose: My friend, said he aloud, if a thing that is tied can give me so much trouble, I shall be much worse when once it is loosed. He was often troubled with the assiduities of a person who pretended to be a philosopher, and was always molesting his entertainments with his admonitions and morals. Castruccio, weary of his insolence at his table, told him, You philosophers are like dogs, you never go anywhere but where you may have something to bite. The philosopher replied: No, sir, we are more like physicians, and go only to those who have extraordinary need of us. Passing, one day, from Pisa to Leghorn by water, a great tempest arose on a sudden, and put Castruccio into some apprehension, which one of the company observed, and told him, by way of reproach, that he wondered such a man as Castruccio should be frightened, when he found no such passion in himself. Castruccio replied: You have no reason, sir, to be afraid, for every man values his life according to its...