Liber III, Pars II — Quod maxime rex cavere debet ne efficiatur tyrannus: eoq uod pluribus modis corrumpatur tyrannis quam regius principatus. Cap. XIIII.

Liber III, Pars II — Quod maxime rex cavere debet ne efficiatur tyrannus: eoq uod pluribus modis corrumpatur tyrannis quam regius principatus. Cap. XIIII.

Although in many previous chapters we have urged kings and princes not to be tyrants, but to govern their people rightly, we still want to present additional reasons in this chapter, showing that if kings wish to maintain their rule, they must diligently strive not to become tyrants, since tyranny and a perverse rule are corrupted in more ways than a just and royal rule. The Philosopher narrates this. In the Politics, three modes of the corruption of tyranny are described, stating that tyranny is corrupted by itself, by another tyranny, and by the kingdom. For tyranny is corrupted by itself. For, as was said above, evil corrupts itself, and if it is whole, it is unbearable. Therefore, tyranny is corrupted because of the perversions and evils that are gathered within it, and it cannot endure. That is why it is said in the Politics. For tyranny, the more intense it is, the less it endures; for justice is the foundation of civility. Therefore, when justice is set aside, a path is prepared for that principality to be corrupted. Thus, the more a political system deviates from justice, the more easily it can be corrupted. Therefore, kings and princes must take great care not to deviate from justice, lest they be turned into tyrants; and if they happen to tyrannize in some way, they must moderate their tyranny as best they can, because the more lenient they are, the more enduring their tyranny will become. Secondly, tyranny is corrupted by another opposing tyranny. For although good does not oppose good, since it is one in nature, evil can oppose evil, because it exists in multiplicity; for it happens that one may strike a blow at a sign, which is why there is no diversity or opposition in this case; but it can happen in many ways to deviate from it, so that in deviations there can be opposition, as if much opposes little, a projection beyond a sign opposes a projection around it, and a projection to the right opposes a projection to the left. Thus also in intention, a just principality does not oppose a just principality; but a perverse one opposes another perverse one. One tyranny can oppose another and corrupt it; as the tyranny of the people opposes the tyranny of the monarchy, and one tyrannical monarchy opposes another. For when a monarch or any single prince tyrannizes over the people, that oppressed people, unable to endure the tyranny of the prince, rises up and tyrannizes against him, either killing him or expelling him. Thus, the whole people becomes like one tyrant against the prince, and the tyranny of the people corrupts the tyranny of the monarchy. In the same way, one tyrannical monarchy corrupts another, because many times one tyrant monarch rises against another to seize his principality. Therefore, kings and princes should take great care not to become tyrants, since the tyrannical principality can dissolve in many ways. Thirdly, tyranny dissolves not only because of itself or because of another tyranny, but also because of the kingdom. For not only does evil oppose evil, but good also opposes evil: for a tyrant does not only resist another tyrant, but also a true king (if he sees it expedient) opposes the tyrant. Thus, a tyrant is opposed by so many discriminations, and his principality has so many ways to be dissolved. However, royal dominion is not exposed to so many dangers, nor does it have so many ways to be dissolved. For although a tyrant strives with all his might to oppress a true king, no true king, however, opposes a true king: for no good and virtuous person pursues other good and virtuous people, but saves and promotes them as much as he can; for in the very act of opposing good and virtuous people, one would cease to be good and virtuous. Therefore, it is fitting for the royal majesty to take great care to avoid tyranny, so that it is not exposed to the dangers mentioned.