to
another and dissimilar kind, and I maintain that in such cases, so far
as erroneous judgments or corrupt motives are concerned, a people will
always commit fewer mistakes than a prince.

But since a people may happen to be deceived as regards the character,
reputation, and actions of a man, thinking them better or greater than
in truth they are, an error a prince is less likely to fall into from
his being informed and warned by his advisers, in order that the people
may not lack similar advice, wise founders of republics have provided,
that when the highest dignities of the State, to which it would be
dangerous to appoint incapable men, have to be filled up, and it appears
that some incapable man is the object of the popular choice, it shall be
lawful and accounted honourable for any citizen to declare in the public
assemblies the defects of the favoured candidate, that the people, being
made acquainted therewith, may be better able to judge of his fitness.
That this was the practice in Rome we have proof in the speech made by
Fabius Maximus to the people during the second Punic war, when in the
appointment of consuls public favour leaned towards Titus Ottacilius.
For Fabius judging him unequal to the duties of the consulship at such
a crisis, spoke against him and pointed out his insufficiency, and so
prevented his appointment, turning the popular favour towards another
who deserved it more.

In the choice of its magistrates, therefore, a people judges of those
among whom it has to choose, in accordance with the surest indications
it can get; and when it can be advised as princes are, makes fewer
mistakes than they. But the citizen who would make a beginning by
gaining the good-will of the people, must, to obtain it, perform, like
Titus Manlius, some noteworthy action.

CHAPTER XXXV.--_Of the Danger incurred in being the first to recommend
new Measures; and that the more unusual the Measures the greater the
Danger_.

How perilous a thing it is to put one's self at the head of changes
whereby many are affected, how difficult to guide and bring them to
perfection, and when perfected to maintain them, were too wide and
arduous a subject to be treated here. Wherefore I reserve it for a
fitter occasion, and shall now speak only of those dangers which are
incurred by the citizens of a republic or by the counsellors of a prince
in being the first to promote some grave and important measure in such
manner that the