It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him.
Contennendo lo fa esser tenuto vario, leggieri, effeminato, pusillanime, irresoluto: da che uno principe si debbe guardare come da uno scoglio, et ingegnarsi che nelle azioni sua si riconosca grandezza, animosità, gravità, fortezza, e, circa maneggi privati de' sudditi, volere che la sua sentenzia sia irrevocabile; e si mantenga in tale opinione, che alcuno non pensi né a ingannarlo né ad aggirarlo.