And the first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his understanding, is by observing the men he has around him; and when they are capable and faithful he may always be considered wise, because he has known how to recognize the capable and to keep them faithful.
A fejedelem eszes voltát elsősorban az dicséri, kik vannak körülötte; és ha ezek alkalmasak és hűségesek, mindig bölcsnek tarthatjuk a fejedelmet, hiszen ki tudta ismerni őket és meg tudta tartani hűségüket.