XXXIII. That to insure victory in battle, you must inspire your soldiers with confidence in one another and in you XXXIV. By what reports, rumours, or surmises the Citizens of a Republic are led to favour a fellow-citizen: and whether the Magistracies are bestowed with better judgment by a People or by a Prince XXXV. Of the danger incurred in being the first to recommend new measures; and that the more unusual the measures, the greater the danger XXXVI. Why it has been and still may be affirmed of the Gauls, that at the beginning of a fray they are more than Men, but afterwards less than Women XXXVII. Whether a general engagement should be preceded by skirmishes; and how, avoiding these, we may get knowledge of a new Enemy XXXVIII. Of the Qualities of a Captain in whom his Soldiers can confide XXXIX. That a Captain should have good knowledge of Places XL. That Fraud is fair in War XLI. That our Country is to be defended by Honour or by Dishonour, and in either way is well defended XLII. That Promises made on compulsion are not to be observed XLIII. That Men born in the same Province retain through all times nearly the same character XLIV. That where ordinary methods fail, Hardihood and Daring often succeed XLV. Whether in battle it is better to await and repel the enemy’s attack, or to anticipate it by an impetuous onset XLVI. How the Characteristics of Families come to be perpetuated XLVII. That love of his Country should lead a good Citizen to forget private wrongs XLVIII. That on finding an Enemy make what seems a grave blunder we should suspect some fraud to lurk behind XLIX. That a Commonwealth to preserve its Freedom has constant need of new Ordinances. Of the services in respect of which Quintius Fabius received the surname of Maximus NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI TO ZANOBI BUONDELMONTI AND COSIMO RUCELLAI HEALTH. I send you a gift, which if it answers ill the obligations I owe you, is at any rate the greatest which Niccolò Machiavelli has it in his power to offer. For in it I have expressed whatever I have learned, or have observed for myself during a long experience and constant study of human affairs. And since neither you nor any other can expect more at my hands, you cannot complain if I have not given you more. You may indeed lament the poverty of my wit, since what I have to say is but poorly said; and tax the weakness of my judgment, which on many points may have erred in its conclusions. But granting all this, I know not which of us is less beholden to the other: I to you, who have forced me to write what of myself I never should have written; or you to me, who have written what can give you no content.