History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy: From the Earliest Times to the Death of Lorenzo the Magnificent
Niccolo Machiavelli · en
"And if other cities abound in these disorders, ours is more than any
infected with them; for her laws, statutes, and civil ordinances are
not, nor have they ever been, established for the benefit of men in a
state of freedom, but according to the wish of the faction that has
been uppermost at the time. Hence it follows that, when one party is
expelled, or faction extinguished, another immediately arises; for, in
a city that is governed by parties rather than by laws, as soon as one
becomes dominant and unopposed, it must of necessity soon divide against
itself; for the private methods at first adapted for its defense will
now no longer keep it united. The truth of this, both the ancient and
modern dissensions of our city prove. Everyone thought that when the
Ghibellines were destroyed, the Guelphs would long continue happy and
honored; yet after a short time they divided into the Bianchi and Neri,
the black faction and the white. When the Bianchi were overcome, the
city was not long free from factions; for either, in favor of the
emigrants, or on account of the animosity between the nobility and the
people, we were still constantly at war. And as if resolved to give up
to others, what in mutual harmony we either would not or were unable
to retain, we confided the care of our precious liberty first to King
Robert, then to his brother, next to his son, and at last to the duke of
Athens. Still we have never in any condition found repose, but seem
like men who can neither agree to live in freedom nor be content
with slavery. Nor did we hesitate (so greatly does the nature of our
ordinances dispose us to division), while yet under allegiance to the
king, to substitute for his majesty, one of the vilest of men born at
Agobbio.