Because we are here concerned with the legitimate authority of a prince, I have not the shadow of a doubt that this question will be hateful to tyrants and evil princes. For they think that whatever they desire is permitted to them. It is not surprising if they can in no way endure the voice of reason and law. But I hope that it will be acceptable at least to good princes, who know that a magistrate – whatever authority he may possess – is nothing other than the living law. Nor indeed if anything be said harshly against tyrants, will it do any damage to good princes, as if it had any relevance to them at all. Tyrants and kings, unjust and just princes, are diametrically opposed. Thus it is so far from being the case that what is said against tyrants should detract in any way /76/ from kings, that on the contrary the more it does detract from the former, the more glory accrues to the latter; nor can the former be denounced without the latter being praised. I am indifferent to whatever the former may feel. I do not write for them, but against them.