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people in faith to God。 All this is not found in the temporal
power； for it may do and leave undone what it will； my faith to
God still goes its way and works its works； because I need not
believe what it believes。
Therefore； also； the temporal power is a very small thing in
God's sight； and far too slightly regarded by Him； that for its
sake； whether it do right or wrong； we should resist； become
disobedient and quarrel。 On the other hand； the spiritual power
is an exceeding great blessing； and far too precious in His eyes；
that the very least of Christians should endure and keep silent；
if it departs a hair's breadth from its own duty； not to say when
it does the very opposite of its duty； as we now see it do every
day。
XIV。 In this power also there is much abuse。 First； when it
follows the flatterers； which is a common and especially harmful
plague of this power； against which no one can sufficiently guard
and protect himself。 Here it is led by the nose； and oppresses
the common people； becomes a government of the like of which a
heathen says： 〃The spider…webs catch the small flies； but the
mill…stones roll through。〃 So the laws； ordinances and government
of one and the same authority hold the small men； and the great
are free； and where the prince is not himself so wise that he
needs nobody's advice； or has such a standing that they fear him；
there will and must be （unless God should do a special wonder）
a childish government。
For this reason God has considered evil； unfit rulers the
greatest of plagues； as He threatens； Isaiah iii； 〃I will take
away from them every man of valor； and will give children to be
their princes and babes to rule over them。〃 Four plagues God has
named in Scripture； Ezekiel xiv。 The first and slightest； which
also David chose； is pestilence； the second is famine； the third
is war； the fourth is all manner of evil beasts； such as lions；
wolves； serpents； dragons； these are the wicked rulers。 For where
these are； the land is destroyed； not only in body and property；
as in the others； but also in honor； discipline； virtue and the
soul's salvation。 For pestilence and famine make people good and
rich； but war and wicked rulers bring to naught everything that
has to do with temporal and eternal possessions。
XV。 A prince must also be very wise and not at all times
undertake to enforce his own will； although he may have the
authority and the very best cause。 For it is a far nobler virtue
to endure wrong to one's authority than to risk property and
person； if it is advantageous to the subjects； since worldly
rights attach only to temporal goods。
Hence； it is a very foolish saying： I have a right to it；
therefore I will take it by storm and keep it； although all sorts
of misfortune may come to others thereby。 So we read of the
Emperor Octavianus； that he did not wish to make war； however
just his cause might be； unless there were sure indications of
greater benefit than harm； or at least that the harm would not
be intolerable； and said： 〃 War is like fishing with a golden
net； the loss risked is always greater than the catch can be。〃
For he who guides a wagon must walk far otherwise than if he were
walking alone； when alone he may walk； jump； and do as he will；
but when he drives； he must so guide and adapt himself that the
wagon and horses can follow him； and regard that more than his
own will。 So also a prince leads a multitude with him and must
not walk and act as he wills； but as the multitude can；
considering their need and advantage more than his will and
pleasure。 For when a prince rules after his own mad will and
follows his own opinion； he is like a mad driver； who rushes
straight ahead with horse and wagon； through bushes； thorns；
ditches； water； up hill and down dale； regardless of roads and
bridges； he will not drive long； all will go to smash。
Therefore it would be most profitable for rulers； that they read；
or have read to them； from youth on； the histories； both in
sacred and in profane books； in which they would find more
examples and skill in ruling than in all the books of law； as we
read that the kings of Persia did； Esther vi。 For examples and
histories benefit and teach more than the laws and statutes：
there actual experience teaches； here untried and uncertain
words。
XVI。 Three special； distinct works all rulers might do in our
times； particularly in our lands。 First； to make an end of the
horrible gluttony and drunkenness； not only because of the
excess； but also because of its expense。 For through seasonings
and spices and the like； without which men could well live； no
little loss of temporal wealth has come and daily is coming upon
our lands。 To prevent these two great evils would truly give the
temporal power enough to do； for the inroads they have made are
wide and deep。 And how could those in power serve God better and
thereby also improve their own land？
Secondly； to forbid the excessive cost of clothing； whereby so
much wealth is wasted； and yet only the world and the flesh are
served； it is fearful to think that such abuse is to be found
among the people who have been pledged； baptised and consecrated
to Christ； the Crucified； and who should bear the Cross after Him
and prepare for the life to come by dying daily。 If some men
erred through ignorance； it might be borne； but that it is
practised so freely； without punishment； without shame； without
hindrance； nay； that praise and fame are sought thereby； this is
indeed an unchristian thing。 Thirdly； to drive out the usurious
buying of rent…charges； which in the whole world ruins； consumes
and troubles all lands； peoples and cities through its cunning
form； by which it appears not to be usury； while in truth it is
worse than usury； because men are not on their guard against it
as against open usury。 See； these are the three Jews； as men say；
who suck the whole world dry。 Here princes ought not to sleep；
nor be lazy； if they would give a good account of their office
to God。
XVII。 Here too ought to be mentioned the knavery which is
practised by officiales and other episcopal and spiritual
officers； who ban； load； hunt and drive the poor people with
great burdens； as long as a penny remains。 This ought to be
prevented by the temporal sword； since there is no other help or
remedy。
O； would God in heaven； that some time a government might be
established that would do away with the public bawdy…houses； as
was done among the people of Israel！ It is indeed an unchristian
sight； that public houses of sin are maintained among Christians；
a thing formerly altogether unheard of。 It should be a rule that
boys and girls should be married early and such vice be
prevented。 Such a rule and custom ought to be sought for by both
the spiritual and the temporal power。 If it was possible among
the Jews； why should it not also be possible among Christians？
Nay； if i