Key Arguments

• He calls national troops the 'true foundation' of the attempt, as braver, truer, and more faithful.
• He argues that while each individual is good, collectively they become better when commanded and honored by their own prince.
• This aligns with his broader critique of mercenaries and auxiliaries and the need for self-reliant arms.

Source Quotes

To this testify, first Taro, then Alessandria, Capua, Genoa, Vaila, Bologna, Mestri. If then your illustrious House should seek to follow the example of those great men who have delivered their country in past ages, it is before all things necessary, as the true foundation of every such attempt, to be provided with national troops, since you can have no braver, truer, or more faithful soldiers; and although every single man of them be good, collectively they will be better, seeing themselves commanded by their own Prince, and honoured and esteemed by him. That you may be able, therefore, to defend yourself against the foreigner with Italian valour, the first step is to provide yourself with an army such as this.

If then your illustrious House should seek to follow the example of those great men who have delivered their country in past ages, it is before all things necessary, as the true foundation of every such attempt, to be provided with national troops, since you can have no braver, truer, or more faithful soldiers; and although every single man of them be good, collectively they will be better, seeing themselves commanded by their own Prince, and honoured and esteemed by him. That you may be able, therefore, to defend yourself against the foreigner with Italian valour, the first step is to provide yourself with an army such as this. And although the Swiss and the Spanish infantry are each esteemed formidable, there are yet defects in both, by reason of which troops trained on a different system might not merely withstand them, but be certain of defeating them.

Key Concepts

• it is before all things necessary, as the true foundation of every such attempt, to be provided with national troops
• you can have no braver, truer, or more faithful soldiers; and although every single man of them be good, collectively they will be better, seeing themselves commanded by their own Prince, and honoured and esteemed by him
• the first step is to provide yourself with an army such as this

Context

Chapter 26; prescriptive military foundation for the liberation project (continuity with earlier chapters on arms).