# CHAPTER 4 — A Prince Cannot Live in Safety in a Principality While Those Whom He Deprived of It Are Still Alive

The death of Tarquinius Priscus, caused by the sons of Ancus, and the death of Servius Tullius, caused by Tarquinius Superbus, show how difficult and dangerous it is to deprive a man of a kingdom and to allow him to live, even though the new man may seek to win him over with some reward. * It is evident that Tarquinius Priscus was deceived into believing that he possessed that kingdom lawfully, since it had been given to him by the people and confirmed by the senate, nor did he believe that the indignation of the sons of Ancus was so strong that they would not be satisfied with what had satisfied all of Rome; and Servius Tullius was deceived in believing that he could win over the sons of Tarquinius with new rewards. Accordingly, with respect to the first example, every prince should be warned that he will never live in security in his principality as long as those whom he deprived of it are alive. With respect to the second example, every powerful man should be reminded that old injuries are never cancelled by new benefits, and this is even less likely when the new benefit is less important than the old injury. Undoubtedly, Servius Tullius was imprudent to believe that the sons of Tarquinius would be willing to remain the sons-in-law of one over whom they thought they should be king. This thirst to rule is so great that not only does it enter the hearts of those who have the right to rule but also the hearts of those who have no such right, as it did in the case of the wife of the young Tarquinius, the daughter of Servius, who, moved by this rage, against all paternal piety roused her husband against her father to take from him both his life and his kingdom, so much more did she value being a queen than the daughter of a king. If, therefore, Tarquinius Priscus and Servius Tullius lost their kingdom by not knowing how to secure themselves against those from whom they had usurped it, Tarquinius Superbus lost his for not observing the practices of the ancient kings, as will be demonstrated in the following chapter.