# X: Concerning the Way in Which the Strength of All Principalities Ought to Be Measured explained — The Prince > Chapter companion for The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. ## What happens Machiavelli distinguishes between princes who can defend themselves with their own resources and those who must rely on others. He advises the latter to fortify their towns and manage subjects wisely to deter attack, using the example of free German cities. He argues that a strong, fortified city and a prince who avoids hatred can withstand sieges, as subjects will remain loyal if the prince inspires hope, fear, and unity, especially after enemy destruction. ## Themes in this chapter ### Military Strength and Self-Reliance The chapter focuses on a prince's ability to defend himself with his own resources, either through a field army or fortified towns. ### The Importance of Public Perception Machiavelli emphasizes that a prince must avoid being hated and manage subjects' hopes and fears to maintain loyalty during a siege. ### Human Nature and Its Exploitation The prince exploits human nature by binding subjects through benefits conferred, as men are motivated by both gratitude and self-interest. ## Character check-ins ### The Prince The central figure addressed, who must assess his own strength and decide whether to rely on fortifications and popular support. ## Key lines > I consider those who are able to support themselves by their own resources who can, either by abundance of men or money, raise a sufficient army to join battle against anyone who comes to attack them A self-sufficient prince can muster enough soldiers and funds to fight any attacker in open battle. _Defines the first category of princely power._ > The cities of Germany are absolutely free, they own but little country around them, and they yield obedience to the emperor when it suits them, nor do they fear this or any other power they may have near them, because they are fortified in such a way that every one thinks the taking of them by assault would be tedious and difficult German free cities, though small, are so well fortified that no power dares attack them easily. _Example of successful fortification and independence._ > For it is the nature of men to be bound by the benefits they confer as much as by those they receive. People feel obligated by the favors they do for others just as much as by favors they receive. _Key insight into human psychology used to justify prince's strategy._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/x-concerning-the-way-in-which-the-strength-of-all-principalities-ought-to-be-measured - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se/chapters