The last principality that Machiavelli discusses are ecclesiastical principalities. These principalities, weather acquired by fortune or one’s own capacity, can be held without either. This is because they are sustained by religion. Religion is so all powerful in character that these states will continue to exist no matter how the ruling princes live or behave. In these states, the princes do not defend the states and the people, who are not ruled do no really care and do not alienate themselves from the prince. He says that these states are governed by a higher power which cannot be comprehended by mere human minds. On this note, Machiavelli says that he will not be foolish enough to discuss the nature of such Church states. He however recounts
