Religion had to bring a softening effect upon against the violent and bestial character of the early Romans. But for us today, Machiavelli writes, religion has to serve the opposite purpose.

宗教必须带来一种缓和效应，用以针对,早期罗马人的野蛮残忍的性格,但是对于今天的我们来说，马基雅维利写道，宗教不得不为相反的目的服务。

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