Machiavelli had advised the prince not to trust anyone but his own ability; Most, however, fully believed in equality between peoples. When ruling a state, Machiavelli advised the prince that he could rule directly or through magistrates. However, the prince is more vulnerable if he chooses the latter because he depends on the magistrates. Machiavelli then further explained in chapter IX that when there are times of trouble, magistrates can dispose of him through actions against him or by disobeying him. If the magistrates rebel, the prince will not be able to assume absolute power, because the people are used to obeying the orders of the magistrates rather than those of the prince. Machiavelli also argued that people will always try to advise people only for their own interests, such as magistrates; for this reason the prince should trust only in his own abilities. Machiavelli stated that the prince has the choice to accept advice from wise magistrates and listen to their opinions, however, they must do so on his own terms where the prince must constantly question them and also draw his own conclusions. The prince should also be wary of flatterers because they might pose a danger to him, for "he [the prince], who does otherwise, is either overthrown by flatterers, or is so often changed by different opinions as to fall into contempt" (The Prince, Chapter XXIII, pp. 1). This