The Prince

181 Pages

Political ethics
Political science
State, The

Summary

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli is a seminal work in political theory and realpolitik. It is written in the form of a practical guide for new princes and rulers. The book is famous for its raw display of political power and the pragmatic, often ruthless tactics Machiavelli advises leaders to adopt. The themes revolve around power dynamics, statecraft, and the qualities of effective leadership.

Famous Quotes

The ends justify the means. - Niccolò Machiavelli

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. - Niccolò Machiavelli

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command. - Niccolò Machiavelli

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. - Niccolò Machiavelli

Chapters

Chapter 1 →

Chapter 2 - INTRODUCTION →

Chapter 3 - YOUTH — Æt. 1-25—1469-94 →

Chapter 4 - OFFICE — Æt. 25-43—1494-1512 →

Chapter 5 - LITERATURE AND DEATH — Æt. 43-58—1512-27 →

Chapter 6 - THE MAN AND HIS WORKS →

Chapter 7 - DEDICATION →

Chapter 8 - HOW MANY KINDS OF PRINCIPALITIES THERE ARE, AND BY WHAT MEANS THEY ARE ACQUIRED →

Chapter 9 - CONCERNING HEREDITARY PRINCIPALITIES →

Chapter 10 - CONCERNING MIXED PRINCIPALITIES →

Chapter 11 - WHY THE KINGDOM OF DARIUS, CONQUERED BY ALEXANDER, DID NOT REBEL AGAINST THE SUCCESSORS OF ALEXANDER AT HIS DEATH →

Chapter 12 - CONCERNING THE WAY TO GOVERN CITIES OR PRINCIPALITIES WHICH LIVED UNDER THEIR OWN LAWS BEFORE THEY WERE ANNEXED →

Chapter 13 - CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE ACQUIRED BY ONE’S OWN ARMS AND ABILITY →

Chapter 14 - CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE ACQUIRED EITHER BY THE ARMS OF OTHERS OR BY GOOD FORTUNE →

Chapter 15 - CONCERNING THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED A PRINCIPALITY BY WICKEDNESS →

Chapter 16 - CONCERNING A CIVIL PRINCIPALITY →

Chapter 17 - CONCERNING THE WAY IN WHICH THE STRENGTH OF ALL PRINCIPALITIES OUGHT TO BE MEASURED →

Chapter 18 - CONCERNING ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITIES →

Chapter 19 - HOW MANY KINDS OF SOLDIERY THERE ARE, AND CONCERNING MERCENARIES →

Chapter 20 - CONCERNING AUXILIARIES, MIXED SOLDIERY, AND ONE’S OWN →

Chapter 21 - THAT WHICH CONCERNS A PRINCE ON THE SUBJECT OF THE ART OF WAR →

Chapter 22 - CONCERNING THINGS FOR WHICH MEN, AND ESPECIALLY PRINCES, ARE PRAISED OR BLAMED →

Chapter 23 - CONCERNING LIBERALITY AND MEANNESS →

Chapter 24 - CONCERNING CRUELTY AND CLEMENCY, AND WHETHER IT IS BETTER TO BE LOVED THAN FEARED →

Chapter 25 - CONCERNING THE WAY IN WHICH PRINCES SHOULD KEEP FAITH →

Chapter 26 - THAT ONE SHOULD AVOID BEING DESPISED AND HATED →

Chapter 27 - ARE FORTRESSES, AND MANY OTHER THINGS TO WHICH PRINCES OFTEN RESORT, ADVANTAGEOUS OR HURTFUL? →

Chapter 28 - HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN →

Chapter 29 - CONCERNING THE SECRETARIES OF PRINCES →

Chapter 30 - HOW FLATTERERS SHOULD BE AVOIDED →

Chapter 31 - WHY THE PRINCES OF ITALY HAVE LOST THEIR STATES →

Chapter 32 - WHAT FORTUNE CAN EFFECT IN HUMAN AFFAIRS AND HOW TO WITHSTAND HER →

Chapter 33 - AN EXHORTATION TO LIBERATE ITALY FROM THE BARBARIANS →

Chapter 34 - VALENTINO WHEN MURDERING VITELLOZZO VITELLI, OLIVEROTTO DA FERMO, THE SIGNOR PAGOLO, AND THE DUKE DI GRAVINA ORSINI →

Chapter 35 - THE LIFE OF CASTRUCCIO CASTRACANI OF LUCCA →