The Prince
by Nicolo Machiavelli
Chapter I
How many kinds of principalities there are, and
by what means they are acquired
All states, all powers, that have held and hold rule over
men have been and are either republics or
principalities.
Principalities are either hereditary, in which the family
has been long established; or they are new.
The new are either entirely new, as was Milan to
Francesco Sforza, or they are, as it were, members annexed
to the hereditary state of the prince who has acquired them,
as was the kingdom of Naples to that of the King of
Spain.
Such dominions thus acquired are either accustomed to
live under a prince, or to live in freedom; and are acquired
either by the arms of the prince himself, or of others, or
else by fortune or by ability.
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- The Prince
by Nicolo Machiavelli
Dedication
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