Medieval History

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The Prince

by Nicolo Machiavelli

Translated by W. K. Marriott

Nicolo Machiavelli, born at Florence on 3rd May 1469. From 1494 to 1512 held an official post at Florence which included diplomatic missions to various European courts. Imprisoned in Florence, 1512; later exiled and returned to San Casciano. Died at Florence on 22nd June 1527.

Contents

Introduction

Youth
Office
Literature and Death
The Man and His Work

Dedication

Chapter I

How many kinds of principalities there are, and by what means they are acquired

Chapter II

Concerning hereditary principalities

Chapter III

Concerning mixed principalities

Chapter IV

Why the kingdom of Darius, conquered by Alexander, did not rebel against the successors of Alexander at his death

Chapter V

Concerning the way to govern cities or principalities which lived under their own laws before they were annexed

Chapter VI

Concerning new principalities which are acquired by one's own arms and ability

Chapter VII

Concerning new principalities which are acquired either by the arms of others or by good fortune

Chapter VIII

Concerning those who have obtained a principality by wickedness

Chapter IX

Concerning a civil principality

Chapter X

Concerning the way in which the strength of all principalities ought to be measured

Chapter XI

Concerning ecclesiastical principalities

Chapter XII

How many kinds of soldiery there are, and concerning mercenaries

Chapter XIII

Concerning auxiliaries, mixed soldiery, and one's own

Chapter XIV

That which concerns a prince on the subject of the art of war

Chapter XV

Concerning things for which men, and especially princes, are praised or blamed

Chapter XVI

Concerning liberality and meanness

Chapter XVII

Concerning cruelty and clemency, and whether it is better to be loved than feared

Chapter XVIII

Concerning the way in which princes should keep faith

Chapter XIX

That one should avoid being despised and hated

Chapter XX

Are fortresses, and many other things to which princes often resort, advantageous or hurtful?

Chapter XXI

How a prince should conduct himself so as to gain renown

Chapter XXII

Concerning the secretaries of princes

Chapter XXIII

How flatterers should be avoided

Chapter XXIV

Why the princes of Italy have lost their states

Chapter XXV

What fortune can effect in human affairs and how to withstand her

Chapter XXVI

An exhortation to liberate Italy from the Barbarians

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Index of works by Machiavelli

Find out more about Machiavelli in
Who's Who in Medieval History

Index of Electronic Texts

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