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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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