Unabridged version of THE PRINCE, by Niccolo Machiavelli and translated by N. H. Thomson, offered here for chump change.
From 1513, THE PRINCE is divided into chapters covering ruling power, be it in the office or across continents. Topics include power forms (mixed, heredity), power acquisition (with help, through criminal acts), and power aspects (bearing, flatters, secretaries).
Read it. Learn from it. Use it.
Contents
DEDICATION 3
CHAPTER I: OF THE VARIOUS KINDS OF PRINCEDOM, AND OF THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY ARE ACQUIRED 3
CHAPTER II: OF HEREDITARY PRINCEDOMS 3
CHAPTER III: OF MIXED PRINCEDOMS 4
CHAPTER IV: WHY THE KINGDOM OF DARIUS, CONQUERED BY ALEXANDER, DID NOT, ON ALEXANDER'S DEATH, REBEL AGAINST HIS SUCCESSORS 7
CHAPTER V: HOW CITIES OR PROVINCES WHICH BEFORE THEIR ACQUISITION HAVE LIVED UNDER THEIR OWN LAWS ARE TO BE GOVERNED 8
CHAPTER VI: OF NEW PRINCEDOMS WHICH A PRINCE ACQUIRES WITH HIS OWN ARMS AND BY MERIT 9
CHAPTER VII: OF NEW PRINCEDOMS ACQUIRED BY THE AID OF OTHERS AND BY GOOD FORTUNE 11
CHAPTER VIII: OF THOSE WHO BY THEIR CRIMES COME TO BE PRINCES 14
CHAPTER IX: OF THE CIVIL PRINCEDOM 16
CHAPTER X: HOW THE STRENGTH OF ALL PRINCEDOMS SHOULD BE MEASURED 17
CHAPTER XI: OF ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCEDOMS 18
CHAPTER XII: HOW MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF SOLDIERS THERE ARE, AND OF MERCENARIES 19
CHAPTER XIII: OF AUXILIARY, MIXED, AND NATIONAL ARMS 21
CHAPTER XIV: OF THE DUTY OF A PRINCE IN RESPECT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS 23
CHAPTER XV: OF THE QUALITIES IN RESPECT OF WHICH MEN, AND MOST OF ALL PRINCES, ARE PRAISED OR BLAMED 24
CHAPTER XVI: OF LIBERALITY AND MISERLINESS 25
CHAPTER XVII: OF CRUELTY AND CLEMENCY, AND WHETHER IT IS BETTER TO BE LOVED OR FEARED 26
CHAPTER XVIII: HOW PRINCES SHOULD KEEP FAITH 27
CHAPTER XIX: THAT A PRINCE SHOULD SEEK TO ESCAPE CONTEMPT AND HATRED 28
CHAPTER XX: WHETHER FORTRESSES, AND CERTAIN OTHER EXPEDIENTS TO WHICH PRINCES OFTEN HAVE RECOURSE, ARE PROFITABLE OR HURTFUL 33
CHAPTER XXI: HOW A PRINCE SHOULD BEAR HIMSELF SO AS TO ACQUIRE REPUTATION 35
CHAPTER XXII: OF THE SECRETARIES OF PRINCES 36
CHAPTER XXIII: THAT FLATTERERS SHOULD BE SHUNNED 37
CHAPTER XXIV: WHY THE PRINCES OF ITALY HAVE LOST THEIR STATES 38
CHAPTER XXV: WHAT FORTUNE CAN EFFECT IN HUMAN AFFAIRS, AND HOW SHE MAY BE WITHSTOOD 38
CHAPTER XXVI: AN EXHORTATION TO LIBERATE ITALY FROM THE BARBARIANS 40
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian philosopher, writer, and politician. He was born in Florence, Italy, and lived during the height of the Italian Renaissance. Machiavelli is best known for his political treatise, "The Prince," which was published five years after his death. Machiavelli's political philosophy was grounded in the belief that a strong and effective government was essential for the survival and prosperity of a state. He believed that leaders should be willing to use any means necessary to maintain their power and ensure the stability of their government, including deception, manipulation, and violence. Between 1498 until 1512, when the Medici were no longer in charge, he served as secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence. Despite his controversial ideas, Machiavelli's works had a significant impact on political thought and philosophy. He is often regarded as one of the founders of modern political science, and his ideas have influenced the thinking of many political leaders and thinkers throughout history. Today, Machiavelli's legacy continues to be debated, with some viewing him as a ruthless advocate of political expediency, while others see him as a champion of effective governance and strong leadership.
