The Prince

by Niccolo Machiavelli

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The Prince (1532) is Machiavelli's best known work founding modern political theory. Translated by W.K. Marriott. The term machiavellianism means "the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct."

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.

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Table of Contents

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 - Containing the Secretaries of Princes

Chapter XXIII - How Flatterrs Should Be Avoided

Chapter XXIV - Why the Princes of Italy Have Lost Their State

Chapter XXV - What Fortune Can Effect in Human Affairs and How to Withstand Her

Chapter XXVI - An Exhortation to Liberate italy from the Barbarians

Description of the Methods Adopted by the Duke Valentino When Murdering Vitellozzo Vitelli...

The Life of Castruccio Castracani of Lucca

Return to the Niccolo Machiavelli library.