Prince - (rev edition

Machiavelli, Niccolo :

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a Florentine statesman who was later forced out of public life. He then devoted himself to studying and writing political philosophy, history, fiction, and drama.

Bull, George (Translator) :

George Bull, author and journalist, has translated six volumes for Penguin Classics.

Rejecting the traditional values of political theory, Machiavelli drew upon his own experiences of office in the turbulent Florentine republic to write his celebrated treatise on statecraft. While Machiavelli was only one of the many Florentine "prophets of force," he differed from the ruling elite in recognizing the complexity and fluidity of political life.

Seventeenth Chapter: Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved Than Feared

...Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with. Because this is to be asserted in general of men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you succeed, they are yours entirely; they will offer you their blood, property, life, and children, as is said above, when the need is far distant; but when it approaches they turn against you. And that prince, who, relying entirely on their promises, has neglected other precautions, is ruined; because friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by greatness or by nobility of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured, and in time of need cannot be relied upon; and men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails....

Twenty-First Chapter: How a Prince Should Conduct Himself So as to Gain Renown

...A prince is also respected when he is either a true friend or a downright enemy, that is to say, when, without any reservation, he declares himself in favour of one party against the other; which course will always be more advantageous than standing neutral; because if two of your powerful neighbours come to blows, they are of such a character that, if one of them conquers, you have either to fear him or not. In either case it will always be more advantageous for you to declare yourself and to make war strenously; because, in the first case, if you do not declare yourself, you will invariably fall a prey to the conqueror, to the pleasure and satisfaction of his who has been conquered, and you will have no reasons to offer, nor anything to protect or to shelter you. Because he who conquers does not want doubtful friends who will not aid him in the time of trial; and he who loses will not harbour you because you did not willingly, sword in hand, court his fate....

Chronology
Map
Introduction
Translator's Note
Selected Books
Machiavelli's Principal Works
Letter to the Magnificent Lorenzo de Medici
I How many kinds of principality there are and the ways in which they are acquired
II Hereditary principalities
III Composite principalities
IV Why the kingdom of Darius conquered by Alexander did not rebel against his successors after his death
V How cities or principalities which lived under their own laws should be administered after being conquered
VI New principalities acquired by one's own arms and prowess
VII New principalities acquired with the help of fortune and foreign arms
VIII Those who come to power by crime
IX The constitutional principality
X How the strength of every principality should be measured
XI Ecclesiastical principalities
XII Military organization and mercenary troops
XIII Auxiliary, composite, and native troops
XIV How a prince should organize his militia
XV The things for which men, and especially princes, are praised or blamed
XVI Generosity and parsimony
XVII Cruelty and compassion; and whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse
XVIII How princes should honour their word
XIX The need to avoid contempt and hatred
XX Whether fortresses and many of the other present-day expedients to which princes have recourse are useful or not
XXI How a prince must act to win honour
XXII A prince's personal staff
XXIII How flatterers must be shunned
XXIV Why the Italian princes have lost their states
XXV How far human affairs are governed by fortune, and how fortune can be opposed
XXVI Exhortation to liberate Italy from the barbarians
Glossary of Proper Names
Notes