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The Prince

By Niccolo Machiavelli

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As one of Machiavelli’s most controversial achievements, The Prince served as a political treatise on the manner in which great men obtain and maintain political power. The controversy in this book comes from Machiavelli’s no-holds-barred explanations and exemplification of both the correct and incorrect ways to rule. He explains very plainly why certain princes failed, and why others were excellent at leading their soldiers in battle and ruling the people that they conquered. This discourse was – and to some extent – still is one of the defining works on the different types of principalities, the proper conduct of military leaders, and the model behavior of rulers. If you are interested in understanding some of the less latent and small nuances of governorship, Machiavelli’s The Prince will not disappoint.

Foreword
Dedication
Chapter I - How Many Kinds of Principalities There Are and How 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 His Sucessors At His Death
Chapter V - Concerning The Way To Govern Cities That Previously Lived Under Their Own Laws
Chapter VI - Concerning Principalities Acquired By Your Own Arms and Ability
Chapter VII - Concerning Principalities Acquired By The Arms of Others Or Good Fortune
Chapter VIII - Concerning Those Who Have Acquired A Principality Through Wickedness
Chapter IX - Concerning A Civil Principality
Chapter X - Concerning The Way In Which The Strength Of All Principalities Should Be Measured
Chapter XI - Concerning Ecclesiastical Principalities
Chapter XII - How Many Kinds Of Soldiery There Are And Concerning Mercenaries
Chapter XIII - Concerning Mercenaries, Auxilliaries and National Forces
Chapter XIV - That Which Concerns A Prince On The Subject Of War
Chapter XV - Concerning The Things For Which Men, And Especially Princes, Are Blamed
Chapter XVI - Concerning Liberality And Meaness
Chapter XVII - Concerning Cruelty and Clemency
Chapter XVIII - Concerning The Way In Which Princes Should Keep The Faith
Chapter XIX - That One Should Avoid Being Despised And Hated
Chapter XX - Are Fortresses 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 State
Chapter XXV - What Fortune Can Affect In Human Affairs And How To Withstand Her
Chapter XXVI - An Exhortation To Liberate Italy From The Barbarians