''''''''''''''''''''''''' ..............._Machiavelli, Volume I

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THE FOURTH FIGURE

A A A A A A

llm mCrCCC Cu,,uCCu,,uCCu,,uCCu,,uCCu,,uCA

llm mrrr,,, vu,,uvvu,,uvvu,,uvvu,,uvvu,,uvA

llm mrrrdkb vdk bvvdk bvvdk bvvdk bvvdk bv

lltksdkb,,, vc..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uv t G

llm mrrr,,, vc..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uv lll

ktm mrrr,,, vc..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uv ....

lsm mCr(,,, Cu..uCCu..uCCu..uCCu..uCCu..uC

llm m ,,,

llm m ,,, .....

llm m ,,, dHb

llm m ,,, .....

,,,

,,, Cu..uC Cu..uC Cu..uC

,,, vu,,uv vu,,uv vu,,uv

,,, vdk bv vdk bv vdk bv

CdkbC vu..uv vu..uv vu..uv

,, vu..uv vu..uv vu..uv

,,, vu..uv vu..uv vu..uv

,,, Cu..uC Cu..uC Cu..uC

,,,

,,, Cu,,uC Cu,,uC

,,, vu,,uv vu,,uv

,,, vdk bv vdk bv

,,, vu..uv vu..uv

dkb vu..uv vu..uv

,,, vu..uv vu..uv

C C Cu..uC Cu..uC

The cariages and the unarmed.

A A A A A A

A Cu,,uCCu,,uCCu,,uCCu,,uCCu,,uC C CCrCm mll

A vu,,uvvu,,uvvu,,uvvu,,uvvu,,uv ,,,rrrm mll

m vdk bvvdk bvvdk bvvdk bvvdk bv dkbrrrm mll

s vu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uv ,,,dkbm mll

llvu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uv ,,,rrrtksll

..vu.. vvu..uvvu..uvvu..uvvu..uv ,,,rrrm mtk

Cu..uCCu..uC ..uCCu..uCCu..uC ,,,rrrm msl

,,, m mll

dHb ,,, m mll

.... ,,, m mll

,,,

Cu,,uC Cu,,uC Cu,,uC ,,,

vu,,uv uv,,uv uv,,uv ,,,

vdk bv vdk bv vdk bv ,,,

vu..uv vu..uv vu..uv CdkbC

vu..uv vu..uv vu..uv ,,,

Cu..uC Cu..uC Cu..uC ,,,

,,,

Cu,,uC Cu,,uC ,,,

vu,,uv uv,,uv ,,,

vdk bv vdk bv ,,,

vu..uv vu..uv ,,,

vu..uv vu..uv dkb

vu..uv vu..uv ,,,

Cu..uC Cu..uC C C

THE FIFT FIGURE

A ) ,,,, C) ,,,, C) ,,,, C),,,,C),,,,))v) vCvC),,,,C) ,,,, C A

u ,,,, uu ,,,, uu ,,,, uu,,,,uu,,,,uvvvvvvvvu,,,,uu ,,,, u

u ,,,, uu dkb uu dkb uu dkbuu dkbuvvvvvvvvu dkbuu ,,,, u

u dkb uu .... uu .... uu....uu....u)vv vvvCu....uu dkb u A

A u ,,,, uu .... uu .... uu....uu....uvvvvvvvvu....uu ,,,, u

u ,,,, uu .... uu .... uu....uu....uvvvvvvvvu....uu ,,,, u A

) ,,,, C) .... C) .... C)....C)....C)v) vCvC)....)) ,,,, C

A ) uuuC ) uuu C

,,,,.... ....,,,, A

,,,,.... .... ....,,,,

,,dkb... dHb ..dkb,,

A ,,,,.... .... ....,,,,

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) n n nC ) n n nC

A ) u u uC ) u u uC

,,,,.... ....,,,,

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,, dkb.. .. mm .. .. dkb,,

A ,,,,.... .. tGs.. ....,,,,

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A ,,,,.... u,,,,uu,,,,u ....,,,,

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A ) u u uC ) u u uC A

,,,,.... ....,,,,

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) u u uC ) u u uC

A ,,,,.... ....,,,, A

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,, dkb.. d Hb .. dkb,,

,,,,.... .... .. dkb,,

A ,,,,.... ....,,,, A

) n n nC ) n n nC

) ,,,, C)....C ) r) rC rC )....C)....C)....C)....C) ,,,, C

u ,,,, uu....urrrrrrrrrrrru....uu....uu....uu....uu ,,,, C

A u ,,,, uu....urr dkb dkb ru....uu....uu....uu....uu ,,,, u A

u dkb uu dkbu rrrrrrrrrrru dkbnu dkbuu dkbuu dkbuu dkb u

u ,,,, uu,,,,urr dkb dkb ru,,,,uu,,,,uu,,,,uu,,,,uu ,,,, u

u ,,,, uu,,,,u rrrrrrrrrrru,,,,uu,,,,uu,,,,uu,,,,uu ,,,, u

A ) ,,,, C),,,,C ) r) rC rC ),,,,u),,,,C),,,,C),,,,C) ,,,, C A

mmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm

mmmtksmmm mmmtksmmm

mmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm

A A A A A

mmmmmmmm CvC)u, ,uC)u, ,uC)u, ,uC)u,,uC)u,

mmmmmmmm vvvru, ,urru, ,urru, ,urru,,urru,,

mmmmmmmm vvvrudkburrudkburrd k brrdk brrudk

mmmtksmmmvvvru. .urru. .urru. .urru..urru..

mmmmmmmm vvvru. .ruur. .urru. .urru..urru..

mmmmmmmm vvv)u. .uC)u. .uC)u. .uC)u..uCCu .

mmmmmmmm vvv),,,,,C

dkbr,,,...r .... .lll

vvvr,dkb..r dHb . .m

vvvr,,,...r .... ...t

vvvr,,,...r ....

vvv),,,...C

vvvr,,,...r )u, ,uC )u,,

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r,,,...r rudkbur ru,d

r,,,...r ru. .ur ru..

),,,...C )u. .uC )u.

),,,...C

r,,,...r

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r,dkb..r ru, ,ur

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r,,,...r ru. .ur

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r,,,...r )u. .uC

r,,dkb.r

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r,,,,,,r

r, dkb,r

r,,,,,,r

),,,,,,C

A A A A A

,uC)u, ,uC)u, ,uC)u, ,uC)u, ,uC)v) mmmmmmmm

,urru, ,urru, ,urru, ,urru, ,urvvv mmmmmmmm

b,rr,dkb,rr,dkb,rr,dkb,rr dkb rvvv mmmmmmmm

.urru. .urru. .urru. .urru. .urvvvmmmtkfmmm

.urru. .urru. .urru. .urru. .urvvv mmmmmmmm

.uC)u. .uC)u. .uC)u. .uCCu. .u)vvv mmmmmmmm

)...,,Cvvv mmmmmmmm

.ll.. .... r...,,,rdkb

.m. dHb r.dkb, rvvv

Gs.. .... r...,,,rvvv

.... r...,,,rvvv

)... ,,Cvvv

,uC )u. .uC )... ,,Cvvv

,ur ru, ,ur r...,,,rvvv

kb,r r,dkb,r r.dkb, rC )

,ur ru. .ur r...,,,r

,uC )u. .u) )... ,,C

)... ,,C

r...,,,r

r.dkb, r

r...,,,r

)...,,,C

)u, ,uC r...,, r

ru, ,ur r.dkb, r

r,dkb,r r...,,,r

ru. .ur r...,,,r

ru. .ur )... ,,C

)u. .uC )... ,,C

r...,,,r

r.dkb, r

r...,,,r

)... ,,C

),,, ,,C

r,,,,,,r

r,dkb, r

r,,,,,,r

),,, ,,C

NICHOLAS MACHIAVEL'S

PRINCE

TRANSLATED

OUT OF ITALIAN INTO ENGLISH BY

E.D.

WITH SOME ANIMADVERSIONS

NOTING AND TAXING

HIS ERRORS

1640

TO THE MOST

NOBLE AND ILLUSTRIOUS,

JAMES Duke of Lenox, Earle of March, Baron of Setrington, Darnly,

Terbanten, and Methuen, Lord Great Chamberlain and Admiral of Scotland,

Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, and one of his Majesties

most honourable Privy Counsel in both kingdomes.

Poysons are not all of that malignant and noxious quality, that as

destructives of Nature, they are utterly to be abhord; but we find many,

nay most of them have their medicinal uses. This book carries its poyson

and malice in it; yet mee thinks the judicious peruser may honestly make

use of it in the actions of his life, with advantage. The Lamprey, they

say, hath a venemous string runs all along the back of it; take that

out, and it is serv'd in for a choyce dish to dainty palates; Epictetus

the Philosopher, sayes, Every thing hath two handles, as the fire brand,

it may be taken up at one end in the bare hand without hurt: the other

being laid hold on, will cleave to the very flesh, and the smart of it

will pierce even to the heart. Sin hath the condition of the fiery end;

the touch of it is wounding with griefe unto the soule: nay it is worse;

one sin goes not alone but hath many consequences. Your Grace may find

the truth of this in your perusal of this Author: your judgement shall

easily direct you in finding out the good uses of him: I have pointed at

his chiefest errors with my best endeavors, and have devoted them to

your Graces service: which if you shall accept and protect, I shall

remain

Your Graces humble and devoted servant,

EDWARD DACRES.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Questionless some men will blame me for making this Author speak in our

vulgar tongue. For his Maximes and Tenents are condemnd of all, as

pernicious to all Christian States, and hurtfull to all humane

Societies. Herein I shall answer for my self with the Comoedian,

_Placere studeo bonis quam plurimis, et minimé multos lædere_: I

endeavor to give content to the most I can of those that are well

disposed, and no scandal to any. I grant, I find him blamed and

condemned: I do no less my self. Reader, either do thou read him without

a prejudicate opinion, and out of thy own judgement taxe his errors; or

at least, if thou canst stoop so low, make use of my pains to help thee;

I will promise thee this reward for thy labor: if thou consider well the

actions of the world, thou shalt find him much practised by those that

condemn him; who willingly would walk as theeves do with close lanternes

in the night, that they being undescried, and yet seeing all, might

surprise the unwary in the dark. Surely this book will infect no man:

out of the wicked treasure of a mans own wicked heart, he drawes his

malice and mischief. From the same flower the Bee sucks honey, from

whence the Spider hath his poyson. And he that means well, shall be here

warnd, where the deceitfull man learnes to set his snares. A judge who

hath often used to examine theeves, becomes the more expert to sift out

their tricks. If mischief come hereupon, blame not me, nor blame my

Author: lay the saddle on the right horse: but _Hony soit qui mal y

pense_: let shame light on him that hatcht the mischief.

THE PRINCE

NICHOLAS MACHIAVELLI,

to the Magnificent LAURENCE sonne

to PETER OF MEDICIS health.

They that desire to ingratiate themselves with a Prince, commonly use to

offer themselves to his view, with things of that nature as such persons

take most pleasure and delight in: whereupon we see they are many times

presented with Horses and Armes, cloth of gold, pretious stones, and

such like ornaments, worthy of their greatness. Having then a mind to

offer up my self to your Magnificence, with some testimony of my service

to you, I found nothing in my whole inventory, that I think better of,

or more esteeme, than the knowlege of great mens actions, which I have

learned by a long experience of modern affairs, and a continual reading

of those of the ancients. Which, now that I have with great diligence

long workt it out, and throughly sifted, I commend to your Magnificence.

And, however I may well think this work unworthy of your view; yet such

is your humanity, that I doubt not but it shall find acceptance,

considering, that for my part I am not able to tender a greater gift,

than to present you with the means, whereby in a very short time you may

be able to understand all that, which I, in the space of many years, and

with many sufferances and dangers, have made proof and gaind the

knowledge of. And this work I have not set forth either with elegancy of

discourse or stile, nor with any other ornament whereby to captivate the

reader, as others use, because I would not have it gain its esteem from

elsewhere than from the truth of the matter, and the gravity of the

subject. Nor can this be thought presumption, if a man of humble and low

condition venture to dilate and discourse upon the governments of

Princes; for even as they that with their pensils designe out countreys,

get themselves into the plains below to consider the nature of the

mountains, and other high places above; and again to consider the plains

below, they get up to the tops of the mountains; in like manner to

understand the nature of the people, it is fit to be a Prince; and to

know well the dispositions of Princes, sutes best with the understanding

of a subject. Your Magnificence then may be pleased, to receive this

small present, with the same mind that I send it; which if you shall

throughly peruse and consider, you shall perceive therein that I

exceedingly wish, that you may attain to that greatness, which your own

fortune, and your excellent endowments promise you: and if your

Magnificence from the very point of your Highness shall sometime cast

your eyes upon these inferior places, you shall see how undeservedly I

undergoe an extream and continual despight of Fortune.

THE TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS

CHAP. 1.

How many sorts of Principalities there are, and how many wayes they are

attained to, 263

CHAP. 2.

Of hereditary Principalities, 264

CHAP. 3.

Of mixt Principalities, 265

CHAP. 4.

Wherefore Darius his Kingdome, taken by Alexander, rebelled not against

his successors after Alexanders death, 273

CHAP. 5.

In what manner Cities and Principalities are to be governed, which

before they were conquered, lived under their own laws, 276

CHAP. 6.

Of new Principalities that are conquered by ones own armes and valor,

277

CHAP. 7.

Of new Principalities gotten by fortune and other mens forces, 281

CHAP. 8.

Concerning those who by wicked means have attaind to a Principality, 289

CHAP. 9.

Of the Civil Principality, 293

CHAP. 10.

In what manner the forces of all Principalities ought to be measured,

297

CHAP. 11.

Concerning Ecclesiastical Principalities, 299

CHAP. 12.

How many sorts of Military discipline there be; and touching mercenary

soldiers, 302

CHAP. 13.

Of Auxiliary Soldiers, mixt and natives, 307

CHAP. 14.

What belongs to the Prince touching military discipline, 310

CHAP. 15.

Of those things in respect whereof men, and especially Princes are

prais'd or disprais'd, 313

CHAP. 16.

Of Liberality and Miserableness, 315

CHAP. 17.

Of Cruelty and Clemency, and whether it is better to be belov'd or

feared, 318

CHAP. 18.

In what manner Princes ought to keep their word, 321

CHAP. 19.

That Princes should take a care not to incur contempt or hatred, 325

CHAP. 20.

Whether the Citadels and many other things, which Princes make use of,

are profitable or dammageable, 335

CHAP. 21.

How a Prince ought to behave himself to gain reputation, 339

CHAP. 22.

Touching Princes Secretaries, 343

CHAP. 23.

That Flatterers are to be avoyded, 344

CHAP. 24.

Wherefore the Princes of Italy have lost their States, 347

CHAP. 25.

How great power Fortune hath in humane affairs, and what means there is

to resist it, 349

CHAP. 26.

An exhortation to free Italy from the Barbarions, 353

THE PRINCE

Written by

NICHOLAS MACHIAVELLI,

Secretary and Citizen of Florence.

CHAP. I

How many sorts of Principalities there are, and how many wayes they are

attained to.

All States, all Dominions that have had, or now have rule over men, have

been and are, either Republiques or Principalities. Principalities are

either hereditary, whereof they of the blood of the Lord thereof have

long time been Princes; or else they are new; and those that are new,

are either all new, as was the Dutchy of Millan to Francis Sforce; or

are as members adjoyned to the hereditary State of the Prince that gains

it; as the Kingdom of Naples is to the King of Spain. These Dominions so

gotten, are accustomed either to live under a Prince, or to enjoy their

liberty; and are made conquest of, either with others forces, or ones

own, either by fortune, or by valor.

CHAP. II

Of Hereditary Principalities.

I will not here discourse of Republiques, because I have other where

treated of them at large: I will apply my self only to a Principality,

and proceed, while I weave this web, by arguing thereupon, how these

Principallities can be governed and maintained. I say then that in

States of inheritance, and accustomed to the blood of their Princes,

there are far fewer difficulties to keep them, than in the new: for it

suffices only not to transgress the course his Ancestors took, and so

afterward to temporise with those accidents that can happen; that if

such a Prince be but of ordinary industry, he shall allwaies be able to

maintain himself in his State, unless by some extraordinary or excessive

power he be deprived thereof; and when he had lost it, upon the least

sinister chance that befalls the usurper, he recovers it again. We have

in Italy the Duke of Ferrara for example hereof, who was of ability to

resist the Venetians, in the year 84, and to withstand Pope Julius in

the tenth for no other reason, than because he had of old continued in

that rule; for the natural Prince hath fewer occasions, and less heed to

give offence, whereupon of necessity he must be more beloved; and unless

it be that some extravagant vices of his bring him into hatred, it is

agreeable to reason, that naturally he should be well beloved by his own

subjects: and in the antiquity and continuation of the Dominion, the

remembrances and occasions of innovations are quite extinguished: for

evermore one change leaves a kind of breach or dent, to fasten the

building of another.

CHAP. III

Of mixt Principalities.