Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527)
Author of The Prince
About the Author
Niccolo Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. He was a political philosopher, statesman, and court advisor. Starting out as a clerk, he quickly rose in the ranks because he understood balance of power issues involved in many of his diplomatic missions. His political pursuits show more quickly ended after he was imprisoned by the Medici family. He is best known for The Prince, his guide to power attainment and cutthroat leadership. He also wrote poetry and plays, including a comedy named Mandragola. He died on June 21, 1527 at the age of 58. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Santi di Tito's portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli, cropped.
Via Wikimedia Commons
Via Wikimedia Commons
Series
Works by Niccolò Machiavelli
History of Florence and the Affairs of Italy from the Earliest Times to The Death of Lorenzo the Magnificent (1525) — Author — 541 copies, 9 reviews
The Comedies of Machiavelli: The Woman from Andros; The Mandrake; Clizia (Hackett Classics) (English and Italian Edition) (1520) 58 copies, 2 reviews
Le Prince. (suivi d'extraits des) êuvres politiques. (et d'un choix des) Lettres familières (2007) 28 copies
Machiavelli: The Prince, Selection from The Discourses and Other Writings (1972) — Author — 22 copies
El príncipe ; Discursos sobre la primera década de Tito Livio (selección) (2014) 19 copies, 1 review
Delphi Collected Works of Niccolò Machiavelli (Illustrated) (Delphi Series Eight Book 1) (2017) 18 copies
The Prince | Niccolò Machiavelli 16 copies
Strategy Six Pack: The Art of War, The Gallic Wars, Life of Charlemagne, The Prince, On War and Battle Studies (2015) 15 copies
Il principe e altri scritti 11 copies
Machiavelli, sleutel van onze tijd : gevolgd door de volledige vertaling van De Vorst (2012) 10 copies
The Prince - Special Edition with Machiavelli's Description of the Methods of Murder Adopted by Duke Valentino & the Lif (2007) 8 copies
Greatest Works of Niccolò Machiavelli: The Prince, The Art of War, Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius & History of Florence (2014) 8 copies
El principe. Prologo con resena critica de la obra, vida y obra del autor, y marco historico. (Spanish Edition) (2013) 8 copies
Legazioni e commissarie 7 copies
Opere politiche 6 copies
Opere 5 copies
Le grandi opere politiche vol. 2 - Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio (1993) 4 copies, 1 review
Le commedie 4 copies
Obras políticas 4 copies
Tutto il teatro 4 copies
The prince, and other works, including Reform in Florence, Castruccio Castracani, On fortune, Letters, Ten discourses on Livy (1946) 4 copies
Machiavelli 4 copies
Scritti scelti 4 copies
Udødelige tanker 3 copies
כתבים פוליטיים 3 copies
Nicolo Machiavelli The Complete Collection: (4 Books) The Prince, The Art of War, The Discourses on Livy, History of Florence (2017) 3 copies
Il principe e le deche 3 copies
O príncipe ; Escritos Políticos 3 copies
La Mandragola / La Clizia / Belfagor 3 copies
Edizione nazionale delle opere di Niccolò Machiavelli Sezione 5 T. 7 Legazioni, commissarie, scritti di governo (1510 - 1527) (2011) 3 copies
Opere letterarie 3 copies
Il principe ed altri scritti 3 copies
Erotica 3 copies
The Library of liberal arts 3 copies
Opere 2 copies
HThe Iprince by Niccolo Machiavelli: utopia by Thomas More: ninety-five theses by Martin Luther 2 copies
Commedie e Belfagor 2 copies
Il principe. Con un saggio di R. Aron cronologia e nota introduttiva di F. Melotti note di E. Janni e con un glossario ideologico. (1975) 2 copies
Politika in morala 2 copies
THE HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, AND DIPLOMATIC WRITINGS OF NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI-- Volume 4 only (2022) 2 copies
A Mandrágora Livro 1 2 copies
Maquiavelo. 2 copies
Operette satiriche 2 copies
Mensch und Staat 2 copies
The History of Florence, and of the Affairs of Italy, From the Earliest Times to the Death of Lorenzo the Magnificent; Together with the Prince. (1851) 2 copies
Tutte le Opere 2 copies
LE OPERE MAGGIORI 2 copies
Machiavelli minuscolo hoepliano 2 copies
500 anos de O princípe 2 copies
The Writings of Niccolo Machiavelli : The Prince; The Art of War; Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius; The History of Florence (2017) 2 copies
Machiavelli on Business : Strategies, Advice, and Words of Wisdom on Business and Power (2015) 2 copies
Epistolario privado : las cartas que nos desvelan el pensamiento y la personalidad de uno de los intelectuales más importantes del Renacimiento (2007) 2 copies
Scritti politici 1 copy
Obras 1 copy
Niccolo Machiavelli: The First Decennale. A facsimile of the first edition of February, 1506. (1969) 1 copy
Obras escabrosas 1 copy
Maquiavel - os pensadores 1 copy
Quân vương 1 copy
Coleção Pensamento Político: Comentários sobre a Primeira Década de Tito Lívio "Discorsi" (Vol 3) 1 copy
O Príncipe e Dez Cartas 1 copy
Le Prince - et autres textes 1 copy
Los gigantes 1 copy
Prose Scelte 1 copy
The Prince an Other Pieces 1 copy
El Príncipe y otros escritos 1 copy
Buch vom Fürsten 1 copy
Machiavelli Volume 1 1 copy
O Príncipe 1 copy
O Príncipe - Hemus 1 copy
A Mandrágora - Teatro Vivo 1 copy
Pensieri 1 copy
The Prince [Annotated] 1 copy
Operette satiriche 1 copy
OBRAS HISTÓRICAS 1 copy
Избранные сочинения 1 copy
מקיאוולי [Explicit] 1 copy
Niccoló Machiavelli művei I. 1 copy
Il principe, Lettera a Francesco Vettori, Ritratti di cose di Francia, Vita di Castruccio Castracani 1 copy
Opere di Niccolo Machiavelli 1 copy
Antologia machiavellica: Principe, pagine dei Discorsi e delle Istorie :con introduzione e note 1 copy
6: Lettere 1 copy
Lettere familiari 1 copy
Teatro e prose 1 copy
The revenge of Gaia 1 copy
Le Istorie Fiorentine 1 copy
Mandragola Clizia 1 copy
Scritti politici: Vol 1 e 2 1 copy
Scritti varj 1 copy
Scritti politici scelti 1 copy
Opere poetiche 1 copy
Prince And Other Writings 1 copy
Antologia e discorso storico 1 copy
Pensieri sugli uomini 1 copy
Capitoli 1 copy
"Il principe: Lettera a Francesco Vettori del 10 decembre 1513: Ritratti di cose di Francia e della Magna: La vita di Castruccio Castracani" 1 copy, 1 review
Niccolò Machiavelli művei 1 copy
HEl Iprincipe 1 copy
De' discorsi politici, e militari libri tre, scielti fra grauissimi scrittori da Amadio Niecollucci toscano ... 1 copy, 1 review
Discourses on Livy 1 copy
Principe, O 1 copy
Oeuvres politiques de Machiavel : traduction P ition contenant Le prince et Les ddes de Tite-Live 1 copy
Break Out 1 copy
Urban Games 1 copy
Il principe - Commedia 1 copy
Machiavelli [Opere di] 1 copy
O Príncipe (1/3) 1 copy
Legazione al duca Valentino 1 copy
Discorsi Sopra La Prima Deca Di Tito Livio, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint) (Italian Edition) (2018) 1 copy
Oeuvres de Machiavel, Vol. 4: Contenant les Quatre Prémiers Livres de l'Histoire de Florence (Classic Reprint) (2018) 1 copy
Političke misli 1 copy
الامير 1 copy
Vladar 1 copy
Die Kunst des Krieges 1 copy
A Mandrágora 1 copy
Associated Works
Social and Political Philosophy: Readings From Plato to Gandhi (1963) — Contributor — 273 copies, 1 review
The Philosopher's Handbook: Essential Readings from Plato to Kant (2000) — Contributor — 234 copies, 1 review
Lapham's Quarterly - Lines of Work: Volume IV, Number 2, Spring 2011 (2011) — Contributor — 32 copies, 2 reviews
The Middle Ages to the 17th Century: Literature of the Western World (1962) — Contributor, some editions — 24 copies
Antologia della Antologia (1821-1832): rassegna di una rivista — Author — 4 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Machiavelli, Niccolò di Bernardo dei
- Other names
- Maquiavel, Nicolau
- Birthdate
- 1469-05-03
- Date of death
- 1527-06-21
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- politician
playwright
poet
philosopher
historian - Nationality
- Italy (birth)
Florence - Birthplace
- Florence, Italy
- Places of residence
- Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Sant'Andrea in Percussina, Italy - Place of death
- Florence, Italy
- Burial location
- Church of Santa Croce, Florence, Tuscany, Italy (beside the tomb of Michelangelo)
- Map Location
- Italy
Members
Discussions
Machiavelli’s “The Prince” - A First Reading in Reformation Era: History and Literature (June 2024)
Folio Archives 378: The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli 2006 in Folio Society Devotees (June 2024)
Reviews
This collection of letters gives a fabulous insight into Italian renaissance life covering the period from1497 to 1527. I had previously read a selection of Machiavelli’s letters, but when the collection is limited to just the letters of one person then you only get half the picture. This volume of letters features as many letters from Machiavelli’s friends as it does from the man himself and so suddenly a much fuller picture emerges. We get both sides of the story, we learn the reasons show more for many of the letters, we get other peoples views of Machiavelli and some stories have more closure. Machiavelli was a great man of letters, but some of his correspondents were not too far behind.
The letters can be divided into three distinct periods of Machiavelli’s life. The first period sees him as a man of increasing importance in the political sphere of Florentine life. He held various government posts and enjoyed a good relationship with Pierro Soderini the chief officer of the fledgling Republic. Machiavelli is a man of importance thoroughly immersed in the business of government, often being sent as ambassador or negotiator to other states and his correspondence reflects this aspect of his life. While away from Florence it was essential that his supporters in government kept him informed as to what was happening in his absence; some of this is very amusing as there was obviously a Machiavelli faction in the offices who sorely missed their leader when he was away. This is an example from his two underlings Biagio and Andrea:
“My Machiavelli, a thousand poxes upon you, for keeping us in great anxiety and things remain very hard for us in the 2nd Chancellery, so that theses conditions and all that goes on, etc., have us in a tizzy. We are beginning to learn how to deal with Ser Antonio, and every day his stomach bothers him; I believe it is because he does not have his Madonna Agostanza here to warm him up or give him exercise on the see-saw, however we often laugh in the 1st Chancellery and we have a few little parties at Biagio’s house……”
Along with the chit chat are reports on what is happening in Florence and Rome, essentially to keep Machiavelli informed of developments. Machivelli’s letters are full of the latest analysis on foreign policy and toward the end of the period: his pet project the organisation of the Florentine militia.
In 1513 the Medici family replaced the Republican government and Machiavelli failed to keep his job, worse still he was thrown into prison and tortured following his suspected involvement in a counter coup. These events marked the start of a second very different period in his life. He soon secured his release from prison but was banished to his farm in the country and could no longer take part in political life and instead put his talents to use in writing political treatise such as the The Prince. Effectively his exile from politics did not stop him thinking about the increasingly desperate situation for his beloved Florence and there were plenty of men who still valued his opinions. Machiavelli’s correspondence to Francesco Vettori is full of his political thoughts and at times appears to be a rehearsal of ideas that would appear later in The Prince He had his eye at all times on getting back into favour with the Medici family and bemoaned his fate at being sidelined..
From 1520 until his death in 1527 he gradually found more employment. His plays were performed, he carried out various tasks for Governors and other important people and finally he secured favour from the Medici’s and was again carrying out ambassadorial and even military tasks His patron and most frequent correspondent during this period was Francesco Guiccardini governor of Modena and Reggio. Guiccardini was a member of the nobility, but Machiavelli addressed him as an equal and the two men wrote about their love affairs as well as their business.
The letters cover a turbulent period in Italian history and provide first hand accounts of the political manoeuvrings, but they are so much more than this; providing a wonderful portrait of Florentine life and the characters of the period. The letters cover such things as: arrangements and negotiations of dowry’s, events on the field of battle, ideas for home improvements, difficulties of communication, the merits of favoured courtesans, advice on matters of love, health issues and fear of the plague and of course family business. Machiavelli and his friends were not effete courtly lovers, they were men of the world and their letters reflect this
Machiavelli himself comes across not only as the sharp political operator that he was, but also as a man in love with life, fascinated by the latest news and world events.. He was loyal to his friends, outspoken to his enemies, enjoyed banter and practical jokes, passionate in his beliefs and perhaps at times a little too honest for his own good.
This is typical Machiavelli, his patron has sent him to Carpi on business where he stayed with the bishop and his friars. Machiavelli wants to emphasise his importance so that he will be served the best food and get the best room. He arranges for his patron to send him frequent messages, instructing the messenger to ride up to him sweating and the horse well lathered to demonstrate the importance of the dispatches. Machiavelli was enjoying himself and he wrote:
“I must tell you that the crossbowman arrived with your letter and said, bowing to the ground that he had been sent expressly and in all haste - everyone sprang up with such bowings and such a hubbub that everything was topsy-turvy and several people asked me what the news was. And I in order to heighten my prestige said that the Emperor was expected in Trent, that the Swiss had convened fresh assemblies, that the king of France wanted to go and confer with that king, but his counsellors were advising him against going - so they all stood around with their mouths open and with their caps in hand. And even as I am writing this, I have a circle of them about me; to see me write at length, they marvel and gaze at me as one inspired and I to make them marvel even more, sometimes pause writing and breathe deeply, then they absolutely begin drooling…….
Your Lordship knows how these friars say that when one is confirmed as being in a state of grace, the Devil no longer has any power to tempt him. Well, I have no need to fear that these friars will infect me with their hypocrisy, because I believe that I have been adequately confirmed”
James Atkinson and David Sices have produced an exemplary book, There is a very good general introduction as well as a more detailed introduction to each batch of letters by year, informing the reader of the essential events of that period. The translation is lively, there are copious notes and a very useful list of all the letters by year and who wrote them and of course a very good index. These letters serve as a wonderful portrayal of renaissance life and bring to life both men of public renown as well as the forgotten clerks and family members. A wonderful reading experience and a five star book. show less
The letters can be divided into three distinct periods of Machiavelli’s life. The first period sees him as a man of increasing importance in the political sphere of Florentine life. He held various government posts and enjoyed a good relationship with Pierro Soderini the chief officer of the fledgling Republic. Machiavelli is a man of importance thoroughly immersed in the business of government, often being sent as ambassador or negotiator to other states and his correspondence reflects this aspect of his life. While away from Florence it was essential that his supporters in government kept him informed as to what was happening in his absence; some of this is very amusing as there was obviously a Machiavelli faction in the offices who sorely missed their leader when he was away. This is an example from his two underlings Biagio and Andrea:
“My Machiavelli, a thousand poxes upon you, for keeping us in great anxiety and things remain very hard for us in the 2nd Chancellery, so that theses conditions and all that goes on, etc., have us in a tizzy. We are beginning to learn how to deal with Ser Antonio, and every day his stomach bothers him; I believe it is because he does not have his Madonna Agostanza here to warm him up or give him exercise on the see-saw, however we often laugh in the 1st Chancellery and we have a few little parties at Biagio’s house……”
Along with the chit chat are reports on what is happening in Florence and Rome, essentially to keep Machiavelli informed of developments. Machivelli’s letters are full of the latest analysis on foreign policy and toward the end of the period: his pet project the organisation of the Florentine militia.
In 1513 the Medici family replaced the Republican government and Machiavelli failed to keep his job, worse still he was thrown into prison and tortured following his suspected involvement in a counter coup. These events marked the start of a second very different period in his life. He soon secured his release from prison but was banished to his farm in the country and could no longer take part in political life and instead put his talents to use in writing political treatise such as the The Prince. Effectively his exile from politics did not stop him thinking about the increasingly desperate situation for his beloved Florence and there were plenty of men who still valued his opinions. Machiavelli’s correspondence to Francesco Vettori is full of his political thoughts and at times appears to be a rehearsal of ideas that would appear later in The Prince He had his eye at all times on getting back into favour with the Medici family and bemoaned his fate at being sidelined..
From 1520 until his death in 1527 he gradually found more employment. His plays were performed, he carried out various tasks for Governors and other important people and finally he secured favour from the Medici’s and was again carrying out ambassadorial and even military tasks His patron and most frequent correspondent during this period was Francesco Guiccardini governor of Modena and Reggio. Guiccardini was a member of the nobility, but Machiavelli addressed him as an equal and the two men wrote about their love affairs as well as their business.
The letters cover a turbulent period in Italian history and provide first hand accounts of the political manoeuvrings, but they are so much more than this; providing a wonderful portrait of Florentine life and the characters of the period. The letters cover such things as: arrangements and negotiations of dowry’s, events on the field of battle, ideas for home improvements, difficulties of communication, the merits of favoured courtesans, advice on matters of love, health issues and fear of the plague and of course family business. Machiavelli and his friends were not effete courtly lovers, they were men of the world and their letters reflect this
Machiavelli himself comes across not only as the sharp political operator that he was, but also as a man in love with life, fascinated by the latest news and world events.. He was loyal to his friends, outspoken to his enemies, enjoyed banter and practical jokes, passionate in his beliefs and perhaps at times a little too honest for his own good.
This is typical Machiavelli, his patron has sent him to Carpi on business where he stayed with the bishop and his friars. Machiavelli wants to emphasise his importance so that he will be served the best food and get the best room. He arranges for his patron to send him frequent messages, instructing the messenger to ride up to him sweating and the horse well lathered to demonstrate the importance of the dispatches. Machiavelli was enjoying himself and he wrote:
“I must tell you that the crossbowman arrived with your letter and said, bowing to the ground that he had been sent expressly and in all haste - everyone sprang up with such bowings and such a hubbub that everything was topsy-turvy and several people asked me what the news was. And I in order to heighten my prestige said that the Emperor was expected in Trent, that the Swiss had convened fresh assemblies, that the king of France wanted to go and confer with that king, but his counsellors were advising him against going - so they all stood around with their mouths open and with their caps in hand. And even as I am writing this, I have a circle of them about me; to see me write at length, they marvel and gaze at me as one inspired and I to make them marvel even more, sometimes pause writing and breathe deeply, then they absolutely begin drooling…….
Your Lordship knows how these friars say that when one is confirmed as being in a state of grace, the Devil no longer has any power to tempt him. Well, I have no need to fear that these friars will infect me with their hypocrisy, because I believe that I have been adequately confirmed”
James Atkinson and David Sices have produced an exemplary book, There is a very good general introduction as well as a more detailed introduction to each batch of letters by year, informing the reader of the essential events of that period. The translation is lively, there are copious notes and a very useful list of all the letters by year and who wrote them and of course a very good index. These letters serve as a wonderful portrayal of renaissance life and bring to life both men of public renown as well as the forgotten clerks and family members. A wonderful reading experience and a five star book. show less
I once worked for a large organization, a company with over 10,000 employees. When new managers, people from outside the organization, were hired, they would come in and clean house. A reorganization and layoffs were inevitable.
I always saw this as a way of establishing that the new person, though they hadn’t come up through the ranks, was in charge. What I didn’t realize is that this practice is centuries old.
"a new prince must always harm his new subjects, both with his soldiers as show more well as with countless other injuries involved in his new conquest"
An important piece of understanding how the world works is understanding how people work. If you want to change the world you need to understand human psychology. One of the earliest books of psychology is The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli.
The Prince has had many critics over the years. In fact, Machiavelli’s name has been transformed into an adjective meant to describe a person who is self-serving, deceitful, and ruthless. And certainly parts of the book are all of those things
Some people will read The Prince as a sort of operating manual for how to live. Because of this, its real use comes from learning why people sometimes act in ways that seem immoral.
The Prince, however, is amoral, in that it is unconcerned with morality. Its only concern is how to get and maintain power. As Machiavelli writes,
"A man who wishes to profess goodness at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary for a prince who wishes to maintain himself to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge or not to use it according to necessity."
Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, recommends it as one of the 8 books every intelligent person should read. Read it, he says,
"to learn that people not in power will do all they can to acquire it, and people in power will do all they can to keep it."
But read it for yourself. Don’t take anyone else’s interpretation as the definitive one. As you read it, look for analogies to modern life. We don’t wage war in the same way as Machiavelli’s princes did, but we can certainly find bloodless examples of these maxims in business and politics.
Read it for yourself, and suspend judgment, though you may find parts of it downright repugnant. You might not act in the ways described, but other people do. If you want to understand why, read The Prince. show less
I always saw this as a way of establishing that the new person, though they hadn’t come up through the ranks, was in charge. What I didn’t realize is that this practice is centuries old.
"a new prince must always harm his new subjects, both with his soldiers as show more well as with countless other injuries involved in his new conquest"
An important piece of understanding how the world works is understanding how people work. If you want to change the world you need to understand human psychology. One of the earliest books of psychology is The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli.
The Prince has had many critics over the years. In fact, Machiavelli’s name has been transformed into an adjective meant to describe a person who is self-serving, deceitful, and ruthless. And certainly parts of the book are all of those things
Some people will read The Prince as a sort of operating manual for how to live. Because of this, its real use comes from learning why people sometimes act in ways that seem immoral.
The Prince, however, is amoral, in that it is unconcerned with morality. Its only concern is how to get and maintain power. As Machiavelli writes,
"A man who wishes to profess goodness at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary for a prince who wishes to maintain himself to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge or not to use it according to necessity."
Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, recommends it as one of the 8 books every intelligent person should read. Read it, he says,
"to learn that people not in power will do all they can to acquire it, and people in power will do all they can to keep it."
But read it for yourself. Don’t take anyone else’s interpretation as the definitive one. As you read it, look for analogies to modern life. We don’t wage war in the same way as Machiavelli’s princes did, but we can certainly find bloodless examples of these maxims in business and politics.
Read it for yourself, and suspend judgment, though you may find parts of it downright repugnant. You might not act in the ways described, but other people do. If you want to understand why, read The Prince. show less
Given that Machiavelli's classic how-to course in duplicitous pragmatism is a re-read of something I've studied fairly recently, I was surprised how much new food for thought I gleaned from this last tête à tête with The Prince. It just goes to show how sometimes reading for pleasure can bring out a whole different set of impressions than reading for edification. When I tackled this as part of a college seminar (the same one I keep banging on about, for those keeping track at home), we show more viewed it primarily through the lens of Renaissance constructions of identity and the self-made man - an interesting, but narrow, focus. It certainly is a work rife with claims about self - about which groups people belong to, and in fact about how the world is divided into groups in the first place. Machiavelli is able to refer, for example, to "the ruin of Italy," implying that Italy can be understood as a unified concept, capable of being ruined - and yet his political analysis of current events is still dominated by the formation and breakdown of piecemeal alliances among all the individual nation-states that would not be unified into modern "Italy" until the nineteenth century. He captures a moment when the nation is just beginning to coalesce, when people are just beginning to believe that someone from Venice might have something in common with a Florentine that she didn't share with a Parisian, though all three cities were erstwhile outposts of the Roman Empire.
Likewise, Machiavelli is way ahead of his time in the proto-scientific application of "method." While the Renaissance was characterized by a huge influx previously unknown biological, lingual, human and animal specimens into Europe, botanists and entomologists were just beginning to get the idea of classifying these specimens, of grouping them by type. (For more on this fascinating process, and the difficulties in deciding which characteristics to group by, see Steven Asma's Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of Natural History Museums.) People had cabinets of wonders, but not organized, methodical collections of specimens. While Machiavelli was writing The Prince, only the very earliest so-called "methodists" were beginning to work on the problem of classification in plants and bugs. And yet, listen to Machiavelli trace the branching of possibilities, for all the world like the Linneus of practical politics:
He goes on like this: appended territories either share a language/culture with the conquerors, or they don't; ministers are either appointed, or hereditary; new principalities can be ruled by devastation, relocation, or oligarchy; and so on. One could actually draw a diagram of the bifurcating either/or choices Machiavelli gives new princes, much like a modern plant-classification guide will have you answer a series of questions (leaves or needles? opposite- or alternate-branching?) to identify a botanical specimen. All this has fascinating implications for a culture in turmoil, in which citizens sought for new ways to define themselves and each other faced with the breakdown of relatively stable Medieval ways of life.
None of this, though, addresses the real reason The Prince is famous: not for its proto-scientific methodology or nascent nationalism, but because it earned Machiavelli the reputation of not being a very nice guy. You know, because he says things like
Not too troubled by conventional morality. And the first time through I took all this at face value, but since then I've heard some interesting murmurings: it seems some scholars argue that Machiavelli intended The Prince as SATIRE. Think about it: Machiavelli himself spent almost his entire life as a devoted civil servant in the Florentine REPUBLIC. In 1512 the Medicis reconquered Florence, arrested and tortured Machiavelli, and exiled him to his country estate. He then wrote a book ostensibly dedicated to Lorenzo de Medici, all about how difficult and treacherous it is to be a prince in a principality one just conquered - especially a principality in which the citizens are accustomed to freedom. Sound familiar? This time through, then, I decided to read with an ear for satire - and doing so not only convinced me that of Machiavelli's satirical intent, but increased my enjoyment of his achievement many times over. Take, for example, this passage, which actually seems to break through the wall of satire and enter into a straight-up impassioned threat on behalf of the downtrodden Florentine republicans:
If you were Lorenzo de Medici, how would you feel reading this passage? Would you feel like the author were dispassionately encouraging you to sack and pillage Florence? Or would you read here an assurance that the republican citizens would never forget, and would rise up against their oppressor no matter what he did or said? Yeah, I'm inclined to the latter view.
One of my favorite such double-edged pieces of advice comes later in the essay, when Machiavelli is discussing how princes should cultivate an appearance of many virtues (generosity, compassion, etc.), while all the time preparing to act in the opposite way should the need arise. He says
This is such a brilliant double-bind into which Machiavelli puts Medici. Since Medici is indisputably a new prince, he must either be cultivating a false appearance of virtue (and be incapable of holding onto his territory without resorting to hypocrisy), or else he's NOT a hypocrite, in which case he's setting himself up to lose his kingdom.
Obviously, The Prince is not limited to satire: Machiavelli genuinely is fascinated by the art and science of political conquest, and the reasons one ruler is able to hold on while another is overcome. It speaks to his subtlety, and the razor-sharpness of his classifying mind, that he is able to craft simultaneously a serious political study and a scathing send-up. I thoroughly enjoyed both aspects of The Prince this time around, and am looking forward to spending some time, next, with my old friend Michel de Montaigne. show less
Likewise, Machiavelli is way ahead of his time in the proto-scientific application of "method." While the Renaissance was characterized by a huge influx previously unknown biological, lingual, human and animal specimens into Europe, botanists and entomologists were just beginning to get the idea of classifying these specimens, of grouping them by type. (For more on this fascinating process, and the difficulties in deciding which characteristics to group by, see Steven Asma's Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of Natural History Museums.) People had cabinets of wonders, but not organized, methodical collections of specimens. While Machiavelli was writing The Prince, only the very earliest so-called "methodists" were beginning to work on the problem of classification in plants and bugs. And yet, listen to Machiavelli trace the branching of possibilities, for all the world like the Linneus of practical politics:
All the states, all the dominions under whose authority men have lived in the past and live now have been and are either republics or principalities. Principalities are hereditary, with their prince's family long established as rulers, or they are new. The new are completely new, as was Milan to Francesco Sforza, or they are like limbs joined to the hereditary state of the prince who acquires them, as is the kingdom of Naples in relation to the king of Spain. Dominions so acquired are accustomed to be under a prince, or they are used to freedom; a prince wins them either with the arms of others or with his own; either by fortune or prowess.
He goes on like this: appended territories either share a language/culture with the conquerors, or they don't; ministers are either appointed, or hereditary; new principalities can be ruled by devastation, relocation, or oligarchy; and so on. One could actually draw a diagram of the bifurcating either/or choices Machiavelli gives new princes, much like a modern plant-classification guide will have you answer a series of questions (leaves or needles? opposite- or alternate-branching?) to identify a botanical specimen. All this has fascinating implications for a culture in turmoil, in which citizens sought for new ways to define themselves and each other faced with the breakdown of relatively stable Medieval ways of life.
None of this, though, addresses the real reason The Prince is famous: not for its proto-scientific methodology or nascent nationalism, but because it earned Machiavelli the reputation of not being a very nice guy. You know, because he says things like
Settlements do not cost much, and the prince can found them and maintain them at little or no personal expense. He injures only those from whom he takes land and houses to give to the new inhabitants, and these victims form a tiny minority, and can never do any harm since they remain poor and scattered. All the others are left undisturbed, and so should stay quiet and as well as this they are frightened to do wrong lest what happened to the dispossessed should happen to them.
Not too troubled by conventional morality. And the first time through I took all this at face value, but since then I've heard some interesting murmurings: it seems some scholars argue that Machiavelli intended The Prince as SATIRE. Think about it: Machiavelli himself spent almost his entire life as a devoted civil servant in the Florentine REPUBLIC. In 1512 the Medicis reconquered Florence, arrested and tortured Machiavelli, and exiled him to his country estate. He then wrote a book ostensibly dedicated to Lorenzo de Medici, all about how difficult and treacherous it is to be a prince in a principality one just conquered - especially a principality in which the citizens are accustomed to freedom. Sound familiar? This time through, then, I decided to read with an ear for satire - and doing so not only convinced me that of Machiavelli's satirical intent, but increased my enjoyment of his achievement many times over. Take, for example, this passage, which actually seems to break through the wall of satire and enter into a straight-up impassioned threat on behalf of the downtrodden Florentine republicans:
Indeed, there is no surer way of keeping possession than by devastation. Whoever becomes the master of a city accustomed to freedom, and does not destroy it, may expect to be destroyed himself; because, when there is a rebellion, such a city justifies itself by calling on the name of liberty and its ancient institutions, never forgotten despite the passing of time and the benefits received from the new ruler. Whatever the conqueror's actions or foresight, if the inhabitants are not dispersed and scattered, they will forget neither that name nor those institutions, and at the first opportunity they will at once have recourse to them, as did Pisa after having been kept in servitude for a hundred years by the Florentines.
If you were Lorenzo de Medici, how would you feel reading this passage? Would you feel like the author were dispassionately encouraging you to sack and pillage Florence? Or would you read here an assurance that the republican citizens would never forget, and would rise up against their oppressor no matter what he did or said? Yeah, I'm inclined to the latter view.
One of my favorite such double-edged pieces of advice comes later in the essay, when Machiavelli is discussing how princes should cultivate an appearance of many virtues (generosity, compassion, etc.), while all the time preparing to act in the opposite way should the need arise. He says
You must realize this: that a prince, and especially a new prince, cannot observe all those things which give men a reputation for virtue, because in order to maintain his state he is often forced to act in defiance of good faith, of charity, of kindness, of religion. And so he should have a flexible disposition, varying as fortune and circumstances dictate. [...] A certain contemporary ruler, whom it is better not to name, never preaches anything except peace and good faith; and he is an enemy of both one and the other, and if he had ever honored either of them he would have lost either his standing or his state many times over.
This is such a brilliant double-bind into which Machiavelli puts Medici. Since Medici is indisputably a new prince, he must either be cultivating a false appearance of virtue (and be incapable of holding onto his territory without resorting to hypocrisy), or else he's NOT a hypocrite, in which case he's setting himself up to lose his kingdom.
Obviously, The Prince is not limited to satire: Machiavelli genuinely is fascinated by the art and science of political conquest, and the reasons one ruler is able to hold on while another is overcome. It speaks to his subtlety, and the razor-sharpness of his classifying mind, that he is able to craft simultaneously a serious political study and a scathing send-up. I thoroughly enjoyed both aspects of The Prince this time around, and am looking forward to spending some time, next, with my old friend Michel de Montaigne. show less
The wisdom that dominates The Prince and The Discourses on Livy merely adorns this text. It is received history, reworked from earlier chronicles, with dense narrative and only brief discussions. We find here not Machiavelli the political philosopher but Machiavelli the literary stylist.
In the first half, there are several episodes of high drama: the birth of the Guelphs and Ghibellines in petty family squabbles, the defeat of the tyranny of the Duke of Athens, the Revolt of the Ciompi and show more the radical reforms of Michele di Lando, the rise of the Medici.
When Cosimo de' Medici begins his domination of Florentine politics, Machiavelli broadens his focus to the shifting alliances of northern Italy. A numbing series of marches and battles are described, at times humorously. There is a barely disguised frustration with the ineptitude of the various Italian armies, where battles were often bloodless demonstrations of horsemanship and posing.
Concerning therule of the Medici, Machiavelli treads lightly. He wrote it at the behest of Cardinal Giulio de' Medici (later made Pope Clement VII, whose lack of resolve lead to the infamous sack of Rome in 1527), and his circumspection on the political careers of Cosimo and Lorenzo was dictated by his hope of regaining the favor the family.
In short, this at times gripping and at times tedious work is redeemed by the peerless insights of one of the greatest political thinkers of all time. show less
In the first half, there are several episodes of high drama: the birth of the Guelphs and Ghibellines in petty family squabbles, the defeat of the tyranny of the Duke of Athens, the Revolt of the Ciompi and show more the radical reforms of Michele di Lando, the rise of the Medici.
When Cosimo de' Medici begins his domination of Florentine politics, Machiavelli broadens his focus to the shifting alliances of northern Italy. A numbing series of marches and battles are described, at times humorously. There is a barely disguised frustration with the ineptitude of the various Italian armies, where battles were often bloodless demonstrations of horsemanship and posing.
Concerning therule of the Medici, Machiavelli treads lightly. He wrote it at the behest of Cardinal Giulio de' Medici (later made Pope Clement VII, whose lack of resolve lead to the infamous sack of Rome in 1527), and his circumspection on the political careers of Cosimo and Lorenzo was dictated by his hope of regaining the favor the family.
In short, this at times gripping and at times tedious work is redeemed by the peerless insights of one of the greatest political thinkers of all time. show less
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