Cliff Notes
Machiavellis The Prince Chapters 1 and 2 SummaryThere are two types of states: republics and principalities. Machiavelli declares that he will not d...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapters 4 and 5 SummaryMachiavelli contrasts two types of government: a strongly centralized model, which he identifies wit...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapters 22 and 23 SummaryChoosing good ministers is vital, because a ruler shows his intelligence in his choice of the men ar...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 3 SummaryIn this long chapter about annexed territories, Machiavelli makes several of the observations that h...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 6 SummaryThe difficulty a new prince will have will depend on his ability. Private citizens become princes ei...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 7 SummaryCitizens who become princes through luck or the favor of others find it easy to acquire their states...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 8 SummaryContinuing his theme from Chapter 7, Machiavelli discusses two other ways to becoming a prince: by c...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 9 SummaryWhen private citizens become rulers through the favor of their fellow citizens, these may be called ...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 10 SummaryOne other measure of a state's strength is whether a prince can defend himself, or whether he must r...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 11 SummaryThe final type of principality to be discussed is the ecclesiastical state. Although this type of pr...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 12 SummaryHaving discussed the different types of states in Chapters 2 through 11, Machiavelli now turns to ho...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 13 SummaryAuxiliaries are troops sent by another ruler to help you. Just as with mercenaries, if they lose, yo...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 14 SummaryThe study of war should be a prince's main goal, for war is a ruler's only art. Knowledge of war is ...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 15 SummaryThe proper behavior of princes toward subjects and allies remains to be discussed. Many others have ...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 16 SummaryA reputation for generosity is thought to be desirable, but developing it can be dangerous. Generosi...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 17 SummaryEvery prince will want to be considered merciful, but mercy should not be mismanaged. Cesare Borgia,...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 18 SummaryEveryone knows that princes should keep their word, but we see that the princes who have accomplishe...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 19 SummaryA prince must avoid becoming hated or despised. Taking the property or the women of his subjects wil...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 20 SummaryPrinces have tried various tactics to maintain power: disarming their subjects, dividing their subje...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 21 SummaryNothing enhances a ruler's reputation more than undertaking great conquests. Ferdinand of Spain's ca...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 24 SummaryIf a new prince follows all of these principles, he will soon be as secure as a hereditary ruler, be...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 25 SummaryMany people believe that fortune controls everything, so that there is no use in trying to act, but ...
Machiavellis The Prince Chapter 26 SummaryThere could not be a more appropriate time to welcome a new ruler to Italy. In order for the greatne...