Book III: The Prince's Conduct and Reputation
Guidance on how a prince should behave toward subjects, allies, and in moral matters.
24 argumentative units
- 01Chapter XV: Qualities for Which Princes Are Praised or Blamed
Realism about virtue: the gap between how men live and how they ought to live.
- 02Chapter XVI: Liberality and Meanness
Why a reputation for meanness is safer than attempting to appear liberal.
- 03Chapter XVII: Cruelty and Clemency
Whether it is better to be loved or feared, with preference for being feared if not both.
- 04Chapter XVIII: Keeping Faith and the Use of Deceit
When and why princes must know how to break their word and use fraud.
- 05Chapter XVIII Continued: Appearing Virtuous
The necessity of appearing merciful, faithful, and religious while being flexible in action.
- 06Chapter XIX: Avoiding Hatred and Contempt
The overriding importance of not being hated or despised by one's subjects.
- 07Chapter XIX Continued: Conspiracies and Popular Support
Why princes secure against popular hatred need not fear conspiracies.
- 08Chapter XIX Continued: The Roman Emperors
Analysis of why Roman emperors from Marcus to Maximinus succeeded or failed.
- 09Chapter XIX Continued: Emperors Who Failed
Pertinax, Alexander, and others who could not satisfy both soldiers and people.
- 10Chapter XIX Continued: Severus's Success
How Severus combined the fox and the lion to hold power effectively.
- 11Chapter XIX Continued: Later Emperors' Failures
Antoninus Caracalla, Commodus, Maximinus, and the lessons of their downfalls.
- 12Chapter XX: Fortresses and Other Defensive Measures
Whether disarming subjects, fostering factions, or building fortresses helps or harms a prince.
- 13Chapter XX Continued: Arming or Disarming Subjects
New princes should arm their subjects; princes acquiring new states should disarm them.
- 14Chapter XX Continued: Factions, Obstacles, and Fortresses
Factions are dangerous; obstacles test new princes; fortresses help or harm depending on circumstances.
- 15Chapter XXI: Gaining Renown Through Great Enterprises
Ferdinand of Aragon as an example of building reputation through bold and continuous action.
- 16Chapter XXI Continued: Choosing Sides and Forming Alliances
Why neutrality is dangerous and decisive alliance is advantageous.
- 17Chapter XXI Continued: Encouraging Industry and Public Spectacles
Supporting commerce, agriculture, and civic life while maintaining princely dignity.
- 18Chapter XXII: Choosing and Managing Secretaries
The importance of selecting capable and loyal ministers as a reflection of the prince's wisdom.
- 19Chapter XXIII: Avoiding Flatterers
How a prince should seek counsel from the wise without being misled by flatterers.
- 20Chapter XXIV: Why Italian Princes Have Lost Their States
The common defects in arms, popular support, and reliance on fortune that ruined Italian rulers.
- 21Chapter XXV: The Role of Fortune and Free Will
Fortune controls half of human actions, but virtue and preparation control the other half.
- 22Chapter XXV Continued: Adapting to Circumstances
Success depends on matching one's methods to the times and on audacity over caution.
- 23Chapter XXVI: Exhortation to Liberate Italy
A call to the Medici to unite and free Italy from foreign domination.
- 24Chapter XXVI Continued: Building an Italian Army
The need for native Italian forces and the opportunity for glory and redemption.