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The Prince by Machiavelli Summary PDF
One-Paragraph Summary
Machiavelli's The Prince outlines the qualities and tactics a prince should employ to be successful and maintain authority. He advises them to cultivate a reputation for being feared instead of loved, be frugal, and avoid contempt and hatred. Arm their subjects, build fortresses if necessary, and reward loyalty with honours, wealth, and responsibility. Wise princes should rely on their own forces instead of mercenaries or auxiliaries. Finally, they must emulate great men of the past, be merciful yet feared, keep their word but simulate and dissemble when necessary, delegate responsibility, reserve grace and favour for themselves, and play both the roles of lion and fox.
Short Summary
Machiavelli discusses various types of princedoms and how they can be acquired and maintained. He states that hereditary states are easier to maintain, as long as the prince follows the usages of his ancestors and is of average address. Mixed states, which are newly acquired, require the prince to live in the new territory and send colonies to serve as keys of the province. He also argues that those who acquire princedoms by merit have a better chance at success than those who do so by good fortune, citing examples such as Moses, Cyrus, and Theseus. Finally, he discusses how Cesare Borgia failed due to his reliance on fortune instead of merit.
Machiavelli's Chapter 13 discusses the use of auxiliary, mixed, and national arms for military defense. He warns that mercenaries and auxiliaries can be both useless and dangerous, and tells of how Italy has been overrun by foreign powers due to its reliance on them. He then explains the tactics used by the Romans, and how this ultimately led to their subjugation. Finally, he advises that wise princes should rely on their own forces, as national armies are far superior to auxiliaries or mercenaries.
In The Prince, Machiavelli outlines the qualities and tactics a prince should use to be successful and maintain their authority. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a reputation for being feared rather than loved, being frugal, and avoiding contempt and hatred. He also suggests that princes should practice warlike pursuits, emulate great men of the past, be merciful yet feared, keep their word yet simulate and dissemble when necessary, delegate responsibility, reserve grace and favour for themselves, and play the roles of both lion and fox. These strategies can help a prince achieve success while avoiding ruin.
The chapter discusses the importance of selecting the right ministers and how to acquire reputation as a prince. It emphasises the need for princes to arm their subjects for increased security, build fortresses if necessary, and reward loyalty with honours, wealth and responsibility. Flatterers should be avoided and neutrality is risky. Princes should take heed from the example of Ferdinand of Aragon and Julius II in order to succeed. Finally, this book encourages a new prince to liberate Italy from the barbarians by forming a national army and reforming its discipline.
The Prince Chapter Summary
Chapter 1 - Of the Various Kinds of Princedom, and of the Ways in Which They Are Acquired
- Princedoms can be either hereditary or newly acquired, and they can either be free or used to live under a Prince. These states can be acquired either by the Prince's own arms or by the arms of others, and either by good fortune or by merit.
Chapter 2 - Of Hereditary Princedoms
- Hereditary Princedoms can be maintained with less difficulty than new States, as long as the Prince follows the usages of his ancestors and is of average address. Examples of this can be seen in the Duke of Ferrara, who was able to withstand attacks due to the antiquity and continuance of his rule.
Chapter 3 - Of Mixed Princedoms
Mixed Princedoms, which are newly acquired territories, are difficult to maintain due to the expectations of the people and the number of grievances they experience from the new ruler.
Louis XII of France lost Milan quickly due to the people's disappointment in their new ruler.
To maintain a mixed Princedom, it is important to root out the old ruling line, keep laws and taxes the same, and for the Prince to live in the new territory.
The Turk's success in Greece is an example of the benefits of a Prince living in the new territory.
The Prince should reside in the Province he governs in order to have a ready recourse to the people and to deter foreign enemies from attacking.
Colonies should be sent to one or two places to serve as the keys of the Province, as they cost less than soldiers, are more faithful, and give less offence.
The Prince should protect weaker neighbours and weaken the stronger, and should prevent any other powerful stranger from gaining entrance.
The Romans followed these methods when taking possession of countries, and this should be emulated by wise rulers to avoid future difficulties.
Louis XIV of France made six mistakes in his attempt to gain control of Italy, which led to his downfall: he destroyed weaker states, strengthened a powerful prince, brought a powerful stranger into the country, did not come to reside, did not send colonies, and deprived the Venetians of their dominions.
In the chapter, Machiavelli argues that King Louis XII of France should not have consented to the ruin of Venice, as it would have kept others from attempting to take Lombardy and would have prevented war. He also states that those who cause another's greatness are often undone, as it leads to distrust.
Chapter 4 - Why the Kingdom of Darius, Conquered by Alexander, Did Not, on Alexander’s Death, Rebel Against His Successors
Alexander the Great was able to conquer and keep control of the kingdom of Darius due to the nature of its government, which resembled that of the Turk, where a sole prince was in control and all others were his servants. This meant that Alexander had to defeat Darius utterly and strip him of his dominions in order to gain control, and after Darius' death, the country was permanently secured to Alexander. His successors could have kept control of it if they had remained united.
Alexander was able to easily conquer Asia due to the lack of small principalities, while Pyrrhus and others had difficulty in maintaining their acquisitions because of the number of small principalities in the provinces they conquered.
Chapter 5 - How Cities or Provinces Which Before Their Acquisition Have Lived Under Their Own Laws Are To Be Governed
- Three methods exist for holding newly acquired states which have lived under their own laws: destroying them, living in them in person, or allowing them to live under their own laws and subjecting them to a tribute. The Romans found that the safest course was either to destroy them or to go and live in them.
Chapter 6 - Of New Princedoms Which a Prince Acquires With His Own Arms and by Merit
In this chapter, Machiavelli discusses how new Princedoms can be acquired either by merit or good fortune, and how those who acquire them by merit have a better chance of success. He cites examples of Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus to illustrate how opportunity and capacity must be present for success. He also notes that introducing new laws and institutions can be difficult, as those who are well off under the existing order of things will be opposed to change.
Armed Prophets have been successful in achieving their goals, while unarmed Prophets have been destroyed, as exemplified by Moses, Cyrus, Theseus, Romulus, and Hiero the Syracusan. The temper of the multitude is fickle and requires force to compel them to believe and remain steadfast in their beliefs.
Chapter 7 - Of New Princedoms Acquired By the Aid of Others and By Good Fortune
In Chapter 7 of The Prince, Machiavelli examines the different ways in which a person can become a prince, either through merit or good fortune, and uses the examples of Francesco Sforza and Cesare Borgia to illustrate his points. He then goes on to discuss the measures taken by Cesare Borgia in order to gain and maintain his power, and concludes that his failure was due to the extreme malignity of Fortune.
Duke Valentino obtained possession of Romagna and quelled the Colonnesi, but was held back by the doubtful fidelity of his own forces and the waywardness of France
He weakened the factions of the Orsini and Colonnesi in Rome and gained their followers over by making them his own gentlemen
He crushed the chiefs of the Orsini and scattered those of the house of Colonna
He established a civil tribunal in Romagna with an excellent President and purged the minds of the people by beheading his minister
He sought new alliances and wavered in his adherence to France in order to secure himself against them
In the chapter, Machiavelli discusses the actions of Cesare Borgia in consolidating power in Romagna and his plans for the future. He notes that Borgia had already succeeded in three of his four plans: exterminating those of kin to those he had despoiled, gaining over the Roman nobility, and bringing the College of Cardinals under his control. His fourth plan was to make himself master of Tuscany, which he was in the process of doing when Alexander died. Machiavelli praises Borgia for his courage and strategic planning, and suggests that he should be seen as a model for those who rise to power with the help of others.
The Duke of Valentinois erred in supporting the election of San Pietro ad Vincula as Pope, as it was against his own interests and those of the French Court, and ultimately led to his downfall.
Chapter 8 - Of Those Who By Their Crimes Come to Be Princes
Agathocles and Oliverotto of Fermo are used as examples of how a person may rise to power through wickedness and crime, rather than through merit or fortune. Agathocles rose from the dregs of the people to become King of Syracuse, while Oliverotto rose to become a high ranking soldier under the Vitelleschi. Both men used violence and deceit to gain power, and while their achievements may be admired, their cruelty and inhumanity cannot be overlooked.
Oliverotto, a nephew of Giovanni, was welcomed to Fermo with great distinction and hosted a banquet with his uncle and the first men of Fermo. After the banquet, Oliverotto had the men killed and took control of the city, ruling for a year before being overthrown by Cesare Borgia. Cruelty can be used to maintain power if used in moderation, but those who use too much cruelty will not be able to maintain their power. Injuries should be inflicted all at once and benefits should be given little by little. A Prince should live with his subjects in such a way that no change in fortune will require a change in behaviour.
Chapter 9 - Of the Civil Princedom
The attainment of a Civil Princedom depends on the favor of either the people or the nobles, and the Prince must be careful to keep on good terms with both. He must also be aware of those nobles who do not bind themselves to his fortunes, and treat them as enemies if they are ambitious. Finally, the Prince can gain the good-will of the people by taking them under his protection.
A wise Prince should devise means to ensure that their subjects feel the need of the State and of him, so that they will remain faithful to him, even in times of adversity. This is especially important when transitioning from a popular to an absolute form of government, as the citizens are more likely to take orders from the magistrates than from the Prince.
Chapter 10 - How the Strength of All Princedoms Should Be Measured
- Princes should be strong enough to stand alone and be able to take the field against any assailant, and should fortify their towns to protect against attack. German towns enjoy great freedom and are well fortified, and a capable and courageous Prince can maintain the spirits of their subjects during a siege.
Chapter 11 - Of Ecclesiastical Princedoms
This chapter discusses ecclesiastical princedoms, which are acquired by merit or good fortune and are maintained without either due to the power of religion. It then goes on to explain how the temporal power of the Church was looked down upon before the time of Alexander, but has since grown to be a great power that the King of France fears. It attributes this to the actions of Pope Alexander VI and Pope Julius, who used money and arms to strengthen the Church and accumulate wealth.
Pope Leo has been able to restore peace and power to the Papacy by removing Cardinals and using the Church's power to keep the Barons in check, allowing for greater stability and respect for the Papacy.
Chapter 12 - How Many Different Kinds of Soldiers There Are, and of Mercenaries
The main foundations of all states, whether new, old, or mixed, are good laws and good arms. The arms used by a prince to defend his state can be his own subjects, mercenaries, auxiliaries, or a combination of the three. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are both useless and dangerous, and a prince who relies on them for defense will not be secure. Examples of mercenary arms in ancient times are the Carthaginians and the Thebans.
In this chapter, Machiavelli discusses how Italy has been defended by mercenary arms for many years, and the consequences of this. He argues that the use of mercenaries has led to Italy being overrun by foreign powers, and that their primary objective was to bring foot soldiers into disrepute in order to enhance the merit of their own followers. He also mentions the examples of Giovanni Acuto, the Sforzas and Bracceschi, Paolo Vitelli, and Carmagnola, to illustrate how mercenaries have been used in the past.
The military tactics of the Romans were designed to minimize fatigue and danger, with an army of 20,000 men, no more than 1,000 foot soldiers, no night attacks, no winter campaigns, and no ramparts or trenches in their camps. However, these tactics ultimately led to Italy's subjugation and humiliation.
Chapter 13 - Of Auxiliary, Mixed, and National Arms
Auxiliary, mixed, and national arms are unprofitable and can be dangerous to the one who calls them in.
Ancient histories and recent examples (such as Pope Julius II and Cesare Borgia) demonstrate the risks of relying on auxiliaries.
Wise princes have always eschewed auxiliaries and trusted in their own forces, such as Hiero of Syracuse and David in the Old Testament.
The necessity of a national army is essential for a successful kingdom, as it is far superior to mercenaries or auxiliaries.
Charles VII, the father of Louis XI, saw this necessity and drew up ordinances regulating the service of men-at-arms and foot soldiers throughout his kingdom.
Louis XI, however, did away with the national infantry and began to hire Swiss mercenaries, which blunder has caused the dangers into which the kingdom of France has fallen.
The example of the Roman Empire, which fell due to the employment of Gothic mercenaries, is also a warning of the dangers of relying on foreign forces.
The methods for organizing a national army can be determined by considering the rules laid down by Philip, father of Alexander the Great, and other Princes and Republics.
Chapter 14 - Of the Duty of a Prince In Respect of Military Affairs
A Prince should devote themselves to military affairs, as neglect of this art is the prime cause of calamities, and proficiency in it is the surest way to acquire power. They should practice and study warlike pursuits, such as keeping their soldiers trained and disciplined, and familiarizing themselves with the localities of their country. They should also read histories to observe the actions of great men, and examine the causes of their victories and defeats.
A wise Prince should strive to emulate the great men of the past, such as Alexander the Great, Caesar, and Scipio Cyrus, by reading their lives and striving to imitate their virtues of chastity, affability, kindness, and generosity. In times of peace, he should use the opportunity to strengthen himself so that he is ready to resist Fortune should she turn against him.
Chapter 15 - Of the Qualities In Respect of Which Men, and Most of all Princes, Are Praised or Blamed
- Princes should be aware of the qualities that can lead to either praise or blame and should strive to avoid the vices that would lead to their downfall, while being aware that there may be times when it is necessary to indulge in vices in order to maintain their authority.
Chapter 16 - Of Liberality and Miserliness
Liberality is a good thing, but can be hurtful if not known; it can lead to the Prince becoming impoverished and despised, so it is better to be reputed as miserly in order to maintain revenues, defend oneself, and avoid plundering subjects. Princes who have achieved great things have been those who have been accounted miserly, while those who have been liberal have been ruined. When leading armies, a Prince should be liberal with the property of others, but sparing with their own.
Chapter focuses on the importance of being frugal and avoiding the reproach of rapacity, as it not only brings ignominy but also breeds hate.
Chapter 17 - Of Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether It Is Better To Be Loved or Feared
A Prince should strive to be both merciful and feared, but if forced to choose one, it is better to be feared than loved.
New Princes are likely to be seen as cruel, but should use this reputation to keep their subjects united and obedient.
Love is easily broken and should be bought with a price, while fear is bound by the apprehension of punishment.
When using an army, a Prince must disregard the reproach of cruelty in order to keep it under control.
A wise Prince should build his reputation on being feared rather than loved, but should do his best to avoid being hated.
Chapter 18 - How Princes Should Keep Faith
Princes should understand how to use both the man and the beast, and should choose both the lion and the fox to guard themselves from danger. It is important for a Prince to appear to have qualities such as mercy, good faith, integrity, humanity, and religion, even if they are not always able to act on them. It is necessary to be able to simulate and dissemble in order to deceive and succeed.
Princes should be judged by their results, not their means; even if their means are not honorable, their success in establishing and maintaining their authority will be seen as honorable by the majority of people. A modern example of this is a Prince who preaches peace and good faith, but is actually their mortal enemy, and has used this to maintain his kingdom and authority.
Chapter 19 - That a Prince Should Seek to Escape Contempt and Hatred
A Prince should strive to avoid behaviors that will make him hated or despised, such as being rapacious or interfering with the property and women of his subjects. He should also strive to be seen as great, courageous, wise, and strong in all his actions. In his private dealings with his subjects, his decisions should be irrevocable and his reputation should be such that no one would dream of overreaching or cajoling him. A Prince should also take measures to defend himself from foreign powers and keep on good terms with his subjects to avoid conspiracies.
The chapter discusses how a Prince should manage his subjects in order to maintain a well-ordered and secure kingdom. It gives the example of the House of Bentivogli in Bologna and the Kingdom of France as examples of well-ordered and secure states. It also explains that a Prince should delegate responsibility to others and reserve grace and favour for himself, and should strive to keep both the nobility and the commons contented and satisfied. Finally, it uses the example of the Roman Emperors to explain how a Prince can fall when they fail to manage the conflicting interests of the people and the soldiers.
Marcus, Pertinax, and Alexander were all Princes of a temperate disposition, lovers of justice, enemies of cruelty, gentle, and kindly, but only Marcus had an honorable end due to his right of inheritance and his many virtues.
Commodus, Severus, and Caracalla were all cruel and rapacious Princes who kept the soldiery as their friends and oppressed the people, but only Severus had a successful reign due to his strength of character and ability to play the part of both the lion and the fox.
The chapter discusses the successes and failures of the Roman Emperors, highlighting the importance of a Prince's reputation, their need to satisfy the people and the soldiers, and the exceptions of the Turk and the Soldan who must keep on good terms with their soldiers regardless of the people.
The chapter discusses the different paths to success and failure of Roman emperors, concluding that those who succeeded followed the example of Marcus, an hereditary prince, while those who failed followed the example of Severus, a new prince. It is advised that new princes should borrow from both Marcus and Severus to establish and maintain a successful government.
Chapter 20 - Whether Fortresses, and Certain Other Expedients to Which Princes Often Have Recourse, are Profitable or Hurtful
Princes should arm their subjects to increase their security, but should disarm those who join their state after it has been acquired. Fostering divisions among subjects is not a good idea, as it will lead to their downfall when an enemy approaches. Building fortresses can be beneficial, but it depends on the circumstances of the state.
Building fortresses can be beneficial or detrimental to a Prince depending on the circumstances, and it is often better to have the loyalty of the people than to rely on fortresses for protection. Princes should also consider the causes that led people to support them when they first acquired a new State, as those who were discontented with the previous government may be harder to keep loyal.
Chapter 21 - How a Prince Should Bear Himself So As to Acquire Reputation
Prince Ferdinand of Aragon is used as an example of how a Prince should conduct himself in order to acquire reputation: by undertaking great enterprises and giving striking proofs of his capacity, maintaining military discipline, using the cloak of religion to engage in greater undertakings, striking methods of rewarding and punishing, inspiring a sense of greatness and goodness, being a stanch friend and thorough foe, and declaring oneself openly in arms instead of remaining neutral.
A Prince should be careful to take a side in any conflict, as neutrality can be risky, and should show himself a patron of merit by encouraging his subjects to pursue their callings, providing rewards for those who do, and entertaining the people with festivals and shows.
Chapter 22 - Of the Secretaries of Princes
- The choice of Ministers is a matter of great importance to a Prince, and their quality reflects the Prince's prudence and judgment. Ministers should always put their Prince's interests first, and the Prince should reward them with honors, wealth, and responsibilities to ensure their loyalty. When Prince and Minister trust each other, they can work together successfully; otherwise, it will end badly for one or both of them.
Chapter 23 - That Flatterers Should Be Shunned
- Princes should be prudent in their choice of friends and avoid flatterers, instead choosing a few discreet men to advise them on matters and listening to their opinions. They should be patient hearers of the truth and not be swayed by multiple opinions. Good counsels come from the prudence of the Prince, not the other way around.
Chapter 24 - Why the Princes of Italy Have Lost Their States
- Princes of Italy have lost their states due to their own lack of wisdom and arms, rather than to Fortune. They should have taken precautions in times of peace and not rely solely on the hope of being recalled by their people. Good, certain and lasting security can only be achieved through one's own worth.
Chapter 25 - What Fortune Can Effect in Human Affairs, and How She May Be Withstood
Human affairs can be partially governed by Fortune and partially by our own free will.
Success in life depends on adapting our methods of action to the character of the times.
Those who do not change their methods of action when the times change will be ruined by Fortune.
Pope Julius II was successful because his impetuous methods of action were in harmony with the times.
Julius II was a Pope who was successful due to his impetuous nature, which allowed him to achieve what other Popes could not. He was able to bring the King of Spain and the Venetians to a check and drag the King of France into the expedition. His success was due to his hardihood and impetuosity, and Fortune favors those who are young and less scrupulous with her.
Chapter 26 - An Exhortation to Liberate Italy from the Barbarians
This chapter encourages a new prince to take up the cause of liberating Italy from its current state of oppression and disunity, citing the examples of Moses, Cyrus, and Theseus as models for the prince to follow. It also highlights the many advantages and signs of divine favor that make the present a particularly favorable time for such an undertaking.
The need for a national army in Italy is highlighted in order to defend against foreign invaders
The defects of the Swiss and Spanish infantry are discussed, and a different system of training is proposed to withstand cavalry and not fear infantry
The new Prince has an opportunity to gain reputation and importance by reforming the old discipline
The love and devotion of the Italian people for their potential deliverer is described, and the importance of the enterprise is emphasised
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