Nicolo Machiavelli: The Prince
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Title: The Prince
Author: Nicolo Machiavelli
Read By: Ian Richardson
Audiobook Copyright: 2005
Genre: Other
Publisher: CSA Word
Abridged: No
Audio Format: MP3
Bitrate: 256 kbit/s
Source: CD
number of MP3: 40
Size: 330MB
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Il Principe (The Prince) is a political treatise by the Florentine public
servant and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. Originally called De
Principatibus (About Principalities), it was written in 1513, but not
published until 1532, five years after Machiavelli's death. The treatise is not
actually representative of the work published during his lifetime, but it is
certainly the most remembered, and the one responsible for bringing
"Machiavellian" into wide usage as a pejorative term.
Overview, bio and Chapter Outline:
Quote:
The views expounded by Machiavelli in The Prince may seem extreme. However, his whole life was spent in Florence at a time of continuous political conflict. Accordingly, the main value that Machiavelli emphasized was the need for stability in a prince's domain.
The theories expressed in The Prince are often venerated as shrewd methods that an aspiring prince can use to acquire the throne, or an existing prince can use to establish his reign.
According to Machiavelli, the greatest moral good is a virtuous and stable state, and actions, no matter how cruel, to protect the
country are justified. It is vital that he do anything necessary to keep his
power; however, Machiavelli strongly suggests that above all, the prince must
not be hated. He does give a concise answer on whether or not a prince should be
feared or loved. He states, "..a wise prince should establish himself on that
which is his own control and not in that of others; he must endeavor to avoid
hatred, as is noted." He also says "It is best to be both feared and loved;
however, if one cannot be both it is better to be feared than loved."
The opening discourse of The Prince defines effective methods of governing in
several types of principalities (for example, newly acquired vs. hereditary).
Machiavelli explains to the reader, assumed to be a member of the Florentine
Medici family, the best ways to acquire, maintain, and protect a state. The
methods described therein include preaching war and ruthlessness.
Niccolo Machiavelli - Biography
Niccolo Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. He is known for
being a political philosopher, historian, writer, statesman, and diplomat.
Machiavelli is best known for his famous, influential work, "The Prince" (1513).
This brought him a reputation of:
amoral cynicism, being associated with corrupt government, diabolical (Showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil).Machiavellian and Machiavellianism are two concepts coined from Machiavelli's views as stated in The Prince.
Machiavelli is misunderstood because people judge him purely on the prince and because they do not read his Discourses as well.
Many people criticize Machiavelli's drastic suggestions in The Prince. These
people do not consider the state Italy was in when The Prince was written.
Machiavelli wrote The Prince to help save Italy from frequent foreign invasions.
According to those that knew Machiavelli, he was a religious and moral man.
The Prince
The prince was written in a time of large-scale blackmail, violence and
political conflicts. political instability, fear, invasion, intrigue, Italy was
repeatedly won and controlled by foreigners. The prince was Machiavelli's practical guide to Lorenzo Di Medici to act in this
environment.
In the final chapter of the prince, Machiavelli calls for an end to this choas,
by suggesting Italy stand together with an army of their own against foreign
invaders.
Machiavelli wrote The Prince to help Lorenzo the Magnificent Di Medici to stay
in power. He also wrote it to get back an advisory position in the Medici
government. Unfortunately, Lorenzo did not agree with the suggestions in the book, so Machiavelli did not get a job.
The Prince was different from the other documents of the time
in that the prince had practical suggestions on how to deal with the current, existing problems of the period. The other documents were much more theoretical.
There is a difference of opinion by readers of the prince, whether Machiavelli
is essentiallly a good, religious person or someone that is bad and cruel.
For example, Machiavelli praise Caesar Borgia, a cruel, vicious, dictator -
hated and despised by many. Does this mean Machiavelli agrees that Ceasar's
actions are justified?
Machiavelli thought that Caesar's quick and deliberate qualities were just what
is required to unite Italy. Machiavelli admired the qualities, not Caesar as a
person.
The Prince was written in 1513 but only published in 1532 after Machiavelli's
death.
The end of the biography of Niccolo Machiavelli
Chapter by Chapter Outline of The Prince
Chapter 1 - Types of territories
A very short chapter that names the types of territories ruled by a prince and
how he aquires them.
Chapter 2 - Hereditary states
Describes the ease and difficulties of holding hereditary states
Chapter 3 - Mixed principalities
Describes how new mixed principalities (principalities that are members of a
state) are to be taken and held.
Chapter 4 - Governing principalities
Contrasts the benefits and drawbacks of governing principalities using either
servants or barons.
Chapter 5 - Free principalities
Suggests three ways to govern cities and principalities that were used to live
under their own laws.
Chapter 6 - New principalities
Describe how to aquire new principalities using armies or your own abilities.
Chapter 7 - Armies of others
Explains the dangers of using the armies of others or good fortune to get and
keep principalities.
Chapter 8 - Be wicked! Describes how other princes aquired principalities primarily through being wicked. Suggest how a prince
that is not wicked should use wickedness if he has to.
Chapter 9 - Civil principalities
Describes how civil principalities get created by the people or by nobles.
Suggest how a prince of such a principality should act toward the people
and the nobles.
Chapter 10 - Fortified towns
Describes when to fortify towns and when fortification is useless.
Chapter 11 - Principalities of the church
Explains why principalities of the church are held so easily.
Chapter 12 - Types of armies
Describes three types of armies: mercenaries (hired soldiers), auxiliaries, and
mixed armies. Describes the uselessness of mercenary armies and mercenary
captains.
Chapter 13 - Auxiliary armies
Describes the dangers of auxiliary armies. Describe the strength of having your own army, consisting only of people from your principality.
Chapter 14 - The art of war
Stresses the critical importance for a prince to know the art of war. Describes
what to study and why to study it. Stresses the importance of always being busy studying the art of war.
Chapter 15 - Qualities of a prince
Lists all the qualities a prince must appear to have. Also lists the qualities a
prince should stay away from.
Chapter 16 - Mean vs liberal
Explains why a prince should prefer being considered mean and not liberal.
Chapter 17 - Love, hate and fear
Explains the dangers if a prince is being hated. Also explains why being feared
is better than being loved.
Chapter 18 - Being like a lion and fox
Describe how a prince should be like a lion and like a fox. Lists the advantages
and disadvantages of being like a lion and a fox. Lists five important qualities
a prince must work hard at.
Chapter 19 - Why people hate
Describes what causes people to hate their prince. Explain why a prince should
never be hated. Discuss why conspiracies seldom succeed. Describe why France is
such a well governed kingdom.
Chapter 20 - Fortresses
Describes the benefits, dangers and sometimes uselessness of fortresses.
Chapter 21 - Dignity rules
Describes how a prince should conduct himself with dignity to get and keep
renown.
Chapter 22 - Intellectual secretaries
Describe why a prince must select only the best intellectuals as his
secretaries.
Chapter 23 - Flatterers
Explain why flatterers should be avoided.
Chapter 24 - Italy
Explain why the princes of Italy have lost their states. Suggest ways how these
shortcomings can be addressed.
Chapter 25 - Fortune
Describe the role of fortune (fate) in human affairs. Suggest how to prepare
against bad fortune. Explain why it is dangerous to rely on fortune to be a
successful prince. Explain why it is difficult to change your ways if your
fortune changes.
Chapter 26 - Lorenzo, please save Italy !
Makes an urgent plea for Lorenzo de’ Medici to become prince to save Italy from constant foreign invaders.
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