Ideas from 'The Prince' by Niccolo Machiavelli [1513], by Theme Structure

[found in 'The Prince, selections from Discourses' by Machiavelli,Niccolo (ed/tr Plamenatz,J) [Fontana 1972,-]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     expand these ideas


23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 3. Promise Keeping
If men are good you should keep promises, but they aren't, so you needn't
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions
The principle foundations of all states are good laws and good armies
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism
People are vengeful, so be generous to them, or destroy them
To retain a conquered state, wipe out the ruling family, and preserve everything else
A sensible conqueror does all his harmful deeds immediately, because people soon forget
25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars
A desire to conquer, and men who do it, are always praised, or not blamed
25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 2. Religion in Society
Machiavelli emancipated politics from religion [Watson]