Medieval Sourcebook:
Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince [excerpts], 1513
That Which Concerns a Prince on the Subject of the Art of War
The Prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its
rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not
only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that
rank. And, on the contrary, it is seen that when princes have thought more of ease than of arms they have
lost their states. And the first cause of your losing it is to neglect this art; and what enables you to acquire
a state is to be master of the art. Francesco Sforza, though being martial, from a private person became
Duke of Milan; and the sons, through avoiding the hardships and troubles of arms, from dukes became
private persons. For among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised, and
this is one of those ignominies against which a prince ought to guard himself, as is shown later on.
Concerning Things for Which Men, and Especially Princes, are Blamed
It remains now to see what ought to be the rules of conduct for a prince toward subject and friends. And
as I know that many have written on this point, I expect I shall be considered presumptuous in mentioning
it again, especially as in discussing it I shall depart from the methods of other people. But it being my
intention to write a thing which shall be useful to him to apprehends it, it appears to me more appropriate
to follow up the real truth of a matter than the imagination of it; for many have pictured republics and
principalities which in fact have never been known or seen, because how one lives is so far distant from
how one ought to live, that he who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his
ruin than his preservation; for a man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets
with what destroys him among so much that is evil.
Hence, it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of
it or not according to necessity. Therefore, putting on one side imaginary things concerning a prince, and
discussing those which are real, I say that all men when they are spoken of, and chiefly princes for being
more highly placed, are remarkable for some of those qualities which bring them either blame or praise;
and thus it is that one is reputed liberal, another miserly...; one is reputed generous, one rapacious; one
cruel, one compassionate; one faithless, another faithful.... And I know that everyone will confess that it
would be most praiseworthy in a prince to exhibit all the above qualities that are considered good; but
because they can neither be entirely possessed nor observed, for human conditions do not permit it, it is
necessary for him to be sufficiently prident that he may know how to avoid the reproach of those vices
which would lose him his state...
Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether it is Better to be Loved than Feared
Upon this a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be
answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is
much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with. Because this is to be
asserted in general of men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you
successed they are yours entirely; they will offer you their blood, property, life, and children, as is said
above, when the need is far distant; but when it approaches they turn against you. And that prince who,
relying entirely on their promises, has neglected other precautions, is ruined; because friendships that are
obtained by payments, and not by nobility or greatness of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not
secured, and in time of need cannot be relied upon; and men have less scruple in offending one who is
beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the
baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserved you by a dread of
punishment which never fails.
Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred;
because he can endure very well being feared whilst he is not hated, which will always be as long as he
abstains from the property of his citizens and subjects and from their women.
Elizabeth I, The Farewell Speech, 1601 (The "farewell" Golden Speech to parliament. It is worth
comparing her views with those of Machiavelli)
…I do assure you there is no prince that loves his subjects better, or whose love can countervail our love.
There is no jewel, be it of never so rich a price, which I set before this jewel: I mean your love. For I do
esteem it more than any treasure or riches; for that we know how to prize, but love and thanks I count
invaluable. And, though God hath raised me high, yet this I count the glory of my Crown, that I have
reigned with your loves. This makes me that I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a
Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a people. Therefore I have cause to wish nothing more than to
content the subject and that is a duty which I owe. Neither do I desire to live longer days than I may see
your prosperity and that is my only desire. And as I am that person still yet, under God, hath delivered
you and so I trust by the almighty power of God that I shall be his instrument to preserve you from every
peril, dishonour, shame, tyranny and oppression, partly by means of your intended helps which we take
very acceptably because it manifesteth the largeness of your good loves and loyalties unto your sovereign.
Of myself I must say this: I never was any greedy, scraping grasper, nor a strait fast-holding Prince, nor
yet a waster. My heart was never set on any worldly goods. What you bestow on me, I will not hoard it
up, but receive it to bestow on you again…
Since I was Queen, yet did I never put my pen to any grant, but that upon pretext and semblance made
unto me, it was both good and beneficial to the subject in general though a private profit to some of my
ancient servants, who had deserved well at my hands. But the contrary being found by experience, I am
exceedingly beholden to such subjects as would move the same at first. And I am not so simple to
suppose but that there be some of the Lower House whom these grievances never touched. I think they
spake out of zeal to their countries and not out of spleen or malevolent affection as being parties grieved.
That my grants should be grievous to my people and oppressions to be privileged under colour of our
patents, our kingly dignity shall not suffer it. Yea, when I heard it, I could give no rest unto my thoughts
until I had reformed it. Shall they, think you, escape unpunished that have oppressed you, and have been
respectless of their duty and regardless our honour? No, I assure you, Mr Speaker, were it not more for
conscience' sake than for any glory or increase of love that I desire, these errors, troubles, vexations and
oppressions done by these varlets and lewd persons not worthy of the name of subjects should not escape
without condign punishment. But I perceive they dealt with me like physicians who, ministering a drug,
make it more acceptable by giving it a good aromatical savour, or when they give pills do gild them all
over.
…I know the title of a King is a glorious title, but assure yourself that the shining glory of princely
authority hath not so dazzled the eyes of our understanding, but that we well know and remember that we
also are to yield an account of our actions before the great judge. To be a king and wear a crown is a thing
more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it. For myself I was never so much
enticed with the glorious name of a King or royal authority of a Queen as delighted that God hath made
me his instrument to maintain his truth and glory and to defend his kingdom as I said from peril,
dishonour, tyranny and oppression. There will never Queen sit in my seat with more zeal to my country,
care to my subjects and that will sooner with willingness venture her life for your good and safety than
myself. For it is my desire to live nor reign no longer than my life and reign shall be for your good. And
though you have had, and may have, many princes more mighty and wise sitting in this seat, yet you
never had nor shall have, any that will be more careful and loving.