Outline for "The Prince" CLASS OUTLINE NOTES
I. The basics - all dominions are acquired through either fortune (hereditary or exploitable circumstances) or ability
(virtú - strength, courage, skill, desperate measures; not a reference to moral virtue).
II. Hereditary rulers have an easier time keeping power and regaining it because they have less cause and less need to
offend than a new one. Unless a hereditary ruler does something truly despicable the people will of him and fight to
keep him in power. If a stronger force strips him of the title, he will have an easier time regaining it, because of the
necessary cruelties of his overthrowers force on the people make them more affectionate for him.
III. Mixed principalities occur when the people overthrow their ruler to join an established neighboring regime in an
attempt to improve their lives. This never improves them. The occupying force always injures the new principality,
thereby costing their goodwill, yet force cannot be used against them because the new ruler is obligated to them.
Therefore, they can neither be satisfied nor forced. Conquering the second time allows the ruler to use force by using
the rebellion as an excuse - this makes the lands easier to keep. If customs are the same between the current and soon to
be conquered holdings, all one must do is extinguish the ruling family and alter neither the laws nor the taxes. If
language, customs ,and laws are different then the prince must make one of three ruling choices. He can either:
A. live there - a rulers presence makes it easier to learn of and squash rebellions, installs either love or fear, and keeps
potential attackers away for fear of battle and swift retribution.
B. colonize - this only offends those who are dispossessed to house your troops and they will have no recourse.
C. use a large force of troops - this method is both expensive and annoying to the residents of the new principality.
Tip from the Romans - colonize, protect lesser powers without increasing their strength, reduce strong and threatening
powers, do not let foreign powers gain footing in neighboring areas.
IV. Lands ruled by single rulers are easier to gain and maintain control of than those with a central leader but a number
of barons or minor lords (more insurrection, more choices for the people to follow, more threats to your absolute rule).
V. The best ways to govern lands had their own lord are:
A. destroy it - replace it with your laws (the best choice)
B. live there - to keep personal control of things (second best option)
C. accept tribute from the near area but leave the laws unchanged - set-up a government to keep it friendly to you. With
this method the risks of overrule are still apparent, however the people now in government will do everything they can
to keep you in power so that they can stay in power.
VI. Nothing is more difficult than establishing a government; for he who introduces it makes enemies of all who
prospered under the old regime and finds but lukewarm defenders from those who stand to benefit from the new one.
VII. Those who rise due to good fortune depend entirely on the will and fortune of those who installed them. They rise
quickly to the top, but have neither the knowledge nor the power to remain there. Here begin to stress point that people
are tools to be used when necessary to gain a desired end. As an example, cite the story of the Duke of Valention (a.k.a.
Cesare Borgia) who set a harsh taskmaster with free reign for his cruelties to rule over a new province. Once the man
had settled the area to the Duke’s satisfaction the Duke noted that the people blamed him for hid dominions cruelty.
The Duke rewarded Remirro (the taskmaster) for his work on the Duke’s behalf by affixing all the blame upon him.
When the people strode into the public square of Cesena they found Remirro’s body split in two and left for public
display. He was found laying next to a wooden block with a blood-stained knife resting beside it. The people were
gratified by the Duke’s vengeance and never realized that he was to blame for Remirro’s cruel actions.
VIII. Those who gain power from strictly nefarious means gain dominion but not glory. If force is needed it should be
used at the beginning so as to avoid frequent repetition. Those who are cruel throughout their reign must constantly
be on guard and generally do not reign or live very long.
IX. Some princes gain control by being promoted wither by the nobles or by the people. Although both have
disadvantages, it is better to be chosen by the people. Power gained through the nobles is difficult to control because
they will consider you an equal. It is impossible to satisfy all of the nobles, which means some faction of them will
always be against you. Power gained through the people guarantees the peoples goodwill at times of trouble. The
people are also easier to satisfy because all that they desire is freedom from the barons’ oppression. Unfortunately
being chosen by one group almost invariably costs you the good will of the other. On that note, you can never secure
against and hostile populace, but at the worst, the people will abandon you. While hostile nobles can be replaced at the
ruler’s whim, hostile nobles will try to kill the ruler so that they can replace him.
X. The strength of a principality is measured on whether it can survive on its own in times of trouble or if it will have to
rely on others. If one does not have the strength to fight, it is better to cut your losses by enclosing the main city and
fortifying it with supplies. A siege will destroy the outside areas, but those within will survive and can rebuild.
XI. Ecclesiastical principalities are the easiest to protect thank to the great power of the church due to the efforts of
Alexander VI. No one will attack the power of the church and it does not matter what kind of ruler is in place, for
nothing can destroy the religious ties of the people.
XII. If the laws are unsound then the military will be unsound as well. If the military is sound, then the laws are sound,
too. It is best to rule with your own troops, as they will have loyalty only to you. Mercenaries are always to be bought
for a higher dollar and are unwilling to lay down their lives for money or someone else’s beliefs. Auxiliary troops are
always a danger because their loyalty lies with another who is strong enough to control them; thereby putting the
borrower of such troops at the whim and mercy of a powerful lord and risking having that lord conquer his kingdom as
well.
XIII. Auxiliary forces are both useless and disastrous to the one who borrows them because they are only worthwhile in
pursuit of their own interests. If they are defeated, then you are ruined; if they are victorious, then you become their
prisoner. With mercenaries the danger lies in their cowardice while with auxiliaries the danger lies in their capability.
XIV. A prince’s main objective and profession must be warfare. This can be done through action and study. He should
keep men trained and train with them. Hunting is also a good activity for a prince because it teaches the lay of the land
so that it’s resources can be used to defend it. This also improves the prince’s ability to reconnoiter when attacking
opponents. In any given area he should give thought to different battle scenarios to decide how each would best be
played out to his advantage depending on the location. A prince should also study and emulate the great battle leaders
of history.
XV. A man who strives solely for good will be pursuing his own downfall, for so many men are not good. The prudent
prince will temper his goods and bads to achieve a powerful balance.
XVI. It is better to be miserly and let your people prosper, than to be liberal and generous because the more they are
ingested the fewer are the meals to indulge them further. It is fine to show largess by giving away the property of
another property (spoils of war, looting, pillaging) but giving away one’s own will lead to heavy taxation, which will
lose for you the good regards of the people who support you.
XVII. There is greater security in being feared than loved, but be careful not to be hated.
XVIII. You can fight by means of law or by means of force. A prince should be both human and bestial so as to provide
himself with more options for any course of action. In regards to the animal kingdom, he should be a fox in recognizing
snares and a lion in driving off foes. A prince should break a pledge whenever it suits his purpose to do so. If the
conditions that forced him to make the pledge have been resolved, then it will not be difficult for him to find a reason to
break the pledge. A prince does not have to be morally ideal; he must simply project that ideal to the masses. After all,
appearances are deceiving, and this works best to a Prince’s advantage, where so few come close enough to the man to
see past the image he portrays or the shadow he casts.
XIX. It is important to avoid feelings of contempt and hatred from the people, as time after time history has shown that
these two emotions by the people toward their leader will cause his downfall. Generally all that a prince has to do to
remain in the good favor of the people is to not deprive them of their property or their honor. At times of war between
two neighboring factions it is best to side with the one who has the best ability to help and support you; but work
towards not offending either faction to the point that they will either attack you when the current circumstances are
ended.
XX. It is best for a new ruler to arm his people. This shows a sense of trust in the people and puts the responsibility of
protecting the new regime on the people. As for fortresses, there value depends solely on the prince’s position in the
principality. If he is wary of the people then he should build fortresses to protect himself and to intimidate the public.
However, if he is loved by the people it is better for the prince to not use fortresses, as these would barricade him from
his greatest resource and eventually separate him from them completely. By not using a fortress, the prince bonds more
closely with the people - he will be able to more quickly find and stop insurrections, and this unity will also make his
lands harder to take by force. Princes have found more loyalty and usefulness in men whom they held suspect at the
inception of their rule than in men whom they initially trusted. Those who have always been in favor will be casual in
their efforts and their work will be negligent. Those who are suspect but win trust will show greater loyalty and work
harder for the prince out of fear of falling from the new prince’s good graces.
XXI. To promote goodwill among the people, a good prince should always support new businesses, promising artisans,
and the like. He should also celebrate at festivals with his people in honor of days and events that they hold special.
Both rewards and punishments should be quick and creative. If two neighboring countries go to war you must take
sides, for to remain neutral will be your downfall. The victor will seek to oppress you because you did not aid him and
the loser will refuse you aid for the same reason. If possible, do not join forces with someone already stronger than you
as this puts you at their mercy. If you join the weaker power you have the most favorable results. If you win, you
strengthen your own country, destroy a powerful enemy, and form a useful alliance with another principality. If your
side loses, your companion-in-arms will help support you through the rough times, and this will join your fortunes for
future successes. To gain the most esteem from both your people and on the world stage, one must embark on great
enterprises and give rare proofs of one’s ability.
XXII. The selection of ministers and advisors is on of the most important tasks that a prince must perform, for he will
be judges by others based on the people he keeps around him. The best ministers will either be able to think for
themselves or be able to understand the thoughts of others, for those who can do neither are worthless. They must
always think of the prince first and foremost. A minister who thinks of himself is not reliable for anything other than
pushing for his own advancement. It is important to tie and bind good ministers to you through rewards and shared
duties.
XXIII. Avoid flatterers and hangers-on. Allow your closest ministers to advise you honestly and without fear of
retribution on certain topics of your choosing. Never allow anyone the freedom to speak his mind to you on anything,
for this will cost you the respect of that person and that of others who see this behavior. Listen to your advisors
carefully, but ultimately do as you wish on all decisions.
XXIV. A new prince can be a much more powerful ruler than an hereditary one if he acts on behalf of the people and
has the strength to enforce his laws.
XXV. For tune changes while human beings remain constant. Therefore, one will succeed as long as his actions match
those of fortune. When fortune turns, a successful man must either learn to adapt to the change, or lose fortune’s
blessing.
XXVI. When a country is at its worst is a perfect time for a new prince to take command. If he can unite the people and
then relieve them of any of their woes he will be beloved.