The Prince, Chapter 6 summary

What happens

1. The speaker recommends imitating outstanding leaders, as archers aim above a distant target to reach it.
2. Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus demonstrate how ability turns favorable circumstances into opportunities to found states.
3. New laws bring strong opposition from existing beneficiaries and weak support from potential beneficiaries.
4. The speaker argues that innovators need their own force because persuasion alone cannot keep people loyal.
5. Fra Girolamo Savonarola loses his new order when belief fades and he lacks means to enforce it.
6. Hiero the Syracusan replaces his army and alliances, building foundations that make his acquired power easier to keep.

In this chapter

What to notice

The sentence condenses the argument that persuasion needs force behind it. Savonarola provides the contrasting example of a reformer unable to sustain belief.

Quick check