Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian diplomat, historian, and political philosopher of the Renaissance, best known for The Prince, one of the most famous and controversial works of political thought ever written. His clear-eyed, unsentimental analysis of power gave us the adjective 'Machiavellian.'
The Prince is a short, sharp handbook on how rulers gain and hold power, arguing that a leader must be prepared to act ruthlessly and pragmatically when necessary, rather than always virtuously. Whether it is a cynical endorsement of tyranny or a coldly honest description of how politics really works has been debated for 500 years. His longer Discourses on Livy reveals his deeper commitment to republican government.
Machiavelli served for years as a senior official of the Florentine Republic before it fell; imprisoned and tortured when the Medici returned to power, he wrote The Prince in part to win back a place in public life.
His prose is direct and quotable, but older translations can be stiff. Our editions render his arguments crisply in modern English. Read a selection free, and read or listen with a membership.
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The Prince
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Frequently asked questions about Niccolò Machiavelli
What did Machiavelli write?
Machiavelli's most famous work is The Prince, a short treatise on political power. He also wrote the Discourses on Livy, a longer defence of republican government; The Art of War; a history of Florence; and comic plays such as The Mandrake. The Prince is by far his most read and most debated book.
What is The Prince about?
The Prince is a practical guide to acquiring and keeping political power. Machiavelli argues that a successful ruler must understand how the world really is rather than how it ought to be, and must be willing to use cunning, force, and even cruelty when the situation demands it. It coolly separates effective statecraft from conventional morality, which is why it remains so shocking and influential.
What does 'Machiavellian' mean?
'Machiavellian' describes cunning, scheming behaviour that uses manipulation and deceit to gain or keep power, often putting results above morality. The word comes directly from the reputation of The Prince. It is worth noting that many scholars think Machiavelli was describing political reality, not simply endorsing ruthlessness — but the popular meaning has stuck.
Is Machiavelli hard to read?
The Prince is short and unusually direct for a work of its age, which is part of why it has stayed so popular. The main challenges are its many references to Renaissance Italian politics and older, formal translations. A clear modern edition makes his blunt, practical arguments easy to follow.
Was Machiavelli evil?
Not in the way his reputation suggests. He was a devoted public servant of the Florentine Republic who valued liberty and good government, as his Discourses show. The Prince's hard-headed advice reflects the brutal, unstable politics of Renaissance Italy, which he observed at first hand. Readers still argue over whether the book is cynical, realistic, or even a veiled warning.
When did Machiavelli live?
Machiavelli lived from 1469 to 1527, during the Italian Renaissance. He served the Florentine Republic as a diplomat and official until the Medici family returned to power in 1512, after which he lost his position and wrote his major works in enforced retirement. The Prince was written around 1513 and published after his death.
Where can I read Machiavelli for free?
Machiavelli's works are in the public domain, and older translations are freely available. Some are written in dense, formal English. Here you can read The Prince free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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