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This summary is a companion guide to Having power.

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
- Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527), "The Prince"

A Summary of The PRINCE By Niccolò Machiavelli
Originally called De Principatibus (About Principalities), and written by the Florentine public servant and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli around 1513 AD, The Prince is widely regarded as one of the most influential books on politics, especially on the acquisition, perpetuation, and use of political power. .

The Prince was written around 1513, but not published until 1532, five years after Machiavelli's death.

The seven traits of an effective political leader
- a willingness to imitate the behavior of great men, e.g. those of Ancient Rome in particular, the book being written in the Renaissance
- the ability to illustrate how government is necessary to the well-being of the populace, e.g. perhaps by demonstrating the consequences of yielding to mob rule by temporarily relaxing one's grip
- a dedication to the art of war — if only for the state's actual survival
- an understanding that apparent cruelties and vice may be essential to maintaining stability and power
- prudence with respect to disbursement of one's own wealth
- making efforts to appear religious to sway the "vulgar." Machiavelli extols King Ferdinand of Spain for using the cloak of religion to invade Italy numerous times — he praises the tactic yet hates the invasion of Italy by other monarchs.
- the wisdom to seek advice and counsel only when it is needed

Avoiding contempt and hatred
A prince should command respect through his conduct, because a prince that is highly respected by his people is unlikely to face internal struggles. Additionally, a prince who does not raise the contempt of the nobles and keeps the people satisfied, Machiavelli assures, should have no fear of conspirators.

New principalities acquired by prowess or fortune
For men who have become princes by means of their ability (prowess), the hardest difficulty is the acquisition of their territory. A new prince might be tempted to set up new and innovative methods of government; however, Machiavelli warns that in that case, a prince will encounter many enemies who oppose the change or, on the other hand, pervasive supporters. Because – according to Machiavelli – generally, people do not take well to change. Therefore, as Machiavelli deduces, the only effective means of establishing rule is by force:

Force is the most effective and efficient means to do something and the virtuous prince will employ its leverage.

Regarding men who have become princes due to fortune and put forth no effort, Machiavelli asserts that they will face endless efforts in maintaining their power. With no loyal army or ancient institutions to stand on, a prince of a new state relying solely on fortune has little chance of survival.

New and mixed principalities
New principalities are created through military or civil acquisition. Mixed principalities are new territories that are added to an existing territory. Machiavelli identifies four ways in which a prince may acquire a new principality: by one’s own arms, by the arms of others, by evil means and by civil means.

Importantly, a prince settling a new territory with dissimilar customs and languages must be aware of his surroundings, particularly the relative neighbors in the region. Machiavelli argues that a virtuous prince must protect and ally his weaker neighbors and weaken the stronger. In addition, at all cost, he must not allow a foreign power of equal strength to enter his surrounding territories.

Hereditary principalities
In a hereditary principality the people are automatically loyal to the prince, because he is of an ancient lineage and has the loyalty of the people instilled into his family name, therefore the people have a natural affection for him. Therefore, if outsiders disturb the throne, power is easily regained because the people have history and loyalty instilled in the former ruling family.

New principalities acquired by popular support
He who comes to power through the nobles is less secure than one who comes to power through the people because the nobles will consider themselves equal to the new prince, while the people seek only to be protected from oppression by the prince.

New principalities acquired by evil means
Benefits must be conferred gradually so they are appreciated more thoroughly and harm should be inflicted all at once. Both harm and benefits should not serve as quick solutions to problems.

Ecclesiastical principalities
Machiavelli states that among the princes, the ecclesiastical prince is the only one who, once in power, does not have to defend his power because it is rooted deep in ancient traditions of religion.

Gaining honors
A prince earns honor by completing great feats.

Machiavelli asserts it is always wiser to choose a side, rather than to be neutral. Machiavelli then provides the following reasons why:
- If your allies win, you benefit whether or not you have more power than they have.
- If you are more powerful, then your allies are under your command; if your allies are stronger, they will always feel a certain obligation to you for your help.
- If your side loses, you still have an ally in the loser.

Machiavelli also notes, that it is wise for a prince not to ally with a stronger force unless compelled to do so. In conclusion, the most important virtue is having the wisdom to discern what ventures will come with the most reward and then pursuing it courageously.

Defense and military
The two most essential foundations for any state, whether old or new, are sound laws and strong military forces.

Reputation of a prince
Machiavelli writes: "Many men have imagined republics and principalities that never really existed at all. Yet the way men live is so far removed from the way they ought to live that anyone who abandons what is for what should be pursues his downfall rather than his preservation; for a man who strives after goodness in all his acts is sure to come to ruin, since there are so many men who are not good." Since there are many possible qualities that a prince can be said to possess, he must not be overly concerned about having all the good ones. Although a bad reputation should be avoided, this is not crucial in maintaining power. The only ethic that matters is one that is

Generosity vs. parsimony
If a prince is overly generous to his subjects, Machiavelli asserts they will lose appreciation and will only greed for more. Additionally, being over-generous is not economical, because eventually all resources will be exhausted which results in higher taxes and will bring grief upon the prince. Then, if you decide to discontinue or limit your generosity, you will be labeled as a miser. Thus, Machiavelli summarizes that guarding against the people’s hatred is more important than building up a reputation for generosity. A wise prince should be more willing to be reputed a miser than be hated for trying to be too generous

Cruelty vs. mercy: To be feared or to be loved
Here a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse. The answer is, of course, that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved

Above all, Machiavelli argues, do not interfere with the property of the subjects, their women, or the life of somebody without proper justification. Regarding the troops of the prince, fear is absolutely necessary to keep a large garrison united and a prince should not mind the thought of cruelty in that regard.

Avoiding Flatterers
A prudent prince should have a select group of wise counselors to advise him truthfully on matters only that he inquires of. All other opinions and suggestions from them should be ignored. Ultimately, the decision should be made by the prince and carried out absolutely.

Quality Staff
The selection of quality servants is reflected directly upon the prince’s intelligence, so if they are loyal the prince is considered wise; however, when they are otherwise, the prince is open to adverse criticism.

The three types of intelligence:
-The kind that understands things for itself- which is excellent to have.
- The kind that understands what others can understand- which is good to have.
- The kind that does not understand for itself, nor through others- which is useless to have.

Fortune is only the judge of half our actions and we have control over the other half.

- ‘The Prince’ by Niccolò Machiavelli, 1513

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