The Prince

It is not titles that honors men, but men that honors titles. How can a prince rise to power? What must he do to remain in it? What is expected of a good ruler? Which is better to be feared or to be loved? Offering an explicit insight into the minds of a ruler, here is a practical handbook and a political treatise exploring the attainment, maintenance, and utilization of political power in the Western world. It warns that if a state is not governed properly it shall collapse on the ruler. It describes the art and craft of war. It elaborates on the qualities of a prince and his prudence. It gives lessons in statesmanship and on judging the strength of principalities. One of the first works of modern political philosophy, Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince expounds on why the princes of Italy lost their states. He dedicates the book to Lorenzo de Medici, believing that it is he who can bring salvation for Italy. Full of historical references, the book continues to influence its readers and the hidden ruler in them.