Nicolas Machiavel

Power is judged by its effects, not good intentions.

Political realism · Humanism1469 – 1527 ItalyPolitical realistRepublicanDiplomat and civil servantHistorian

Overview Arguments · 4 Works Quotes Lineage

1513

The Prince (De principatibus) essential

Written in exile in 1513, dedicated to Lorenzo de' Medici. It circulated in manuscript and was printed only in 1532, five years after his death. Placed on the Index in 1559.

Written by the author, published posthumously

vers 1513-1519

Discourses on the First Decade of Livy essential

His great book on republics, drawn from the history of Rome. Published in 1531, after his death.

Written by the author, published posthumously

1513

Letter to Francesco Vettori, 10 December 1513

A private letter describing his days in exile and announcing the Prince. First printed in 1810.

Written by the author, published posthumously

vers 1518

The Mandrake

A satirical comedy, staged and printed in his lifetime. Not yet in our corpus.

Written and published by the author

1521

The Art of War

The only one of his major political works published in his lifetime. Not yet in our corpus.

Written and published by the author

1520-1525

Florentine Histories

Commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici, presented to Pope Clement VII in 1525, printed in 1532. Not yet in our corpus.

Written by the author, published posthumously