Summary — Chapter V: How to Govern Cities and Principalities
That, Prior to Being Occupied, Lived Under Their Own Laws
Machiavelli describes three ways to hold states that have
been accustomed to living freely under their own laws. The first
is to devastate them. The second is for the conqueror to occupy
them. The third is to allow the state to maintain its own laws,
but to charge taxes and establish an oligarchy to keep the state
friendly. The third option is advantageous because the newly imposed
oligarchy will work hard to secure the authority of the conquering
prince within the conquered state because it owes its existence
to the prince and cannot survive without his support. Thus, as long
as the goal is not to devastate the other state, it is easiest to
rule it through the use of its own citizens.
Complete destruction is the most certain way of securing
a state that has been free in the past. A prince who does not take
this route places himself in a position to be destroyed himself.
No matter how long it has been since the state was acquired, rebellions
will always revive the legacy of ancient institutions and notions
of former liberty, even if the state has benefited from the prince’s
rule. This sense of tradition will unify the people against the
prince.
On the other hand, cities or provinces that are accustomed
to being ruled by a prince are easy to take over once the ruling
family has been destroyed. People in such states are accustomed
to obedience and do not know how to live in freedom without having
someone to rule over them. Therefore, the new prince can win the province
and hold onto it more easily.
In republics (or former republics), sentiments of hatred
and revenge against the conquering prince will run strong. The memories
of ancient liberty never die, so a prince will be better off destroying
the republic or personally occupying the conquered state.
Summary — Chapter VI: Concerning New Principalities
Acquired by One’s Own Arms and Ability
[P]eople are by nature changeable. It
is easy to persuade them about some particular matter, but it is
hard to hold them to that persuasion.
See Important Quotations Explained
Princes should strive to imitate the examples set by great
rulers of the past, even if that means setting lofty goals. This
way, if a prince fails to meet those lofty goals, his actions will
nevertheless enhance his reputation as a great or powerful ruler.
One way that rulers acquire states is through their own
prowess, meaning their own abilities, rather than the good fortune
of noble birth, inheritance, or lucky circumstances. Relying
on one’s personal prowess is a very difficult method of acquiring
a state. However, a state acquired by a ruler’s natural skill will
prove easier to maintain control over. Examples of rulers who triumphed
on the strength of their own powers include Moses, Cyrus, Romulus,
and Theseus.
