The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli's notorious 16th-century treatise on political power. Drawing on his experience as a Florentine diplomat, Machiavelli advises rulers that the effective truth matters more than… Read more

Niccolo Machiavelli's notorious 16th-century treatise on political power. Drawing on his experience as a Florentine diplomat, Machiavelli advises rulers that the effective truth matters more than moral ideals — that a prince must be prepared to act against mercy, faith, and humanity when necessity demands. Controversial for centuries, it remains the most influential work of political realism ever written. Show less