The Quotable Machiavelli

Maurizio Viroli is professor emeritus of politics at Princeton University, professor of government at the University of Texas, Austin, and professor of political communication at the University of Italian Switzerland in Lugano. His many books include Niccolo's Smile: A Biography of Machiavelli (Hill & Wang) and How to Choose a Leader: Machiavelli's Advice to Citizens (Princeton).

Introduction xi Chronology xxxvii Note on the Texts xli I. Machiavelli on Himself, His Family, and Friends 1 II. Machiavelli Described by His Relatives, Friends,and Lovers 17 III. Man and Cosmos 25 Devils and Hell-Fortune-God's and the Heavens' Influence on Human Affairs-God's Mercy-Good and Evil-Prophecies-Purgatory-Return to Beginnings-The Universe, Its Hidden Power-The World and Its Eternity IV. The Human Condition 39 Antiquity and the Ancients-Avarice-Beasts-Bloodshed-Compassion-Concealment-Confession-Conscience-Courage (Animo)-Cowardice-Cruelty-Death-The Death Penalty-Deceit-Decline-Desire-Despair-Discourse-Disease-Dishonesty-The End Result-Error-Fault-Fear-Flattery-Fraud-Glory-Goals-The Good and Goodness-Greatness of Soul-Growth-Hatred-History-Honesty-Horror-Humility-Imitation-Infamy-Ingratitude-Insolence-Love-The Mind-Miracles-New Ways, New Continents-Old Times-Opportunity-Order and Disorder-Passions and Their Remedies-Patriotism-Peace-Prudence-Punishment-Rebirth (Renaissance)-Religion and the Reform of Religions-Saints-Science-Severity-Sin-Stupidity-Suspicion-Virtue-Women-Words V. Political Life 121 Accusations and Calumnies-Agrarian Law-Ambition-The Aristocracy-The Army and Soldiers-Artillery-Authority-Cavalry-Cities-Citizenship-Colonies-Constitution-Corruption-Dictatorship-Disorders-Empires and Emperors-Equality-Errors-Expansion-Extraordinary Measures-Fortresses-TheFounders and Reformers of States-Gold-Gonfalonier(Highest Magistrate of the Republic of Florence)-Government-Laws-Liberality-Liberty and Its Safekeeping-Ministers-Mixed Government-The Multitude-Opinion, Freedom of-The People-PopularGovernment-Poverty-The Prince-Public Honors-Republics-Revolutions and Reforms-Servitude-Social Conflicts-The State-Tribunes of the People-Tyranny-Tyranny and License-War VI. Machiavelli on His Contemporaries 217 Alexander VI, Pope-Giovanpaolo Baglioni-Cesare Borgia, the Duke Valentino-Ferdinand of Aragon, King of Spain-Italian Princes-Julius II, Pope-Lorenzo de'Medici (the Magnificent)-Lorenzo de' Medici, Duke of Urbino-Louis XII, King of France-Maximilian I, Emperor of Germany-Girolamo Savonarola (Friar)-Caterina Sforza, Countess of Forli-Piero Soderini VII. Past and Present 237 Achilles-Agathocles of Syracuse-Alexander the Great-Aristotle-Athens and Sparta-Cicero-Constantinople-Cyrus, King of Persia-Dante Alighieri-King David (Old Testament)-Cosimo de'Medici-Giovanni de' Medici-Florence-France and the French-Germany and the German Free Cities-Italy-Julius Caesar-Livy (Roman Historian)-Moses-Plutarch-Rome and the Roman People-Romulus-Turks and the Turkish Empire-Venice Selected Bibliography 287 Credits 297 Index 301