FREE ESSAY ON OUTLINE FOR THE PRINCE

OUTLINE FOR THE PRINCE

Outline for The Prince
I. The basics - all dominions are acquired through either fortune (hereditary or
exploitable circumstances) or ability (virtu - strength, courage, skill, desperate
measures; not a reference to moral virtue)
II. Hereditary rulers have an easier time keeping power and regaining it because they
have less cause and less need to offend than a new one. Unless a hereditary ruler does
something truly despicable the people will of him and fight to keep him in power. If a
stronger force strips him of the title, he will have an easier time regaining it, because
of the necessary cruelties of his overthrowers force on the people make them more
affectionate for him.
III. Mixed principalities occur when the people overthrow their ruler to join an
established neighboring regime in an attempt to improve their lives. This never improves
them. The occupying force always injures the new principality, thereby costing their
goodwill, yet force cannot be used against them because the new ruler is obligated to
them. Therefore, they can neither be satisfied nor forced. Conquering the second time
allows the ruler to use force by using the rebellion as an excuse - this makes the lands
easier to keep. If customs are the same between the current and soon to be conquered
holdings, all one must do is extinguish the ruling family and alter neither the laws nor
the taxes. If language, customs ,and laws are different then the prince must make one of
three ruling choices. He can either:
A. live there - a rulers presence makes it easier to learn of and squash rebellions,
installs either love or fear, and keeps potential attackers away for fear of battle and
swift retribution.
B. colonize - this only offends those who are dispossessed to house your troops and they
will have no recourse.
C. use a large force of troops - this method is both expensive and annoying to the
residents of the new principality.
Tip from the Romans - colonize, protect lesser powers without increasing their strength,
reduce strong and threatening powers, do not let foreign powers gain footing in
neighboring areas. 
IV. Lands ruled by single rulers are easier to gain and maintain control of than those
with a central leader but a number of barons or minor lords (more insurrection, more
choices for the people to follow, more threats to your absolute rule).
V. The best ways to govern lands had their own lord are:
A. destroy it - replace it with your laws (the best choice)
B. live there - to keep personal control of things (second best option)
C. accept tribute from the near area but leave the laws unchanged - set-up a government
to keep it friendly to you. With this method the risks of overrule are still apparent,
however the people now in government will do everything they can to keep you in power so
that they can stay in power. 
VI. Nothing is more difficult than establishing a government,; for he who introduces it
makes enemies of all who prospered under the old regime and finds but lukewarm defenders
from those who stand to benefit from the new one.
VII. Those who rise due to good fortune depend entirely on the will and fortune of those
who installed them. They rise quickly to the top, but have neither the knowledge nor the
power to remain there. Here begin to stress point that people are tools to be used when
necessary to gain a desired end. As an example, cite the story of the Duke of Valention
(a.k.a. Cesare Borgia) who set a harsh taskmaster with free reign for his cruelties to
rule over a new province. Once the man had settled the area to the Duke's satisfaction
the Duke noted that the people blamed him for hid dominions cruelty. The Duke rewarded
Remirro (the taskmaster) for his work on the Duke's behalf by affixing all the blame upon
him. When the people strode into the public square of Cesena they found Remirro's body
split in two and left for public display. He was found laying next to a wooden block with
a blood-stained knife resting beside it. The people were gratified by the Duke's
vengeance and never realized that he was to blame for Remirro's cruel actions.
VIII. Those who gain power from strictly nefarious means gain dominion but not glory. If
force is needed it should be used at the beginning so as to avoid frequent repetition.
Those who are cruel throughout their reign must constantly be on guard and generally do
not reign or live very long.
IX. Some princes gains control by being promoted wither by the nobles or by the people.
Although both have disadvantages, it is better to be chosen by the people. Power gained
through the nobles is difficult to control because they will consider you an equal. It is
impossible to satisfy all of the nobles which means some faction of them will always be
against you. Power gained through the people guarantees the peoples goodwill at times of
trouble. The people are also easier to satisfy because all that they desire is freedom
from the barons oppression. Unfortunately being chosen by one group almost invariably
costs you the good will of the other. On that note, you can never secure against an
hostile populace, but at the worst , the people will abandon you. While hostile nobles
can be replaced at the ruler's whim, hostile nobles will try to kill the ruler so that
they can replace him. 
X. The strength of a principality is measured on whether it can survive on its own in
times of trouble or if it will have to rely on others. If one does not have the strength
to fight, it is better to cut your losses by enclosing the main city and fortifying it
with supplies. A siege will destroy the outside areas, but those within will survive and
can rebuild. 
XI. Ecclesiastical principalities are the easiest to protect thank to the great power of
the church due to the efforts of Alexander VI. No one will attack the power of the church
and it does not matter what kind of ruler is in place, for nothing can destroy the
religious ties of the people. 
XII. If the laws are unsound then the military will be unsound as well. If the military
is sound, then the laws are sound, too. It is best to rule with your own troops as they
will have loyalty only to you. Mercenaries are always to be bought for a higher dollar
and are unwilling to lay down their lives for money or someone else's beliefs. Auxiliary
troops are always a danger because their loyalty lies with another who is strong enough
to control them; thereby putting the borrower of such troops at the whim and mercy of a
powerful lord and risking having that lord conquer his kingdom as well. 
XIII. Auxiliary forces are both useless and disastrous to the one who borrows them
because they are only worthwhile in pursuit of their own interests. If they are defeated,
then you are ruined; if they are victorious, then you become their prisoner. With
mercenaries the danger lies in their cowardice while with auxiliaries the danger lies in
their capability. 
XIV. A prince's main objective and profession must be warfare. This can be done through
action and study. He should keep men trained and train with them. Hunting is also a good
activity for a prince because it teaches the lay of the land so that it's resources can
better be used to defend it. This also improves the prince's ability to reconnoiter when
attacking opponents. In any given area he should give thought to different battle
scenarios to decide how each would best be played out to his advantage depending on the
location. A prince should also study and emulate the great battle leaders of history.
XV. A man who strives solely for good will be pursuing his own downfall, for so many men
are not good. The prudent prince will temper his goods and bads to achieve a powerful
balance. 
XVI. It is better to be miserly and let your people prosper, than to be liberal and
generous because the more they are ingested the fewer are the meals to indulge them
further. It is fine to show largess by giving away the property of another property
(spoils of war, looting, pillaging) but giving away one's own will lead to heavy
taxation, which will lose for you the good regards of the people who support you. 
XVII. There is greater security in being feared than loved, but be careful not to be
hated.
XVIII. You can fight by means of law or by means of force. A prince should be both human
and beastial so as to provide himself with more options for any course of action. In
regards to the animal kingdom, he should be a fox in recognizing snares and a lion in
driving off foes. A prince should break a pledge whenever it suits his purpose to do so.
If the conditions which forced him to make the pledge have been resolved, then it will
not be difficult for him to find a reason to break the pledge. A prince does not have to
be morally ideal, he must simply project that ideal to the masses. After all, appearances
are deceiving, and this works best to a Prince's advantage, where so few come close
enough to the man to see past the image he portrays or the shadow he casts. 
XIX. It is important to avoid feelings of contempt and hatred from the people, as time
after time history has shown that these two emotions by the people toward their leader
will cause his downfall. Generally all that a prince has to do to remain in the good
favor of the people is to not deprive them of their property or their honor. At times of
war between two neighboring factions it is best to side with the one who has the best
ability to help and support you; but work towards not offending either faction to the
point that they will either attack you when the current circumstances are ended. 
XX. It is best for a new ruler to arm his people. This shows a sense of trust in the
people and puts the responsibility of protecting the new regime on the people. As for
fortresses, there value depends solely on the prince's position in the principality. If
he is wary of the people then he should build fortresses to protect himself and to
intimidate the public. However, if he is loved by the people it is better for the prince
to not use fortresses, as these would barricade him from his greatest resource and
eventually separate him from them completely. By not using a fortress, the prince bonds
more closely with the people - he will be able to more quickly find and stop
insurrections, and this unity will also make his lands harder to take by force. Princes
have found more loyalty and usefulness in men whom they held suspect at the inception of
their rule than in men whom they initially trusted. Those who have always been in favor
will be casual in their efforts and their work will be negligent. Those who are suspect
but win trust will show greater loyalty and work harder for the prince out of fear of
falling from the new prince's good graces. 
XXI. To promote goodwill among the people, a good prince should always support new
businesses, promising artisans, and the like. He should also celebrate at festivals with
his people in honor of days and events that they hold special. Both rewards and
punishments should be quick and creative. If two neighboring countries go to war you must
take sides, for to remain neutral will be your downfall. The victor will seek to oppress
you because you did not aid him and the loser will refuse you aid for the same reason. If
possible, do not join forces with someone already stronger than you as this puts you at
their mercy. If you join the weaker power you have the most favorable results. If you
win, you strengthen your own country, destroy a powerful enemy, and form a useful
alliance with another principality. If your side loses, your companion-in-arms will help
support you through the rough times, and this will join your fortunes for future
successes. To gain the most esteem from both your people and on the world stage, one must
embark on great enterprises and give rare proofs of one's ability. 
XXII. The selection of ministers and advisors is on of the most important tasks that a
prince must perform, for he will be judges by others based on the people he keeps around
him. The best ministers will either be able to think for themselves or be able to
understand the thoughts of others, for those who can do neither are worthless. They must
always think of the prince first and foremost. A minister who thinks of himself is not
reliable for anything other than pushing for his own advancement. It is important to tie
and bind good ministers to you through rewards and shared duties. 
XXIII. Avoid flatterers and hangers-on. Allow your closest ministers to advise you
honestly and without fear of retribution on certain topics of your choosing. Never allow
anyone the freedom to speak his mind to you on anything, for this will cost you the
respect of that person and that of others who see this behavior. Listen to your advisors
carefully, but ultimately do as you wish on all decisions. 
XXIV. A new prince can be a much more powerful ruler than an hereditary one if he acts on
behalf of the people and has the strength to enforce his laws.
XXV. For tune changes while human beings remain constant. Therefore, one will succeed as
long as his actions match those of fortune. When fortune turns, a successful man must
either learn to adapt to the change, or lose fortune's blessing. 
XXVI. When a country is at its worst is a perfect time for a new prince to take command.
If he can unite the people and then relieve them of any of their woes he will be
beloved.