Moorpark College Vision of Politics and Political Science Questions Which of the three texts that we studied this term did you find to resonate the most with your vision of politics and political science? Which text aligned best with your aspirations as a student and aspiring professional? Finally, which text confirmed, or supported, your vision of how change takes place in the world? Lastly, compare your selection with the text you found the least appealing. What are the primary differences between the two texts? Discourses on Livy by Niccolo Machiavelli
DISCOURSES ON LIVY
By Nicolo Machiavelli
The Federalist Papers Project
www.thefederalistpapers.org
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Discourses on Livy by Niccolo Machiavelli
Table of Contents
DISCOURSES ON THE FIRST DECADE OF TITUS LIVIUS……………………………………………………..8
BOOK I………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8
PREFACE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8
CHAPTER I.—Of the Beginnings of Cities in general, and in particular of that of Rome. ………9
CHAPTER II.—Of the various kinds of Government; and to which of them the Roman
Commonwealth belonged. ………………………………………………………………………………………..12
CHAPTER III.—Of the Accidents which led in Rome to the creation of Tribunes of the
People; whereby the Republic was made more perfect. ……………………………………………….15
CHAPTER IV.—That the Dissensions between the Senate and Commons of Rome, made
Rome free and powerful……………………………………………………………………………………………16
CHAPTER V.—Whether the Guardianship of public Freedom is safer in the hands of the
Commons or of the Nobles; and whether those who seek to acquire Power or they who seek
to maintain it are the greater cause of Commotions. ……………………………………………………18
CHAPTER VI.—Whether it was possible in Rome to contrive such a Government as would
have composed the Differences between the Commons and the Senate. ………………………..19
CHAPTER VII.—That to preserve Liberty in a State there must exist the Right to accuse. …..23
CHAPTER VIII.—That Calumny is as hurtful in a Commonwealth as the power to accuse is
useful. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….25
CHAPTER IX.—That to give new Institutions to a Commonwealth, or to reconstruct old
Institutions on an entirely new basis, must be the work of one Man……………………………….27
CHAPTER X.—That in proportion as the Founder of a Kingdom or Commonwealth merits
Praise, he who founds a Tyranny deserves Blame. ………………………………………………………..29
CHAPTER XI.—Of the Religion of the Romans. ……………………………………………………………..31
CHAPTER XII.—That it is of much moment to make account of Religion; and that Italy,
through the Roman Church, being wanting therein, has been ruined. ……………………………33
CHAPTER XIII.—Of the use the Romans made of Religion in giving Institutions to their City, in
carrying out their Enterprises, and in quelling Tumults………………………………………………….35
CHAPTER XIV.—That the Romans interpreted the Auspices to meet the occasion; and made
a prudent show of observing the Rites of Religion even when forced to disregard them; and
any who rashly slighted Religion they punished……………………………………………………………37
CHAPTER XV.—How the Samnites, as a last resource in their broken Fortunes, had recourse
to Religion. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………38
CHAPTER XVI.—That a People accustomed to live under a Prince, if by any accident it
become free, can hardly preserve that Freedom. ………………………………………………………….39
CHAPTER XVII.—That a corrupt People obtaining Freedom can hardly preserve it. …………..41
CHAPTER XVIII.—How a Free Government existing in a corrupt City may be preserved, or not
existing may be created…………………………………………………………………………………………….43
CHAPTER XIX.—After a strong Prince a weak Prince may maintain himself: but after one
weak Prince no Kingdom can stand a second……………………………………………………………….45
CHAPTER XX.—That the consecutive Reigns of two valiant Princes produce great results: and
that well-ordered Commonwealths are assured of a Succession of valiant Rulers by whom
their Power and Growth are rapidly extended. …………………………………………………………….47
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CHAPTER XXI.—That it is a great reproach to a Prince or to a Commonwealth to be without
a national Army. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………47
CHAPTER XXII.—What is to be noted in the combat of the three Roman Horatii and the three
Alban Curiatii. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….48
CHAPTER XXIII.—That we should never hazard our whole Fortunes where we put not forth
our entire Strength; for which reason to guard a Defile is often hurtful. ………………………….49
CHAPTER XXIV.—That well-ordered States always provide Rewards and Punishments for
their Citizens; and never set off Deserts against Misdeeds. ……………………………………………50
CHAPTER XXV.—That he who would reform the Institutions of a free State, must retain at
least the semblance of old Ways. ……………………………………………………………………………….51
CHAPTER XXVI.—A new Prince in a City or Province of which he has taken Possession, ought
to make Everything new. …………………………………………………………………………………………..52
CHAPTER XXVII.—That Men seldom know how to be wholly good or wholly bad. …………….53
CHAPTER XXVIII.—Whence it came that the Romans were less ungrateful to their Citizens
than were the Athenians. ………………………………………………………………………………………….54
CHAPTER XXIX.—Whether a People or a Prince is the more ungrateful. ………………………….54
CHAPTER XXX.—How Princes and Commonwealths may avoid the vice of Ingratitude; and
how a Captain or Citizen may escape being undone by it. ……………………………………………..57
CHAPTER XXXI.—That the Roman Captains were never punished with extreme severity for
Misconduct; and where loss resulted to the Republic merely through their Ignorance or
Want of Judgment, were not punished at all. ………………………………………………………………58
CHAPTER XXXII.—That a Prince or Commonwealth should not delay conferring Benefits until
they are themselves in difficulties. ……………………………………………………………………………..59
CHAPTER XXXIII.—When a Mischief has grown up in, or against a State, it is safer to
temporize with than to meet it with Violence. ……………………………………………………………..60
CHAPTER XXXIV.—That the authority of the Dictator did good and not harm to the Roman
Republic: and that it is not those Powers which are given by the free suffrages of the People,
but those which ambitious Citizens usurp for themselves, that are pernicious to a State. ….62
CHAPTER XXXV—Why the Creation of the Decemvirate in Rome, although brought about by
the free and open Suffrage of the Citizens, was hurtful to the Liberties of that Republic ……63
CHAPTER XXXVI.—That Citizens who have held the higher Offices of a Commonwealth
should not disdain the lower. …………………………………………………………………………………….65
CHAPTER XXXVII.—Of the Mischief bred in Rome by the Agrarian Law: and how it is a great
source of disorder in a Commonwealth to pass a Law opposed to ancient Usage and with
stringent retrospective Effect. ……………………………………………………………………………………65
CHAPTER XXXVIII.—That weak Republics are irresolute and undecided; and that the course
they may take depends more on Necessity than Choice. ……………………………………………….68
CHAPTER XXXIX.—That often the same Accidents are seen to befall different Nations. …….70
CHAPTER XL.—Of the creation of the Decemvirate in Rome, and what therein is to be noted.
Wherein among other Matters is shown how the same Causes may lead to the Safety or to
the Ruin of a Commonwealth. ……………………………………………………………………………………71
CHAPTER XLI.—That it is unwise to pass at a bound from leniency to severity, or to a
haughty bearing from a humble. ………………………………………………………………………………..75
CHAPTER XLII.—How easily Men become corrupted. …………………………………………………….75
CHAPTER XLIII.—That Men fighting in their own Cause make good and resolute Soldiers. ..75
CHAPTER XLIV.—That the Multitude is helpless without a Head: and that we should not with
the same breath threaten and ask leave. …………………………………………………………………….76
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CHAPTER XLV.—That it is of evil example, especially in the Maker of a Law, not to observe
the Law when made: and that daily to renew acts of injustice in a City is most hurtful to the
Governor. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..77
CHAPTER XLVI.—That Men climb from one step of Ambition to another, seeking at first to
escape Injury and then to injure others. ………………………………………………………………………78
CHAPTER XLVII.—That though Men deceive themselves in Generalities, in Particulars they
judge truly……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….79
CHAPTER XLVIII.—He who would not have an Office bestowed on some worthless or wicked
Person, should contrive that it be solicited by one who is utterly worthless and wicked, or
else by one who is in the highest degree noble and good. ……………………………………………..82
CHAPTER XLIX.—That if Cities which, like Rome, had their beginning in Freedom, have had
difficulty in framing such Laws as would preserve their Freedom, Cities which at the first
have been in Subjection will find this almost impossible………………………………………………..82
CHAPTER L.—That neither any Council nor any Magistrate should have power to bring the
Government of a City to a stay. ………………………………………………………………………………….84
CHAPTER LI.—What a Prince or Republic does of Necessity, should seem to be done by
Choice. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………85
CHAPTER LII.—That to check the arrogance of a Citizen who is growing too powerful in a
State, there is no safer Method, or less open to objection, than to forestall him in those
Ways whereby he seeks to advance himself. ……………………………………………………………….85
CHAPTER LIII.—That the People, deceived by a false show of Advantage, often desire what
would be their Ruin; and that large Hopes and brave Promises easily move them. …………..87
CHAPTER LIV.—Of the boundless Authority which a great Man may use to restrain an
excited Multitude……………………………………………………………………………………………………..89
CHAPTER LV.—That Government is easily carried on in a City wherein the body of the People
is not corrupted: and that a Princedom is impossible where Equality prevails, and a Republic
where it does not. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….90
CHAPTER LVI.—That when great Calamities are about to befall a City or Country, Signs are
seen to presage, and Seers arise who foretell them. ……………………………………………………..93
CHAPTER LVII.—That the People are strong collectively, but individually weak. ……………….94
CHAPTER LVIII.—That a People is wiser and more constant than a Prince ……………………….95
CHAPTER LIX.—To what Leagues or Alliances we may most trust; whether those we make
with Commonwealths or those we make with Princes. ………………………………………………….99
CHAPTER LX.—That the Consulship and all the other Magistracies in Rome were given
without respect to Age. …………………………………………………………………………………………..100
BOOK II………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….101
PREFACE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..101
CHAPTER I.—Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to
Fortune. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..103
CHAPTER II.—With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were
in defending their Freedom. …………………………………………………………………………………….106
CHAPTER III.—That Rome became great by destroying the Cities which lay round about her,
and by readily admitting strangers to the rights of Citizenship. ……………………………………110
CHAPTER IV.—That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their
Power. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..111
CHAPTER V.—That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and
Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past…………………………………………………………..115
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CHAPTER VI.—Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War………………………..116
CHAPTER VII.—Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist. …………118
CHAPTER VIII.—Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries
of others………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..118
CHAPTER IX.—Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States. ………….121
CHAPTER X.—That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War. ………122
CHAPTER XI.—That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than
Strength. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….124
CHAPTER XII.—Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….125
CHAPTER XIII.—That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….128
CHAPTER XIV.—That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility. ………..129
CHAPTER XV.—That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy
Resolves are always hurtful. …………………………………………………………………………………….130
CHAPTER XVI.—That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient
Warfare. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….132
CHAPTER XVII.—What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery;
and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just. ………………………………135
CHAPTER XVIII.—That the authority of the Romans and the example of ancient Warfare
should make us hold Foot Soldiers of more account than Horse……………………………………139
CHAPTER XIX.—That Acquisitions made by ill-governed States and such as follow not the
valiant methods of the Romans, tend rather to their Ruin than to their Aggrandizement. .142
CHAPTER XX.—Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or
Mercenary Arms. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………145
CHAPTER XXI.—That Capua was the first City to which the Romans sent a Prætor; nor there,
until four hundred years after they began to make War. …………………………………………….146
CHAPTER XXII.—That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss. ……………………………148
CHAPTER XXIII.—That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the
Romans always avoided half-measures. ……………………………………………………………………150
CHAPTER XXIV.—That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good………………152
CHAPTER XXV.—That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get
possession of it through its Divisions. ………………………………………………………………………..157
CHAPTER XXVI.—That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without
yielding him any Advantage. ……………………………………………………………………………………158
CHAPTER XXVII.—That prudent Princes and Republics should be content to have obtained a
Victory; for, commonly, when they are not, theft-Victory turns to Defeat. …………………….159
CHAPTER XXVIII.—That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is
dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth. ………………………………………………………………..161
CHAPTER XXIX.—That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them
hinder her Designs. …………………………………………………………………………………………………163
CHAPTER XXX.—That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not buy Friendships
with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess. ………………………………164
CHAPTER XXXI.—Of the Danger of trusting banished Men. ………………………………………….167
CHAPTER XXXII.—In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns. …………….168
CHAPTER XXXIII.—That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest
Powers. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………170
BOOK III…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………171
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CHAPTER I.—For a Sect or Commonwealth to last long, it must often be brought back to its
Beginnings. ………………………………………………………………………….
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