The_Prince_T.pdf

The Prince

Nicolo Machiavelli

This eBook was designed and published by Planet PDF. For more free

eBooks visit our Web site at http://www.planetpdf.com/ . To hear

about our latest releases subscribe to the Planet PDF Newsletter .

The Prince

Nicolo Machiavelli, born at Florence on 3rd May

1469. From 1494 to 1512 held an official post at Florence

which included diplomatic missions to various European

courts. Imprisoned in Florence, 1512; later exiled and

returned to San Casciano. Died at Florence on 22nd June

1527.

2 of 239

eBook brought to you by

The Prince

Create, view, and edit PDF. Download the free trial version.

INTRODUCTION

Nicolo Machiavelli was born at Florence on 3rd May

1469. He was the second son of Bernardo di Nicolo

Machiavelli, a lawyer of some repute, and of Bartolommea

di Stefano Nelli, his wife. Both parents were members of

the old Florentine nobility.

His life falls naturally into three periods, each of which

singularly enough constitutes a distinct and important era

in the history of Florence. His youth was concurrent with

the greatness of Florence as an Italian power under the

guidance of Lorenzo de’ Medici, Il Magnifico. The

downfall of the Medici in Florence occurred in 1494, in

which year Machiavelli entered the public service. During

his official career Florence was free under the government

of a Republic, which lasted until 1512, when the Medici

returned to power, and Machiavelli lost his office. The

Medici again ruled Florence from 1512 until 1527, when

they were once more driven out. This was the period of

Machiavelli’s literary activity and increasing influence; but

he died, within a few weeks of the expulsion of the

Medici, on 22nd June 1527, in his fifty-eighth year,

without having regained office.

3 of 239

The Prince

YOUTH Aet. 1-25—1469-94

Although there is little recorded of the youth of

Machiavelli, the Florence of those days is so well known

that the early environment of this representative citizen

may be easily imagined. Florence has been described as a

city with two opposite currents of life, one directed by the

fervent and austere Savonarola, the other by the

splendour- loving Lorenzo. Savonarola’s influence upon

the young Machiavelli must have been slight, for although

at one time he wielded immense power over the fortunes

of Florence, he only furnished Machiavelli with a subject

of a gibe in ‘The Prince,’ where he is cited as an example

of an unarmed prophet who came to a bad end. Whereas

the magnificence of the Medicean rule during the life of

Lorenzo appeared to have impressed Machiavelli strongly,

for he frequently recurs to it in his writings, and it is to

Lorenzo’s grandson that he dedicates ‘The Prince.’

Machiavelli, in his ‘History of Florence,’ gives us a

picture of the young men among whom his youth was

passed. He writes: ‘They were freer than their forefathers

in dress and living, and spent more in other kinds of

excesses, consuming their time and money in idleness,

gaming, and women; their chief aim was to appear well

dressed and to speak with wit and acuteness, whilst he

4 of 239

The Prince

who could wound others the most cleverly was thought

the wisest.’ In a letter to his son Guido, Machiavelli shows

why youth should avail itself of its opportunities for study,

and leads us to infer that his own youth had been so

occupied. He writes: ‘I have received your letter, which

has given me the greatest pleasure, especially because you

tell me you are quite restored in health, than which I

could have no better news; for if God grant life to you,

and to me, I hope to make a good man of you if you are

willing to do your share.’ Then, writing of a new patron,

he continues: ‘This will turn out well for you, but it is

necessary for you to study; since, then, you have no longer

the excuse of illness, take pains to study letters and music,

for you see what honour is done to me for the little skill I

have. Therefore, my son, if you wish to please me, and to

bring success and honour to yourself, do right and study,

because others will help you if you help yourself.’

OFFICE Aet. 25-43—1494-1512

The second period of Machiavelli’s life was spent in the

service of the free Republic of Florence, which flourished,

as stated above, from the expulsion of the Medici in 1494

until their return in 1512. After serving four years in one

of the public offices he was appointed Chancellor and

Secretary to the Second Chancery, the Ten of Liberty and

5 of 239

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: