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Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius

by Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527)

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  • 139 chapters
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"Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius" by Niccolò Machiavelli is a work of political history and philosophy written around 1517. Using the first ten books of Livy's ancient Roman history as a foundation, Machiavelli examines how past civilizations can teach lessons for contemporary politics. He explores different forms of government, the cycles of political greatness, and Rome's evolution into a republic. Through 142 chapters, Machiavelli argues that studying history reveals timeless principles about power, leadership, and the common good.

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  • Political science · Early works to 1800
  • Livy. Ab urbe condita
  • Rome · Historiography

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Book I

CHAPTER

I. Of the beginnings of Cities in general, and in particular of that of Rome

II. Of the various kinds of Government; and to which of them the Roman Commonwealth belonged

III. Of the accidents which led in Rome to the creation of Tribunes of the People, whereby the Republic was made more perfect

IV. That the dissensions between the Senate and Commons of Rome made Rome free and powerful

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Contents

Show all 139 chapters
  1. Book I
  2. Book II
  3. Book III
  4. Book I
  5. Book I
  6. Chapter I. — Of the Beginnings of Cities in general, and in particular: of that of Rome
  7. Chapter II. — Of the various kinds of Government; and to which of them: the Roman Commonwealth belonged
  8. Chapter III. — Of the Accidents which led in Rome to the creation of: Tribunes of the People; whereby the Republic was made more perfect
  9. Chapter IV. — That the Dissensions between the Senate and Commons of: Rome, made Rome free and powerful
  10. 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
  11. Chapter VII. — That to preserve Liberty in a State there must exist the: Right to accuse
  12. Chapter VIII. — That Calumny is as hurtful in a Commonwealth as the: power to accuse is useful
  13. 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
  14. Chapter X. — That in proportion as the Founder of a Kingdom or: Commonwealth merits Praise, he who founds a Tyranny deserves Blame
  15. Chapter XI. — Of the Religion of the Romans
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. Chapter XV. — How the Samnites, as a last resource in their broken: Fortunes, had recourse to Religion
  19. Chapter XVI. — That a People accustomed to live under a Prince, if by: any accident it become free, can hardly preserve that Freedom
  20. Chapter XVII. — That a corrupt People obtaining Freedom can hardly: preserve it
  21. Chapter XVIII. — How a Free Government existing in a corrupt City may be: preserved, or not existing may be created
  22. Chapter XIX. — After a strong Prince a weak Prince may maintain himself: but after one weak Prince no Kingdom can stand a second
  23. Chapter XXI. — That it is a great reproach to a Prince or to a: Commonwealth to be without a national Army
  24. Chapter XXII. — What is to be noted in the combat of the three Roman: Horatii and the three Alban Curiatii
  25. 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
  26. Chapter XXIV. — That well-ordered States always provide Rewards and: Punishments for their Citizens; and never set off Deserts against Misdeeds
  27. Chapter XXV. — That he who would reform the Institutions of a free: State, must retain at least the semblance of old Ways
  28. Chapter XXVI. — A new Prince in a City or Province of which he has taken: Possession, ought to make Everything new
  29. Chapter XXVII. — That Men seldom know how to be wholly good or wholly: bad
  30. Chapter XXVIII. — Whence it came that the Romans were less ungrateful to: their Citizens than were the Athenians
  31. Chapter XXIX. — Whether a People or a Prince is the more ungrateful
  32. Chapter XXX. — How Princes and Commonwealths may avoid the vice of: Ingratitude; and how a Captain or Citizen may escape being undone by it
  33. 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
  34. Chapter XXXII. — That a Prince or Commonwealth should not delay: conferring Benefits until they are themselves in difficulties
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. Chapter XXXVI. — That Citizens who have held the higher Offices of a: Commonwealth should not disdain the lower
  38. 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
  39. Chapter XXXVIII. — That weak Republics are irresolute and undecided; and: that the course they may take depends more on Necessity than Choice
  40. Chapter XXXIX. — That often the same Accidents are seen to befall: different Nations
  41. 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
  42. Chapter XLI. — That it is unwise to pass at a bound from leniency to: severity, or to a haughty bearing from a humble
  43. Chapter XLII. — How easily Men become corrupted
  44. Chapter XLIII. — That Men fighting in their own Cause make good and: resolute Soldiers
  45. Chapter XLIV. — That the Multitude is helpless without a Head: and that: we should not with the same breath threaten and ask leave
  46. 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
  47. Chapter XLVI. — That Men climb from one step of Ambition to another: seeking at first to escape Injury and then to injure others
  48. Chapter XLVII. — That though Men deceive themselves in Generalities, in: Particulars they judge truly
  49. Chapter L. — That neither any Council nor any Magistrate should have: power to bring the Government of a City to a stay
  50. Chapter LI. — What a Prince or Republic does of Necessity, should seem: to be done by Choice
  51. 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
  52. Chapter LIV. — Of the boundless Authority which a great Man may use to: restrain an excited Multitude
  53. 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
  54. 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
  55. Chapter LVII. — That the People are strong collectively, but: individually weak
  56. Chapter LVIII. — That a People is wiser and more constant than a Prince
  57. Chapter LIX. — To what Leagues or Alliances we may most trust; whether: those we make with Commonwealths or those we make with Princes
  58. Chapter LX. — That the Consulship and all the other Magistracies in Rome: were given without respect to Age
  59. Book II
  60. Preface
  61. Chapter I. — Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to: Valour or to Fortune
  62. Chapter II. — With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how: stubborn these were in defending their Freedom
  63. 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
  64. Chapter IV. — That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for: extending their Power
  65. Chapter V. — That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of: Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past
  66. Chapter VI. — Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War
  67. Chapter VII. — Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each: Colonist
  68. Chapter VIII. — Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and: overflow the Countries of others
  69. Chapter IX. — Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between: States
  70. Chapter X. — That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the: Sinews of War
  71. Chapter XI. — That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has: Reputation rather than Strength
  72. Chapter XII. — Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to: anticipate or to await it
  73. Chapter XIII. — That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by: Fraud than by Force
  74. Chapter XIV. — That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by: Humility
  75. Chapter XV. — That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and: that tardy Resolves are always hurtful
  76. Chapter XVI. — That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the: methods of ancient Warfare
  77. Chapter XVII. — What importance the Armies of the present day should: allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just
  78. 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
  79. 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
  80. Chapter XX. — Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort: to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms
  81. 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
  82. Chapter XXII. — That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss
  83. Chapter XXIII. — That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances: required it the Romans always avoided half-measures
  84. Chapter XXIV. — That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good
  85. Chapter XXV. — That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must: not think to get possession of it through its Divisions
  86. Chapter XXVI. — That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses: them, without yielding him any Advantage
  87. 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
  88. Chapter XXVIII. — That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether: public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth
  89. Chapter XXIX. — That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would: not have them hinder her Designs
  90. Chapter XXX. — That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not: buy Friendships with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess
  91. Chapter XXXI. — Of the Danger of trusting banished Men
  92. Chapter XXXII. — In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of: Towns
  93. Chapter XXXIII. — That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies: with the fullest Powers
  94. Book III
  95. Chapter I. — For a Sect or Commonwealth to last long, it must often be: brought back to its Beginnings
  96. Chapter II. — That on occasion it is wise to feign Folly
  97. Chapter III. — That to preserve a newly acquired Freedom we must slay: the Sons of Brutus
  98. Chapter IV. — That an Usurper is never safe in his Princedom while those: live whom he has deprived of it
  99. Chapter V. — How an Hereditary King may come to lose his Kingdom
  100. Chapter VI. — Of Conspiracies
  101. Chapter VII. — Why it is that changes from Freedom to Servitude, and: from Servitude to Freedom, are sometimes made without Bloodshed, but at other times reek with Blood
  102. Chapter VIII. — That he who would effect Changes in a Commonwealth, must: give heed to its Character and Condition
  103. Chapter IX. — That to enjoy constant good Fortune we must change with: the Times
  104. Chapter X. — That a Captain cannot escape Battle when his Enemy forces: it on him at all risks
  105. Chapter XI. — That one who has to contend with many, though he be weaker: than they, will prevail if he can withstand their first onset
  106. Chapter XII. — A prudent Captain will do what he can to make it: necessary for his own Soldiers to fight, and to relieve his Enemy from that necessity
  107. Chapter XIII. — Whether we may trust more to a valiant Captain with a: weak Army, or to a valiant Army with a weak Captain
  108. Chapter XIV. — Of the effect produced in Battle by strange and: unexpected Sights or Sounds
  109. Chapter XV. — That one and not many should head an Army: and why it is: harmful to have more Leaders than one
  110. Chapter XVI. — That in Times of Difficulty true Worth is sought after: whereas in quiet Times it is not the most deserving, but those who are recommended by Wealth or Connection who are most in favour
  111. Chapter XVII. — That we are not to offend a Man, and then send him to: fill an important Office or Command
  112. Chapter XVIII. — That it is the highest Quality of a Captain to be able: to forestall the designs of his Adversary
  113. Chapter XIX. — Whether Indulgence or Severity be more necessary for: controlling a Multitude
  114. Chapter XX. — How one humane Act availed more with the men of Falerii: than all the might of the Roman Arms
  115. Chapter XXI. — How it happened that Hannibal pursuing a course contrary: to that taken by Scipio, wrought the same results in Italy which the other achieved in Spain
  116. Chapter XXII. — That the severity of Manlius Torquatus and the: gentleness of Valerius Corvinus won for both the same Glory
  117. Chapter XXIII. — Why Camillus was banished from Rome
  118. Chapter XXIV. — That prolonged Commands brought Rome to Servitude
  119. Chapter XXV. — Of the poverty of Cincinnatus and of many other Roman: Citizens
  120. Chapter XXVI. — How Women are a cause of the ruin of States
  121. Chapter XXVII. — How a divided City may be reunited, and how it is a: false opinion that to hold Cities in subjection they must be kept divided
  122. Chapter XXVIII. — That a Republic must keep an eye on what its Citizens: are about; since often the seeds of a Tyranny lie hidden under a semblance of generous deeds
  123. Chapter XXIX. — That the Faults of a People are due to its Prince
  124. Chapter XXX. — That a Citizen who seeks by his personal influence to: render signal service to his Country, must first stand clear of Envy. How a City should prepare for its defence on the approach of an Enemy
  125. Chapter XXXI. — That strong Republics and valiant Men preserve through: every change the same Spirit and Bearing
  126. Chapter XXXII. — Of the methods which some have used to make Peace: impossible
  127. Chapter XXXIII. — That to insure victory in battle you must inspire your: Men with confidence in one another and in you
  128. Chapter XXXV. — Of the Danger incurred in being the first to recommend: new Measures; and that the more unusual the Measures the greater the Danger
  129. Chapter XXXVI. — Why it has been and still may be affirmed of the Gauls: that at the beginning of a fray they are more than Men, but afterwards less than Women
  130. Chapter XXXVII. — Whether a general engagement should be preceded by: skirmishes; and how, avoiding these, we may get knowledge of a new Enemy
  131. Chapter XXXVIII. — Of the Qualities of a Captain in whom his Soldiers: can confide
  132. Chapter XXXIX. — That a Captain should have good knowledge of Places
  133. Chapter XL. — That Fraud is fair in War
  134. Chapter XLI. — That our Country is to be defended by Honour or by: Dishonour; and in either way is well defended
  135. Chapter XLII. — That Promises made on Compulsion are not to be: observed
  136. Chapter XLIII. — That Men born in the same Province retain through all: Times nearly the same Character
  137. Chapter XLIV. — That where ordinary methods fail, Hardihood and Daring: often succeed
  138. Chapter XLV. — Whether in battle it is better to await and repel the: Enemy’s attack, or to anticipate it by an impetuous onset
  139. Chapter XLVI. — How the Characteristics of Families come to be: perpetuated
  140. Chapter XLVII. — That love of his Country should lead a good Citizen to: forget private Wrongs
  141. Chapter XLVIII. — That on finding an Enemy make what seems a grave: blunder, we should suspect some fraud to lurk behind
  142. Chapter XLIX. — That a Commonwealth to preserve its Freedom has constant: need of new Ordinances. Of the services in respect of which Quintius Fabius received the surname of Maximus

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About this edition

This free edition of Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius by Niccolò Machiavelli comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #10827, released 2004-01-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: History - European, History - Ancient, Philosophy & Ethics.

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