Includes bibliographical references (pages xxx-xxxi).

Chronology -- Map -- Introduction / Anthony Grafton -- Further reading -- Translator's note -- The prince -- Letter to the magnificent Lorenzo dé Medici -- I. How many kinds of principality there are and the ways in which they are acquired -- II. Hereditary principalities -- III. Composite principalities -- IV. Why the kingdom of Darius conquered by Alexander did not rebel against his successors after his death -- V. How cities or principalities which lived under their own laws should be administered after being conquered -- VI. New principalities acquired by one's own arms and prowess -- VII. New principalities acquired with the help of fortune and foreign arms -- VIII. Those who come to power by crime -- IX. The constitutional principality -- X. How the strength of every principality should me measured -- XI. Ecclesiastical principalities -- XII. Military organization and mercenary troops -- XIII. Auxiliary, composite, and native troops -- XIV. How a prince should organize his militia -- XV. The things for which men, and especially princes, are praised or blamed -- XVI. Generosity and parsimony -- XVII. Cruelty and compassions ; and whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse -- XVIII. How princes should honour their word -- XIX. The need to avoid contempt and hatred -- XX. Whether fortresses and many of the other present-day expedients to which princes have recourse are useful or not -- XXI. How a prince must act to win honour -- XXII. A prince's personal staff -- XXIII. How flatterers must be shunned -- XXIV. Why the Italian princes have lost their states -- XXV. How far human affairs are governed by fortune, an dhow fortune can be opposed -- XXVI. Exhortation to liberate Italy from the barbarians -- Glossary of proper names.

The classic handbook of statecraft written by an Italian nobleman recommends guile and craftiness to attain and maintain political power.

Translated from the Italian.