Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Prince
Prince | Nicolo Machiavelli
The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise by the Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli. From correspondence a version appears to have been distributed in 1513, using a Latin title, De Principatibus (About Principalities). However, the printed version was not published until 1532, five years after Machiavelli's death. This was done with the permission of the Medici pope Clement VII, but "long before then, in fact since the first appearance of the Prince in manuscript, controversy had swirled about his writings." Although it was written as if it were a traditional work in the mirrors for princes style, it is generally agreed that it was especially innovative. This is only partly because it was written in the vernacular Italian rather than Latin, a practice which had become increasingly popular since the publication of Dante's Divine Comedy and other works of Renaissance literature. The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, especially modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning how to consider politics and ethics. Although it is relatively short, the treatise is the most remembered of Machiavelli's works and the one most responsible for bringing the word "Machiavellian" into usage as a pejorative. It also helped make "Old Nick" an English term for the devil, and even contributed to the modern negative connotations of the words "politics" and "politician" in western countries. In terms of subject matter it overlaps with the much longer Discourses on Livy, which was written a few years later. In its use of near-contemporary Italians as examples of people who perpetrated criminal deeds for politics, another lesser-known work by Machiavelli which The Prince has been compared to is the Life of Castruccio Castracani. The descriptions within The Prince have the general theme of accepting that the aims of princes-such as glory and survival-can justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends. "He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation." -Machiavelli, "Chapter 15""
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
pr.alm
Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image
Pickpick

The Prince is a manuscript by Machiavelli, an Italian political philosopher (among many other things), published in the 16th century. It was written as a guide to heads of State and dedicated to Lorenzo de‘ Medici, also known as Lorenzo The Magnificent, ruler of the Republic of Florence at the time. Although outdated—for clearly, we have matured since The Renaissance, at least I hope so—it is still an incredible piece for leaders abroad.

review
americansapien
El Principe (Spanish Edition) | Nicols Maquiavelo
post image
Pickpick

Que se explique por sí solo.

review
pigiann
Il principe | Niccol Machiavelli
post image
Pickpick

Un classico della letteratura italiana, una visione realistica del potere dei regnanti. Recensione completa: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfi-aMfMjAJ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

review
vlwelser
The Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image
Pickpick

I'm not sure this is meant to be funny but this dude was really blunt. It's meant to be for politics but is easily applied to business as well. And it's really short and totally readable. I should have read it a long time ago.

#BookSpinBingo free space
@TheAromaofBooks

39 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
RedJhon
The Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image
Pickpick

Great read if you're into the politics of the old times. Nicolo Machiavelli perfectly explained the decision making policy of various princes with a focus on the political situations of that time.
Additionally, it has a very sophisticated vocabulary which made me hooked to it.
A 120 page marvel.

6 likes1 stack add
blurb
alessandrafn
Il principe | Niccol Machiavelli
post image

2 likes1 stack add
review
teddysj3789
Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
Pickpick

First book for 2020! Started the year right with this book; essential reading that is still so relevant today.

blurb
brilliantglow
post image

That is quite the helmet.

Texreader Wow! Not sure the person wearing it could ever be taken seriously! 5y
CampbellTaraL @Texreader Imagine a ranking officer barking orders in your face wearing that thing. I'd be dead so fast 🤭 5y
50 likes2 comments
blurb
MrBook
The Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image

4 replacements for the #GreatestBooks Display! 😁

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

Sbk89 Have you read “one hundred years of solitude”? And what do you think of it? 5y
MrBook @Sbk89 Not yet 😕. Definitely on my TBR. 👍🏻👍🏻 5y
Sbk89 @MrBook okay😊 it‘s my TBR too but I‘m hesitant. Thanks though. 5y
See All 8 Comments
MrBook @Sbk89 😁🙌🏻 5y
Bklover @sbk89 @MrBook One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of my all time favorites, but I think it needs read at least twice. The second time through was wonderful! ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Sbk89 @Bklover thank you 🙏🏻👏🏻👍🏻💋 5y
RamsFan1963 I've read All Quiet On The Western Front, The Prince and 100 Years of Solitude. Loved AQOTWF and The Prince, DESPISED 100 Years of Solitude, still do almost 40 years after reading it in high school. 5y
jb72 I read All Quiet on the Western front in high school. I remember really liking that book. 5y
65 likes8 comments
review
Michellesibs
Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image
Panpan

So it seems there has been a bit of a mix up.
See my full review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2639163491?book_show_action=false&from_rev...

LibrarianJen I had to read this in high school and then again in college. It has its place in history and philosophy but if you aren‘t reading it in that context then I can see how you wouldn‘t enjoy it. 5y
37 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Malisa
Il principe | Niccol Machiavelli
post image
Pickpick

Well, I guess I'm off to conquer my own nation now!

blurb
DivineDiana
Prince | Nicolo Machiavelli
post image

It was the final day for the “Heavenly Bodies” Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I saw the part of the Exhibit that was at the Cloisters. This gown features an embroidered portrait of the influential Italian philosopher, Machiavelli, from the title page of his treatise, The Prince. It was condemned for its promotion of anti-Christian values, and placed on the Catholic Church‘s Index of Prohibited Books.

Cinfhen Fascinating ~ I love that you‘re constantly learning & exploring (edited) 6y
Leftcoastzen That is beautiful! I love your posts , you are so interested in fashion and museums. 6y
TrishB Awesome 👍🏻 6y
See All 14 Comments
Cathythoughts This is amazing 💫 6y
Chrissyreadit One thing I miss most about moving from NYC is museums. I loved the Cloisters. And the Met... 6y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen It was a spectacular exhibit! I am a strong believer in life long learning! 🙂🗽😘 6y
DivineDiana @Leftcoastzen Thank you! They are two of my favorite things, along with books, of course! This particular piece had all three! Amazing! ❤️ 6y
DivineDiana @TrishB @Cathythoughts This took my breath away! So dramatic! 6y
DivineDiana @Chrissyreadit NYC really has incredible Museums! Although I no longer live there, I am fortunate that it is a short drive away! ❤️ 6y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I am planning a trip as soon as possible to The Metropolitan 6y
DivineDiana @Joyfulmimi There is so much to see! 6y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads @DivineDiana I am going to plan my time very carefully 6y
Dragon This is one of my bucket list museums! 6y
DivineDiana @Dragon You must do it! 6y
80 likes14 comments
blurb
Gina
Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image

Words make the world go round.

blurb
writerlibrarian
Le Prince | Nicolas Machiavel
post image

Need to be brave... choose book courage instead of liquid courage. I took a detour by the donations piles and found these. Good copies of classics. I was feeling better and ready to tackle the huge spreadsheets for compiling the stats of 2018. #startinganewjanuary. No hockey tonight... I'll spend it with Hamilton's battalion.

hermyknee Love this post ❤️ 6y
53 likes1 comment
review
AHaj
Prince | Nicolo Machiavelli
Pickpick

I never get bored reading it!!

review
Alwayscoolwb
Il principe | Niccol Machiavelli
Pickpick

Well thought out way to run the world

blurb
LeahBergen
Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image

Today's thrift shop finds. Not bad for $3!

DebinHawaii Nice! 📚👍 7y
Cinfhen That's less than an Avocado toast, right @DebinHawaii ?!? Good find @LeahBergen 7y
Louise That's reading material on a broad spectrum! 😁 7y
See All 16 Comments
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen @LeahBergen Way less and the books will last longer! 😆👍📚 7y
LeahBergen @Louise It is! No, wait ... they're both Italian authors. 😂 7y
LeahBergen @DebinHawaii @Cinfhen Now I'm craving some of that avocado toast. 😬 7y
shawnmooney Have you read any Ferrante yet? I haven't but want to 7y
LeahBergen @shawnmooney I read the first one, loved it, and know I want to finish this series ... which is why I picked up #4. 🙄 It was definitely a slow-burn type of read, though. It took a while for it to set its hooks in me. 7y
Louise @LeahBergen Touché! ? 7y
TheLondonBookworm Love a good charity shop 😍 7y
andrew61 I have book 3 waiting for me having purchased it recently. I enjoyed book 2 immensely after enjoying book 1. Well deserving of the hype. 7y
tricours @LeahBergen @andrew61 has either of you read Ferrante's The Days of Abandonment? It's the only book of hers I've read, and I absolutely hated it, so I haven't felt tempted to pick up her other books! 7y
JoeStalksBeck The Prince is outstanding! Read his history behind this book. It's jaw dropping 7y
LeahBergen @tricours @andrew61 No, the first in this series is the only one of hers I have read. 7y
LeahBergen @JoeStalksBeck The introduction to this covers his life and it IS fascinating! 7y
andrew61 @tricours i haven't read days of abandonment but it was picked on radio 4's 'a good read' and sounded very good so i may try anyway when I finish the naeopolitan quartet. 7y
100 likes2 stack adds16 comments
review
Gezemice
post image
Pickpick

Brilliant, clear and concise, ruthless, pragmatic. I so needed something honest and common sense. And if you think this medieval guide to gaining and holding onto power has gone out of style since Cesare Borgia, think again. It perfectly describes our system of politics, minus (mostly) the blodshed. Just look at the last election.

Shout-out to the crystal-clear and lively narration by Ian Richardson on my audiobook.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

JoeStalksBeck This book is pretty ruthless but beyond brilliant 7y
Gezemice @GoodallBookHaul Exactly, That is a good way of describing it! 7y
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
quote
Gezemice

"A prince who is not wise himself will never take good advice."

quote
Gezemice
post image

A good leader surrounds himself/herself by capable people; a bad one by flatterers.

quote
Gezemice
post image

Our Congress should read this book. You never find perfect solutions.

Tav Are you reading it for school or for pleasure? 7y
Gezemice For pleasure I guess. I am reading through a lot of the must-read classics I never read. 7y
35 likes2 comments
quote
Gezemice

"Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are."

quote
Gezemice
post image


This quote sums up politics: to succeed, you must look virtuous, but practicing virtue will never lead to success. Honesty and integrity are only for show.

I find this book brilliant. Refreshing in its pragmatism.

Tav Maybe a little heartbreaking, and chilling? 7y
Gezemice @Tav Not really. I just found it sound and realistic. His time was that of the most ruthless power grabs in medieval history - he wrote this based on real events he witnessed, plus antique history. 7y
31 likes3 stack adds2 comments
blurb
danx
Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image

Finished reading The Prince today. Had gradually fallen apart during our time together. I'm glad I finally read it but it didn't rock my world.

2 likes1 stack add
quote
danx
Prince | Niccol Machiavelli
post image

Picked up The Prince again after diverting my attention to other material for a while. If Trump could hold attention long enough to read a book he'd probably learn a few things (although there's also a lot of talk of a prince being best to rule via fear and arms).

1 like1 stack add
review
BooksTeasAndBookishThings
Prince | Nicolo Machiavelli
post image
Mehso-so

Okay, this book is really just an empirical/pragmatic way of looking at most historical leaders. It is clear he understands a man should have values, but knows as a leader it is a hindrance. He admits religion is manmade, but feels it should be enforced among the people. He doesn't necessarily believe these things SHOULD be done, but basically implies that it is going to be done because of human nature and if it is, it may as well be done well...

Laalaleighh Funny. This is one of my favorites. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Laalaleighh yeah? A lot of people like it, and some of his observations are logical, but some made me close my eyes and shake my head. At some point we have to go beyond logical inevitably to moral necessity. (edited) 7y
See All 16 Comments
Laalaleighh It's my favorite because of the controversy over whether it's satire or not. All the way back to Rousseau people have argued definitively on one side or the other. I like reading it once as serious and then going back and looking at it through the lens of satire. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Laalaleighh the little paragraph I had posted before this one, I almost thought, "Maybe this is sarcasm?" But, the rest of the book gives off a truly observational vibe in my opinion, so I feel that perhaps it is not sarcasm. 7y
Laalaleighh It's a really controversial topic. And it can be really interesting to study because then you have to study the historical context too. I've never been able to make up my mind. Maybe it just appeals to the slytherclaw in me. I could totally see a hufflepuff not being a huge fan. I always love it when people use Machiavelli as a character in historical fiction/fantasy. No one can seem to decide if he was good or bad. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Laalaleighh which, if you think about it, that is his entire approach: good or evil doesn't really play a part, it is effectiveness of approach. I know he is used as an example of "politics gone wrong", but I do understand that if you don't stay in power then you cannot enact the change needed, but sometimes to stay in power you have to do the very things you want changed. A tangled web, but likely one we will never crawl out of. 7y
Laalaleighh Very good point. It's so hard to think of the world in morally relativistic terms, but truthfully, especially in politics, you kind of have to. I've always really liked shows that make you root for someone you might normally see as the villain (house of cards, billions, etc) because they sort of play with this idea. I think this is why we have to get rid of the idea of purity politics. Better to have an imperfect effectual leader. 7y
Laalaleighh Than a perfect ineffectual one. Although, that thinking taken to the extreme... well- we've all seen how that end up. 7y
quirkyreader I have read this multiple times. But this one of those books where you have to be in a certain mood to particularly enjoy it. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Laalaleighh I think in order to find a leader with morals that is also effective, we have to find a way to hold all people in leadership more accountable, as well as limit their pay. Money should NEVER be an incentive for a position of power. When we do that, we can see change happen for the better of the people, not the pockets and status of a person. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @quirkyreader yeah, you have to be prepared to read his account of things, which reads somewhat like a history text, somewhat like a lecturer's memoir. 7y
Mcoun This book didn't really work for me either. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Mcoun I guess it is just one that will never be more than, "it had great observations" which the Anthropologist in me likes, but... still just meh. 7y
Laalaleighh @BooksTeasAndBookishThings yes to the money out of politics!!! (You're an anthropologist?) 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Laalaleighh That was my major in college, I can't tell you how many anthropology and sociology classes I took. I soaked them UP! When my Dad was laid off, though, I had to put school on a back burner and then when I met Blake and moved, it took an even further back burner. I had about two semesters left, but I don't regret it, I can always go back when he gets out of the Army. 😊 7y
98 likes1 stack add16 comments
blurb
BooksTeasAndBookishThings
Prince | Nicolo Machiavelli
post image

Decided to go ahead and read this book since it is so short, and I know a lot of what he says IS logical if deplorable, but this little passage genuinely makes me cringe that so many men have and continue to think like this, and sadly that some women make the remark true. Women that mistake abuse for dominance, asshole for 'Alpha'... I hope one day we evolve completely beyond this. #LetterP #LitsyAtoZchallenge #cringeworthy

Foxyfictionista This makes my blood boil. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Foxyfictionista right? It kind of caught me off guard because most of the book was really just commenting on historical examples that prove his point, this one was so random. I read a few out of order because I was curious about some topics over others, but geez. Up to this point, no hint of this kind of thinking. 7y
Foxyfictionista I've been thinking about picking this one up one day. I remember a couple of years ago some of my colleagues were talking about this book and were excited about it. It sounded like they saw it as an instruction manual for excelling in business... 😈 7y
See All 10 Comments
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Foxyfictionista it isn't all bad, a lot of it is true, even though it is very sad that it is true. It really is mostly just saying what leaders have to do to stay in leading positions because humans will always try to take. (edited) 7y
Foxyfictionista I see. I'll have to have a read sometime. ☺️ 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Foxyfictionista all in all, I am glad I finally read it. If anything, one more off my long-time TBR lol 7y
BookishFeminist 🙈 the prince. yea, this book is a trip, I've had to read it what, a dozen times or so at least for classes? It never got better but it does spout some truths and goes a long way to give insight to ways governments have been built and politicians have made their platforms. I wouldn't have wanted to know Machiavelli. 7y
ptkpepe98 Sadly, his observations on leadership don't apply solely to men. I've had female bosses and co-workers who were nightmares, and who tried to be Machiavellian. It is a personality trait...maybe sociopathic? I know leadership is tough, and can be isolating, but it doesn't have to be ruthless and conniving. 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @BookishFeminist I do wonder what he is like in person and if he really is so drone-like or if this is just one side of him for the public... 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @ptkpepe98 absolutely agree that women in power can be ruthless, but I have never come across a woman that compares fortunes with the beating of men to keep them in line... that is pure male logic in my experience. (edited) 7y
89 likes2 stack adds10 comments
blurb
BooksTeasAndBookishThings
Prince | Nicolo Machiavelli
post image

More #Bookmail for my #LitsyAtoZchallenge list. While The Prince is not long at all, it has been on my TBR for years. Found it in hardback for $0.01. And Jinx and XO were both $1! For used books, they are in great condition 😊

queerbookreader LOVE JINX 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @lemonlime799 I have read great things about it ?? I had to pick that for my "J" ? 7y
LibrarianRyan Jinx was so much fun. 7y
See All 6 Comments
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @LibrarianRyan very excited to read it 😊❤ 7y
Angeles I hope you enjoy it. It is one of my favorites because there is so much cynicism in it that I disagree with but it really forces you to think through an alternative vision. Of course he is right in some of his cynical views and a really excellent writer 😍 7y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings @Angeles I am sure it will be an experience, especially with today's world. 7y
123 likes5 stack adds6 comments
review
DzdnDstrctd
Prince | Nicolo Machiavelli
post image
Pickpick
readordierachel Whoa! Nice collection. 7y
Julsmarshall That is a lot of royals! 7y
britt_brooke 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
See All 8 Comments
CrowCAH That's a lot of royalty! (just noticed I copied @Julsmarshall almost word for word! Lol) 7y
TheresaReads You are the Queen of royalty!!! 7y
hollytucker Oh my, total shelf envy here!!!! 7y
Engard88 That's my kind of book shelf! 7y
25 likes8 comments
quote
GoneFishing
Machiavelli: The Prince | Niccol Machiavelli, Quentin Skinner, Russell Price

And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both; but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

andreadmw I would rather be loved but love can have much greater consequences, yes? 8y
28 likes5 stack adds1 comment