The Prince is a gift from Machiavelli to the Magnificent Lorenzo, son of Piero de' Medici, offered as "proof of [the author's] devotion." Machiavelli writes that it is the most precious thing he has to offer. The book consists of "the knowledge of the actions of great men, acquired by long experience of modern affairs, and a continued study of ancient history," which Machiavelli indicates he has studied for a long period of time. Although the book is "unworthy" of the Magnificent Lorenzo, the author hopes he will accept it. After all, the book offers its reader, in a concise form, learning which has taken its author many years of study and much personal danger. Machiavelli emphasizes that the book is short and direct, and written without without resort to "pompous phrases" or "embellishment." Its strengths are that it goes to "the truth of the matter" and addresses an important subject. He does not wish to seem presumptuous by daring to discuss the affairs of a prince, but, he suggests, just as only a prince, from his vantage point above the people, can understand them, only one of the people can truly understand the prince. He hopes that his Magnificence will see in the work his hope for the prince's future greatness, which has been promised by "fortune" and his "great qualities." And if his Magnificence will lower his gaze, he will discover how undeservedly Machiavelli has had to suffer misfortune.
Chapter 1: "How Many Kinds of Principalities There Are and the Way They Are Acquired" .
There are two kinds of states or governments: republics and principalities. There are also two kinds of principalities: "hereditary" and "new." Further, "new" principalities are either "entirely new" or a territory annexed to "the hereditary state of the prince who acquires them." Annexed principalities can be put under the rule of a prince, or set up as "free states." New principalities can be won by using another state's military, by the conqueror's own military, by luck, or by personal courage and ability.
