Le Prince de Nicolas Machiavel: Texte intégral (Annoté d'une biographie) (French Edition)
7.68 / 10 401K ratings
- Language
- French
- Published
- 2022
- Publisher
- Independently published
- Pages
- 110
- ISBN
- 9798403500999
Niccolò Machiavelli's Le Prince, a foundational work in political philosophy, offers a direct examination of how political power is acquired, maintained, and lost. Written in 1513, this treatise broke from traditional ethical guidance for rulers, instead presenting a pragmatic analysis rooted in historical examples and observations of human nature. It explores the realities of statecraft, challenging idealistic notions with a focus on effectiveness and stability.
This complete edition provides the full text of Machiavelli's insights, allowing readers to engage with the concepts that have shaped political thought for centuries and gave rise to the term "Machiavellian". It remains a crucial text for understanding leadership, power dynamics, and the often-unvarnished truths of governance, continuing to provoke discussion about the nature of authority and the demands placed upon those who wield it.
This complete edition provides the full text of Machiavelli's insights, allowing readers to engage with the concepts that have shaped political thought for centuries and gave rise to the term "Machiavellian". It remains a crucial text for understanding leadership, power dynamics, and the often-unvarnished truths of governance, continuing to provoke discussion about the nature of authority and the demands placed upon those who wield it.
Subjects
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
Consider, my Prince, that in the ceaseless flux of human affairs, fortune often smiles upon those who grasp her firmly, but it is by one's own virtue and sagacity that a state is truly held. Do not be swayed by the sweet counsel of poets or philosophers who speak of men as they ought to be; rather, look upon them as they are, for a ruler who strives always to be good will surely meet his ruin among the many who are not. It is therefore necessary for a prince, if he wishes to remain in power, to learn how not to be good, and to use or refrain from using this knowledge as necessity dictates.
A prince must, above all, master the arts of war and its discipline, for this is the sole profession proper to him. Neglecting it leads to the loss of one's state, while proficiency in it allows one to acquire new ones and maintain those already gained. Your thoughts, Prince, must always be directed toward this art, even in times of peace, through study and exercise, understanding the terrain, and learning from the deeds of great men who have come before you.
Regarding the qualities for which men are praised or blamed, you will find that it is impossible to possess all virtues, nor is it always prudent to practice them. To preserve your state, you may often be compelled to act contrary to faith, charity, humanity, and religion. You must have a mind ready to turn as the winds of fortune and the fluctuations of affairs require. Yet, always appear to possess these virtues, for men judge more by their eyes than by their hands. Let your words be full of mercy, faith, integrity, humanity, and religion, and always appear to be so.
Consider the dilemma of being loved or feared. While it is desirable to be both, if a choice must be made, it is far safer to be feared than loved. For men are generally ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, and avaricious; they will abandon you when danger is distant, but while you benefit them, they are entirely yours. Love is a bond of obligation that men, being base, break whenever it suits their interest. But fear is maintained by a dread of punishment which never forsakes them. Ensure, however, that while you inspire fear, you do not engender hatred, for that is a perilous path. Avoid seizing the property or the women of your subjects, for these are the things men hold most dear.
A prince must learn to imitate two animals: the lion and the fox. The lion, mighty as he is, cannot defend himself from traps, and the fox, though cunning, cannot defend himself from wolves. Therefore, you must be a fox to recognize traps and a lion to frighten the wolves. This combination of strength and guile is essential for holding onto power. You must be shrewd enough to discern deception and strong enough to deter aggression.
When it comes to inflicting injuries, they should be done all at once, so that their taste may be less bitter and thus less remembered. Benefits, however, should be granted little by little, so that they may be savored longer. It is also wise to understand that a prince should entrust to others the distribution of favors and keep the distribution of punishments in his own hands. This way, he gains credit for the good and avoids blame for the ill.
Finally, Prince, guard against flatterers and choose wise men for your council, giving them the liberty to speak the truth only when you ask for it, and only on the matters you inquire about. But once you have heard their counsel, deliberate on your own and make your own decisions. A prince who relies solely on the advice of others, or who changes his mind too frequently, will soon find his authority diminished and his state in peril. For in the end, a prince is judged by the strength and stability of his rule, and this rests upon his own judgments and actions.
A prince must, above all, master the arts of war and its discipline, for this is the sole profession proper to him. Neglecting it leads to the loss of one's state, while proficiency in it allows one to acquire new ones and maintain those already gained. Your thoughts, Prince, must always be directed toward this art, even in times of peace, through study and exercise, understanding the terrain, and learning from the deeds of great men who have come before you.
Regarding the qualities for which men are praised or blamed, you will find that it is impossible to possess all virtues, nor is it always prudent to practice them. To preserve your state, you may often be compelled to act contrary to faith, charity, humanity, and religion. You must have a mind ready to turn as the winds of fortune and the fluctuations of affairs require. Yet, always appear to possess these virtues, for men judge more by their eyes than by their hands. Let your words be full of mercy, faith, integrity, humanity, and religion, and always appear to be so.
Consider the dilemma of being loved or feared. While it is desirable to be both, if a choice must be made, it is far safer to be feared than loved. For men are generally ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, and avaricious; they will abandon you when danger is distant, but while you benefit them, they are entirely yours. Love is a bond of obligation that men, being base, break whenever it suits their interest. But fear is maintained by a dread of punishment which never forsakes them. Ensure, however, that while you inspire fear, you do not engender hatred, for that is a perilous path. Avoid seizing the property or the women of your subjects, for these are the things men hold most dear.
A prince must learn to imitate two animals: the lion and the fox. The lion, mighty as he is, cannot defend himself from traps, and the fox, though cunning, cannot defend himself from wolves. Therefore, you must be a fox to recognize traps and a lion to frighten the wolves. This combination of strength and guile is essential for holding onto power. You must be shrewd enough to discern deception and strong enough to deter aggression.
When it comes to inflicting injuries, they should be done all at once, so that their taste may be less bitter and thus less remembered. Benefits, however, should be granted little by little, so that they may be savored longer. It is also wise to understand that a prince should entrust to others the distribution of favors and keep the distribution of punishments in his own hands. This way, he gains credit for the good and avoids blame for the ill.
Finally, Prince, guard against flatterers and choose wise men for your council, giving them the liberty to speak the truth only when you ask for it, and only on the matters you inquire about. But once you have heard their counsel, deliberate on your own and make your own decisions. A prince who relies solely on the advice of others, or who changes his mind too frequently, will soon find his authority diminished and his state in peril. For in the end, a prince is judged by the strength and stability of his rule, and this rests upon his own judgments and actions.
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