Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 3

by Niccolò Machiavelli

49 chapters5h 47mEnglish1883

About this book

In "Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius", posthumous work by the author of The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the useful lessons that could be learnt from the past for the present. As the title mentions, the subject of the work is the first ten books of Livy's Ab urbe condita, which cover the expansion of Rome from the legendary monarchy of Romulus to the end of the Third Samnite War (293 BCE). The whole work contains three books, with 142 numbered chapters - perhaps not a coincidence, since Livy's history also contained 142 books. In the third book, the author discusses how the actions of particular men made Rome great. - Summary by Leni

Chapters (49)

1CHAPTER I.—For a Sect or Commonwealth to last long, it must often be brought back to its Beginnings.

689

2CHAPTER II.—That on occasion it is wise to feign Folly.

239

3CHAPTER III.—That to preserve a newly acquired Freedom we must slay the Sons of Brutus.

223

4CHAPTER IV.—That an Usurper is never safe in his Princedom while those live whom he has deprived of it.

163

5CHAPTER V.—How an Hereditary King may come to lose his Kingdom.

233

6CHAPTER VI.—Of Conspiracies.

3343

7CHAPTER 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.

144

8CHAPTER VIII.—That he who would effect Changes in a Commonwealth, must give heed to its Character and Condition

501

9CHAPTER IX.—That to enjoy constant good Fortune we must change with the Times.

393

10CHAPTER X.—That a Captain cannot escape Battle when his Enemy forces it on him at all risks.

680

11CHAPTER XI.—That one who has to contend with many, though he be weaker than they, will prevail if he can withstand their first onset.

379

12CHAPTER 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.

594

13CHAPTER XIII.—Whether we may trust more to a valiant Captain with a weak Army, or to a valiant Army with a weak Captain.

357

14CHAPTER XIV.—Of the effect produced in Battle by strange and unexpected Sights or Sounds.

469

15CHAPTER XV.—That one and not many should head an Army: and why it is harmful to have more Leaders than one.

295

16CHAPTER 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.

472

17CHAPTER XVII.—That we are not to offend a Man, and then send him to fill an important Office or Command.

210

18CHAPTER XVIII.—That it is the highest Quality of a Captain to be able to forestall the designs of his Adversary.

449

19CHAPTER XIX.—Whether Indulgence or Severity be more necessary for controlling a Multitude.

252

20CHAPTER XX.—How one humane act availed more with the men of Falerii, than all the might of the Roman Arms.

227

21CHAPTER 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.

452

22Chapter XXII.—That the severity of Manlius Torquatus and the gentleness of Valerius Corvinus won for both the same Glory.

908

23CHAPTER XXIII.—Why Camillus was banished from Rome.

219

24CHAPTER XXIV.—That prolonged Commands brought Rome to Servitude.

278

25CHAPTER XXV.—_Of the poverty of Cincinnatus and of many other Roman Citizens.

363

26CHAPTER XXVI.—How Women are a cause of the ruin of States.

238

27CHAPTER 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.

447

28CHAPTER 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.

299

29CHAPTER XXIX.—That the Faults of a People are due to its Prince.

252

30CHAPTER 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.

561

31CHAPTER XXXI.—That strong Republics and valiant Men preserve through every change the same Spirit and Bearing.

628

32CHAPTER XXXII.—Of the methods which some have used to make Peace impossible.

273

33CHAPTER XXXIII.—That to insure victory in battle you must inspire your Men with confidence in one another and in you.

485

34CHAPTER XXXIV.—By what reports, rumours, or surmises the Citizens of a Republic are led to favour a Fellow-citizen: and-whether the Magistracies are bestowed with better judgment by a People or by a Prince.

781

35CHAPTER XXXV.—Of the Danger incurred in being the first to recommend new Measures; and that the more unusual the Measures the greater the Danger.

534

36CHAPTER 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.

465

37CHAPTER XXXVII.—Whether a general engagement should be preceded by skirmishes; and how, avoiding these, we may get knowledge of a new Enemy.

512

38CHAPTER XXXVIII.—Of the Qualities of a Captain in whom his Soldiers can confide.

270

39CHAPTER XXXIX.—That a Captain should have good knowledge of Places.

391

40CHAPTER XL.—That Fraud is fair in War.

230

41CHAPTER XLI.—That our Country is to be defended by Honour or by Dishonour; and in either way is well defended.

211

42CHAPTER XLII.—That Promises made on Compulsion are not to be observed.

220

43CHAPTER XLIII.—That Men born in the same Province retain through all Times nearly the same Character.

333

44CHAPTER XLIV.—That where ordinary methods fail, Hardihood and Daring often succeed.

328

45CHAPTER XLV.—Whether in battle it is better to await and repel the Enemy's attack, or to anticipate it by an impetuous onset.

129

46CHAPTER XLVI.—How the Characteristics of Families come to be perpetuated.

159

47CHAPTER XLVII.—That love of his Country should lead a good Citizen to forget private Wrongs.

48CHAPTER XLVIII.—That on finding an Enemy make what seems a grave blunder, we should suspect some fraud to lurk behind.

200

49CHAPTER 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.

283

Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 3

About this book

Chapters (49)

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