# XXXII explained — Discourses on Livy

> Chapter companion for Discourses on Livy by Niccolò Machiavelli.

## What happens

Machiavelli warns that rulers should not delay granting benefits to the people until danger is imminent, using the Roman example of the senate relieving the commons of taxes during Porsenna's attack. He argues that such delayed generosity is often seen as coerced and fails to secure lasting gratitude, and that only in rare circumstances—like Rome's early and unsettled state—can it succeed. Rulers should instead anticipate future needs and govern with consistent goodwill.

## Themes in this chapter

### Necessity and Reason of State

The senate's timely concession to the commons was a calculated move to preserve the state during an external threat.

### Ingratitude and Suspicion in Republics

Machiavelli warns that benefits granted under duress are met with suspicion and fail to earn genuine gratitude.

### Leadership and Moral Character

Prudent rulers should anticipate future dangers and govern with consistent generosity, not wait until crisis forces their hand.

## Character check-ins

### Titus Livius

Source of the Roman historical example regarding Porsenna and the Tarquins.

## Key lines

> the poor did enough for the common welfare in rearing their offspring

The poor contribute sufficiently to the state simply by raising their children.

_The senate used this reasoning to justify tax relief for the commons._

> whosoever, whether prince or republic, but prince more especially, behaves otherwise, and believes that after the event and when danger is upon him he will be able to win men over by benefits, deceives himself

Any ruler who thinks he can buy loyalty with last-minute favors is fooling himself.

_Machiavelli's core warning against delayed generosity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_on_livy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters