# II: Concerning Hereditary Principalities explained — The Prince

> Chapter companion for The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli.

## What happens

Machiavelli argues that hereditary principalities are easier to maintain than new ones, as a prince of average ability can preserve his state by following ancestral customs and adapting to circumstances. He uses the Duke of Ferrara as an example, noting that long-established rule fosters love from subjects and erases memories that might inspire change.

## Themes in this chapter

### Acquisition and Maintenance of Power

Hereditary principalities are easier to preserve than new ones, requiring only adherence to tradition and prudent adaptation.

### Fear vs. Love as a Governing Tool

The hereditary prince is more loved because he has less cause to offend, leading to natural goodwill from subjects.

## Character check-ins

### Niccolò Machiavelli

Author and narrator, setting aside republics to focus on principalities.

### The Prince

Implied hereditary ruler who can maintain power by following ancestral customs.

## Key lines

> I say at once there are fewer difficulties in holding hereditary states, and those long accustomed to the family of their prince, than new ones; for it is sufficient only not to transgress the customs of his ancestors, and to deal prudently with circumstances as they arise, for a prince of average powers to maintain himself in his state, unless he be deprived of it by some extraordinary and excessive force; and if he should be so deprived of it, whenever anything sinister happens to the usurper, he will regain it.

Hereditary states are easier to keep than new ones; a prince of average ability can hold them by following ancestral customs and handling events wisely, unless overthrown by overwhelming force, in which case he can recover when the usurper faces trouble.

_Core argument of the chapter on the stability of hereditary rule._

> We have in Italy, for example, the Duke of Ferrara, who could not have withstood the attacks of the Venetians in ’84, nor those of Pope Julius in ’10, unless he had been long established in his dominions.

The Duke of Ferrara's long-established rule allowed him to resist Venetian and Papal attacks that would have overwhelmed a new prince.

_Historical example supporting the ease of holding hereditary states._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/ii-concerning-hereditary-principalities
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se/chapters