# VI: Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired by One’s Own Arms and Ability explained — The Prince

> Chapter companion for The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli.

## What happens

Machiavelli discusses the acquisition of new principalities through one's own ability and arms, emphasizing that such princes rely on their own strength rather than fortune. He uses historical examples like Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, Theseus, and Hiero of Syracuse to illustrate that while initial acquisition is difficult, maintaining power is easier when the prince is self-reliant and can enforce his rule. The chapter highlights the challenges of introducing new orders, the necessity of force to sustain belief, and the importance of imitating great men.

## Themes in this chapter

### Acquisition and Maintenance of Power

The chapter focuses on how new princes acquire and secure principalities through their own ability and force.

### The Role of Fortune and Virtù

Machiavelli contrasts reliance on fortune with personal ability (virtù), arguing that the latter leads to more stable rule.

### Military Strength and Self-Reliance

Emphasizes that armed prophets succeed while unarmed ones fail, and that a prince must have his own soldiers and allies.

## Character check-ins

### Niccolò Machiavelli

Author and narrator, analyzing the principles of acquiring new principalities through personal ability.

### Moses

Cited as an example of a prophet who succeeded through force and divine favor, leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

### Cyrus

Example of a prince who rose by ability, finding the Persians discontented and the Medes weak.

### Romulus

Example of a founder who used opportunity and ability to become King of Rome.

### Theseus

Example of a prince who demonstrated ability by uniting the dispersed Athenians.

### Girolamo Savonarola

Counterexample of an unarmed prophet who was destroyed when the multitude ceased to believe.

## Key lines

> all armed prophets have conquered, and the unarmed ones have been destroyed.

Prophets who rely on force succeed, while those without military power fail.

_Machiavelli argues that force is necessary to maintain belief and order._

> it is necessary to take such measures that, when they believe no longer, it may be possible to make them believe by force.

A ruler must be prepared to use coercion to compel belief when persuasion fails.

_Highlights the pragmatic use of force to sustain authority._

> he who has relied least on fortune is established the strongest.

The prince who depends least on luck is the most secure in power.

_Reinforces the theme of self-reliance over fortune._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/vi-concerning-new-principalities-which-are-acquired-by-one-s-own-arms-and-ability
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_se/chapters