The Prince · Chapter
VII: Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired Either by the Arms of Others or by Good Fortune explained
Machiavelli examines principalities acquired through fortune or the arms of others, contrasting the rise of Francesco Sforza (by ability) with Cesare Borgia (by fortune).
What happens
Machiavelli examines principalities acquired through fortune or the arms of others, contrasting the rise of Francesco Sforza (by ability) with Cesare Borgia (by fortune). He details Borgia's actions—securing power through cruelty, cunning, and strategic alliances—and argues that Borgia's failure was due to the malignity of fortune, not his own shortcomings. The chapter emphasizes the need for a prince to lay foundations after acquiring power, using Borgia as a model for imitation.
Themes in this chapter
Acquisition and Maintenance of Power
Machiavelli contrasts acquisition by fortune (Borgia) vs. ability (Sforza), emphasizing the need to lay foundations after gaining power.
The Role of Fortune and Virtù
Fortune gives opportunity, but virtù (ability) is required to maintain power; Borgia's failure is attributed to 'extreme malignity of fortune.'
The Use of Cruelty and Clemency
Borgia's use of Ramiro d'Orco for harsh rule and his subsequent execution to gain public favor exemplifies calculated cruelty.
Fear vs. Love as a Governing Tool
The spectacle of Ramiro's execution made the people 'at once satisfied and dismayed,' illustrating the effectiveness of fear.
Characters to notice
- Niccolò Machiavelli
Author and commentator; uses Cesare Borgia as a model for new princes.
- Cesare Borgia
Central example of a prince who acquired state through fortune; his actions are analyzed as a model for imitation.
- Francesco Sforza
Contrasted with Borgia; rose to Duke of Milan by ability and kept power with little trouble.
- Pope Alexander VI
Father of Cesare Borgia; used his papal authority to aggrandize his son.
- Messer Ramiro d'Orco
Cruel governor appointed by Borgia to pacify Romagna; executed to shift public hatred.
- Pope Julius II
Election as pope was a critical error by Borgia, leading to his ultimate ruin.
- Louis XII
King of France; allied with Alexander VI and provided soldiers for Borgia's campaign in Romagna.
- Vitellozzo Vitelli
Member of the Orsini faction; reconciled with Borgia and later killed at Sinigalia.
Key passages
“Those who solely by good fortune become princes from being private citizens have little trouble in rising, but much in keeping atop; they have not any difficulties on the way up, because they fly, but they have many when they reach the summit.”
Princes who gain power through luck find it easy to rise but hard to stay in power, facing many challenges once they have it.
Machiavelli's opening contrast between fortune and ability in acquiring principalities.
“He who believes that new benefits will cause great personages to forget old injuries is deceived.”
It is a mistake to think that new favors will make powerful people forget past wrongs.
Machiavelli's warning about the limits of reconciliation, applied to Borgia's error in the papal election.
“The barbarity of this spectacle caused the people to be at once satisfied and dismayed.”
The brutal public execution of Ramiro d'Orco left the people both content and terrified.
Describes Borgia's calculated use of cruelty to control public perception.
