XIV: That Which Concerns a Prince on the Subject of the Art of War explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Military Strength and Self-Reliance

  The entire chapter emphasizes that the art of war is the prince's primary concern, and that neglecting it leads to loss of state.

• The Role of Fortune and Virtù

  Machiavelli concludes that a wise prince must prepare in peace so that fortune finds him ready to resist her blows.

• Acquisition and Maintenance of Power

  The chapter directly links mastery of war to both acquiring a state (e.g., Francesco Sforza) and maintaining it.

Characters to notice

• Francesco Sforza

  Cited as an example of a private person who became Duke of Milan through martial prowess.

• Philopoemen

  Prince of the Achaeans praised for constantly reasoning about military tactics even in peacetime.

• Alexander the Great

  Mentioned as imitating Achilles and as an exemplar for Scipio.

• Cyrus

  Referenced as an exemplar imitated by Scipio, based on Xenophon's biography.

• Scipio

  Noted for imitating Cyrus in chastity, affability, humanity, and liberality.

• Caesar Alexander

  Listed among those who imitated a praised predecessor (Alexander the Great).

Key passages

• “A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank.”

  A ruler should focus exclusively on the art of war, as it is the only skill necessary for ruling, capable of preserving inherited power and elevating commoners to princely status.

  This is the central thesis of the chapter, establishing war as the prince's paramount concern.

• “And the first cause of your losing it is to neglect this art; and what enables you to acquire a state is to be master of the art.”

  Neglecting military skill is the primary reason for losing power, while mastering it is the means to gain power.

  Machiavelli directly links military competence to political success and failure.

• “Because there is nothing proportionate between the armed and the unarmed; and it is not reasonable that he who is armed should yield obedience willingly to him who is unarmed, or that the unarmed man should be secure among armed servants.”

  An armed person will not willingly obey an unarmed one, nor can an unarmed leader feel safe among armed followers, due to the inherent imbalance.

  This highlights the practical danger of a prince being unarmed, leading to contempt and insecurity.

• “And the prince that lacks this skill lacks the essential which it is desirable that a captain should possess, for it teaches him to surprise his enemy, to select quarters, to lead armies, to array the battle, to besiege towns to advantage.”

  A prince without knowledge of terrain and military tactics cannot effectively conduct warfare, including surprise attacks, troop placement, and sieges.

  Machiavelli stresses the practical military benefits of studying geography and terrain.

• “A wise prince ought to observe some such rules, and never in peaceful times stand idle, but increase his resources with industry in such a way that they may be available to him in adversity, so that if fortune chances it may find him prepared to resist her blows.”

  A prudent ruler should always be industrious during peace, building up resources so that when misfortune strikes, he is ready to withstand it.

  This concluding advice ties preparation to the theme of fortune and virtù.