Letters of Machiavelli: A Selection
This collection of the most brilliant and characteristic letters of Niccolò Machiavelli displays the vital and penetrating mind of the man who wrote the first work of modern political science. These letters, which reveal Machiavelli's critical intelligence, sense of humor, and elegant sense, are our chief source of information about his personal life. As such, they will serve as a vivid introduction to the personalities and events of the most turbulent period of the Renaissance, and they will...
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This collection of the most brilliant and characteristic letters of Niccolò Machiavelli displays the vital and penetrating mind of the man who wrote the first work of modern political science. These letters, which reveal Machiavelli's critical intelligence, sense of humor, and elegant sense, are our chief source of information about his personal life. As such, they will serve as a vivid introduction to the personalities and events of the most turbulent period of the Renaissance, and they will also enlighten people who have been fascinated by the political thinker who wrote The Prince and The Discourses on Livy.
Introduction I. The Life of Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) II. The Mind of a Statesman and a Poet III. Thinking toward The Prince IV. Three Political Letters V. Savonarola VI. Machiavelli and the Poets VII. Florentine Marriages VIII. Machiavelli the Comic Observer Notes on Individual Letters The Letters No. 3 - Savonarola No. 103 - Personal Matters; the difficulties of his mission the Emperor No. 115 - The return of the Medici to Florence No. 116 - ————————No. 117 - Longing for employment by the Medici No. 119 - Bad Fortune resisted No. 120 - I must discuss public affairs or be silent No. 122 - Florentine comedy; desire for employment No. 128 - Ferdinand V of Spain, the Catholic; the new prince No. 124 - France, England, Spain, the Swiss, and the Pope No. 125 - Niccolò's misfortunes; God's help; business No. 129 - Florentine commerce in the Levant No. 131 - Foreign powers in Italy; danger from the Swiss No. 133 - Donato del Corno needs influence with the Medici No. 134 - France, England, Spain, and above all the Swiss; Mercenary soldiers No. 135 - The character of Lorenzo de' Medici, Duke of Urbino No. 137 - Niccolò's life on his farm; the composition of The Prince; desire to serve the Medici No. 138 - Donato del Corno's contribution to the Medici; a Franciscan preacher No. 140 - He who is held wise by day will never be held crazy by night No. 142 - Amusement at Vettori's account of an evening in Rome No. 144 - A Milesian tale of Florence No. 145 - Foreignpowers in Italy; Swiss power; Machiavelli's finances No. 146 - A marriage of convenience No. 148 - Machiavelli's finances; love No. 150 - Niccolò's new love; probably fictitious No. 152 - The marriage troubles of a friend's sister No. 154 - The wisest policy for the Pope is a French alliance; the Swiss as rulers of Italy; neutrality No. 155 - More on neutrality No. 156 - Donato's affairs, and Niccolò's own No. 159 - Grave men at leisure; the new prince No. 160 - Niccolò's affection No. 161 - Hopes for prosperity No. 162 - Waiting for Fortune No. 163 - Fever and bleeding No. 164 - Family news No. 166 - Donato del Corno's affairs; Orlando Furioso No. 167 - Marriage advised No. 168 - More on marriage No. 169 - Legal troubles in Florence No. 175 - The contract for writing the History of Florence No. 179 - A preacher for Florence; the comedy of business No. 182 - The comedy of the friars; Rovaio as preacher No. 183 - More difficulty about the preacher; the friars No. 185 - Some business matters No. 186 - At work on the History of Florence No. 192 - Tuscan farms No. 196 - Mandragola; pills for stomach and head; a marriage negotiation No. 198 - Some phrases in Machiavelli's comedy, Mandragola No. 199 - More on the marriages of Guicciardini's daughters; how to get money from princesNo. 200 - More on the dowers for Guicciardini's daughters No. 202 - Mandragola; Charles V and Francis I No. 204 - Will Charles V release his prisoner, Francis I?; Giovanni of the Black Bands No. 206 - The walls of Florence No. 207 - The Pope's delays; the walls of Florence No. 209 - The Pope favors including more land within the walls of Florence No. 210 - San Miniato as a fortress dangerous to Florentine liberty No. 211 - The marriage negotiations once more No. 219 - Machiavelli in Modena; Political ineptitude No. 219B - The military mistakes of Pope Clement VII No. 222 - The study of letters and music; a rural problem; the family No. 223 - What policy for Pope Clement VII? No. 224 - An unsatisfactory peace No. 225 - I love my native city more than my soul No. 227 - Those who gain from war will not praise peace List of Familiar Letters in This Edition
