The Quotable Machiavelli
Published on 13. December 2016
Book
Hardback
360 pages
978-0-691-16436-6 (ISBN)
Description
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) is the father of modern political thought, but he is also one of the greatest writers of the Renaissance and his wisdom and style extend far beyond politics to encompass a compelling philosophy of life as well. In The Quotable Machiavelli, Maurizio Viroli, one of the world's leading Machiavelli scholars, offers a rich collection of the Florentine's most memorable words on a wide range of subjects, including politics, the human condition, religion, love and happiness, antiquity and history, patriotism, and virtue. Drawing on Machiavelli's entire body of writings, and including little-known quotations as well as famous passages, the book shows the full scope of his thought and belies the cliche that he was a "Machiavellian" cynic. In addition to Machiavelli's own words on dozens of subjects of perennial interest, the book includes some almost unknown texts in which his contemporaries describe him. Complete with a biographical introduction, the book serves as a handy reference and a smart and lively introduction to a masterly thinker and writer.
* Includes a rich collection of Machiavelli's most memorable words on a wide range of subjects, from politics to the human condition--almost 700 quotations in all* Edited and introduced by one of the world's leading Machiavelli scholars* Serves as a smart and lively introduction to Machiavelli's life and works* Draws on the complete body of Machiavelli's writings* Features a brief biography of Machiavelli, a chronology of his life, suggestions for further reading, and an index
* Includes a rich collection of Machiavelli's most memorable words on a wide range of subjects, from politics to the human condition--almost 700 quotations in all* Edited and introduced by one of the world's leading Machiavelli scholars* Serves as a smart and lively introduction to Machiavelli's life and works* Draws on the complete body of Machiavelli's writings* Features a brief biography of Machiavelli, a chronology of his life, suggestions for further reading, and an index
Reviews / Votes
"It's absorbing to pick your way through [Machiavelli's] ideas, absorbing his highly sophisticated view of Renaissance politics."---Robert Fulford, National PostMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
8 b/w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 191 mm
Width: 114 mm
Weight
397 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-16436-6 (9780691164366)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2016
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
from
€79.95
Available for download
Persons
Maurizio Viroli is professor emeritus of politics at Princeton University, professor of government at the University of Texas, Austin, and professor of political communication at the University of Italian Switzerland in Lugano. His many books include Niccolo's Smile: A Biography of Machiavelli (Hill & Wang) and How to Choose a Leader: Machiavelli's Advice to Citizens (Princeton).
Content
Introduction xi Chronology xxxvii Note on the Texts xli I. Machiavelli on Himself, His Family, and Friends 1 II. Machiavelli Described by His Relatives, Friends,and Lovers 17 III. Man and Cosmos 25 Devils and Hell-Fortune-God's and the Heavens' Influence on Human Affairs-God's Mercy-Good and Evil-Prophecies-Purgatory-Return to Beginnings-The Universe, Its Hidden Power-The World and Its Eternity IV. The Human Condition 39 Antiquity and the Ancients-Avarice-Beasts-Bloodshed-Compassion-Concealment-Confession-Conscience-Courage (Animo)-Cowardice-Cruelty-Death-The Death Penalty-Deceit-Decline-Desire-Despair-Discourse-Disease-Dishonesty-The End Result-Error-Fault-Fear-Flattery-Fraud-Glory-Goals-The Good and Goodness-Greatness of Soul-Growth-Hatred-History-Honesty-Horror-Humility-Imitation-Infamy-Ingratitude-Insolence-Love-The Mind-Miracles-New Ways, New Continents-Old Times-Opportunity-Order and Disorder-Passions and Their Remedies-Patriotism-Peace-Prudence-Punishment-Rebirth (Renaissance)-Religion and the Reform of Religions-Saints-Science-Severity-Sin-Stupidity-Suspicion-Virtue-Women-Words V. Political Life 121 Accusations and Calumnies-Agrarian Law-Ambition-The Aristocracy-The Army and Soldiers-Artillery-Authority-Cavalry-Cities-Citizenship-Colonies-Constitution-Corruption-Dictatorship-Disorders-Empires and Emperors-Equality-Errors-Expansion-Extraordinary Measures-Fortresses-TheFounders and Reformers of States-Gold-Gonfalonier(Highest Magistrate of the Republic of Florence)-Government-Laws-Liberality-Liberty and Its Safekeeping-Ministers-Mixed Government-The Multitude-Opinion, Freedom of-The People-PopularGovernment-Poverty-The Prince-Public Honors-Republics-Revolutions and Reforms-Servitude-Social Conflicts-The State-Tribunes of the People-Tyranny-Tyranny and License-War VI. Machiavelli on His Contemporaries 217 Alexander VI, Pope-Giovanpaolo Baglioni-Cesare Borgia, the Duke Valentino-Ferdinand of Aragon, King of Spain-Italian Princes-Julius II, Pope-Lorenzo de'Medici (the Magnificent)-Lorenzo de' Medici, Duke of Urbino-Louis XII, King of France-Maximilian I, Emperor of Germany-Girolamo Savonarola (Friar)-Caterina Sforza, Countess of Forli-Piero Soderini VII. Past and Present 237 Achilles-Agathocles of Syracuse-Alexander the Great-Aristotle-Athens and Sparta-Cicero-Constantinople-Cyrus, King of Persia-Dante Alighieri-King David (Old Testament)-Cosimo de'Medici-Giovanni de' Medici-Florence-France and the French-Germany and the German Free Cities-Italy-Julius Caesar-Livy (Roman Historian)-Moses-Plutarch-Rome and the Roman People-Romulus-Turks and the Turkish Empire-Venice Selected Bibliography 287 Credits 297 Index 301