Discourses on Livy · Chapters

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Chapter companions for Discourses on Livy by Niccolò Machiavelli.

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Chapter 1
Dedication
Machiavelli dedicates his Discourses to Zanobi Buondelmonti and Cosimo Rucellai, offering his work as the greatest gift he can give, drawn from long experience and study. He contrasts his choice of dedicating to worthy private citizens rather than to princes, emphasizing that true merit lies in being rather than in having power.
Chapter 2
Discourses on Livy
Machiavelli's Discourses on Livy is a commentary on the first ten books of Livy's history of Rome, exploring the political and military institutions that made Rome great. The work examines the interplay of liberty, class conflict, religion, and leadership in sustaining a republic, drawing lessons for contemporary Florence.
Chapter 3
Book I
Machiavelli introduces his project of recovering the political wisdom of ancient Rome through Livy's history, arguing that the study of ancient republics can provide lessons for contemporary political life. He discusses the founding of Rome, the role of Romulus and Numa in establishing laws and religion, and the necessity of a virtuous founder to impose order. The chapter explores the cyclical nature of political regimes, the importance of maintaining republican liberty through conflict between the nobles and the plebs, and the dangers of corruption and ingratitude. Machiavelli emphasizes that good laws and military strength are the foundations of a stable state, and that republics must be willing to use necessary force to preserve themselves.
Chapter 4
Chapter I: The Necessity of Renewal in Republics and Sects
Machiavelli argues that for a republic, sect, or kingdom to endure, it must be periodically renewed by being brought back to its founding principles. This renewal can occur through external shocks (like Rome's sack by the Gauls) or internal mechanisms (such as the tribuneship, censorship, and the virtuous actions of exemplary citizens). He emphasizes the importance of frequent, severe punishments to deter corruption and cites examples from Roman history and the renewal of Christianity by Saint Francis and Saint Dominic. The chapter concludes with Machiavelli's intention to examine the actions of individual citizens that made Rome great.
Chapter 5
Chapter II: That on occasion it is wise to feign folly
This chapter discusses the wisdom of feigning folly, using Junius Brutus as the prime example. Brutus pretended to be a fool to live securely and eventually overthrow the Roman kings. The chapter advises that those discontented with a prince should either openly declare war if strong enough, or if weak, should court the prince's favor and feign alignment with his desires. It warns that neutrality is dangerous for men of great station, as their professions of disinterest are not believed, and they will be forced into conflict. The chapter concludes by transitioning to discuss the severity Brutus used to maintain freedom after achieving it.

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Dedication

Discourses on Livy

Book I

Chapter I: The Necessity of Renewal in Republics and Sects

Chapter II: That on occasion it is wise to feign folly