Discourses on Livy · Chapter
XXXIX explained
Machiavelli observes that the same desires and passions recur across different nations and times, using the example of Florence's mistaken abolition of the Ten of War in 1494 and Rome's similar attempt to abolish the consulship through the
What happens
Machiavelli observes that the same desires and passions recur across different nations and times, using the example of Florence's mistaken abolition of the Ten of War in 1494 and Rome's similar attempt to abolish the consulship through the Terentillian law, both of which led to worse outcomes until the original institutions were restored.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the Claudian censor, driven by the family’s ingrained haughti…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Historical Cyclicality and Human Nature
Machiavelli argues that the same desires and passions recur in all nations, making past events a guide to future ones.
- Ingratitude and Suspicion in Republics
Both the Florentine people and the Roman commons blamed their magistrates for wars caused by external forces, showing suspicion and ingratitude toward their leaders.
Characters to notice
- Titus Livius
Livy is the source for the Roman historical example of the tribune Terentillus and the conflict over consular power.
Key passages
“Anyone comparing the present with the past will soon perceive that in all cities and in all nations there prevail the same desires and passions as always have prevailed”
By studying history, one sees that human desires and passions are constant across time and place.
Machiavelli's core thesis on historical recurrence.
“the people recognizing their mistake, and that the evil was in the disease and not in the physician, reinstated the magistracy of the Ten.”
The Florentines realized the problem was the war itself, not the magistrates, so they restored the Ten of War.
Illustrates the error of blaming institutions for underlying problems.
“so much greater was their hatred of the name than of the thing.”
The commons hated the title 'consul' more than the actual power it represented.
Highlights the irrationality of the Roman commons in their conflict with the nobles.
