description: The prince has long been both praised and reviled for its message of moral relativism, and political expediency. Although a large part is devoted to the mechanics of gaining and staying in power, Machiavelli's end purpose is to maintain a just and stabile government. He is not ambiguous in stating his belief that committing a small cruelty to avert a larger is not only justifiable, but required of a just ruler.
language: English
title: The Prince
titlecomplete: The Prince
characters: Pope Alexander VI, Cesare Borgia, Theseus (mythology), Francesco Sforza I, Louis XII of France, Niccolò Machiavelli, Alexander the Great
genres: Literature, History, Classics, School, Italian Literature, Philosophy, Italy, Politics, Political Science, Nonfiction
ratings_count: 324589
awards: awardedAt: 252489600000
name: National Book Award Finalist
category: Translation
publisher: Tantor Media