For this section, students should read Chapters 6-10 of The Prince.
Content Summary for Teachers
Chapter 6: New Principalities Acquired by One’s Own Arms and Ability
In Chapter 6, Machiavelli discusses how princes come to power through their own skills and arms. He argues that in these cases, establishing and maintaining a new principality has more to do with ability (that is, in Italian, their virtuosità) than with luck. It is difficult to obtain power through sheer prowess, says Machiavelli, but if a prince succeeds in doing so he will find it easier to keep it. This is because leaders of great ability are more up to the dangerous and arduous task of establishing a new order, and can...
