tes can be governed and maintained. States are classified as either principalities or republics. The republic is discussed in the Discourses. The topic at hand in the Prince are the principalities, and they are gained through the arms of others, or ones own arms, or through fortunes, or by virtue. Fortune is described as good luck, and virtue as cleverness. With the second part of the book, Machiavelli turns to discussing the forms of states to the general methods to be used for founding and preserving them, and this requires knowledge of military affairs. The third section of the book, is a major part. Here, he presents the actual methods and procedures of a prince in dealing with his subjects and friends. The 4th section is the last three chapters of the Prince. These chapters analyze the situation in Italy during Machiavelis time.Throughout the work there are several reoccurring themes, such as power, fortune and virtue, appearance, means and ends, glory and individualism. Machiavelli states, on the topic of power, that it is easier to get power than to maintain it, and he writes extensively on how to hold and sustain that power. A good leader needs to be in touch with the reality such as human nature and power. Machiavelli also introduces for concepts that a good leader should possess: virtue, ability, skill, and cleverness. Virtue is a quality that people have. Virtue is described as strength, courage, manly fortitude, and the idea that someone can do what is needed when it is needed in order to secure power. The idea is different than Plato and Aristotle who talked of reason and good citizens. A good leader can not be a good person b/c he will have to lie, kill, deceive, be cruel and destroy. Fortune is described not a human quality, it is something that humans have to deal with. Fortune is essentially faith. Fortune can be overcome by virtue if everything is done the right way.Appearance is also emphasized. He emphasized appea...
