XXX.  That a Citizen who seeks by his personal influence to render signal service to his Country, must first stand clear of Envy.  How a City should prepare for its defence on the approach of an Enemy

XXXI That strong Republics and valiant Men preserve through every change the same spirit and bearing

XXXII.  Of the methods which some have used to make Peace impossible

XXXIII.  That to insure victory in battle, you must inspire your soldiers with confidence in one another and in you

XXXIV.  By what reports, rumours, or surmises the Citizens of a Republic are led to favour a fellow-citizen:  and whether the Magistracies are bestowed with better judgment by a People or by a Prince

XXXV.  Of the danger incurred in being the first to recommend new measures; and that the more unusual the measures, the greater the danger

XXXVI.  Why it has been and still may be affirmed of the Gauls, that at the beginning of a fray they are more than Men, but afterwards less than Women

XXXVII.  Whether a general engagement should be preceded by skirmishes; and how, avoiding these, we may get knowledge of a new Enemy

XXXVIII.  Of the Qualities of a Captain in whom his Soldiers can confide

XXXIX.  That a Captain should have good knowledge of Places

XL.  That Fraud is fair in War

XLI.  That our Country is to be defended by Honour or by Dishonour, and in either way is well defended

XLII.  That Promises made on compulsion are not to be observed

XLIII.  That Men born in the same Province retain through all times nearly the same character

XLIV.  That where ordinary methods fail, Hardihood and Daring often succeed

XLV.  Whether in battle it is better to await and repel the enemy’s attack, or to anticipate it by an impetuous onset

XLVI.  How the Characteristics of Families come to be perpetuated

XLVII.  That love of his Country should lead a good Citizen to forget private wrongs

XLVIII.  That on finding an Enemy make what seems a grave blunder we should suspect some fraud to lurk behind

XLIX.  That a Commonwealth to preserve its Freedom has constant need of new Ordinances.  Of the services in respect of which Quintius Fabius received the surname of Maximus

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

TO

ZANOBI BUONDELMONTI AND COSIMO RUCELLAI

Health.

I send you a gift, which if it answers ill the obligations I owe you, is at any rate the greatest which Niccolo Machiavelli has it in his power to offer.  For in it I have expressed whatever I have learned, or have observed for myself during a long experience and constant study of human affairs.  And since neither you nor any other can expect more at my hands, you cannot complain if I have not given you more.