The Discourses Quiz

Take our free The Discourses quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

What does Machiavelli advise Princes in observing promises made under force? (from Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Salus Populi, Suprema Lex, Further Reflections Based on the Samnite Wars, The Preservation of Freedom in a Republic)

To observe them until which time they can fight for freedom.

To deceive the party who forces the promise until they can make alliances that will defeat him.

That they are not to be observed when the force is removed.

To observe them without reservation as they put themselves in the situation due to incompenence.

Who does Machiavelli credit with protecting Rome from the ambitions of the Tribunes? (from Book Three, The Examples of Rome's Great Men, Sundry Remarks on Strategy, Tactics, New Devices and Discipline, Administrative Posts, Administrative Methods: The Rival Claims of Severity and Good Fellowship)

Junius Claudius.

Lucius Brutus.

Claudius Lucius.

Appius Claudius.

When Machiavelli writes, "For sometimes of necessity our judgment is the truth, as human affairs are always in motion, either ascending or descending," what is he writing about what he believes about truth? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War)

Truth is not as important as the people you make relationships with.

Machiavelli considers truth to be relative.

Truth is irrelevant to the reason for making judgments.

You can't make sound judgments without having a firm grasp on the truth.

If a cliché could be given to the preface to Book Two of "The Discourses", what would it be? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War)

."The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history."

"Go where you belong--on the ash heap of history."

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

"History is written by the winners."

For what reason does Machiavelli advise people in power to, "...lay aside personal hatred?" (from Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Salus Populi, Suprema Lex, Further Reflections Based on the Samnite Wars, The Preservation of Freedom in a Republic)

To build good families.

To serve the freedom of the Self.

To prepare for war.

For the good of the country.