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 name as the reason that good men cannot accomplish good for his country? (from Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Internal Security, Equanimity, Insurrection, Confidence, Electioneering, and the Tendering of Advice, Advice to Generals in the Field)

The lack of methods to pass down customs.

Incompetence.

Envy of other men.

They are at war.

What advice does Machiavelli offer in Book 1, Section 52 to those who want to pursue their ambitions? (from Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government)

"Ambition is the last infirmity of Noble minds."

"Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make yhou believe that you too can become great."

"He who is blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher must herafter fall with greatest loss."

"...(C)onsider the defects and perils which it [presents], and not to undertake it if it should be more dangerous than useful,...."

According to Machiavelli, what prevented the ambitions of the Nobles from corrupting Rome? (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)

The expanded Empire required that they move to colonies to lead them.

Social ostracism by the Senate.

Wars drained their wealth.

The power of the Tribunes and the Plebes.

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 prepare for war.

To serve the freedom of the Self.

To build good families.

For the good of the country.

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

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

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.