Chronology of Machiavelli's times and lifeEmperors, kings, and popes in Machiavelli's time -- Introduction -- Part I: A way of thinking and some basic assumptions -- A compelling logic -- Either, or. Speech concerning Pisa, Provisions for retaking Pisa ; What Duke Valentino will do. II Mission to Duke Valentino ; Reason guides analysis. Letter to Francesco Vettori, 29 April 1513 -- On human nature -- If men were all good. Prince XV, XVII, and XVIII ; Some men desire, whilst others fear. Discourses I, 37 and 5 ; Nations preserve for a long time the same character. Discourses III, 43 -- On times and affairs -- The world remains very much in the same condition. Discourses I, Introduction, 39, Discourses II, Introduction ; Times, the conditions of things, wisdom, and fortune. Letter to Giovan Battista Soderini, 13-21 September 1506 ; What Can, and cannot, be done about fortune. Prince XXV, Discourses II, 29 -- Part II: The international context : fear and self-help -- Survival and security -- Only force makes states keep their word. Words to be spoken on the law for appropriating money, after giving a little introduction and excuse ; Security is more important than glory. Life of Castruccio Castracani of Lucca ; All means are acceptable when the survival of the state is at stake. Discourses III, 41-2 ; The antagonism of opposing forces. Letter to Francesco Vettori, 20 June 1513 -- 'Fear is the greatest master' -- The Popes. Discourses I, 12, Florentine histories II, 10 ; France. An account of the affairs of France ; Spain. Letter to Francesco Vettori, 16 April 1514 ; Florence. Florentine histories V, 12-13 ; Naples. Florentine histories VIII, 19-22 ; Venice. Florentine histories I, 29 ; Milan. Florentine histories V, 5 -- Good laws and good armies -- The foundations of all states. Prince XII, Discourses III, 31 ; External threats and military organizations. Art of war II ; Military force is at the service of security. Art of war, Introduction and VII -- Part III: Domestic orders, disorders, and foreign affairs -- The great powers compared -- France. An account of the affairs of France ; The empire. Report on the affairs of Germany -- Domestic affairs and foreign affairs -- Location, growth, security, and laws. Discourses I, 1 ; Domestic divisions, forms of government, and expansion. Discourses I, 6 ; Domestic divisions and external enemies. Florentine histories, Introduction V, 4, II, 26, Discourses II, 25 -- Leaders and strategies -- Cosimo rules over a divided city. Florentine histories VII, 5-6 ; Duke Valentino establishes a new state. Prince VII ; Julius II temporizes. I Mission to the Court of Rome ; Ferdinand II rises in power and prestige. Prince XXI -- Republics and principalities -- A republic's foreign policy is reckless. Discourses I, 53 ; And slow. Discourses I, 34, II, 15 ; Both republics and principalities resort to fraud. Discourses II, 13 -- And end up subjugating those who invoke their help. Discourses II, 20 ; Republics are somewhat better equipped to adapt to the times. Discourses III, 9 ; And are somewhat more reliable allies. Discourses I, 59 ; Yet, republics are more predisposed to grow and expand, and are harsher masters. Discourses II, 2 -- Part IV: Foreign policy and international politics -- Preferences, opportunities, and constraints -- When will one act? Letter to Giovanni Ridolfi, 12 June 1506 ; Revisionist powers and international stability. Letter to Francesco Vettori, 10 August 1513 ; Goals change and necessity overrules intentions. Letter to Francesco Vettori, 10 August 1513, and Letter to Francesco Vettori, 26 August 1513 ; On molesting and being molested. Discourses II, 19 -- Dealing with threats -- Balancing against a great power is not easy at all. Discourses I, 33, III, 11 ; Having achieved security, states aim at more. Florentine histories V, 9-10, V, 17-22 ; Deciding to resist. Florentine histories V, 11 -- Engaging in expansion -- The Roman example. Discourses II, 1 ; A war of aggression. Florentine histories IV, 18-20 ; Taking a city by force may be counterproductive. Florentine histories VII, 30 ; Louis XII's mistakes. Prince III -- Neutrality and alliances -- Why neutrality is to be avoided. Prince XXI ; Alliances and the rise of Rome. Discourses II, 4 ; No way out. I Mission to France ; The risks of asymmetrical alliances. II Mission to Duke Valentino ; Allied misgivings. Florentine histories IV, 3-5, 13, 15 ; Coalitions are unreliable. Florentine histories VIII, 24-6 ; And litigious. Mission to Mantua on business with the Emperor -- Part V: History and analysis -- The Italian state system, 1444-1454. Florentine histories VI, 11-14, 17-27, 31-2 -- Entrapping an ally : France and Florence. III Mission to France -- What the Pope should do now. Letter to Francesco Vettori, 10 December 1514 -- Towards the Sack of Rome. Mission to Francesco Guicciardini at the Camp of the League of Cognac.
