The Prince
Written in 1513 after Machiavelli had been dismissed from the service of the Florentine republic, imprisoned and tortured, The Prince is a short handbook on how to acquire and hold power, addressed to the Medici who had taken his job away. It examines kinds of principalities, the use of mercenaries, whether it is better to be loved or feared, when a prince should keep his word, and how to deal with fortune, drawing its examples from ancient history and from the career of Cesare Borgia. Published in 1532, five years after his death, the book has been read as cynical counsel, as satire and as the beginning of political science. This edition presents W. K. Marriott's translation with an introduction on Machiavelli's life. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Prince
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Prince online?
Yes. The Prince opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Prince free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Prince is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Prince in the public domain?
Yes. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli is a public-domain work, here in the translation by W. K. Marriott. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Prince?
About 2 h 27 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Prince?
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
