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The Letters of Machiavelli : A Selection
This collection of the most brilliant and characteristic letters of Niccolò Machiavelli displays the vital and penetrating mind of the man who wrote the first work of modern political science. These letters, which reveal Machiavelli's critical intelligence, sense of humor, and elegant sense, are our chief source of information about his personal life. As such, they will serve as a vivid introduction to the personalities and events of the most turbulent period of the Renaissance, and they will also enlighten people who have been fascinated by the political thinker who wrote The Prince and The Discourses on Livy .
252 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1767
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About the author
Niccolò Machiavelli
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The Prince
, book of Niccolò Machiavelli, Italian political theorist, in
1513 describes an indifferent ruler to moral considerations with determination to achieve and to maintain power.
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, a philosopher, musician, and poet, wrote plays. He figured centrally in component of the Renaissance, and people most widely know his realist treatises on the one hand and republicanism of Discourses on Livy .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%...
1513 describes an indifferent ruler to moral considerations with determination to achieve and to maintain power.
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, a philosopher, musician, and poet, wrote plays. He figured centrally in component of the Renaissance, and people most widely know his realist treatises on the one hand and republicanism of Discourses on Livy .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 12, 2016
There is a certain letter in this collection that made me smile like an idiot for a minute:
[To Lodovic Alamanni at Rome, 1517], "I have just read Orlando Furioso by Ariosto, and truly the poem is fine throughout, and in many places is wonderful. If he is there, give him my regards, and tell him I am only sorry that, having spoken of so many poets, he has left me out like a dog, and has done to me in his Orlando what I shall not do to him in my Ass. (No. 166)"
Having just read Orlando Furioso myself, the very fact that Machiavelli could throw light-hearted banter to Ariosto made me experience some type of historic fan boy moment. In general Machiavelli is more of a joker than I expected him to be, as he says himself:
"Anybody who saw our letters, honored friend and saw their diversity, would wonder greatly, because he would suppose now that we were grave men, wholly concerned with important matters, and that into our breasts no thought could fall that did not have in itself honour and greatness. But then, turning the page, he would judge that we, the very same persons, were lightminded, inconstant, lascivious, concerned with empty things.. (No.159)".
At one point he jokingly urges an important governor, instructing him to send his messengers hastily so their sweat and evident intent would make the letters display Machiavelli as more important to the court bystanders.
In general I prefer the personal Machiavelli to the political, however these letters are not limited to just personal correspondence. Of the 64 letters presented in this selected group, roughly 30% are closely tied to Machiavelli's views on the current politics of the day, a view he can't help but expressing even when most of his life (in these letters) is moping around in his rural estate, waiting to be employed. You can really tell Machiavelli has a passion for the political, even when he tries to convince himself otherwise. In letter No.128 he scolds his close friend 'Francesco Vettori' for asking him a question concerning state politics despite making vows to not think or discuss such issues: however, you can practically see the eager opinions oozing out of him, as he proceeds to give a 10 page summation of what he thinks is going on despite having close to no references to work with. At most times Machiavelli is almost surgical with preparation of personal advice. When a friend needs to be instructed how to attain a dowry for his daughter, or how to increase his political position, Niccolo's advice resembles a professional bank heist with no possible exits being unaccounted for. Indeed, I would not hesitate to label him a humans relations specialist, and as the general editor points out, although Machiavelli writes without ever adding personal attachment 'even his impartiality is not cold but warm and interested'.
Francesco Vettori himself is the direct target of much of Machiavelli's writing and I envy the man greatly. Imagine having such a pen pal, who is even more accessible due to the lazy stream of living that often accompanies a political shift that influences staffed bureaucracy. I have read somewhere that Niccolo Machiavelli's personal correspondences are treated with great renown by Italians, how this exactly works out I'm not fully sure, since a greater majority of this writing is very personal (sometimes trivially), esoterically political, and not quite globally compelling with regards to literary power (their personal letters lest we forget). There are of course some definitely quotable/famous passages in here and I do not wish to suggest that Machiavelli's writing is not excellently composed, e.g. 'Those who gain from war will not praise peace'/'I love my native city more than my soul', but for those who wish to observe more of this type of stuff specifically I suggest his published works. For Renaissance historians and political enthusiasts this is certainly a treasure trove of knowledge, and I strongly urge those who which to know more about the man to go to this before attempting a scholarly biography.
Given 3 stars because I don't know how to justify giving personal letters more, the concept of rating something written by a guy to his friends is weird enough. I leave off with another beatiful quote:
"On the coming of evening, I return to my house and enter my study; and at the door I take off the day's clothing, covered with mud and dust, and put on garments regal and courtly; and reclothed appropriately, I enter the ancient courts of ancient men, where, received by them with affection, I feed on that food which only is mine and which I was born for, where I am not ashamed to speak with them and to ask them the reason for their actions; and they in their kindness answer me; and for four hours of time I do not feel boredom, I forget every trouble, I do not dread poverty, I am not frightened by death; entirely I give myself over to them."(No.137)
[To Lodovic Alamanni at Rome, 1517], "I have just read Orlando Furioso by Ariosto, and truly the poem is fine throughout, and in many places is wonderful. If he is there, give him my regards, and tell him I am only sorry that, having spoken of so many poets, he has left me out like a dog, and has done to me in his Orlando what I shall not do to him in my Ass. (No. 166)"
Having just read Orlando Furioso myself, the very fact that Machiavelli could throw light-hearted banter to Ariosto made me experience some type of historic fan boy moment. In general Machiavelli is more of a joker than I expected him to be, as he says himself:
"Anybody who saw our letters, honored friend and saw their diversity, would wonder greatly, because he would suppose now that we were grave men, wholly concerned with important matters, and that into our breasts no thought could fall that did not have in itself honour and greatness. But then, turning the page, he would judge that we, the very same persons, were lightminded, inconstant, lascivious, concerned with empty things.. (No.159)".
At one point he jokingly urges an important governor, instructing him to send his messengers hastily so their sweat and evident intent would make the letters display Machiavelli as more important to the court bystanders.
In general I prefer the personal Machiavelli to the political, however these letters are not limited to just personal correspondence. Of the 64 letters presented in this selected group, roughly 30% are closely tied to Machiavelli's views on the current politics of the day, a view he can't help but expressing even when most of his life (in these letters) is moping around in his rural estate, waiting to be employed. You can really tell Machiavelli has a passion for the political, even when he tries to convince himself otherwise. In letter No.128 he scolds his close friend 'Francesco Vettori' for asking him a question concerning state politics despite making vows to not think or discuss such issues: however, you can practically see the eager opinions oozing out of him, as he proceeds to give a 10 page summation of what he thinks is going on despite having close to no references to work with. At most times Machiavelli is almost surgical with preparation of personal advice. When a friend needs to be instructed how to attain a dowry for his daughter, or how to increase his political position, Niccolo's advice resembles a professional bank heist with no possible exits being unaccounted for. Indeed, I would not hesitate to label him a humans relations specialist, and as the general editor points out, although Machiavelli writes without ever adding personal attachment 'even his impartiality is not cold but warm and interested'.
Francesco Vettori himself is the direct target of much of Machiavelli's writing and I envy the man greatly. Imagine having such a pen pal, who is even more accessible due to the lazy stream of living that often accompanies a political shift that influences staffed bureaucracy. I have read somewhere that Niccolo Machiavelli's personal correspondences are treated with great renown by Italians, how this exactly works out I'm not fully sure, since a greater majority of this writing is very personal (sometimes trivially), esoterically political, and not quite globally compelling with regards to literary power (their personal letters lest we forget). There are of course some definitely quotable/famous passages in here and I do not wish to suggest that Machiavelli's writing is not excellently composed, e.g. 'Those who gain from war will not praise peace'/'I love my native city more than my soul', but for those who wish to observe more of this type of stuff specifically I suggest his published works. For Renaissance historians and political enthusiasts this is certainly a treasure trove of knowledge, and I strongly urge those who which to know more about the man to go to this before attempting a scholarly biography.
Given 3 stars because I don't know how to justify giving personal letters more, the concept of rating something written by a guy to his friends is weird enough. I leave off with another beatiful quote:
"On the coming of evening, I return to my house and enter my study; and at the door I take off the day's clothing, covered with mud and dust, and put on garments regal and courtly; and reclothed appropriately, I enter the ancient courts of ancient men, where, received by them with affection, I feed on that food which only is mine and which I was born for, where I am not ashamed to speak with them and to ask them the reason for their actions; and they in their kindness answer me; and for four hours of time I do not feel boredom, I forget every trouble, I do not dread poverty, I am not frightened by death; entirely I give myself over to them."(No.137)
January 21, 2019
A nice little collection of letters. Not very exhaustive, but a fun way to spend an afternoon.
October 14, 2013
A well put together compilation of Machiavelli's personal letters. Not too long, easy to grasp. Enjoyed flickers of Machiavelli's sense of humor!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews