Fortune#

Summary#

Fortune occupies a central place in Machiavelli’s political philosophy as a force that governs roughly half of human affairs, leaving the other half to free will and ability. He compares fortune to a raging river that can be channeled by those who prepare defenses in calm times, and famously characterizes her as a woman who favors the bold and impetuous over the cautious. Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli contrasts those who rise to power through fortune alone, who “fly” to the summit but cannot maintain themselves there, with those who acquire principalities through their own arms and ability, who struggle in the ascent but hold power securely. The prince who relies entirely on fortune is lost when it changes, while he who adapts his methods to the spirit of the times may prosper regardless of fortune’s whims.

Mentioned In#

• Dedication ↖ The Prince
• I. How Many Kinds of Principalities There Are, and by What Means They Are Acquired ↖ The Prince
• VI. Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired by One’s Own Arms and Ability ↖ The Prince
• VII. Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired Either by the Arms of Others or by Good Fortune ↖ The Prince
• IX. Concerning a Civil Principality ↖ The Prince
• XIII. Concerning Auxiliaries, Mixed Soldiery, and One’s Own ↖ The Prince
• XX. Are Fortresses, and Many Other Things to Which Princes Often Resort, Advantageous or Hurtful? ↖ The Prince
• XXV. What Fortune Can Effect in Human Affairs and How to Withstand Her ↖ The Prince