The Prince

I will leave out all discussion on republics, inasmuch as in another place I have written of them at length, and will address myself only to principalities.

Such dominions thus acquired are either accustomed to live under a prince, or to live in freedom; and are acquired either by the arms of the prince himself, or of others, or else by fortune or by ability.

Principalities are either hereditary, in which the family has been long established; or they are new.