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NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI

TO THE MAGNIFICENT

LORENZO DI PIERO DE’ MEDICI

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A circular library stamp is present, reading "BIBLIOTHECA..." with the rest partially legible.

Those who wish to gain the favor of a Prince are accustomed to approach him with the things they hold most dear, or in which they see him take the most delight. Thus, we often see them presented with horses, arms, gold fabrics, precious stones, and similar ornaments worthy of their greatness. Desiring, therefore, to offer myself to your Magnificence with some token of my devotion toward you, I have found nothing among my possessions that I hold more dear, or value as much, as the knowledge of the actions of great men, which I have learned through a long experience of modern affairs and a continuous study of ancient ones. Having meditated upon and examined these with great diligence over a long time, and now reduced them to a small volume, I send them to your Magnificence. And although I judge this work unworthy of your presence, I nevertheless trust greatly that, out of your kindness, it may be acceptable to you, considering that I could not offer you a greater gift than the ability to understand in a very short time everything that I have come to know and understand over so many years, and with so many hardships and dangers. I have not adorned or filled this work with ample clauses, or with grandiose or magnificent words, or with any other charm or extrinsic ornament with which many are accustomed...