Subject
State, The -- Early works to 1800 Books
Best books
Niccolò Machiavelli
The Prince
"The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli is a political treatise written in 1513 and published in 1532. Presented as an instruction guide for new rulers, this controversial work suggests that immoral acts may be necessary to achieve political power and glory. Written in vernacular Italian rather than Latin, it breaks from traditional advice literature by focusing on practical effectiveness over abstract ideals. Its worldview challenged dominant Catholic doctrines of the time, making "Machiavellian" synonymous with political cunning and contributing to modern negative connotations of politics itself.
Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan
"Leviathan" by Thomas Hobbes is a philosophical treatise published in 1651. Written during the English Civil War, it explores the structure of society and legitimate government through social contract theory. Hobbes argues that humanity's natural state is a brutal "war of all against all," driven by individual appetites and the fear of violent death. Only a strong, absolute sovereign can prevent civil war and chaos by uniting both secular and spiritual power. This influential work presents a materialistic view of human nature and political order.
Plato
Laws
"Laws" by Plato is a dialogue written in ancient Greece as Plato's final work. Three elderly men journey to Zeus's cave, debating who deserves credit for establishing laws. When one traveler reveals he must create laws for a new colony, they spend their journey designing an entire legal system for the imagined city of Magnesia. Through twelve books, they explore divine law, education, criminal justice, and the nature of soul, creating a vision distinct from Plato's earlier Republic.
Niccolò Machiavelli
The Prince
"The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli is a political treatise written in 1513. Designed as an instruction guide for new rulers, it boldly argues that immoral acts may sometimes be necessary to achieve political power and glory. Written in Italian rather than Latin, this controversial work breaks from traditional advice literature by focusing on practical effectiveness over abstract ideals. Its unflinching examination of power and leadership challenged the dominant Catholic doctrines of its time and gave birth to the term "Machiavellian."
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Cicero's Tusculan Disputations Also, Treatises On The Nature Of The Gods, And On The Commonwealth
"Cicero's Tusculan Disputations" by Marcus Tullius Cicero is a philosophical work written around 45 BC. Composed while mourning his daughter's death, Cicero presents five dialogues exploring fundamental questions of human existence: conquering the fear of death, enduring pain, alleviating sorrow, managing emotional turmoil, and determining whether virtue alone ensures happiness. Drawing heavily on Greek philosophy, particularly Stoicism, Cicero crafts persuasive arguments that challenge conventional views on suffering and fortune, offering timeless wisdom for fortifying the mind against life's inevitable hardships.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
The republic of Cicero Translated from the Latin; and Accompanied With a Critical and Historical Introduction.
"The republic of Cicero" by Marcus Tullius Cicero is a philosophical dialogue written between 54 and 51 BC. Modeled after Plato's Republic, it examines Roman constitutional theory through conversations led by the wise statesman Scipio Aemilianus. The work explores different types of government, the role of justice in politics, and the qualities of ideal citizens. Though much of the text is lost, its surviving portions reveal Cicero's vision of Roman politics and conclude with the famous Dream of Scipio.
Niccolò Machiavelli
Macchiavellis Buch vom Fürsten
"Macchiavellis Buch vom Fürsten" by Niccolò Machiavelli is a political treatise written in 1513. Presented as an instruction guide for new princes, this controversial work argues that immoral acts may be necessary to achieve political power. Breaking with traditional Catholic teachings, Machiavelli uses examples from history—including the murderous career of Cesare Borgia—to demonstrate that practical effectiveness matters more than abstract ideals. This short but revolutionary text gave birth to the term "Machiavellian" and transformed how we understand politics and power.
Niccolò Machiavelli
Ruhtinas
"Ruhtinas" by Niccolò Machiavelli is a political treatise written in 1513. This groundbreaking guide for new rulers argues that immoral acts may be necessary to achieve political power and glory. Written in Italian rather than Latin, it uses historical examples to illustrate practical political strategy over abstract ideals. The work directly challenged Catholic and scholastic teachings of its time, making it a controversial cornerstone of modern political philosophy and giving rise to the term "Machiavellian."
Plato
Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Α
"Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Α" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in ancient Greece. Plato's longest and final work explores the foundations of law and government through a conversation between an Athenian stranger and two companions journeying to Zeus's cave. Tasked with creating laws for a new colony, the three men debate divine versus human origins of law, the role of the soul, education, and justice. Notably, this is Plato's only dialogue without Socrates as a character.
Plato
Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Γ
"Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Γ" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in ancient Greece. In Plato's final and longest work, three elderly men journey to Zeus's cave, discussing who deserves credit for creating laws. When one reveals he must establish laws for a new colony, their conversation becomes a practical exercise in designing an ideal state. The dialogue explores government ethics, education, criminal justice, and the nature of soul, presenting an alternative vision to Plato's Republic through the creation of the imagined city of Magnesia.
Plato
Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Δ
"Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Δ" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in ancient Greece as Plato's final work. Three elderly men journey to Zeus's sacred cave, discussing who deserves credit for creating laws. When one reveals he must establish laws for a new colony, they spend their trek designing an entire legal system for the imagined city of Magnesia. Through twelve dense books, they explore divine law, government ethics, education, and the nature of soul—crafting a vision notably different from Plato's Republic.
Plato
Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Ε
"Νόμοι και Επινομίς, Τόμος Ε" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in ancient Greece as Plato's final work. Three elderly men journey to the cave of Zeus, discussing how to create laws for a new colony called Magnesia. Unlike other Platonic dialogues, Socrates is absent; an Athenian Stranger leads conversations about divine law, government ethics, education, and the nature of the soul. The dialogue explores fundamental questions about justice, legislation, and the proper ordering of society through twelve dense books of philosophical inquiry.
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