Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 3
Author(s): Niccolò Machiavelli, Ninian Hill Thomson
Genre(s): Political Science, Early Modern
Narrators: Josh Kibbey, Rita Boutros, Maria De Fátima Da Silva, Linda Johnson, Mayah, Kassie Yang, Shasta, Kristine Bekere, Merendo07
Number of Chapters: 49
Length: 05 hours and 47 minutes
Language: English
In "Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius", posthumous work by the author of The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the useful lessons that could be learnt from the past for the present. As the title mentions, the subject of the work is the first ten books of Livy's Ab urbe condita, which cover the expansion of Rome from the legendary monarchy of Romulus to the end of the Third Samnite War (293 BCE). The whole work contains three books, with 142 numbered chapters - perhaps not a coincidence, since Livy's history also contained 142 books. In the third book, the author discusses how the actions of particular men made Rome great. - Summary by Leni
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CHAPTER I.—For a Sect or Commonwealth to last long, it must often be brought back to its Beginnings. (Josh Kibbey)
CHAPTER III.—That to preserve a newly acquired Freedom we must slay the Sons of Brutus. (Josh Kibbey)
CHAPTER IV.—That an Usurper is never safe in his Princedom while those live whom he has deprived of it. (Josh Kibbey)
CHAPTER VII.—Why it is that changes from Freedom to Servitude, and from Servitude to Freedom, are sometimes made without Bloodshed, but at other times reek with Blood. (Josh Kibbey)
CHAPTER VIII.—That he who would effect Changes in a Commonwealth, must give heed to its Character and Condition (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER IX.—That to enjoy constant good Fortune we must change with the Times. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER X.—That a Captain cannot escape Battle when his Enemy forces it on him at all risks. (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER XI.—That one who has to contend with many, though he be weaker than they, will prevail if he can withstand their first onset. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER XII.—A prudent Captain will do what he can to make it necessary for his own Soldiers to fight, and to relieve his Enemy from that necessity. (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER XIII.—Whether we may trust more to a valiant Captain with a weak Army, or to a valiant Army with a weak Captain. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER XIV.—Of the effect produced in Battle by strange and unexpected Sights or Sounds. (Linda Johnson)
CHAPTER XV.—That one and not many should head an Army: and why it is harmful to have more Leaders than one. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER XVI.—That in Times of Difficulty true Worth is sought after; whereas in quiet Times it is not the most deserving, but those who are recommended by Wealth or Connection who are most in favour. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER XVII.—That we are not to offend a Man, and then send him to fill an important Office or Command. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER XVIII.—That it is the highest Quality of a Captain to be able to forestall the designs of his Adversary. (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER XIX.—Whether Indulgence or Severity be more necessary for controlling a Multitude. (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER XX.—How one humane act availed more with the men of Falerii, than all the might of the Roman Arms. (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER XXI.—How it happened that Hannibal pursuing a course contrary to that taken by Scipio, wrought the same results in Italy which the other achieved in Spain. (Linda Johnson)
Chapter XXII.—That the severity of Manlius Torquatus and the gentleness of Valerius Corvinus won for both the same Glory. (Linda Johnson)
CHAPTER XXVII.-- How a divided City may be reunited, and how it is a false opinion that to hold Cities in subjection they must be kept divided. (Kassie Yang)
CHAPTER XXVIII. - That a Republic must keep an eye on what its Citizens are about; since often the seeds of a Tyranny lie hidden under a semblance of generous deeds. (Kassie Yang)
CHAPTER XXX.—That a Citizen who seeks by his personal influence to render signal service to his Country, must first stand clear of Envy. How a City should prepare for its defence on the approach of an Enemy. (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER XXXI.—That strong Republics and valiant Men preserve through every change the same Spirit and Bearing. (Rita Boutros)
CHAPTER XXXIII.—That to insure victory in battle you must inspire your Men with confidence in one another and in you. (Shasta)
CHAPTER XXXIV.—By what reports, rumours, or surmises the Citizens of a Republic are led to favour a Fellow-citizen: and-whether the Magistracies are bestowed with better judgment by a People or by a Prince. (Shasta)
CHAPTER XXXV.—Of the Danger incurred in being the first to recommend new Measures; and that the more unusual the Measures the greater the Danger. (Shasta)
CHAPTER XXXVI.—Why it has been and still may be affirmed of the Gauls, that at the beginning of a fray they are more than Men, but afterwards less than Women. (Shasta)
CHAPTER XXXVII.—Whether a general engagement should be preceded by skirmishes; and how, avoiding these, we may get knowledge of a new Enemy. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER XXXVIII.—Of the Qualities of a Captain in whom his Soldiers can confide. (Maria de Fátima da Silva)
CHAPTER XLI.—That our Country is to be defended by Honour or by Dishonour; and in either way is well defended. (Kristine Bekere)
CHAPTER XLIII.—That Men born in the same Province retain through all Times nearly the same Character. (Kristine Bekere)
CHAPTER XLIV.—That where ordinary methods fail, Hardihood and Daring often succeed. (Kristine Bekere)
CHAPTER XLV.—Whether in battle it is better to await and repel the Enemy's attack, or to anticipate it by an impetuous onset. (merendo07)
CHAPTER XLVII.—That love of his Country should lead a good Citizen to forget private Wrongs. (merendo07)
The audiobook Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 3 falls under the genres of Political Science, Early Modern. It is written by Niccolò Machiavelli, Ninian Hill Thomson.