There have been many political philosophies published throughout the time of literate man, but few have made such an impact in so few words as Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. This eminently quotable treatise on the nature of rulers is unsettling in that it does not merely discuss the specific political geography of 16th century Europe, a world comprised of kings and nobles who ruled absolutely; it has endured for nearly 500 years because it is an all-encompassing understanding of men in power, and the common traits, motives and struggles which have characterized leaders from Roman emperors to modern-day presidents.

『君主論』は16世紀、ニッコロ・マキアヴェッリが、当時の支配者階層であったメディチ家に政策提言する目的で書かれたものです。その後、古今東西の権力者によって人心掌握術の書として読み継がれてきました。この難解な『君主論』を、わかりやすく150の格言集として新訳・新編集したのが本書です。ここに書かれている150の言葉は、「人の動かし方」「権力の維持のしかた」「国の守りかた」、そして「人間の本質」について教えてくれることでしょう。