Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius

is a work of political history and philosophy written around 1517. Us ing the first ten books of Livy's ancient Roman history as a foundation, Machiavelli examines how past civilizations can teach lessons for contempo rary politics. He explores different forms of government, the cycles of polit ical greatness, and Rome's evolution into a republic. Through 142 chapters, Machiavelli argues that studying history reveals timeless principles about power, leadership, and the common good.

all the things of this world have a limit set to their duration; yet thoseofthemthebodieswhereofhavenotbeen sufferedtogrowdisordered, but have been so cared for that either no change at all has been wrought in them, or, if any, a change for the better and not for the worse, will run that course which Heaven has in a general way appointed them. And since I am now speaking of mixed bodies, for States and Sects are so to be regarded, I say that for them these are wholesome changes which bring them back to their first beginnings. Those States consequently stand surest and endure longest which, either by the operation of their institutions can renew themselves, or come to be re newed by accident apart from any design. Nothing, however, can be clearer than that unless thus renewed these bodies do not last. But because in progress of time this excellence be comes corrupted, unless something be done to restore it to what it was at first, these bodies necessarily decay; for as the physicians tell us in speaking of the humanbody,"Something or other is daily added which sooner or later will require treatment."[10] [10]"Quodquotidieaggregaturaliquidquodquandoqueindigetcuratione." As regards commonwealths, thisreturntothepointofdepartureisbrought about either byextrinsic accident or by intrinsic foresight. As to the first, we haveseenhow itwasnecessarythatRomeshouldbetakenbytheGauls, that beingthusinamannerreborn, shemightrecoverlifeandvigour, andresume the observances of religion and justice which she had suffered to grow rusted by neglect.