The Prince is considered one of the most influential and important works on political theory ever written. It has been esteemed by many generations for its perceived insights into the real workings of politics. The book serves as a practical manual for a new ruler or leader on how to gain, strengthen, and hold onto political power.

Prior to Machiavelli, political thinkers judged a ruler's success based on their morality: Did he attend church regularly? Did he commit sins? Was he a virtuous person? However, in The Prince, Machiavelli contended that a ruler's actual morality was not what mattered most; instead, it was the perception of his morality by his subjects that was crucial. Essentially, appearances were everything; what a ruler did in private was irrelevant as long as he appeared virtuous, honest, and just in the public eye.

The themes of fortune and virtue are consistently present throughout The Prince. While these words can hold multiple interpretations, in this context, fortune signifies events outside of human control, whereas virtue represents the actions individuals can take to shape their destiny.

A guide of this nature would be ineffective if it attributed most life events to fortune. Machiavelli's book is intended to offer the best strategies for maintaining power, rather than discouraging action. He suggests that half of our actions are influenced by fortune, while free will governs the other half. However, fortune is more significant because when it strikes, it can be as devastating as a flood, destroying everything in its path.

Using the flood analogy further, Machiavelli illustrates that virtue can manage the effects of fortune, just as dikes and dams control a flood. Rather than blaming fate or luck—as many theorists do when things go wrong—Machiavelli advises rulers to anticipate fortune and adjust their strategies accordingly. As a result, he holds greater admiration for leaders who are daring and audacious compared to those who are overly cautious, as cautious rulers often mislead themselves about their control over their destiny.

Machiavelli argues that political leaders should have the liberty to mislead their people. The real measure of a politician is not how faithfully he keeps his promises but whether he is seen as trustworthy.

Machiavelli’s goal is not to advocate for morality but to advise political leaders on the most effective methods for securing their power. He believes the best tactic for retaining authority is to tell the public what they want to hear, regardless of its accuracy.

According to this perspective, a ruler would be disadvantaged by always telling the truth. He clarifies that a "prudent" ruler "cannot and should not keep faith when it is to his detriment, and the reasons for his promises have disappeared." He further states, "Nor does a prince ever lack a legitimate reason to justify his failure to keep faith."

"Observing faith," akin to "keeping faith," means staying truthful and honest. Through these statements, Machiavelli advises that a prince should break his promises when situations shift and then fabricate reasons for doing so. This kind of moral flexibility—adapting one's ethical standards based on circumstances—proves effective for maintaining a ruler's hold on power, even though it contradicts most moral systems.

In Machiavelli's time, nations were often engaged in warfare. Consequently, the ability to lead effectively during conflicts was a much more critical measure for politicians than it is today. A significant portion of the political theory in The Prince is dedicated to a principality's capacity to defend itself from invasions.

Machiavelli advocates for a robust military force but advises that a prince should form this army from his own people, rather than depending on mercenaries or foreign troops. He also supports the idea of expanding territories through military conquest.

His primary counsel to princes is to ensure their subjects are content, as satisfied citizens will remain loyal and resist any takeover by a new ruler. As with other subjects, Machiavelli sees war and peace as means to gain favor, suggesting that failing to provoke conflict during peaceful times can make leaders seem weak.