The characters -- The contrast with Plato -- The first principle of The Prince -- The test of truth -- Machiavelli's philosophy of man -- The existence of Te (Moral Authority) -- The knowledge of good and evil -- The power of trust -- Arms and laws -- Love and fear -- Machiavelli's ethics -- Machiavelli's metaphysics -- Machiavelli's epistemology -- Machiavelli's logic -- Machiavelli's life -- The formula for success