On the strength of The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) has been called the quintessential cynic and the father of modern political thought, but he is also one of the greatest writers of the Renaissance, and his wisdom extends far beyond politics to encompass a compelling philosophy of life as well. Drawing on Machiavelli's entire body of writings, this collection of nearly 700 quotations displays the Florentine's intellectual and philosophical breadth on a wide range of subjects, including government, religion, love, history, patriotism, and virtue, while also counseling his son on dealing with an unruly mule.