Skip to main content

Primary sourceBook1775

The Works of Nicholas Machiavel, Translated from the Originals

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1775

An 18th-century English translation of Machiavelli's works with added notes and military plans, published in 1775.

An early English translation of Machiavelli's works, showing how his ideas were read and used centuries later.

Ask Niccolo Machiavelli about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Full text (Internet Archive)

About this source

What it is

This is volume three of a four-volume English translation of Machiavelli's works, translated by Ellis Farneworth and printed in London in 1775. The edition includes notes, annotations, and new plans on the art of war.

Why it matters

This translation shows how Machiavelli's writings continued to be read, translated, and debated long after his death, including discussion of his reputation regarding religion and morality. The added military plans show how readers connected his political ideas to practical matters of warfare and statecraft.

Look closer

  • Why might an 18th-century translator add notes defending or explaining Machiavelli's reputation?
  • What does the inclusion of military plans suggest about how Machiavelli's ideas on war were used by later readers?
  • How might a translation made over two centuries after the original affect how we understand Machiavelli's true meaning?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Niccolo Machiavelli on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Niccolo Machiavelli sources

Meet the AI Niccolo Machiavelli →
Title page of the 1550 Italian edition of Machiavelli's Il Principe, with the title and subtitles in black letters on aged paper, a woodcut portrait bust of a man holding a book, two oval emblems, and the date MDL at the bottom.Book

Primary source

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1513

Letter

Primary source

Letter to Francesco Vettori

Niccolò Machiavelli · 10 December 1513

Title page of an early printed book, 'Discorsi di Nicolo Machiavelli, Fiorentino, sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio', with a woodcut border showing a lion's head at top and a wolf standing on a ribbon inscribed 'DISSIMILIVM INFIDA SOCIETAS' below. Handwritten marks appear in the margins.Book

Primary source

Discourses on Livy

Niccolò Machiavelli · c. 1517, published 1531

Painting of a man with short dark hair in a black cloak with red sleeves and red collar, resting one hand on a stone ledge and holding a book in the other hand against a dark brown background.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli

Santi di Tito · late 16th century

Title page of a 1556 printed edition of Machiavelli's comedy Mandragola. Large capitals read MANDRAGOLA COMEDIA FACETISSIMA DI M. NICOLO MACHIAVELLI FIORENTINO, followed by Nuovamente corretta & Ristampata. A woodcut of a mandrake plant with roots and leaves is centered between the text. At the bottom reads IN FIORENZA MDLVI.Book

Primary source

The Mandrake

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1524

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Niccolo Machiavelli now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions