Цепочка: от должного к сущему

Магистральный ход «Государя»: отказ от воображаемой политики морали ведёт к переоценке добродетелей по их последствиям для власти. Главы XV→XVIII.

1. Разрыв метода: сущее, а не должное — effektivnaya-istina

   it appears to me more appropriate to follow up the real truth of the matter than the imagination of it; for many have pictured republics and principalities which in fact have never been known or seen
   — The Prince, ch. XV, unit prince.15

2. Следствие: уметь поступать не по-доброму — umet-postupat-ne-po-dobromu

   Hence it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.
   — The Prince, ch. XV, unit prince.15

3. Щедрость и скупость по последствиям — nenavist-i-prezrenie

   Therefore it is wiser to have a reputation for meanness which brings reproach without hatred, than to be compelled through seeking a reputation for liberality to incur a name for rapacity which begets reproach with hatred.
   — The Prince, ch. XVI, unit prince.16

4. Жестокость и милосердие по последствиям — zhestokost-khorosho-i-durno

   those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions which originate with a prince offend the individual only.
   — The Prince, ch. XVII, unit prince.17

5. Страх и любовь по последствиям — luchshe-strakh-chem-lyubov

   it is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with.
   — The Prince, ch. XVII, unit prince.17

6. Итог: казаться важнее, чем быть — kazhimost-i-realnost

   Therefore it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to appear to have them.
   — The Prince, ch. XVIII, unit prince.18