# Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2

An audiobook by Niccolò Machiavelli, read by LibriVox volunteers (4 h 39 min, English).

In "Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius", posthumous work by the author of The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the useful lessons that could be learnt from the past for the present. As the title mentions, the subject of the work is the first ten books of Livy's Ab urbe condita, which cover the expansion of Rome from the legendary monarchy of Romulus to the end of the Third Samnite War (293 BCE). The whole work contains three books, with 142 numbered chapters - perhaps not a coincidence, since Livy's history also contained 142 books. In the second book, the author discusses decisions made by the Roman people pertaining to the increase of its empire. - Summary by Leni

[Listen](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/books/librivox/13680)
[Read the book](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/books/gutenberg/10827/read)

## Chapters

0. Preface (8:35): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_00_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
1. CHAPTER I. Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to Fortune (8:50): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_01_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
2. CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom (14:51): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_02_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
3. CHAPTER III. That Rome became great by destroying the Cities which lay round about her, and by readily admitting strangers to the rights of Citizenship (4:29): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_03_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
4. CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power (11:39): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_04_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
5. CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past. (6:18): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_05_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
6. CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War. (6:28): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_06_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
7. CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist. (2:18): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_07_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
8. CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others. (10:20): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_08_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
9. CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States. (4:46): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_09_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
10. CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War. (9:58): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_10_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
11. CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength. (3:00): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_11_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
12. CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it. (10:06): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_12_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
13. CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force. (4:57): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_13_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
14. CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility. (3:39): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_14_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
15. CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful. (7:13): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_15_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
16. CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare. (10:33): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_16_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
17. CHAPTER XVII. What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just. (13:18): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_17_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
18. CHAPTER XVIII. That the authority of the Romans and the example of ancient Warfare should make us hold Foot Soldiers of more account than Horse. (12:57): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_18_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
19. CHAPTER XIX. That Acquisitions made by ill-governed States and such as follow not the valiant methods of the Romans, tend rather to their Ruin than to their Aggrandizement. (11:54): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_19_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
20. CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms. (5:49): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_20_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
21. CHAPTER XXI. That Capua was the first City to which the Romans sent a Prætor; nor there, until four hundred years after they began to make War. (5:44): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_21_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
22. CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss. (6:47): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_22_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
23. CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures. (9:58): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_23_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
24. CHAPTER XXIV. That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good (21:17): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_24_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
25. CHAPTER XXV. That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get possession of it through its Divisions. (5:03): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_25_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
26. CHAPTER XXVI. That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without yielding him any Advantage. (5:22): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_26_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
27. CHAPTER XXVII.That prudent Princes and Republics should be content to have obtained a Victory; for, commonly, when they are not, theft-Victory turns to Defeat. (8:52): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_27_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
28. CHAPTER XXVIII. That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth. (5:19): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_28_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
29. CHAPTER XXIX. That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them hinder her Designs. (8:14): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_29_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
30. CHAPTER XXX. That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not buy Friendships with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess. (10:50): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_30_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
31. CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Danger of trusting banished Men. (4:21): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_31_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
32. CHAPTER XXXII. In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns. (10:10): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_32_machiavelli_64kb.mp3
33. CHAPTER XXXIII. That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest Powers. (5:23): https://archive.org/download/discourses_titus_livius_2_1903_librivox/discoursesonlivy2_33_machiavelli_64kb.mp3