The ends justifies the means. The Prince (Italian: Il Principe [il print ipe]; Latin: De Principatibus) is a 16th-century political treatise written by Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli as an instruction guide for new princes and royals. The general theme of The Prince is of accepting that the aims of princes - such as glory and survival - can justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends. It warns that if a state is not governed properly it shall collapse on the ruler. It describes the art and craft of war. It elaborates on the qualities of a prince and his prudence. It gives lessons in statesmanship and on judging the strength of principalities. One of the first works of modern political philosophy, Niccolo Machiavelli’s the Prince expounds on why the princes of Italy lost their states. He dedicates the book to Lorenzo de’ Medici, believing that it is he who can bring salvation for Italy. Full of historical references, the book continues to influence its readers and the hidden ruler in them.