Chapters+VII+and+VIII

Private citizens are able to become princes and have little to no trouble rising to the top. the trouble starts when you reach the top and some only stay princes because of goodwill and fortune. then there are those who are unexpectedly made princes and they are men that are prepared to hold onto the fortune that is thrust upon them. (Basically men that are born into being princes have a harder time staying at the top rather than men who have natural ability to tulr.) those who depend on their own ability have a much easier time than those who had the good fortune of coming from noble birth. Private citizens are men who are wealthy enough to buy their way into power rahter than earning it. men who buy their way to power have no idea on how to keep it. laying down foundation is crucial for maintaining power. Machiavelli talks about Caesare's life. He could not maintain power because he was of noble birth, father Pope Alexander VI, even though he tried to bring together his new power. He made his subjects love him through fear. He took out disloyal soldiers and put in loyal one's. Then his father died and he couldn't rule anymore. In the end he had set a good foundation for the next ruler.

Gives more exapmples on how someone can become a prince. If you do a crime or are approved by the people. Men who rise up by doing a crime will kill his people and betray their friends. King Agathocles of Syracuse rose to power by doing a crime. He was a normal man until he went into the military and rose up to be of a leading rank. Then he called a meeting for the senate and then told his men to kill them. He took over from then on and ruled with an iron fist.