Read the excerpt from "Princely Virtues" from The Prince and answer the question. Because I know that many have written on this topic, I fear that when I too write I shall be thought
presumptuous, because, in discussing It, I break away completely from the principles laid down by my
predecessors. But since it is my purpose to write something useful... I think it more effective to go back to
the practical truth of the subject than to depend on my fancies about it.
In this Introductory excerpt, Machiavelli distinguishes his ideas from others in that .