Machiavelli has a reputation as an immoral thinker. His most famous work, The Prince, is oftemnm criticized as being a manual for political cunning and cynicism. On the contrary, Machiavelli invites us to face up to political and human reality. Faced with illusions and moralistic rhetoric, we must seek the truth and adopt a scientific approach to seriously reflect upon action. This introduction provides us with the keys to understanding The Prince, a foundational book of modern political thought, and the relevance of its teachings for our contemporary societies.