This section of the text contains the prefatory headings outlining Niccolò Machiavelli's life stages from his youth through his public office and final years, followed by the author's formal dedication of his treatise to Lorenzo Di Piero De Medici. Machiavelli explains that instead of offering traditional material gifts such as horses, arms, or precious stones, he presents his work as a concise volume containing the accumulated political wisdom he has gained through years of experience and study. He argues that just as landscape painters must descend to the plains to properly view elevated mountains, an individual must be part of the common people to fully understand the nature of princes, while one must be a prince to understand the people.
Machiavelli expresses his hope that his Magnificence will accept this modest offering in the spirit in which it is presented, noting that the value of the work lies entirely in its truth and the gravity of its theme rather than in embellished or ornate language. He explains that by studying the text, the reader can quickly grasp lessons learned through severe troubles and dangers. Finally, Machiavelli concludes by expressing his fervent wish that Lorenzo will attain the greatness presaged by his fortune and merits, while briefly alluding from his lower station to the unmerited sufferings inflicted upon him by a cruel fate.