In this paper two Descartes' letters on Machiavelli are examined Firstly, following the philosopher's own suggestions in the letters, Descartes' and Machiavelli's thoughts are contrasted, from which a distinction between Morals and Politics (in Descartes) arises. Next, the Cartesian Morals is explained in order to point out the roots of this distinction.
Descartes; Machiavelli; Morals; virtue; Politics; fortune