Here begins the second part of this book, which addresses chivalrous nobles

The first chapter describes how these nobles are the arms and hands of the body politic

Having concluded speaking to princes whom we described according to Plutarch as the head of the living image of the body politic and exhorting them to a virtuous life, it is appropriate in this second part of the present book to keep our promise and speak of the arms and hands of this image which, according to Plutarch, are the nobles, knights, and all those of their estate. In order to follow the style already begun, we ought to discuss their introduction to virtue and good manners, and particularly to deeds of chivalry, for they are responsible for guarding the public, according to the writings of the authors. While the same virtue is just as appropriate and necessary for the ordinary person, the simple knight, or the noble, as for princes, nevertheless, the estates differ in their way of life, in their conversation, and kinds of activity; thus it is suitable for my treatment of the subject to differ as well. The thing that is appropriate for the prince to do is not appropriate for the simple knight or the noble, and likewise the opposite.