Cardinal de Richelieu is widely known thanks to “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas. In this novel, he is presented as a treacherous and unprincipled politician who thinks primarily about personal gain. In fact, Richelieu was an outstanding statesman under whom France became the leading power in Europe. Occupying the post of chief minister, Richelieu delved into all issues of power and summarized his vast experience in the “Principles of State Administration.” His notes were written during the civil war in France, when the problem of maintaining state power was especially acute. Richelieu writes about defense and security, strengthening borders, fighting poverty, eradicating corruption and theft, and the search for a national ideology. These notes have not lost their relevance today. The publishing layout is preserved in a4.pdf format.