Cardinal de Richelieu is widely known for Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers." In this novel, he is presented as an insidious and unprincipled politician, thinking primarily of personal gain. In reality, Richelieu was the preeminent statesman under whom France became Europe's leading power. As chief minister, Richelieu delved into all issues of power and summarized his vast experience in the "Principles of Government." 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 finding a national ideology. These notes have not lost their relevance these days.