* Niccolò Machiavelli: An Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer best known for his political treatise "The Prince". This work, though controversial, offers a realistic and often cynical look at power and how to acquire and maintain it, regardless of morality.
* Francesco Petrarch: A prominent Italian scholar, poet, and humanist. He is considered the "father of Humanism" and is known for his sonnets and for rediscovering classical Latin texts. His work celebrated the human spirit and the beauty of the world, inspiring other Renaissance writers and thinkers.
There are many other secular writers of the Renaissance, and these are just two examples. Some other notable names include:
* Erasmus of Rotterdam (Dutch humanist and scholar)
* Giovanni Boccaccio (Italian writer and poet)
* William Shakespeare (English playwright and poet)
* Michel de Montaigne (French essayist and philosopher)