It is better to be punishing than kind. Machiavelli explains that cruelty can be well-thought-out if taken in one stab, the wicked deeds executed all at once, made essential for survival. Machiavelli argues, “We may add this note that when a prince takes a new state, he should calculate the sum of all the injuries he will have to do, and do them all at once, so as not to have to do new ones every day; simply by not repeating them, he will then be able to reassure people, and win them over to his side with benefits.” It is better to not make preserving them would be against one 's benefits. Leaders must avoid making themselves loathed and looked down on; the kindness of the people is a better protection than any stronghold.
These possessions can make the prince as powerful as he can be or as weak he shall be; nor be the definite strife for the downfall of his triumph. Princes are defined by the environment he has brought upon himself as well as the calamities that
Machiavelli argued that the most victorious kings were not those who acted in line with dictates of law, or justice, or conscience, however those willing to try to do anything that was necessary to preserve their own control--and therefore indirectly preserve the goodness of the state. Machiavelli tells us that the sovereign should take any action that is important to keep up the order in society. In time this may result in the most compassionate decision too. Machiavelli explains that, Cesare Borgia, by by making use of cruelty was able to accomplish order, goodness and obedience in Romagna. On the other hand, due to the inaction of the Florentines, allowed internal conflict to develop in Pistoia, leading to devastation of the town.
For when lenity and cruelty play for kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner.” (King Henry V 3.6 113-20) Even though Henry seeks to unite the kingdoms of France and England to enlarge his domain, he also wants the people of France to like him. In addition, with a larger and stronger kingdom, neighboring countries will be less likely to attack. “We must not only arm t ' invade the French, But lay down our proportions to defend against Scotland, who will make road upon us with all advantages.” (King Henry V 1.2
Machiavelli say in regards to a prince being either feared or loved, in chapter 17, Machiavelli states “ is much safer to be feared than loved,” . In Machiavelli’s opinion, be feared is more important since it is safer. Even though, it is best to answer that a prince should be both, feared and loved, however it is still very difficult or near impossible to unite them in one person, especially a ruler. Either one must be dispensed with due to be asserted in general of men.
However, others believe that Crispin should not have accepted his position as rightful heir to the throne in order to do so. Crispin should have accepted his position as the rightful heir to the throne for three reasons: Crispin could have overpowered Aycliffe, rendering their agreement invalid.
What does it mean to be a Prince? According to Niccolo Machiavelli there is various qualities that are needed to be a Prince. In the chapter, “The Qualities of the Prince,” Machiavelli list qualities a Prince must uphold to be considered a good Prince. In order to be a Prince one must know how to protect his state and people. Some qualities that he mentions are: being feared rather than being loved, being hated, being cruel, being generous, and being deceitful.
Ultimately, though, Machiavelli concludes that while a prince may not have all of these qualities, he must seem to have them. He must seem as virtuous as possible to the people, but, as previously stated, due to the inherently evil nature of man, he must also be prepared to work against virtue. However, if a prince has previously had a reputation of goodness, his actions will always be justified by the people and future wrongdoings will be excused. In conclusion, while a prince must strive to be multifaceted in order to succeed, he must also at the very least appear to be multifaceted and have a virtuous
Over history, wars have been started over the public's disagreements with rulers, and if they only took the time to discover what makes a good ruler, the catastrophes might have been avoided altogether. After all, a good ruler can be the difference between prospering life and bloody
Compare and Contrast Macbeth and Banquo Once one elicits a promise of power, the question is what one should do with it. Should one enforce it and see it through, or should one simply let fate run its course? A prophecy presents itself to both Banquo and Macbeth that foretells a rise to power in their futures. When power presents itself to Macbeth, he becomes corrupt.
With a new King on the throne of England, the kingdom and royal court was transformed into a fresh, flamboyant playground for the nobility of England, not to mention the new King Henry VIII. Gone were the days of Henry VII’s strict political reign. Unlike his father, Henry VIII believed his people desired to see him acting as a king and not be so concerned with matters of state. Cardinal Wolsey undoubtedly had an impressionable influence over the King himself and over the royal court. When analysing Henry VIII’s reign, it would be impossible to exclude Cardinal Wolsey from this.
It is also wrong because it may beat the man physically down, but it won’t change how he understands. The last way is through nonviolent resistance. Nonviolent resistance brings the best of acquiescence and of violence. It grabs the nonviolent aspect of acquiescence, but not the conforming. It then grabs the objecting of oppression, but not the destruction.
A truly powerful leader is cruel and shows little to no accounts of mercy but rather use cruelty to bring order and restore peace and obedience in societies; moreover, while avoiding being hated. Machiavelli argues that a prince should not worry about the criticism of cruelty when it is a matter of protecting his citizens and ensuring they are united, loyal, and obedient. Furthermore, excessive mercy allows for disorder to arise and prosper while creating a dysfunctional society that hurts the future of a prince’s power and credibility. A prince should avoid being hated, but still show no mercy as it establishes him respect and shows his strength, influence, and compassion as a good leader; also, institutes more peace, harmony, and order in
Machiavelli’s The Prince presents a guide of certain qualities of the ideal political leaders such as, kindness towards the citizens, advocates preservation of one 's custom or policy, and having excellent control over territory they acquired. Firstly, Machiavelli presents a point that citizens will not tolerate the ill-treatment from the Prince after he deceived them the first time. “Because those who had opened the gates to him, finding themselves deceived in their hopes of future benefits, would not endure the ill-treatment of the new Prince.
Machiavelli was not looking for princes to become cruel, militant tyrants, but rather wanted effectiveness to unite a kingdom and to unite the people. Through Francesco Sforza, Cesare Borgia, and even Pope Julius II, the author is stating the unspoken truth, supporting it with the figures he derived inspiration, those who used underhanded methods when needed to hold reigns on their power, that "for a man who strives after goodness in all his acts is sure to come to ruin, since there are so many men who are not good. Hence it is necessary that a prince who is interested in his survival learn to be other than good, making use of his capacity or refraining from it according to need" (Machiavelli