Nicolo Machiavelli's The Prince

“Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with” (Machiavelli et al. 1955). Nicolo Machiavelli asks and answers an intriguing question in his book, The Prince. The Prince was written by Nicolo Machiavelli in 1513 to be used as a guide for world leaders. Adolf Hitler, a European leader who abided by the words of Machiavelli, later turned into and is still well known for being one of the most infamous world leaders of all time. He agreed with this quote, believing and demonstrating that it is better

Both men had similar outlooks on how goals should be achieved as well as similar morals. The ideal Prince would do anything necessary to achieve a goal and to maintain absolute power. The result is of utmost importance, not how one gets there. Hitler executing this idea many times. He came into power by wowing crowds with his speeches, intimidating other parties, appealing to the nationalism and pride of the German people, and lying. Dishonesty is extremely prominent in Nicolo Machiavelli’s teachings and in Adolf Hitler’s doings. Hitler made promises to the German people knowing he could not keep them. Hitler has once stated, “It is not truth that matters, but victory” along with “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” This follows Machiavelli’s teaching to elaborate on the truth for the good of the state. Also, in The Prince he says in order to be an ideal leader one should appeal to the people by appearing to have desirable qualities that one does not necessarily have. In addition Machiavelli mentions that it is sometimes needed for one to break their word, though still maintaining an image of being