Summary Of Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy on May 3, 1469. Machiavelli was one of the most contentious political philosophers of his time. Machiavelli was employed as a "Florentine secretary" and during that time, Machiavelli started to notice the power that one person had over an entire country. In 1513 Machiavelli wrote his most well-known works “The Prince,” in which Machiavelli voices his political concepts of ruling a country. “The Prince,” explains the political struggles of being ruled by callous leaders and power battles. “The Prince was written to show leaders how to gain and keep the power in government.” In his book, Machiavelli insists that leaders use any means needed to hold their political power. Even if it meant that the leader had to be cruel,

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. A leader’s job should be involved so that his reputation is boosted. Leaders should choose clever advice-givers and dodge brown noses. With each of these character behaviors, Machiavelli goes against the grain. He knows that princes are always in the public eye. Their behavior will shake their public image and their status will involve their ability to keep