By reply to the question right after, Machiavelli pitches the idea to the heirs of these imperiums, providing a higher prospect of them accepting that ideology as an answer. Machiavelli has such confidence that fear is much safer to be loved. He believes that by utilizing fear, the common men that will easily betray dare not to ever turn their backs for fear of death. For the terror of their common and worthless lives to their merciless tyrant. That sentence provides the main idea for the rest of his book, it helps prove his point by giving us the straight forward answer to the premise of the book.
In Machiavelli’s famous novel The Prince, several ideals concerning the proper actions of a prince are recorded. These actions are presented to the reader and then justified by Machiavelli’s personal and historical observations. Throughout several chapters, Machiavelli intensely describes the traits of a prince and explains in thorough detail which vices a prince should act on and which virtues he should exhibit. Machiavelli presents several ideas concerning the behavior of a prince in his novel The Prince. To begin with, Machiavelli believes that a prince should learn attributes that are not typically considered good.
This is a work that still influences us today and is still relevant in today’s complex society. Some of the most prominent leaders of the 20th century have been influenced by Machiavellian ideas. U.S Presidents like Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton and U.K Prime Minister Anthony Blair are called Machiavellian leaders today. According to Machiavelli a prince must focus all his serious time and energy to war and how to wage it (Machiavelli, 31). Focusing on war even in times of peace is essential and id the only thing that can keep the state safe.
Machiavelli’s views are based on a constant improvement of the state. In contrast, More’s ideas on a flawless civilization have the superior framework for a happy, comfortable, and stable society. In Utopia, the avoidance of war showcases true internal strength. Even though Machiavelli states, “war can’t be avoided, and putting it off will work to the advantage of others,” he fails to notice the strategic ways More describes in his preventions of war. Machiavelli’s brutish method to win wars leads to the downfall of his own population which More evades.
One aspect of Machiavelli’s theory which significantly contributes to his reputation as the “philosopher of evil,” is his advice to the prince on keeping their word to the public. In chapter eighteen, Machiavelli states, “a wise ruler cannot, and should not, keep his word when doing so is to his disadvantage, and when the reasons that led him to promise to do so no longer apply” (pg. 37). To simplify, Machiavelli says princes are obligated to lie in certain circumstances. He also states that while it is unnecessary for the prince to have positive qualities, such as honesty, trustworthiness, sympathy, compassion, or be religious, it is essential for the prince to be viewed so by the public (pg.
The Prince and the Catholic Church The Prince is considered a “handbook” on how to acquire and maintain power. Machiavelli does this by addressing what characteristics he believes a ruler should possess in order to be a successful ruler. With that being said, during the time in which Machiavelli wrote The Prince, some may have viewed his book as being immoral, as it did not follow the beliefs a Christian would uphold. It went against all aspects a good Christian would live by, ultimately leading up to an event that would forever change Machiavelli and his works in the views of Catholic believers. Within this essay, one will be able to identify as to why the story of The Prince may have conflicted with Catholicism and Christianity, causing the Catholicism not only to ban the book, The Prince, but also all of Machiavelli’s works in 1559 for over 300 years.
According to him, rulers should know their respective limits when it comes to the force and violence they inflict. Machiavelli believes that maximizing betrayal, deception and other cruel acts aren’t considered talents. Although these methods are effective in gaining empire, these don’t help in getting glory. Therefore, using violence and cruelty may be necessary but should have limits. The prince must know up to what extent his violence should be inflicted upon and he must do it all at once to avoid the hatred and resentment from his
A second example is given of Scipio who, because of his mercy, allowed the disease and the lack of discipline among the soldiers. Machiavelli effectively sums up the chapter by saying: So, the question to be loved or feared, my conclusion is that because some men love what they want, but the fear when the prince wants a wise prince should trust that control, not in what it cannot control. Therefore relationships based on fear are reliable, although based on love are, in one case, the prince has control and the other has none. Alexander apprehended Gaza previous afterwards passed going on interested in Egypt, where he remained respond to by means of a captor. Through these achievements, he safeguarded controller of the Mediterranean coastline.
What does Machiavelli say in regards to a prince being either feared or loved? Which, in Machiavelli’s opinion, is more important? Is it possible for a ruler to be both? Explain. 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,” .
REASON OF THE STATE If one followed the value system of the state, the statesman may violate the value of religion, ethics, and morality. Thus, Machiavelli devised the idea of the reason of State. Under the said idea, many acts that would be considered heinous crimes if judged in the court of religion or morality, are permissive and even obligatory. He did not assert that ethics and religion are inferior to the precepts of power, however. Machiavelli simply expressed that power and morality are independent of each other.