Machiavellian Advice from The Prince - 1097 Words

Niccolo Machiavelli was a middle-class and humanist-educated Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Renaissance in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Although bestowed with the title of the father of modern political theory, Machiavelli has been, and continues to be widely misunderstood and misinterpreted (Kreis). The term â€Å"Machiavellian,† and it is in the dictionary, is defined as subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty (Dictionary). In acknowledgment of the enduring impact of Machiavelli on society, psychologists have identified a distinct personality style that is characterized by manipulativeness, cynicism about human nature, and shrewdness in interpersonal behavior, and†¦show more content†¦In essence, this advice makes sense, be good when you can and bad when you need to be. After all, a ruler must defend not only himself, but also those who look to and depend upon him for protection. The emo tion and logic of strategy, defense, and retaliation prevails throughout Machiavelli’s treatise. However, he gets his authoritative ducks in a row with the referencing of past and current rulers who knew or did not know how to walk that fine line that would ensure the success, or precipitate the demise of their domain. Hannibal, Machiavelli recounts, commanded an immense army which included men of many different races and nations, and which he led to battle in distant countries, he never allowed them to fight among themselves or to rise against him, whether his fortune was good or bad. The reason for this was his inhumane cruelty, along with his other countless other talents, made him a subject of awe and terror to his soldiers: and without the cruelty, his other qualities would never have sufficed (Kirszner). Machiavelli’s education and erudition serve well to emphasize that he has done extensive research. Machiavelli employs the words and actions of religious leaders, kings, queens, emperors, princes, warriors, soldiers, statesmen, and mythic heroes to drive home the fact that throughout history, successful leaders were those who knew how to recognize and utilize virtue and vice. Machiavelli even calls uponShow MoreRelatedMachiavellian Macbeth ? Essay1609 Words   |  7 Pages   Ã‚  While Macbeth exhibits certain Machiavellian characteristics, he does not heed Machiavellis advice regarding rulers who desire to obtain their principalities through crime, and through either the ignorance of, or disregard for, this advice, Macbeth cannot be considered Machiavellian. Hence it should be noted that in taking hold of a state, he who seizes it should examine all the offenses necessary for him to commit, and do them all at a stroke....For injuries must be done all togetherRead MoreMachiavellian Rulers Are Focused on War in Machiavelli’s The Prince1077 Words   |  5 PagesMachiavelli’s â€Å"The Prince† brought up some controversial characteristics on what a Machiavellian ruler is. The characteristic that was most stressed was that â€Å"A prince must have no other objective, no other thought, nor take up any profession but that of war.†(Machiavelli 37). With a main focus on the art of war a ruler can protect the state he governs from attacks against him and his state. Machiavelli offers us an analogy to prove the importance of war. 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