The Prince By Niccolo Machiavelli

The Prince By Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavellis gift to Lorenzo de Medici, The Prince, is a discourse discussing politics and how a prince should rule his state. Machiavelli describes his beliefs on the well-nigh efficient bearing for a prince to rule and lie in place and validates his arguments by referencing historical examples and using metaphors. integrity of the most prominent themes of The Prince is mint. When speaking of stack, Machiavelli is referring to luck, fate, or chance. He applies this impression to princes and principalities. Fortune croupe be either spendful or advantageous, or it can be harmful or dangerous. Machiavelli believes that pot controls half(a)(prenominal) of ones manner and the some other half is controlled by ones own gift.Machiavelli argues that someone can gain power by means of his own ability or by good fortune. Good fortune could possibly start in the form of being born into power, buy power, or being assigned a governmental position. Machiavelli believes that it is precise thriving to come into power with fortune but very difficult to come into power with ones own ability. On the other hand, staying in power subsequently acquiring it by fortune is very difficult whereas staying in power after acquiring it by lawfulness is rather simple. Machiavelli supposes this because sight who squander come into power with fortune rest simply on the pull up stakes and fortune of whoever has given a state to them, which be two very inconstant and unstable things. They do non know how to discernment and they cannot generate that rank they do not know how (26). In other words, Machiavelli believes that individuals who father their power through fortune are otiose to successfully hold their power because they do not have the necessary experience or foundation to in effect(p)ly lead a state.Machiavelli compares fortune to a compelling and flooding river that inflicts destruction of plants, houses, and val uable resources. Although there is nothing that can be done to stop a raging river already in progress, preventable measures can be taken to delay that such a river inflicts myopic to no harm by edifice dams and barriers. Similarly, fortune demonstrates her power where virtue has not been put in order to compel her and therefore turns her movement where she knows that dams and dykes have not been made to contain her (98). In the same way that one can prevent a catastrophic river by building dams, a prince should strive to anticipate bad fortune so as to be exposed of resisting it when it arrives.Since fortune controls half of ones life and the other half is controlled by ones own skill and ability, Machiavelli believes that, as mentioned before, a successful prince is capable of using his own ability to counteract bad fortune. He analyzes what a prince should do during times of peace so as to be prompt for times of war. His views on this concept are rather simple a prince sho uld have no other object, nor any other estimate, nor take anything else as his art but that of war and its orders and discipline (58). Machiavelli expounds his argument by verbalize that a prince can prepare for war by exercising his opinion and his actions. In order to train the mind, a prince should study past battles, wars, and leaders. Further much, in order to exercise his deeds, a prince should go on hunting trips so as to further understand his states land and keep his armies strong.According to Machiavelli, a prince cannot rely too much on fortune and must(prenominal) be able to accomplish tasks through his own prowess. He admits that relying on talent and strength is much more difficult than relying on fortune. Nevertheless, depending on fortune too much can be disastrous because fortune is unpredictable. If a prince who is accustomed to good fortune were to encounter sudden bad fortune, he would be unprepared, thus making the prince susceptible to devastation.Althoug h a prince whitethorn resist fortune and instead rely on his own talents, this may unsounded not be sufficient to attain Machiavellis perception of an ideal thought system. Despite his scholarly and defensible politics, Machiavelli did become rather notorious for this concept because it excludes a heightened sense of morality. Machiavelli argues that a prince or ruler should not lead from good, when possible, but know how to enter into evil, when multituded by necessity (70). In other words, Machiavelli believes that a prince must know how to adapt to certain flock even to the point of being immoral if it is in the best pertain of his principality.Machiavelli states that there are two kinds of combat one with laws, the other with force (69). He goes on to say that humans are inclined to retrace the one with laws whereas animals are inclined to follow the one with force. According to Machiavelli, laws are not adequate enough for a prince effectively lead and therefore, the pri nce must learn to use force. Because animals are more inclined towards force, Machiavelli asserts that a sincerely effective ruler will become like animals. He draws attention to the fox and the king of beasts. A fox is unable to protect itself from wolves and the lion is unable to protect itself from traps whereas a fox can detect traps and a lion can fight off wolves. Thus confidential information to Machiavellis conclusion if a prince became like a lion and a fox then he would truly be a great ruler.The harsh realities that Machiavelli presents are reverse gear to what most people regard as consummate(a) or honorable. However, he believes that a truly faultless prince is one who is willing to compromise his morals and do everything that is deemed necessary for the welfare of his state.Although beneficial for the principality, this may prove to be a problem for the prince because the inhabitants of his principality may not be commodious if they learn of any immoralities or dishonesties the prince may have committed. This discontent may compel the public to dislike the prince. Therefore, Machiavelli cautions princes and rulers to always appear to be virtuous to the public. He even gives an example to prove that he is indeed straighten out in his assertion. He states that Alexander VI never did anything, nor ever thought of anything, but how to deceive men, and he always found a win to whom he could do it (70).Furthermore, Machiavelli explains how the public should perceive a prince regarding certain traits. One particular quality that Machiavelli mentions is generosity. Machiavelli explains that generosity is obviously perceived as virtuous but a prince must remain careful so as not to gain a reputation of generosity. He argues that if a prince gains a reputation of generosity then he will be compelled to use his resources in order to keep that reputation. If, however, he were to try to liberate himself from a generous reputation, he would be perc eived as parsimonious, thus causing hatred from the public and likely weakening him or even leading to his downf every last(predicate).Another major topic that Machiavelli discusses regards whether it is better for a leader to be feared or sleep withd. Machiavelli explains that since men love at their own convenience and fear at the convenience of the prince, a wise prince should found himself on what is his, not on what is someone elses (68). Machiavelli supports his contention by analyzing human nature. According to Machiavelli, people will always fear punishment regardless of the circumstances. On the other hand, if a prince is loved rather than hated, people will be more willing to disregard a connection of love for their personal benefit. However, as mentioned before, Machiavelli believes that a prince cannot be hated by the public. Therefore, a prince must ensure that he is feared but not hated.In summary, Machiavelli believes that ones ability controls half of his life and t he other half is controlled by fortune. In order to be an effective leader, a prince must not become too reliant on good fortune and must overcome any obstacles that arise by using his own talents. Additionally, the prince must use his abilities to anticipate bad fortune so as to be prepared to combat it when it arrives. Furthermore, a prince must truly love and be virtuous to his country. He must love his country enough so as to be willing to plight certain vices such as cruelty, frugality, and deception. He must be feared and regard by the public but he must ensure that he is not hated. Machiavelli believes that if a prince or a ruler were to follow all of his recommendations and admonitions then that prince would surely be able to attain magnificence and be able to preserve his principality.