Machiavelli: Machiavelli: The PrinceThe Prince

Question 1Question 1•Complete “virtuosity” is Complete “virtuosity” is

impossible impossible •Many virtuous qualities Many virtuous qualities

(honesty, generosity, (honesty, generosity, mercy) will mercy) will destroy one’s powerdestroy one’s power

• Immoral behavior is NECESSARY in Immoral behavior is NECESSARY in order to maintain power & prosperityorder to maintain power & prosperity

Question 2Question 2•Generosity does no good if it’s Generosity does no good if it’s

behind closed doors; MUST be behind closed doors; MUST be shown in public – EXPENSIVE!shown in public – EXPENSIVE!

•Can be dangerous for one’s Can be dangerous for one’s public image…WHY?public image…WHY?

•Better to be “stingy”Better to be “stingy”

Question 3Question 3•MercifulMerciful: : •To show compassionTo show compassion•AntonymAntonym::•Cruel; relentlessCruel; relentless•Should rulers be merciful?Should rulers be merciful?

Question 4Question 4•Outwardly, every ruler should Outwardly, every ruler should

want to appear merciful; want to appear merciful; however, one must be careful however, one must be careful with mercywith mercy

•Cruelty should be used to make Cruelty should be used to make an example to the massesan example to the masses

• Is cruelty ever justifiable?Is cruelty ever justifiable?

Question 5Question 5• If you cannot be BOTH feared and If you cannot be BOTH feared and

loved, it is better to be feared loved, it is better to be feared than lovedthan loved

•People are willing to break ties of People are willing to break ties of love; however, people are love; however, people are ALWAYS fearful of punishmentALWAYS fearful of punishment

•What does Machiavelli say about What does Machiavelli say about hate?hate?

Question 6Question 6•Every ruler should be good if Every ruler should be good if

possible, but he should be possible, but he should be prepared to do the opposite if prepared to do the opposite if necessarynecessary

•A prince should NEVER keep his A prince should NEVER keep his word when it goes against his word when it goes against his interest (others will do the same)interest (others will do the same)

•MUST be a good liar…MUST be a good liar…

Question 7Question 7•Leaders are judged based on Leaders are judged based on

the outcomes of their actionsthe outcomes of their actions

Question 8Question 8• Taking the property or women of his

subjects• Being frivolous, indecisiveness or

effeminate• Antagonistic behavior