8/3/2019 SWCII assign1

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With the ideas of Machiavellis Prince there are many different virtues and ways of life for man

to live by. Generosity was an idea that while man can show their generosity and be humble man. With

this however could go unnoticed like it says in the text (XV1.par 1). It can bring feelings of grief like

explained because many generous actions are not always seen by the general public and sometimes

even the eyes of the beholder. Only with using exceeding amounts of money and wealth can a man of

higher power such as the prince obtain noticed generosity. Then with the using of extensive amount of

wealth can lead the royal family or countrys wealth. Diminishing that type of wealth leads to higher

taxes and rough living for the lower people of the hierarchal pyramid of society. While generosity ends

in different ways, parsimony can lead to better avenues. This extreme economy change can help people;

however someone always has to be at the bad end. Through a princes parsimony the goods can way out

the bad. An example is the king of France showed in the text explaining that he was able to wage in

wars, while not having to heavily taxing his subjects because of his parsimony over the years (XV1.par 2).

I say that a prince must want to have a reputation for compassion rather than cruelty:

nonetheless, he must be careful that he does not make bad use of compassion (XVII. Par 1). With this is

a way to look over a leaders subjects there is also the lack of initiative and strength of the people.While then cruelty can be used to a leaders advantage like in Cesare Borgias leadership with the

Florentine people. He was accounted cruel, but that cruelty of his reformed the Romagna, brought it

unity, restored order and obedience (XVII. Par.1). Cruelty versus Compassion is something that every

leader has to learn to embrace or choose a side. Its shown in the text that being to compassionate,

allow disorders which lead to murder and rapine (XVII. Par.1). Love and be feared, or feared and be

loved can be put into different scenarios and have good outcomes. It can be seen with the examples

given. Also it depends on the person rather than the situation. If a leader is able to approach a situation

in a proper manner and attitude then there is a chance that love or fear can be used in either

conversation.

Do our politicians today model the behavior outlined in Machiavelli? The answer to this

question is yes. They would shed their blood for you, risk their property, their lives, their children, so

long as danger is remote. (XVII. Par 3.). This can be said for all politicians, it is rare to see a politician in

todays society that hasnt given away part of themselves or their honor, dignity, or reputation to get

ahead in politics. When people say that politics is a cutthroat business they werent kidding. To further

answer the question, the text also says that Any prince who has come to depend entirely on promises

and has taken no precautions ensures his own ruin; friendship which is bought with money and not with

greatness and nobility of mind is paid for. (XVII. Par 3). Politicians also have as one of their major strives

to being the best is the fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment. (XVII. Par 3).

The last message in the text sums up what each of these questions asks of me. They ask

Generosity or Parsimony? Compassion or Cruelty? Love or Fear? And the model of politicians. It can all

be said that A wise prince should rely on what he controls, not on what he cannot control. (XVII. Par

7). The idea that the leaders, princes, politicians need to think before acting and weighting out every

option, action, or idea before proceeding to get the best outcome.