Niccolo Machiavelli

A detailed Summary of Niccolo Machiavelli


Niccolo Machiavelli's life reflects one of the Renaissance Italy's greatest political philosophers. His writings have reflected the unstable conditions of Italy lacking a worthy leader at the time. He believed that a prince should have ruthlessness, be feared by his nation, and be tightfisted.

Machiavelli had thought that it was of great importance that a prince should maintain power and safety of the country over which he ruled. No thought of any type of justice or mercy should stand between a prince and his values. Ruthlessness is a prince's key to success because by human nature all men are encouraged by reasons of self-interest. But at the same time a prince should never take for granted the loyalty or love that is practiced by his fellowmen


Fear will always keep the state in control because it leaves a sense of power in the minds of the people. However, one must avoid the danger of misusing it. It is of harm to the ruler if the people hate and loathe him. He states; above all the prince should avoid seizing the property of others; for men forget more quickly the death of their fathers than the loss of their patrimony. Machiavelli relates such a divine rule to Cesare Borgia. Cesare was regarded as a cruel man, but he reunited Romagna and restored it to peace. Both Cesare and Machiavelli agree that only through the fear of punishment does man respect the laws and fulfill his responsibilities.

Machiavelli condemns the value of generosity, stating that, although "it would be good t

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Approximate Word count = 508
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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