Machiavelli believes that a virtue is the ability to gain an advantage through certain situations by the use of personal powers. In his remarks on the Princes who gained their states by virtue, he states, “one does not see that they had anything else from fortune then the opportunity”(pg.48). Their virtue of spirit allowing them to capitalize. For example, Moses found the people of Israel enslaved and oppressed by the Egyptians and gave them a reason to follow him out of their life of servitude. If a leader becomes a prince through the path of virtue, it only means that he has used his own personal excellence and strength to take advantage of the opportunity that appeared to him. Such virtuous Princes acquire thei

In conclusion, Machiavelli sees virtue as the ability to gain and hold power by acting decisively and carefully at the same time. While Machiavelli does not fully understand the concept of being virtuous, he applauds the art of illusion. This art of impersonation is to be casted on the people of the state. Maintaining power must come at all measures carefully plotted. The lessons that Machiavelli offers to princes are lessons in critical thinking. Rulers must learn how to make distinctions, how to consider alternative courses of action and evaluate their consequences, and how to asses critically conflicting advice from varying sources. If they are to preserve and maintain their states, the need to know how to apply general information about human nature to particular circumstances that will be encountered through the road to successful leadership.

Machiavelli warns that a Prince who is too liberal with his subjects may run serious risks. He suggests that it is better, “ to be held liberal,”(pg.64) than to actually practice liberality. Even while using liberality properly, it will not often show many advantages. It is believed to better that a Prince be thought of as generous rather than miserly. However, if his

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Approximate Word count = 833
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)