It was a hard fight, with battles on many fronts. Nevertheless he ought to take care not to misuse this clemency. Machiavelli has always had a bad name. Calling them princes was an audacious piece of cheek. Any one comparing the present with the past will soon perceive that in all cities and in all nations there prevail the same desires and passions as always have prevailed; for which reason it should be an easy matter for him who carefully examines past events, to foresee those which are about to happen in any republic, and to apply such remedies as the ancients have used in like cases; or finding none which have been used by them, to strike out new ones, such as they might have used in similar circumstances. All of this ill will toward Machiavelli prevented him from living in Florence and participating in government in the manner he desired. He did this by forming several military alliances. These truths could again be literal, or they could be a warning not to listen to rumors. And I know that every one will confess that it would be most praiseworthy in a prince to exhibit all the above qualities that are considered good; but because they can neither be entirely possessed nor observed, for human conditions do not permit it, it is necessary for him to be sufficiently prudent that he may know how to avoid the reproach of those vices which would lose him his state; and also to keep himself, if it be possible, from those which would not lose him it; but this not being possible, he may with less hesitation abandon himself to them. Moreover, succeeding thinkers who more obviously qualify as philosophers of the first rank did (and still do) feel compelled to engage with his ideas, either to dispute them or to incorporate his insights into their own teachings. He tends to appeal to experience and example in the place of rigorous logical analysis. Further, the prince is compelled to live always with the same people, but he can do well without the same nobles, being able to make and unmake them daily, and to give or take away authority when it pleases him. To all others, whose number is infinite, is ascribed that measure of praise to which his profession or occupation entitles him. Traditionally, The Prince is a book inspired by the Devil. Italian power under the guidance of Lorenzo de' Medici, Il Magnifico. The multitude, following the lead of these powerful men, took up arms against the prince and, he being got rid of, obeyed these others as their liberators; who, on their part, holding in hatred the name of sole ruler, formed themselves into a government and at first, while the recollection of past tyranny was still fresh, observed the laws they themselves made, and postponing personal advantage to the common welfare, administered affairs both publicly and privately with the utmost diligence and zeal. Michael Jhon M. Tamayao “ A prince should… have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his own study, but war and its organization and discipline; for that is the only art that is necessary for one who commands…” – Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince Even more interpretations could center on the “real truth” that Machiavelli claims to discuss. Geoff Haselhurst (Updated September, 2018), A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it. Therefore, a prince, not being able to exercise this virtue of liberality in such a way that it is recognized, except to his cost, if he is wise he ought not to fear the reputation of being mean, for in time he will come to be more considered than if liberal, seeing that with his economy his revenues are enough, that he can defend himself against all attacks, and is able to engage in enterprises without burdening his people; thus it comes to pass that he exercises liberality towards all from whom he does not take, who are numberless, and meanness towards those to whom he does not give, who are few. He could not easily rid himself of the sarcastic expression continually playing round his mouth and flashing from his eyes, which gave him the air of a cold and impassible calculator; while nevertheless he was frequently ruled by his powerful imagination; sometimes led away by it to an extent befitting the most fantastic of visionaries." All those others whose sole aim it is to live safely, are well contented where the prince enacts such laws and ordinances as provide for the general security, while they establish his own authority; and when he does this, and the people see that nothing induces him to violate these laws, they soon begin to live happily and without anxiety. (45), In April 1533, Henry VIII appointed Thomas Cromwell as Chancellor of the Exchequer. (44), Machiavelli's most important books, The Discourses on Livy (1531) and The Prince (1532) were not published until after his death. Those about whom there was the most anxiety were the Pope and the Venetians. He was suspected of conspiracy at the beginning of the Medici’s reign and he held a position for the previous regime that was hostile to the Medici family. Nevertheless, his barbarous cruelty and inhumanity with infinite wickedness do not permit him to be celebrated among the most excellent men. Most people today assume that Machiavelli didn’t just describe their methods, he recommended them - that he himself is the original Machiavellian, the first honest teacher of dishonest politics. (26), Machiavelli believed that it is best to rule by consent: "But coming to the other point - where a leading citizen becomes the prince of his country, not by wickedness or any intolerable violence, but by the favour of his fellow citizens - this may be called a civil principality: nor is genius or fortune altogether necessary to attain to it, but rather a happy shrewdness." But as a leading civil servant in charge of foreign affairs and defence, Machiavelli had been one of the republic’s stoutest defenders. Although a talented writer, Livy gained a reputation as a careless historian who made a lot of factual errors. Such barons have states and their own subjects, who recognize them as lords and hold them in natural affection. One example that Machiavelli inserted in his chapter about building fortresses and other defensive policies is about how Pandolfo Petrucci, Prince of Siena, ruled with help more from people he did not trust than from those he did. They would see, too, how Timoleon and others like him, had as great authority in their country as Dionysius or Phalaris in theirs, while enjoying far greater security. But it is necessary to know well how to disguise this characteristic, and to be a great pretender and dissembler; and men are so simple, and so subject to present necessities, that he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived. There were none who knew Messer Antonio da Venafro as the servant of Pandolfo Petrucci, Prince of Siena, who would not consider Pandolfo to be a very clever man in having Venafro for his servant. He was later exiled and returned to Sant'Andrea Such principalities only are secure and happy. It is still a human artefact, subject to human frailties. Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 - 1527) was a Florentine statesman and political philosopher. On the other hand, “useful” could be a subtle nudge at the Medici on Machiavelli’s part to convince them to give him a position within their government. For a ruler, the key question is "it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved?" But Machiavelli never seems to have considered himself a philosopher - indeed, he often overtly rejected philosophical inquiry as beside the point - nor do his credentials suggest that he fits comfortably into standard models of academic philosophy. So what can citizens can do to preserve their freedoms? Those who rely simply on the lion do not understand what they are about. Under torture Savonarola confessed to having invented his prophecies and visions and along with two colleagues were hanged on 23rd May, Three weeks later, on 19th June, amid rioting throughout the city, Machiavelli was given his first public post, Second Chancellor of the Republic, replacing a deposed follower of Savonarola. "Like the greatest ancient histories, Machiavelli's carry warning lessons for all times. He killed all the malcontents who were able to injure him, and strengthened himself with new civil and military ordinances, in such a way that, in the year during which he held the principality, not only was he secure in the city of Fermo, but he had become formidable to all his neighbours.