Essay About Machiavelli’S View And Prince Niccolo Machiavelli

Machiavelli’s View of Humans
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In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a
state that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time.
Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority
determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which
would serve his best interests. These interests were gaining,
maintaining, and expanding his political power.1 His understanding of
human nature was a complete contradiction of what humanists believed and
taught. Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and felt
morality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of an
effectively governed principality.2 Though in come cases Machiavellis
suggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these views
were derived out of concern Italys unstable political condition.3
Though humanists of Machiavellis time believed that an individual
had much to offer to the well being of the state, Machiavelli was quick
to mock human nature. Humanists believed that “An individual only
grows to maturity- both intellectually and morally- through
participation in the life of the state.”4 Machiavelli generally
distrusted citizens, stating that “in time of adversity, when the
state is in need of its citizens there are few to be found.”5
Machiavelli further goes on to question the loyalty of the citizens and
advises the Prince that “…because men a wretched creatures who would
not keep their word to you, you need keep your word to them.”6 However,
Machiavelli did not feel that a Prince should mistreat the citizens.
This suggestion once again to serve the Princes best interests.
If a prince can not be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests,
it would be better for him to be feared bey the citizens within his own
principality. He makes the generalization that men are, “…ungrateful,
fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for
profit; while you treat them well they are yours.”7 He characterizes
men as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interest
of the state,”[and when the prince] is in danger they turn against
[him].”8 Machiavelli reinforces the princes need to be feared by
stating:
Men worry less about doing an injury to one who makes himself loved
than to one who makes himself feared. The bond of love is one which
men, wretched creatures they are, break when it is to their advantage to
do so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always
effective.9
In order to win honor, Machaivelli suggests that a prince must be
readily willing to deceive the citizens. One way is to “…show his
esteem for talent actively encouraging the able and honouring those who
excel in their professions…so that they can go peaceably about their
business.”10 By encouraging citizens to excel at their professions he
would also be encouraging them to “…increase the prosperity of the
their state.”11 These measures, though carried out in deception, would
bring the prince honor and trust amongst the citizens, especially those
who were in the best positions to oppose him.
Machiavelli