Machiavelli's View On 'Virtu'

If Plato was to look at the advice Machiavelli gives to the princes to take care of the people, Plato would insist that Machiavelli was dealing with unjust cities full of members who were interfering with positions that were not theirs. Plato’s idea that rulers had to be “a friend and relative of truth” would not have gone well with Machiavelli because Machiavelli believed that there was no way that a prince could be successful by being completely truthful. Machiavelli’s point of view on “Virtu” is that anything that is done for the good of the city is considered just. To Machiavelli, the ends of an act justifies the means that were taken to accomplish it. When writing about what a ruler should do with his army, Machiavelli says “A ruler, then, should have no other reason, no other thought, should pay attention to nothing aside from war, military institutions, and the training of his soldiers, since this is the only area that a ruler must truly succeed” (The Prince 45).

When he spoke about those who came to power through wicked actions and gave the example of Agathocles, Machiavelli says that although Agathocles committed cruel actions in order to rule, he still demonstrated bravery and strength of character (29). Machiavelli says that “If you take control of a state, you should make a list of all the crimes you have to commit and do them all at once” (30). That way, you will not have to keep repeating your evil deeds, which will “reassure your subjects and win their support by treating them well” (31). Contrary to Plato, who believes that morality is a part of politics, Machiavelli believes that morality and politics are two separate things, and says that a ruler has to know when their duty is more important than their moral