Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince 'Written For Lorenzo De' Medici

Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, written for Lorenzo de’ Medici, demonstrates several different aspects of governance with various historical examples in order to portray the essential attributes of a prince. The Prince depicts different forms of governmental structures by describing the many types of principalities that can be present within a state. Throughout the book, Machiavelli specifically discusses many thematic subjects such as power, virtue, ethics, and human nature in order to depict the manner in which a prince should behave towards his citizens, especially as it pertains to effectively maintaining order within his jurisdiction. Human nature is a prominent thematic idea presented in the The Prince as Machiavelli describes numerous

One essential quality that a prince must develop due to the unfavorable qualities of men is the ability to be feared rather than loved as this quality is most beneficial for the power of the prince. Machiavelli states, “Since it is difficult to be both together, it is much safer to be feared than to be loved, when one of two must be lacking. For one can generally say this about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, and greedy for gain” (58). Because men are generally selfish in nature and their actions are based on their own personal gains, it is risky for a prince to be loved by his citizens since it may potentially have negative consequences, especially because “men are less hesitant about injuring someone who makes themselves loved than one who makes himself feared” (58). Machiavelli demonstrates how due to the deceivious nature of men, it is essential for a prince to be feared by his citizens are men are less likely to be compelled to engage in mischievous behavior towards a leader whom they fear. It is also integral that a prince does not completely trust and rely on the word of his citizens as it is possible that they may turn to deception and other negative actions when they are no longer benefiting within a jurisdiction. Machiavelli describes specifically how “While you work for their benefit they are completely yours...but when it draws nearer to you, they turn away. A prince who relies entirely upon their words comes to ruin, finding himself stripped naked of other preparations” (58). A prince should never trust his people in all subject matters as their nature compels them to act in a greedy and selfish manner, and therefore, a prince who does not adapt to these