Ultimately, this means that a prince should look to be feared rather than loved, but at the same time refrain from being hated. For men are, “ungrateful, fickle, pretenders, and dissemblers, evaders of danger, eager for gain” meaning that man is more likely to break trust with a loved prince for their own gain (66). However, a feared, but unhated prince is one that few are willing to conspire against, as there is little opposition due to lack of hatred, and fear of punishment. Machiavelli cites the roman emperor Severus as one who successfully executes this balance, and use of fear to maintain security. Severus carefully used deception and ferocity to gain and maintain power in Rome, as he defeated one general, and deceived another. Severus is a prime example of cruelty well used, to establish himself as emperor and maintain control of both army and state. It is through example and evaluation that Machiavelli deems it necessary to strike the balance leaning towards fear to maintain order. To Machiavelli, war, cruelty, and fear are necessary due to the nature of mankind, thereby needed for the security of the state; therefore, we see his central theme that the ends justify the means. …show more content…
Machiavelli’s conclusion relies upon premises established by the assumptions of human nature. He believes that there are just three types of brains: the most superior, which can reason and understand for itself; another, which notices what others can reason and understand; and the useless, which can neither reason nor understand either. He seems to believe that most people fall to the third type, and are simpleminded. That people in themselves are either selfish in their ambition or just want the status quo. Therefore, he focuses on the prince and what the individual can accomplish. He desires the greatest of mind that is willing to do whatever is necessary to the prosperity of the