The Prince

Machiavelli needs to be understood as he really was. Hence: Can Machiavelli, who makes the following observations, be Machiavellian as we understand the disparaging term?

1. To know the nature of a people, one must be a prince; to know the nature of a prince, one must be of the people.

2. If a prince is not given to vices that make him hated, it is unusual for his subjects to show their affection for him.

3. Opportunity made Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, Theseus, and others; their virtue dominated the opportunity, making their homelands noble and happy. Armed prophets win; the disarmed lose.

4. Without faith and religion, man achieves power but not glory.

5. Prominent citizens want to command and oppress; the populace only wants to be free of oppression.

6. A prince needs a friendly populace; otherwise, in diversity there is no hope.

7. A prince who rules as a man of valor avoids disasters.

8. Nations based on mercenary forces will never be solid or secure.

9. Mercenaries are dangerous because of their cowardice.

10. There are two ways to fight: one with laws, the other with force. The first is rightly man's way; the second, the way of beasts.