NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIS THE PRINCE

By: Pia Elemos, Kathlene Feliciano, Katrina Tumbaga and Patricia Zamora
The ideas and principles discussed by Niccolo Machiavelli were regarded as immoral,
unethical and evil by the Roman Church during his times. However, who is Niccolo
Machiavelli? What has he went through that his ideas became so radical and different? Niccolo
Machiavelli was considered as one of the most important personalities of the Renaissance Period.
He was born in Florence, Italy back in May 3, 1469. He served the Florentine government for
fourteen years wherein he worked as a clerk and secretary of Ten of War, the governments
foreign relations committee. However, Machiavelli lost his job when the Medici family regains
power in 1512. With this, Machiavelli was inspired to write one of his most prominent works,
The Prince.
It was stated that Machiavelli wrote The Prince for three reasons. The first reason is that
Machiavelli wanted to be in good graces with the Medici family so that he can be reinstated in
his government post once again. However, Machiavelli never achieved this goal. The second is
to share his views and ideas on politics and the third is to expose the failures and weaknesses of
the leaders of his time. These two latter reasons of Machiavelli were obtained as his writings
have stood the test of time and have been used as a basis for decades.
The Prince revolves around Machiavellis ideal ruler the prince. According to
Machiavelli, the prince should focus on the study of war, its conduct, principles, organizations
and discipline. This is so because it is the only art necessary to one who commands. In addition
to that, knowledge of warfare is important because through war, a state can be able seize other
states, thus increasing their capability and forces. Machiavelli even underscored that the study of
war is even more important when the state is at peace. Having said that, we can compare
Machiavelli with Plato. Both of them are very passionate with knowledge however, Machiavelli
mainly focuses on the knowledge of war while Plato uses wisdom in attaining the end of the state
which is the common good of the people.
Another quality that the prince must have is the ability to know how and when to fight as
a man and as a beast. The difference of the two is that the former is based on rule of law, and the
latter is based on physical force. As such, Machiavelli likened fighting as a man to a fox, and
fighting as a beast to a lion. To fight like a lion to be have the ability to fight physically and scare
wolves. To fight like a fox, on the other hand, is to be wily and cunning thus, having the capacity
to avoid traps. Machiavelli also emphasized that fighting as a man is considered lacking thus, the
prince must know how to be a lion and a fox at the same time.
Machiavelli also dictated that it is not necessary for the prince to be merciful, generous,
humane, and faithful all at the same time. The prince just needs to appear that he possesses such
qualities. This is the very reason that the term Machiavellian is associated with deceit and
guile. In connection to that, the prince appearing to have these good qualities must be willing and

capable of acting in the opposite way. He can only do so when there is a need for it and the state
calls for it. As such, the prince should be able to adapt to such changes if he is to rule properly
and effectively.
Since the prince may show his bad qualities, he should not be afraid that people describes
him as so. The reason behind this is that some qualities seem to be negative at first glance, but
are beneficial in the long run. Examples of this are being stingy or frugal, and being religious or
faithful. With that said, Machiavelli believes that the prince must be feared and loved at the same
time. However, if it is impossible to equal, Machiavelli states that it is better to be feared than
loved. This is so because Machiavelli believes that love is a very weak bond and is based on
gratitude on the part of the subjects. Because of this, when the subjects become selfish, they can
easily sever their ties with the prince. On the other hand, relationships grounded on fear are
stronger but, the prince must ensure that the people do not despise or hate him. He can do this by
not stealing the subjects property, including women. This is so because losing someone is easier
to forget than losing a property. The prince should also pace his actions properly thus,
punishments must be given swiftly and rewards should be distributed little at a time. All in all,
the prince should know the right action at the right time.
In addition to the qualities of the prince, Machiavelli also gave the famous quote, The
end justifies the means. This is the very reason that the term Machiavellian was created and
was often synonymous to cunning, deceiving and ruthless means of leadership. Machiavellis
principles also show his independence from the teachings of the church. He said, Politics in as
art that should be viewed apart from religion, morality and ethics. It can thus be concluded that
politics is based on its own value system and to judge political actions on the light of religious or
ethical standards would be unfair to the politician. So, what is the system that Machiavelli relies
on?
Machiavellis principles are based on political power. According to him, political power
is not just a means to end but an end in itself. If a political action contributes to the acquisition,
retention and expansion of power, then it is justifiable. Thus, we can conclude that value systems
of politics and state are independent from that of religion and morality. With that, we can say that
Machiavelli is amoral and not immoral. Amoral in the sense that they are not based on certain
moral, religious or ethical code of conduct. Machiavelli also expressed, Amorality impliesnot
the denial of moral values in all situations, but the affirmation that, in the specific situation of the
statesman, the rules of power have priority over those of ethics and morality.
The prince must also have the virtu and fortuna. Virtu is defined as good qualities, ability,
skill, courage, prowess, and military valor which the prince possesses. It is also essential to the
proper exercise of rule by the prince and it enables the prince to achieve the acquisition,
retention, and expansion of political power. However, the prince can all do these if he has the
fortuna. Fortuna is the luck, help, assistance, conditions, circumstances or success and failure. He
likens fortuna to a woman as both changes their minds quickly.

The Discourse is another work of Machiavelli. In this, Machiavelli explained that Italy is
vulnerable to foreign conquerors because the city-states of Italy are always in conflict. The
problem of Italy also includes military weakness, hostility of the people towards their leaders,
inability of rulers to secure their position against the nobility and most of all, the Church of
Rome. The Discourse revealed that that the church destroyed all piety and religion in Italy, made
people irreligious, bad, feeble, weak and passive; and the church kept Italy divided. But, it does
not mean that Machiavelli is anti-religion. He even said that religion can be a political tool. He
just based his ideals on the experiences of Italy in his times. Machiavelli then believe that Italy
will only be united and liberated if they are to find a good ruler a prince.