1.Write a 2-3 sentence ELOQUENT! summary of Machiavelli’s idea regarding your assigned theme. 2.Bring summary to me as soon as you are done.

1. Write a 2-3 sentence ELOQUENT! summary of Machiavelli’s idea regarding your assigned theme.

2. Bring summary to me as soon as you are done.

5th period Theme Statements

1. Human Nature

Machiavelli suggests that humans are never satisfied with what they have and that they will willingly change their ruler, hoping for a better one. He also says that humans judge by physical appearance and attack one another if they feel hatred or fear of the other person.

2. The art of war

A prince ought to study war above all other aspects – he should study the geography of his and others’ lands and military successes in history. A prince should always develop his own army, rather than depending on mercenary or auxiliary troops. War must be initiated or postponed in the prince’s best interest.

3. The ends justify the means

Machiavelli says that it is acceptable to be immoral as long as stability and power are maintained. Christian morality should only be followed as long as it is the most prudent way to stay in power, and should be abandoned if it is not.

4. Goodwill vs. hatred

A prince, though he should not be hated, should use deception to rule his people. However, he must appear to be the opposite of devious, to win the goodwill of the people.

5. Traits of a prince: virtues vs. vices

A prince’s top priority is the welfare of his state. While it is preferable for a prince to appear virtuous, he is also entitled to possess vices if they allow him to strengthen his control of the state. Machiavelli believes the ends justify the means.

6. Virtú vs. Fortune

Machiavelli believes that because one cannot control fortune, they must rely on ability in order to succeed. Although more effort is required to acquire a state when one uses ability, it is much easier to maintain the state because it has much stronger foundations.


1. Human Nature

In The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, the author sees humans as naturally deceitful. They use this deceitfulness to promote self-interest at the expense of others.

2. The art of war

A strong military infrastructure is the basis for a stable and successful government. The leader of this principality must always, even in times of peace, form strategies for war using native troops, not mercenary troops who often prove to be deceitful.


In Machiavelli’s The Prince he emphasizes a ruler’s need to have the ability to recognize what is best for his state. A strong ruler should make decisions based on the fact that the ends justify his means; therefore, he must not mind being thought cruel, as long as his subjects remain united and faithful. Also, it is safer to be feared than loved, and side with the stronger ally.


Machiavelli believes that a prince should strive be both loved and feared, but if ne has to choose, it is safer to be feared.

A prince must keep a reputation of appearing cruel, but never be hated by his subjects.


A prince should be prudent and frugal because compassion and generosity will lead to disorder. Cruelty is necessary to establish a powerful state, for fear is the strongest source of motivation for one’s subjects.


Machiavelli explores an important theme with his statements about the benefits of virtú vs. fortuna. He continuously preaches that regardless of how one comes by power one must have virtú to maintain it. Machiavelli also states without ability, one will be easily swayed by the popular opinions and will become fickle, making their people distrustful.


1. Human Nature

Machiavelli suggests that humans have a natural tendency to only think of themselves. Humans believe that everything they do is right and deserving of praise. Machiavelli also suggests that it is within human nature to set high goals for oneself, and in doing so, they are inclined to use force and cunning to reach them so that, in the event that they are unable to obtain their goals, they may at least achieve a part of them.

2. The art of war

Machiavelli believes the art of war should be a prince’s main focus during times of war and peace. He should always maintain the order of his soldiers and take action at every opportunity. He should continue to study the actions of excellent predecessors, as well as the land on which he battles.


A ruler must take any actions necessary to achieve his goals. As long as he maintains a positive image, he can use cruel, cunning, and deceitful tactics.


A wise prince should do good works so much as to satisfy his subjects, but not to the point of overindulging them. If he does overindulge them, then they will see the prince as weak. Overall, to avoid these conspiracies, the prince must be ready to use cruelty whenever necessary, but also avoid the hatred of the people as well as excessive generosity.


In The Prince, Machiavelli suggests that since it is impossible to have all favorable qualities, one should avoid the bad qualities that will cause a prince to lose power. A prince should not be afraid to be viewed as cruel, untrustworthy, or miserly, because in reality these qualities are more practical. As long as the prince is not hated, he can hold onto his power.


In matters regarding virtue and fortune, Machiavelli believes that although fortune dictates much of what one does, it can be manipulated by one’s ability. A prince should rely on his own prowess and good fortune will follow.

• What do you think of Machiavelli’s ideas?• Are Machiavelli’s ideas applicable today?• The term “Machiavellian” has come to be

synonymous with evil. Do you agree of disagree with this characterization?

1.Write a 2-3 sentence ELOQUENT! summary of Machiavelli’s idea regarding your assigned theme. 2.Bring summary to me as soon as you are done.

Documents

hatreda prince

art of wara prince

powerful state

mercenary troops

native troops

vicesa princes

th period theme statements1

assigned theme