Machiavelli's The Prince: An Analysis

Machiavelli’s book The Prince could be considered a guideline for anyone, who possesses both “virtue” and “fortune”, interested in becoming a ruler over a group of civilians. The Prince acts as guideline by providing both the do’s and don’ts one should act on. If such are executed correctly one will not only gain power over a group of people but also maintain power for as long as one wishes. Machiavelli not only provides a list of steps one must follow in order to successfully maintain power but also same provides examples of those who didn’t do such things and as a result lost their power. In chapter 26 Machiavelli takes a moment to reference Italian princes and why they lost their principalities, something very important since Machiavelli

96). One may ask “What does “lack of indolence” specifically mean in terms of ruling a principality?” In this case “lack of indolence” refers to the laziness a prince has in protecting themselves against “the great”(pg. 97) and denying the fact that there is such forces, particular interior, with the potential of destroying one’s reign over a principality. As Machiavelli states “one must not associate with someone more powerful than himself” (pg. 90) because it will only make one indebted to the more powerful and the powerful will collect the debt at worst possible time, knowing it will weaken the principality. Such results could be seen with The Venetians who followed France against Milan and in the end resulted in The Venetians losing their principality (pg. 90). One must also make it top priority to keep one’s subjects content whether it be with activities like those described on pg. 91 of The Prince or having a tight control over his counsel. The reason a prince must do this is to not only show his ability to show authority and independence but also show concern for not only himself. No man wants a king who can’t “decide by himself” (pg. 94) and lets other speak to him out of turn. Machiavelli states in The Prince, that in order for one to maintain control over his principality he must know when to be cunning and when to

One who doesn’t possesses such knowledge in such an art is not highly looked up to by their soldiers and as a result one can’t trust them in protecting his principality. Also since the art of war includes the knowing of one’s own land, one who lacks in this makes it impossible to know where defense must be placed in order to cause the least damage (pg. 59). The art of war is not only important for the defense of a principality but also the overtaking of others. These conquered lands later on then can be used as resources to power the “war machine” when “fortune changes” and a principality has the ability to “resist” (pg. 60). One must have their own army and not depend on foreign arms because they are “unfaithful”, “without discipline”, and have no concern for the principality except for the “stipend” they receive at the end of the day (pg. 48). This brings about another point on why becoming dependent of others lead to the loss of principalities by Italian princes, men will act on that which benefits themselves. Men will let the enemy inside the walls if in the end it means a better ruler and better life. A prince must show initiative and silence those who oppose him as soon as possible so that his credibility isn’t ruined and the citizens don’t lose faith in his ability to keep them