Machiavelli's Views On Generosity And Evil

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Under the circumstances Machiavelli found it necessary for the prince to use force to obtain what he wanted. Unlike Marx and Locke, it was justified to harm another man and take his possessions, “hence all armed religious leaders have conquered and the unarmed ones have been destroyed,” (Machiavelli 9). In due time the citizens would learn to follow the prince’s ways, even if they were deceitful. The prince will use tricks to gain the loyalty of the citizens. He will try his best not to upset the citizens as he has already taken over their land. All though a prince may have wicked ways it is also important for him to, “live amongst his people in such a way that no unexpected circumstance, whether good or evil shall make him change,” (Machiavelli …show more content…

A prince must find balance between being generous and mean and cruel and kind. A prince must show generosity to gain the respect of his newly obtained citizens. But if he appears to be too generous, man in his evil ways will take advantage of the prince and seek to strip him of all he poses. However, Machiavelli found it, “wiser to have a reputation of meanness which brings criticism without hatred than to be forced through seeking a reputation for generosity,” (Machiavelli 25). Likewise, Machiavelli found that it is better for the prince to be feared rather than loved as, “Men are less worried about offending one who is loved than one who is feared,” (Machiavelli …show more content…

In the case of human nature being good, man will be an adequate ruler for himself. Their beliefs towards human nature not only influenced their writings, but also their perception of how man should governed. Especially in the case of John Locke, in which he encourages man to seek equality and obtain their inevitable rights. Equally, Karl Marx finds that man will break away from what obstructs society and work towards a pro-communist society, in which they hope to restore order. Both authors see that man will always do what is right, he is able to do what is right because human nature has made him naturally good. In spite of their findings Machiavelli argues that a principality is the only way to govern. Since he finds man to be evil, driven by fortune he finds man inadequate to be self ruling; as he will ultimately end in

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