VIRTUE AND FORTUNE OF A PRINCE
The Prince, written by Machiavelli is concerned with the issues politics, ruling a state and how a ruler or a leader should be. The key properties of a ruler are represented by Machiavelli in details and the inner and outer effects of the success in ruling are mentioned. One of the most important topics in The Prince is about the relationship of skillfulness (virtù) of the ruler and his good or bad chance (fortune) and their effects on gaining and keeping the power. Virtù, which has the present meaning of manliness, is used by Machiavelli as having skills, strength, intelligence and prudence of a ruler. It is the inner ability to gain the power and not to lose it easily. Fortuna, with the present use, fortune is explained as the word of God and the luck and opportunity that is given to the ruler. A ruler by fortune is dependent
to outer sources that has given him the power.
When a private individual becomes a ruler, he will need both his inner skills and a good chance to show them. The relationship of fortune and the virtù will bring him the success. Without a chance, the skills will not find a way to show them while gaining the power, and without the skills, given chance can not be used effectively for a long time.
Machiavelli shows some examples from the history such as Moses, Cyrus, Romulus and Theseus. All of the mentioned rulers have their good chance once and they use this chance in their own way by showing all their skills and strength. These rulers do not depend on given opportunities but work to make their success long-lasting. As Machiavelli states that "the fortune determines one half of the actions", the other half is controlled by the person himself (pg.74). This is why the given examples are relevant and important to explain the relationship between fortune and virtù.
Moreover, Hiero of Syracuse who is the ruler of Syracuse is an example that explains the role of chance in acquiring the power and the role of virtù in keeping it. By given the opportunity to be a leader, Hiero II uses his inner ability to form a new order both for him and his people. He faces problems in the beginning but because of his right decisions, he keeps the power much more easily than a ruler who relies on his fortune, not his skills.
Niccolò Machiavelli was a man who lived during the fourteen and fifteen hundreds in Florence, Italy, and spent part of his life imprisoned after the Medici princes returned to power. He believed that he should express his feelings on how a prince should be through writing and became the author of “The Qualities of a Prince.” In his essay, he discusses many points on how a prince should act based on military matters, reputation, giving back to the people, punishment, and keeping promises. When writing his essay, he follows his points with examples to back up his beliefs. In summary, Machiavelli’s “The Qualities of a Prince,” provides us with what actions and behaviors that a prince should have in order to maintain power and respect.
It has been shown again and again throughout history and literature that if there is a perfect human he is not also the perfect ruler. Those traits which we hold as good, such as the following of some sort of moral code, interfere with the necessity of detachment in a ruler. In both Henry IV and Richard II, Shakespeare explores what properties must be present in a good ruler. Those who are imperfect morally, who take into account only self-interest and not honor or what is appropriate, rise to rule, and stay in power.
In an earlier century, Niccoló Machiavelli, wrote a document called, “The Prince.” This book was about what it takes to be a successful ruler, and the number one rule of course was: “Power is Everything.” How you acquire the power made no difference as long as you had it. Many people repulsed Machiavelli’s idea of power at all costs, but it would soon be the basis of the government in some countries.
For this (in)famous political theorist, the "wheel of fortune" is an ever-present phenomenon in human affairs--- even though its effects can be controlled via the application of what he calls virtu. It is difficult to specify the meaning of this word, as it encompasses a wide range of qualities (including bravery, cunning and prudence) that need to be handled with great flexibility in order for a person or social group to be able to adapt to changing circumstances. [3] The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes is considered to be an outstanding example of a man possessed of virtue. My contention is that the latter's virtue was insufficient for him to be able to control the effects of fortuna.
...political leader in his or her political authority. "Since circumstances vary and men when acting lack flexibility, they are successful if their methods match the circumstances and unsuccessful if they do not" (Machiavelli, 2002, 87) Rulers may make similar decisions, however because of the fact that scenarios are never the same the outcomes may vary. The decision the ruler makes in approaching the situation is what will determine their success or failure. "If it were possible to change one's character to suit the times and circumstances, one would always be successful" (Machiavelli, 2002, 86) Therefore in order for one's political authority to be a success, the various aspects of fortune must rely and complement each other in an appropriate manner.
Virtue is often associated with a pious definition of morality. In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli defies this meaning when advising Lorenzo de Medici on how principalities are gained by virtue and fortune. Fortune is the luck of an opportunity for the leader to potentially partake in these virtuous practices. He advises taking advantage of fortune when given because the wheel of fortune is a circuitous path. Virtue, on the other hand, includes the glory, strength, independence, and ruthlessness a leader must possess in order to successfully keep power. There is minimal questioning of ethics with his explanation of virtue. However, Machiavelli ultimately contradicts his definition of virtue by exaggerating Duke Valentino’s virtue but also
However, like it is said in chapter twenty-five fortune is fickle and cannot be trusted. A ruler cannot simply rely on their good fortune. Fortune already did half of work and now it is up to the ruler to dictate the outcome of this good fortune. The ruler still possesses free will, meaning that that he can either choose to take advantage of his good fortune and establish a successful rule or to fail in being successful. One must be able to manipulate their good fortune to keep it good. It is now their job to take advantage of the gift of fortune and hold onto
Machiavelli reasons that the most effective princes of the past "are the ones who have taken little account of their promises and who have known how to addle the brains of men with craft," in the end, these princes have won out over the more honest ones (1495). Although it may seem better to have a multitude of good faith-like qualities, these qualities tend to bring princes to their downfall. Therefore, Machiavelli argues that a prince must have the ability to manipulate his people into believing that he is all that they want in a prince: "I mean that he should seem compassionate, trustworthy, humane, honest, and religious, and actually be so; but yet he should have his mind trained that, when it is necessary not to practice these virtues, he can change to the opposite and do it skillfully" (1496). A prince may have in his mind the best of intentions, yet if he is smart, he will most often be obliged to act in a way that is totally against all of his praiseworthy virtues so as to maintain control of public affairs. However, even while deceiving his people, he must still keep their faith by seeming to be all that in actuality he is not.
For all of Machiavelli’s ruthlessness and espousal of deceit, he knew the value of authenticity and relying on his administration. A true leader cannot achieve greatness alone. Machiavelli says that the prince is the state, and the state is the prince. This means that whatever vision and principles the leader holds in the highest regard, they must be known to the state so that they can be realized. He believed that no matter how a prince was elected, his success would depend largely on his ministers. Collaboration between a prince and ministers would create an atmosphere of harmony and camaraderie, highly reducing the chances of rebellion. Without the support and cooperation of the people, military action is not possible, expansion is not possible and most importantly, governance is not possible. If a leader does not satisfy the needs of the people, they have the power to overthrow him through strength in numbers. Thus, a leader depends just as much on the people as they do on him. A leader must be able to convince the people to buy into his visio...
The fortuna-virtù dichotomy has become one of the most fundamental aspects of Machiavelli’s view of the political. The first concept refers to the way in which would-be rulers deal with the contingent occurrences that take place in realm of the political. The second principle is related to the ability to interpret and control the social environment in order to advance the interest of the state and the personal standing of the ruler (Bobbitt, 2013: 43). Most importantly, the existence of virtù entails the possession of a set of skills that are geared towards preserving the viability of the state, even if the means to attain it require the pursuit of amoral actions (Fischer, 2000: 54). This essay begins by outlining the description
How to become a successful and strong leader? What are essential characteristics that are imperative to become one? These questions were asked many centuries ago, as well as they are asked today. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote one of the most influential treatises on leadership that is still utilized in politics and management today. One of the defining conceptions he explores is locating a balance between being virtuous and righteous and practicing carefully selected deceit and cunning. Gilgamesh’s exhibition of leadership is much more primordial and archetypal, which is the product of different eras, where the notions of power and the state were at opposite ends of a spectrum, as were the structures that organize people. Although Gilgamesh fulfills most of the characteristics of Machiavelli’s definition of a strong leader, who is feared, has power and support of his comrades; he still has to improve his public image, which happens throughout his journey.
Many empirical things can often still be debated and refuted by experts, but there is a general admittance to the idea that power is the root of many evil things. In all fairness, we must admit that a many evil things can in their essence, be great. And that is one of the many theories advanced by Niccolo Machiavelli in his well-known work, The Prince. The Prince serves a dual purpose of both teaching a person how to attain power, but also how to retain it. Incredibly enough, history has proven most of Machiavelli’s findings and theories to work well, while some have failed to effectively secure power for the rulers who did, in fact try them. His work, does obviously highlight one main fact, which is, that power is a well sought-after attribute, and most who attain are willing to do whatever is necessary to keep it.
An effective leader is one that understands that a society must evolve and revolutionize, in order to meet the needs of the state that are of immediate concern. As a society we are able to build off prior knowledge of once existing methods of living, and adjust them to meet current demands. Both Thomas Hobbes, and Nicolo Machiavelli’s concept, and perception of an ideal sovereign remains present in current forms of government. Machiavelli’s ideas in The Prince indicate that it is simple for any civilian to gain, and maintain power
Although Machiavelli gives numerous points on what it takes to excel as a prince, he also shows some raw examples of how he feels a prince should act in order to achieve maximum supremacy. First, when he says, "ought to hold of little account a reputation for being mean, for it is one of those vices which will enable him to govern" proves Machiavelli feels mighty adamant about his view that being mean will help a prince achieve success (332). It is absurd to imagine the meanest prince as the most successful. Also, when Machiavelli states, "our experience has been that those princes who have done great things have held good faith of little account, and have known how to circumvent the intellect of men by craft" revealing his attitude to manipulate people into fearing and respecting the prince (335). Also, Machiavelli shows that for a prince to be successful, he must not think about good faith.
Through his many years of experience with Italian politics Machiavelli wrote “The Prince”; a how-to guide for new rulers. We are given descriptions of what a leader should do to effectively lead his country. A leader should be the only authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy to serve his best interests. These interests are gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. Machiavelli’s idea is that a ruler should use a variety of strategies (virtues) to secure his power. Machiavelli lists five virtues that a ruler should appear to have; being compassionate, trustworthy, generous, honest and religious. A ruler should possess all the qualities considered good by other people.