MACHIAVELLI - “The Qualities of the prince”

 

 

20 April 2005

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

“The Qualities of the prince”

 

1. The usual criticism of Machiavelli is that he advises his prince to be unscrupulous. Find examples for and against this claim.

 

           Miserliness: “as were Cyrus, Caesar, and Alexander; for spending the wealth of others does not lessen your reputation but adds to it; only the spending of your own is what harms you.” – I am against this claim, because this quote is showing nothing but forceful dictatorship that ruler compels the wealthy man to give up his properties under ruler’s power.

 

           Cruelty: “he should avoid the property of others; for men forget more quickly the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony, … reason for taking a life are rarer and disappear sooner.” – I am against this claim, because this quote shows that taking someone’s life is the wiser way than taking their property when there is proper justification and manifest cause in order to avoid being despised and hated against ruler who is advised being cruelty is better than mercy. It is totally against humanity.

 

           Not Keeping His Word: “A wise ruler, therefore, cannot and should not keep his word when such an observance of faith would be to his disadvantage and when the reasons which made him promise are removed.” - I am against this claim, because this quote leads incredibility of the leader and arises disrespect toward him. Therefore, people no longer trust him. Consequently, people want to remove him.

          

2. Why do you agree or disagree with Machiavelli when he asserts that the great majority of people are not good? Does our government assume that to be true too?

 

           I disagree with Machiavelli’s assertion that the great majority of people are not good. According to Lao-Tzu,

 

I let go of the law, and people become honest.

I let go of economics, and people become prosperous.

I let go of religion, and people become serene.

I let go of all desire for the common good,

and the good becomes common as grass.

 

This quote is a much different assumption based on virtue of human nature. Therefore, if the Master trusts people and leaves them alone acts for the peoples benefit, people can live their life content and full of pleasure. It implies that human nature is based on virtue.

           However, our government assumes Machiavelli’s assertion is true. For example, Bush administration declared war against Iraq’s leaders based upon Machiavelli’s assertion that the great majority of them are not good because of their disobedience against Bush administration’s requirements.

 

3. Are modern politicians likely to succeed by following all or most of Machiavelli’s recommendations? Why or why not?

 

           I think modern politicians are likely to succeed by following most of Machiavelli’s recommendations. For example, from Machiavelli’s “On Avoiding Being Despised and Hated” states, “internal affairs will always be stable when external affaires are stable.” This quote is still succeeded by modern politicians in order to win people, utilizing external, concerning foreign powers.

           Moreover, modern politicians seem not keeping his word and find the occasion to do, when it comes to their disadvantage. Just like Machiavelli states, “A wise ruler, therefore, cannot and should not keep his word when such an observance of faith would be to his disadvantage and when the reasons which made him promise are removed.”

 

Percy Bysshe Shelley

“Ozymandias”

 

4. What statement does Shelley make about despotic regimes in “Ozymandias”?

 

           Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

           Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,

           The hand that mocked them, and heart that fed:

           And on the pedestal these words appear:

‘My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:

           Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!

 

           In despotic regimes, ruthless dictator rules people by great power. The dictator’s hand mocks people and manages their heart. Because he thinks himself as a king of kings, people’s Mighty, and comes for destruction!