Superphysics Superphysics
Chapter 15

Why Princes Are Praised Or Blamed

by Machiavelli Icon
1 minutes  • 181 words

How should a prince deal with his subjects and friends?

Anyone who neglects to do what should be done sooner brings about his ruin rather than his preservation.

A man who wishes to act entirely virtuously might soon be destroyed in an evil world.

Hence a prince who wishes to survive must know, according to necessity, how to do or not do wrong.

The chiefly princes are known for real qualities.

Thus:

  • one has the reputation of being liberal, another mean.
  • one is generous, another greedy
  • one cruel, one kind
  • one disloyal another faithful
  • one weak and cowardly, another bold and brave
  • one friendly, another proud
  • one pleasure loving, another restrained
  • one sincere, another not truthful
  • one hard, another easy
  • one serious, another foolish
  • one religious, another unbelieving, and the like.

A prince:

  • should be careful so that he can avoid the criticism which would lose him his state.
  • should not feel uneasy about being criticised for that bad behaviour which is necessary to maintain the state.

Sometimes:

  • virtue would lead to his ruin
  • vice may bring him security and wealth.

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