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The Prince: Why One of the Most Hated Books in History Still Matters

“[O]ne work of Renaissance literature in Italy still stands out as one of the most important books ever written, and still strikes us with an uncanny feeling of understanding and dread when we think of it; The Prince, by Machiavelli. Few books have garnered as much controversy during their existence as The Prince. It has been banned by the Catholic Church, seen as cynical by many, and was the basis for the naming of one of the worst psychological traits a person can have-Machiavellianism.

This is the book that gave us such quotes as “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot have both”, and “The ends justify the means”. History’s greatest how-to-rule guide has also been one of the most widely reviled books of all time.And the worst part? This book is still incredibly relevant to us today.

The book begins by telling us that it is about how to run (specifically) an Italian renaissance autocracy in the same way that the (irony alert) ever relevant Art of War pertains to iron age warfare...The Prince still offers us practical lessons in politics today.”

“A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent.”

“It is essential therefore for a prince to have learnt how to be other than good and to use, or not to use, his goodness as necessity requires.”

“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it's impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.”

“Be it known, then, that there are two ways of contending, one in accordance with the laws, the other by force; the first of which is proper to men, the second to beasts. But since the first method is often ineffectual, it becomes necessary to resort to the second.”

“And here we must observe that men must either be flattered or crushed; for they will revenge themselves for slight wrongs, whilst for grave ones they cannot. The injury therefore that you do to a man should be such that you need not fear his revenge.”

“As you can see, many of the pieces of advice in the book are benign or even admirable. Most of them, however, suggest that a wise leader tend to healthy doses of brutality, suppression, and nighttime raids as needed. An idea that offends those of us who suppose that a righteous leader will always prevail in the end. It is that very idealism we love that The Prince warns us against.

The Prince was a satire on how brutal autocracy can be. In all likelihood, however, The Prince is a sincere how to guide on bringing wealth, glory, and stability to the state, by any means necessary...Machiavelli’s The Prince reminds us to focus on the real, understand that the virtuous politician is not the same as a saint by any measure, and that it is better to be feared than loved not only for kings, but also for political books.”

(via Why Do People Still Read The Prince, A Book From 500 Years Ago? - Big Think)

Duke of Valentinois

“Duke of Valentinois, formerly Count of Valentinois, is a title of nobility, originally in the French peerage. It is currently one of the many hereditary titles claimed by the Prince of Monaco despite its extinction in French law in 1949. Though it originally indicated administrative control of the Duchy of Valentinois, the duchy has since become part of France, making the title simply one of courtesy.It has been created at least four times: on August 17, 1498...Louis XII created Cesare Borgia, Duke of Valentinois...Both the Italianized form of this title and his previous appointment as Cardinal of Valencia led to his commonly used nickname: "Il Valentino". After Cesare's death, his daughter Louise Borgia became Duchess of Valentinois.”

Cesare Borgia

“Cesare Borgia, Duke of Valentinois, was an Italian condottiero, nobleman, politician, and cardinal with Aragonese and Italian origins, whose fight for power was a major inspiration for The Prince by Machiavelli. He was the son of Pope Alexander VI (r. 1492–1503.)”

”Niccolò Machiavelli met the Duke on a diplomatic mission in his function as Secretary of the Florentine Chancellery...In The Prince, Machiavelli uses Borgia as an example to elucidate the dangers of acquiring a principality by virtue of another. Although Cesare Borgia's father gave him the power to set up, Cesare ruled the Romagna with skill and tact for the most part. However, when his father died, and a rival to the Borgia family entered the Papal seat, Cesare was overthrown in a matter of months.”

“Machiavelli attributes two episodes to Cesare Borgia: the method by which the Romagna was pacified, which Machiavelli describes in chapter VII of The Prince, and the assassination of his captains on New Year's Eve of 1502 in Senigallia. Machiavelli's use of Borgia is subject to controversy. Some scholars see in Machiavelli's Borgia the precursor of state crimes in the 20th century. Others, including Macaulay and Lord Acton, have historicized Machiavelli's Borgia, explaining the admiration for such violence as an effect of the general criminality and corruption of the time.”

“Cesare Borgia briefly employed Leonardo da Vinci as military architect and engineer between 1502 and 1503. Cesare provided Leonardo with an unlimited pass to inspect and direct all ongoing and planned construction in his domain. While in Romagna, Leonardo built the canal from Cesena to the Porto Cesenatico.”

Was Machiavelli really not Machiavellian?

Be Like a Fox by Erica Benner review

“The renowned 16th-century diplomat and politician was a staunch republican and reformer who denounced corruption in high places and detested tyrants, which was not the best recipe for a quiet life in the Florence of the Medici family. As a humanist in the mould of Livy and Cicero, he urged his fellow citizens to question conventional wisdom and take nothing on authority...You should treat your enemies justly, uphold the rule of law and show respect to others, if only to win them over to your side.”

“Erica Benner... sees Machiavelli not only as non-Machiavellian but as a good-hearted, Gary Lineker-type guy. This is revisionism with a vengeance. Hardly a word of rebuke for this admirer of the bloodstained Cesare Borgia...Despite her remarkably charitable treatment of “Niccolo”, Benner does not overdo the fake dialogue and dreamed-up scenarios.

So what of the Machiavelli who advocates force and fraud? Most of this inconvenient stuff is to be found in The Prince, and in Benner’s view is meant to be ironic...Demonising Machiavelli does no justice to the complexity of his life and work, though idealising him isn’t the answer either.”

(via Be Like a Fox by Erica Benner review – was Machiavelli really not Machiavellian? | The Guardian)

Machiavelli, Not Such a Bad Guy?

“Machiavelli was not simply a political writer...a skilled literary stylist who deliberately courted controversy. Machiavelli used irony and sarcasm...he was aware "that virtually every precept that he gives — or many of them — are going to be understood to be comic inversions of the accepted wisdom about things."

“This raises the question whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the contrary. My reply is that one would like to be both; but it is difficult to combine love and fear. If one has to choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

Is it black humor or sage advice? That's open to interpretation. What's not ambiguous is the fact that Machiavelli's name, especially when used by a politician, continues to carry a very specific and very negative connotation — as it has for centuries.”

(via Machiavelli, Not Such a Bad Guy? | NPR)

Become the Prince of Romance This Valentine’s Day with The Advice of Niccolo Machiavelli

“If you want to win over some woman of oppressed class this Valentine’s Day, look no further than the authoritarian methods of the world’s most dangerous lover as outlined in his famous work, “The Prince”

“So, there she is...You’ve spotted her across the bar/street/continent/world map. What do you do next in order to take her future under your indivisible command?”

“If the lady already has a boyfriend, dispose of him and his entire family. This is absolutely necessary... Next, you must take her late ex’s place by employing all of his romantic tendencies...You can’t scare her off by making her start all over with a new relationship. This would be disaster. You are simply trying to sneak into her life without her noticing.

“Which is why you need to move into her apartment immediately. Make yourself available and close. Do absolutely everything she does, so she knows you’re not a foreign threat...Another option is to sneakily establish a colony in her apartment. I know what you’re thinking. ‘Niccolo, why a colony? Can’t I just use my standing army?’ No, my fellow bro, you may not. Do you want to go bankrupt?”

“People say the French are romantic. But King Louis XII was a fool. Don’t be like King Louis...He did everything wrong, starting with asking the King of Spain to be his wingman, who was...more hot than he was...This all goes to show that you must choose your bros carefully. “Make sure your bros are no more than 3/4 as attractive as you.”

“You can gain a lady through wicked actions, or through the support of fellow citizens, or through luck or your own means. Obviously if it’s through wicked actions, you can get the lady but not an honourable rep. Without an honourable rep, people will hate you and you cannot gain more...women...obviously. This next part is key:”

“You have to be cruel. Cruelty is necessary in order to rule over women in successful dictatorial relationships. But, my bro, it must be cruelty well-used. It must diminish over time. Thus, on the first date, you must tell her everything...Control the conversation...Look through her phone and text-threaten every contact with a male name. Incite every argument you will ever have. Eat all the food in her refrigerator, steal the remote, change the wifi password, and give her a curfew. Then, as you get nicer over time, she will be more inclined to love you.”

“The ruler of a relationship (that is you) must have enough resources to not be dependent...That is key. But you want to SEEM generous without actually being generous. Generosity is lovely...[until]...you can’t keep up the charade of wealth. There are two ways to fix this. First: pretend you’re still rich through deceit. Fold bills in half in your wallet so it looks like you have double, and slip people coupons when she’s not looking. Second: spend other people’s money like there’s no tomorrow.”

“Who must fight your lovers’ squabbles? You and your own wits. If you employ mercenaries to fight for you, your bros perhaps, they will either fail you by losing the argument or steal your girlfriend away with a sympathetic ear and kind touch. You must always be thinking about and preparing for war or else it will catch you off-guard... Be vigilant, my bro.

“So is it greatest to be loved or feared? The answer, obviously, is both...However, if it is safety you desire, it is better to be feared, because then she will obey you, which is clearly the proper dynamic for a longstanding regime...I meant relationship.”

“Rulers must have the ferocity of a wild animal and the wit of a man...You must seem to be compassionate, trustworthy, sympathetic, honest, and religious, but you don’t have to actually be those things. Also, don’t be erratic, capricious, effeminate, pusillanimous, irresolute...You should be personally detached from decisions that influence her, and consult many good advisors. You should amuse her with festivals so she does not revolt.

“Remember: the goal of this relationship is to bring...[her]...fame, honour, and glory. And nothing else. Godspeed.”

— Niccobro Machiavelli”

(via Become the Prince of Romance This Valentine’s Day with The Advice of Niccolo Machiavelli | The Temporary Waitress blog)

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