The Prince (Machiavelli)

Author and context

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a Florentine diplomat and official of the republic. When the Medici returned to power in 1512, he was dismissed, imprisoned and tortured, and then retired to his estate near Florence. There, around 1513, he wrote The Prince (Il Principe), dedicated to Lorenzo de' Medici. It was printed in 1532, after the author's death; in 1559 it was placed on the Index of Forbidden Books.

Main ideas

• Realism - Machiavelli describes how people do act, not how they ought to; whoever follows only the ideal will, he says, come to ruin among so many who are not good.
• Virtù and fortuna - an effective ruler combines energy, cunning and capacity to act (virtù) with the ability to seize circumstances (fortuna).
• Better to be feared than loved - if one cannot be both, it is safer to be feared, while avoiding hatred (ch. XVII).
• Appearances - a ruler should seem merciful, faithful, upright and religious, but be able to act otherwise when keeping power requires it (ch. XVIII).

The phrase “the end justifies the means” does not appear in this form in the text, though it captures its popular reception.

Reception

The author's name gave rise to Machiavellianism - treating people and morality instrumentally to gain power. In psychology Machiavellianism is one of the traits of the so-called dark triad (see selection of leaders). Some scholars, however, read Machiavelli more subtly - as a republican who in the Discourses on Livy defended civic freedom.

Why it is worth knowing

The Prince is an important counterpoint for this encyclopedia. It shows the logic of power detached from morality - a logic that tempts community leaders too. The Gospel proposes the opposite order: “But it shall not be so among you” (Mark 10:43). Compare Christian leadership, power and influence, integrity, cardinal virtues.