Comparing Machiavelli's Cruelty And Fear
According to Machiavelli, it is better to be feared than it is to be loved. Of course, being loved and feared is ideal, however, this is impossible. In that case, the prince should opt to be feared by his subjects. For one thing, a prince needs his subjects to be obedient. In order to make them obedient a prince must inspire his subjects to fear him. A prince must rely on fear rather than love, because, love is not strong enough to compel a person to act against his or her own self-interest. In order to instill this fear a prince must be able to utilize cruelty correctly. However, in using cruelty, a prince must take care to use restraint so he does anger his subject and suffer their wrath.
Obedience is fear. People comply with laws only …show more content…
On the contrary, if they fear him it is because of what he can do to them. People do not honor goodness, however, they do respect strength. Machiavelli believes love is not sufficient to gain people’s respect. For one thing, love is conditional and men are self-serving. As long as the prince is able to provide for his subjects, he will be showered with their love. However, as Machiavelli explains, men are ungrateful and fickle and will do whatever it takes to advance their own station (XVII, 66). As soon as the prince is in a bad position, if love is the only thing binding the people to the prince they will surely abandon …show more content…
Self-preservation is the animalistic nature of man. That is to say, man will revert to his default state in moments of trepidation. Therefore, where there is fear, there is the hope to preserve ones own life. When a person is afraid they are uncomfortable. Uncomfortable people seek comfort. In fact, people in general are comfort seekers. If they know an action will cause them discomfort, they will not do it. If offending the prince results in retribution, his subjects are likely to avoid the offence. “Men have less hesitation to offend one who makes himself loved than one who makes himself feared” (XVII, 66). Put simply, people are less likely to offend a person they fear. Therefore, a person will risk offending someone who is liable to forgive his or her trespasses before offending someone who will retaliate. This is precisely why people step lighter around lions than they do around
Obedience is fear. People comply with laws only …show more content…
On the contrary, if they fear him it is because of what he can do to them. People do not honor goodness, however, they do respect strength. Machiavelli believes love is not sufficient to gain people’s respect. For one thing, love is conditional and men are self-serving. As long as the prince is able to provide for his subjects, he will be showered with their love. However, as Machiavelli explains, men are ungrateful and fickle and will do whatever it takes to advance their own station (XVII, 66). As soon as the prince is in a bad position, if love is the only thing binding the people to the prince they will surely abandon …show more content…
Self-preservation is the animalistic nature of man. That is to say, man will revert to his default state in moments of trepidation. Therefore, where there is fear, there is the hope to preserve ones own life. When a person is afraid they are uncomfortable. Uncomfortable people seek comfort. In fact, people in general are comfort seekers. If they know an action will cause them discomfort, they will not do it. If offending the prince results in retribution, his subjects are likely to avoid the offence. “Men have less hesitation to offend one who makes himself loved than one who makes himself feared” (XVII, 66). Put simply, people are less likely to offend a person they fear. Therefore, a person will risk offending someone who is liable to forgive his or her trespasses before offending someone who will retaliate. This is precisely why people step lighter around lions than they do around