Niccolò Machiavelli thoroughly discusses the importance of religion in the formation and maintenance of political authority in his famous works‚ The Prince and The Discourses. In his writing on religion‚ he states that religion is beneficiary in the formation of political authority and political leaders must support and endorse religion in order to maintain power. However‚ Machiavelli also critiques corrupt religious institutions that become involved in politics and in turn‚ cause corruption in
Premium Catholic Church Political philosophy Religion
feared than loved. This is the second quality that Machiavelli gives advise that will make a good ruler. Every prince would want to be considered merciful‚ though he should be careful not to mismanage this clemency of his. Machiavelli point out how Cesare Borgia was cruel‚ yet he was able to provide peace and order to the Romagna. Therefore‚ no prince should mind being called cruel for what he does to keep his subjects united and loyal. Machiavelli believes that a prince should make examples of punishing
Premium
Throughout my reading of Machiavelli‚ a particular selection struck me as very interesting. This comes from Chapter 17 when Machiavelli states‚ “Here a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared‚ or the reverse. The answer is‚ of course‚ that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together‚ anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved. . . . Love endures by a bond‚ which men‚ being scoundrels‚ may
Premium Law Attention Lily Allen
Life is a power struggle. Throughout life‚ we continuously attempt to gain power over our peers. Marriage is no exception‚ and in Macbeth‚ by William Shakespeare‚ the pursuit of power between Macbeth and his wife is the impetus for a slew of horrific acts. Shakespeare initially characterizes the couple by their swapped gender roles. Where Macbeth appears spineless and impotent‚ his wife appears masculine. Macbeth attempts to gain power by assimilating himself to a life of sordid schemes. Lady Macbeth
Premium Macbeth Gender
questions of politics and human nature in a unique way‚ but there are definite similarities between his work and the work of earlier philosophers. Hobbes’ political theory coincides with the political theory of Niccolò Machiavelli‚ and yet differs in the theory of virtù. Hobbes follows Machiavelli in some important aspects of political theory‚ and yet expands upon or discards Machiavelli’s ideas in other important aspects. Both men agree that politics directly corresponds to the nature of man and that the
Premium Political philosophy Virtue Thomas Hobbes
Machiavelli never thought about how big of an impact and influence‚ The Prince would be. However‚ as history tells the work becomes a major part in the Renaissance and becomes one of the most influential works at that time‚ and becomes the most famous work from Machiavelli‚ in fact more famous and influential than all of his works put together. During the Renaissance‚ the reformation came from ideals or theories of political and social issues. Machiavelli played and participated in very involved
Premium Florence Lorenzo de' Medici House of Medici
Machiavelli and Hobbes To be successful‚ one must have the appearance of virtuousness‚ but not necessarily be virtuous. At least‚ this appears to be true according to Niccolo Machiavelli’s works. Machiavelli’s idea of the virtuous republican citizen may be compared to Hobbes’ idea of a person who properly understands the nature and basis of sovereign political power. Hobbes’ ideas seem to suggest that most anyone can claim rightful authority as there is a belief in God‚ and one can under Hobbes
Premium United States World War II Health care
or evil. Machiavelli argues simply that man is self-centered and only after self preservation. He argues that mankind is immoral and greedy. His opinions are apparent as he states‚ "It may be said of men in general that they are ungrateful‚ voluble‚ dissemblers‚ anxious to avoid danger‚ and covetous of gain‚" in the eighteenth paragraph of The Prince. These thoughts and views have gained him the title of a cynic. More than a cynic however‚ Machiavelli is but a realist. Machiavelli feels that
Premium Morality
Background * Niccolo Machiavelli born in Florence Italy‚ May 3‚ 1469 * Father was a lawyer * Family had own personal library that had books on Roman and Greek philosophy * Saw the troubles of the French invasion (1493) * He was employed in diplomatic services and as a historiographer. * Wrote many books‚ but is best known for his masterpiece The Prince in 1513 * Never considered himself a philosopher * Yet he is considered one of the greatest philosophers * Died
Premium Political philosophy Florence Law
Thoughts on Ruling: Machiavelli VS. Petrarch In the fourteenth century‚ the humanist philosopher Francesco Petrarch wrote a letter entitled How a Ruler Ought to Govern His Sate. Nearly a century later‚ another philosopher by the name of Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book about governing‚ The Prince. The two documents show many similarities in content and theme. While the two wrote in similar subject matter‚ it is clear that these philosophers possess distinctly different viewpoints on how a ruler
Premium Florence