Moral or Immoral - an Analysis of the Prince

Moral or Immoral:  An Analysis of The Prince

Instead of offering arms, cloths of gold and such like ornaments; Machiavelli offers his knowledge and views of the state to the prince.  His advice to the prince was just that, advice based on his observations from years of studying and participating in politics.  Can a prince be successful running the state and governing countrymen only guided by good morals, or would he be more effective following with immoral guidelines?  Is it better to be stingy than generous?  Better to be cruel than merciful?  Machiavelli states, “I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must however take care not to misuse this mercifulness.”(492). A prince cannot govern the state and survive only on good intentions.  He must be aware of all situations and act upon them, even if he feels that it goes against his morals. Machiavelli states “A prince, therefore, must not fear incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and faithful; for with a very few examples, he will be more merciful than those who, from excess of tenderness, allow disorders to arise, from whence spring bloodshed and rapine; for these as a rule injure the whole community, while the executions carried out by the prince injure only individuals” (492).  A

prince should not be blind to the events that are happening in his state; he must take off the blinders and govern the state to his best ability; even when it comes to handling crimes against the prince, state and/or countrymen.

The next question:  Is it better to be loved more than feared or feared more than loved?  This is a double edged sword.  Humans, by nature, want and need to be loved; feared, not so much.  Everyone wants to be admired for their maturity and strength. A prince should have the respect and love from his state.  And he must recognize when laws are broken and address them with swift justice, but also avoid assigning so many laws and taxes that the countrymen feel like the prince is acting to harsh and greedy. Similar to raising a child, a mother and father want the love from the child, but they also want respect.  This is how we keep our children in our care safe. We teach our children what is good and bad.  When a child breaks a rule or does something wrong, they must know that there are consequences to their actions.  We don’t want them to fear or hate us but know that we are doing what is best for them.  At times they will not appreciate until later in their lives.  Machiavelli states, “And the prince who has relied soley on their words, without making

other preparations, is ruined; for the friendship which is gained by purchase and not through grandeur and nobility of spirit is bought but not secured, and at a pinch is not to be expended in your service.” (493). Words without action are meaningless. Verbal pledges must be followed up by actions for the stability of the state.  Machiavelli goes on to state,  “And men have less scruple in offending one who makes himself loved more than one who makes himself feared; for love is held by a chain of obligation which, men being selfish, is broken whenever it serves their purpose; but fear is maintained by dread of punishment which never fails.” (493). To gain love and respect from his state the prince must show love and respect and only use fear when necessary, to ensure the stability of the state.

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