Machiavelli Essay, Research Paper

Peyton Phillips

ENC1101 SO24

3-15-2000

??Princes who have accomplished great deeds are those who have cared little for keeping their promises and who have known how to manipulate the minds of men by shrewdness; and in the end have surpassed those who laid their foundations upon honesty.? I believe that Machiavelli is portraying human nature in a somewhat accurate way, although he does say a few things that I am not entirely sure are accurate, he does a good job with his interpretation. I also believe that the people who are viewing his words as cynical are just too proud to admit that, for the most part, humans are corrupt.

??Since men are a sorry lot and will not keep their promises to you, you likewise need not keep yours to them.? I have found, through my experiences, that if you keep your promise to a person they will be grateful to you for that and, in turn, keep their promises to you. On the other hand, there are people out there who will break their promises no matter how many you keep towards them. While dealing with people in the everyday world this statement applies, but when dealing with kings, princes, and government the quote comes into effect.

??That they (men) are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, greedy for gain; and while you work for their good they are completely yours, offering you their blood, their property, their lives, and their sons? when danger is far away; but when it comes nearer to you they turn away.? I find this statement to be an accurate glance upon the nature of man and war. It is true that when you are doing things for them they will promise you everything that they have, but when war comes they back down and try to run away. Throughout The Prince Machiavelli is basically telling the prince to do whatever is necessary to maintain his kingdom and stay in power. Ironically, man is doing whatever it takes to get what he needs done from the prince, ??while you work for their good?they are completely yours, offering you their blood?their lives, and their sons,? and then breaking his promise to you when danger comes his way.