Machiavelli's views on government
...magined republics and principalities such as have never been known to exist in reality.” A prince should be good or bad as circumstances command. He ends up saying that some “virtues” will lead to a prince’s destruction, whereas some “vices” allow him to survive. After reading, “On Generosity and Miserliness” he is stating that we commonly think that it is best for a prince to have a reputation of being generous. However, if his generosity is done in secret, no one will know about it and he will be thought to be greedy. If it is done openly, then he risks going broke to maintain his reputation. He will then squeeze more money from his subjects and thus be hated. For Machiavelli, it is best for a prince to have a reputation for being stingy. . After reading, “On Cruelty and Mercy and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved Than to Be Feared or the Contrary” he’s arguing that it’s better for a prince to be severe when punishing people rather than merciful. Severity through death sentences affects only a few, but it prevents crimes, which affects many. Further, he argues, it is better to be feared than to be loved, since men cannot be trusted. However, the prince should avoid being hated, which he can easily accomplish by not confiscating the property of his people. A prince should only use capitol punishment only when it’s clearly justified. Only in the army, where strict discipline is essential, is cruelty necessary. The next chapter, “How a Prince Should Keep His Word” perhaps the most controversial section of “The Prince,” Machiavelli argues that the prince should know how to be deceitful when it suits his purpose. When the prince needs to be dishonest, though, he must not appear that way. Good faith and integrity are clearly more praiseworthy then “craft and deceit.” However crafty and deceitful p...