Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke
...to himself."7 This shows that Machiavelli feels that in order to be successful one must be deceitful. Thomas Hobbes' understanding of human nature is somewhat different from that of Machiavelli. Instead of striving for power, Hobbes feels that man must do "anything in which in his own judgement and reason he feels is necessary to preserve himself."8 Unlike Machiavelli, Hobbes brings judgement and reason into the equation. Hobbes says that your actions must be reasonable while Machiavelli says that whether they are reasonable or not, do what you have to do. Hobbes also says that "man is forbidden to do anything which is destructive to his own life or which may take away the means of preserving it."9 Hobbes is out for self-preservation, first and foremost, while Machiavelli is looking to preserve one's power. Hobbes does not push for power since he believes that "every man has a right to everything, even anothers body."10 The Golden Rule is another point of Hobbes'. He believes that "whatsoever you require that others do to you, that do ye to them."11 This contrasts Machiavelli in that none of the actions of anyone he puts forth as an example would they want someone to do unto them. Borgia would most likely be upset if Orco decided to use him to win the people over, the way he used Orco. John Locke has a more peaceful understanding of human nature. He believes that "everyone is equal and independent, therefore no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions."12 Locke says that when man is not busy preserving himself, he should turn his attention to "doing as much as he can to preserve the rest of mankind."13 This sense of self-preservation is somewhat paralleled with Hobbes', but Locke goes on to say that in preserving the self, one must not "take away, or impair the life, or what tends to the preservation of life, the liberty, health, limb, or goods of another"14 , while Hobbes says that one must do whatever he can, within reason, to preserve himself. Machiavelli is for preserving ones power at all costs while Hobbes is preserving ones self at any reasonable cost and Locke is for preserving the self and the rest of mankind without infringing on anyone else's rights. Machiavelli points out two diverse characteristics that arise in politics. He says that "the people desire neither to be commanded nor oppressed by the great and that the great desire to command and oppress the people."15 In order for one to be successful, one must take advantage of these characteristics. Machiavelli points out that although it may seem wise to side with the powerful and influential great, it is actually better to side with the people. The great are powerful but few, while the people have the numbers. Having the support of the people will always overcome the money of the great. Hobbes' idea of a commonwealth is very important in politics. The goal of a commonwealth is to "defend the people from the invasion of Forraigners, and the injuries of one another,...