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Primary and Secondary Sources
Activity
netw rks
The Renaissance in Europe
Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince
Background
Niccolò Machiavelli was an independent thinker and a man of many talents; at various
times in his life he was a diplomat, a political writer, a playwright, a historian, a
philosopher, and a musician. Born in 1469, he served his native city of Florence in
several posts while it was a republic. Later he served as an emissary, or ambassador of
the government, and as general secretary to the chancery, or court. When the Medici
family seized power in Florence, however, Machiavelli found himself on the wrong side,
and in 1513 he was arrested and tortured.
After his imprisonment, he retired to his estate to write several works about power and
politics, including his most famous work: The Prince. In The Prince, Machiavelli
expresses his opinions about how a ruler should really act, as opposed to how churches
or teachers profess that the ruler should behave. It is considered the first text based on
a type of harsh, practical approach to governing that advises rulers about how to obtain
and retain power, even as they pretend to be ruled by moral principles and self-restraint.
Most striking is its open admission that self-interest truly motivates most people, no
matter what ethical or moral systems suggest. The term Machiavellian has come to
signify the kind of ruthless scheming, manipulation, and deception that The Prince
appears to advocate.
And you have to understand this, that a prince, especially a new one, cannot
observe all those things for which men are esteemed, being often forced, in
order to maintain the state, to act contrary to fidelity [or faith], friendship,
humanity, and religion. Therefore it is necessary for him to have a mind
ready to turn itself accordingly as the winds and variations of fortune force it,
yet, as I have said above, not to diverge from the good if he can avoid doing
so, but, if compelled, then to know how to set about it.
— Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince, 1532
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Directions: Read the two excerpts and answer the questions that follow.
NAME ______________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________
Primary and Secondary Sources
Activity Cont.
netw rks
The Renaissance in Europe
Because this is to be asserted in general of men, that they are ungrateful,
fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you succeed they are yours
entirely; they will offer you their blood, property, life, and children, as is said
above, when the need is far distant; but when it approaches they turn
against you. And that prince who, relying entirely on their promises, has
neglected other precautions, is ruined; because friendships that are obtained
by payments, and not by greatness or nobility of mind, may indeed be
earned, but they are not secured, and in time of need cannot be relied upon;
and men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is
feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the
baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but
fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.
— Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince, 1532
1.
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2.
Making Generalizations Machiavelli advises those in power that “fear preserves
you by a dread of punishment which never fails.” What point is he trying to make?
Do you think modern democratic leaders follow Machiavelli’s advice? If you do,
describe one. If not, explain why such a philosophy cannot work in a true
democracy.
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Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Analyzing Primary Sources In your own words, explain what Machiavelli advises
regarding normal moral ideas such as honesty, trust, and faithfulness. How does
his estimate of human nature affect his position?
NAME ______________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________
Primary and Secondary Sources
Activity Cont.
netw rks
The Renaissance in Europe
3.
Constructing Arguments Reread the last two sentences of the second excerpt.
Many people find Machiavelli’s advice about the need to “have a mind ready to
turn itself accordingly as the winds . . . of fortune force it” and the need to
“diverge from the good” in order to maintain the state to be refreshingly honest
and accurate. Others believe he is wrong to suggest that a ruler should ever “act
contrary to faith, friendship, humanity, and religion.” Choose one position and
write a statement that expresses your beliefs about it.
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4.
Constructing Arguments In general, do you think people are ruled more
successfully by fear, or by kindness and love? Explain why you think as you do.
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Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
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