The Prince, seemingly a fairytale about a prince finding true love or going to war to protect his loved ones, in reality a guide to ruling as a prince, politically speaking, or some may say, a guide on how not to rule. Niccolo Machiavelli was a man of controversial ideals, especially involving the role of a ruler. Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli explains his beliefs and the reasoning behind them. Throughout the book, explanations regarding Machiavelli’s beliefs are aimed towards the reign of Lorenzo di Piero de’ Medici and his family. Machiavelli uses personal thoughts and metaphors, such as the lion and the fox, to illustrate characteristics that he feels a prince should possess. A few of Machiavelli’s beliefs expressed throughout The Prince include: to be feared is more important than to be loved, how a prince is to maintain his state, actions are justifiable based on the outcome, and that a prince should always maintain his virtues.
Although classification of states was very prevalent, Niccolo Machiavelli’s main argument throughout his work was: it is easier to be feared by your people than to be loved. Cruelty is not necessarily a bad thing for a prince, “…so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to mind the reproach of cruelty”(37). Machiavelli thoroughly expresses his thoughts regarding the subject; he believed that in order for a prince to keep his people in line he mustn’t be afraid to use harsh means. Gaining the loyalty of one by feeding their fears is easy, with the help of punishment, but to gain their love could prove a difficult task. Love is hard to obtain by any means, as well as hard to maintain. Dishonesty, cruelty, and ignorance are all easy ways to lose love and trust.
A prince must be able to successfully maintain and reign over his state, or principality. Machiavelli explains his thoughts on how to rule a principality and how certain types of state prove easier to rule. Popularity can be a factor in a prince’s rise to power, but he must also be able to use the power bestowed upon him to successfully govern his region. “Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves,” (39) a prince must have the ability to be both the beast and the man to control his people. He has to be capable of using cruelty and maintaining faith in his people and their faith in him. Machiavelli explains that being fortunate and popular are not the only factors that contribute to a prince’s people’s response and actions towards him.
Results provide grounds for the means to accomplish them. Machiavelli’s works provide evidence that he believed events leading to an necessary outcome didn’t matter so long as something good came of it. For example, if money was stolen from the rich, it was acceptable so long as it provided a better life for the poor. Even if an action is absolutely necessary, that does not mean a prince should have free reign to do anything to get him to that point; he should at least try to take the higher road and provide his conclusion in the right way. “…prince’s either rule personally or through magistrates…In the latter case their government is weaker and more insecure” (23). Machiavelli concludes that he believes a prince should solely rule, to maintain a stronger government and loyal community, but if he does so and acts wrongly to get the results he desires, those actions will lie totally on him. Ends may be within reach, but the effect of the actions leading up to it could tarnish the great intentions that may have been behind those actions.