Machiavelli: The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli was born into a time of political upheaval in Italy. ... The Prince is the text from which my source is taken. ... The source within the textbook is a very famous excerpt taken from the 17th chapter of The Prince. ... In the full version of The Prince Machiavelli makes it more clear to his audience why, in fact, one who relies on only keeping his promises will be destroyed: "Experience shows that in our times the rulers who have done great things are those who have set little store by keeping their word, being skillful rather in cunningly confus...

• Word Count: 2744
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

To this end, In The Prince, Machiavelli offers the following advice to would be princes: "You should know, then, that there are two ways of contending: one by using laws, the other, force. ... He feels that as far as politics are concerned the actual actions of the ruler need not be morally sound, if the outcome benefits the state, the actions of the ruler will be judged honorable by the majority of people and praised by everyone because "people are impressed by appearances and results " and pay little attention to the wicked deeds that may have been done as a means to an end. ... Another ...

• Word Count: 1733
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

That action can be whatever the prince determines is necessary to achieve the ends sought. ... He believes that these injure a whole community, while the executions ordered by a prince fall only upon a few individuals. ... While inflicting a little cruelty in the beginning will prevent further actions of similar deviant behavior. As a corollary to this Machiavelli addresses whether a prince should be loved or feared. ... Relying on the premise that the end always justifies the means, Machiavelli concludes that the prince should not swerve from good if possibl...

• Word Count: 3155
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate