The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli presents a written handbook for princes that became a classic treatise that transformed the understanding of politics and political theory. Machiavelli presents a new idea of governing a state that is completely different from the humanists of his time. In his mind the power of the Prince relies in the policies that could serve to his own interests and the aspects of the state. Such interests were expanding, gaining, and maintaining the political power they had. Machiavelli had a negative view on human nature which was a clear message in his writings based on human weakness like The Prince. Indeed, in The Prince Machiavelli describes the many pessimistic traits that are derived among human individuals.
"They are sustained by the ancient principles of religion, which are so powerful and of such authority that they keep their princes in power whatever they do, however they live. These are the only princes who have states that they do not defend and subjects that they do not govern; the states, though undefended, are never taken from them, and the subjects, though ungoverned, neither protests, nor try to break away, nor could revolt if they a mind to. These, then, are the only safe and happy governments. " Machiavelli quotes project deception by reflecting the whole concept of value and fortune. A concept that states, people are only interested in themselves, but their fondness can be gain and lost. He expresses this through The Prince with quotes of keeping and obtaining power. "Conquer either by force or by stratagem, make himself loved and feared by his subjects, followed, and respected by his soldiers, if he determines to destroy who can and will injure him, to reform ancient institutions, be severe yet loved, magnanimous and generous, and if he decided to destroy disloyal troops and create a new standing army, maintaining such relations with kings and princes that they have either to help him graciously or go carefully in doing him harm.
