Niccolo Machiavelli's View of Human Nature
(3 May 1469 – 21 June 1527)
Among the most widely-read of the Renaissance thinkers was Niccolò Machiavelli, a
Florentine politician who retired from public service to write at length on the skill required
for successfully running the state. Impatient with abstract reflections on the way things
"ought" to be, Machiavelli focused on the way things are, illustrating his own intensely
practical convictions with frequent examples from the historical record. In his best known
work, The Prince, Machiavelli responds to the question of what makes a good prince, as
opposed to what makes a good human being. However, we gain insight into his beliefs
about humans through study of his work.
Machiavelli's purpose in writing The Prince was twofold: (1) to show a ruler or wouldbe ruler how best to maintain a safe and prosperous state amid the political turmoil of
early 16th Century Italy, and (2) to redeem himself in the eyes of the ruler of Florence,
Lorenzo di Piero de’ Medici (son of Piero de' Medici and grandson of Lorenzo the
Magnificent).
CHAPTER XVII
Concerning Cruelty And Clemency, And Whether It Is Better To Be Loved Than
Feared
COMING now to the other qualities mentioned above, I say that every prince ought to
desire to be considered clement and not cruel. Nevertheless he ought to take care not to
misuse this clemency. Cesare Borgia was considered cruel; notwithstanding, his cruelty
reconciled the Romagna, unified it, and restored it to peace and loyalty. And if this be
rightly considered, he will be seen to have been much more merciful than the Florentine
people, who, to avoid a reputation for cruelty, permitted Pistoia to be destroyed.
Therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to mind
the reproach of cruelty; because with a few examples he will be more merciful than
those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders
or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions which
originate with a prince offend the individual only [...]
Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than
loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to
unite them in one person, is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either
must be dispensed with. 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 […]
Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he
avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being feared whilst he is not hated,
which will always be as long as he abstains from the property of his citizens and subjects
and from their women. But when it is necessary for him to proceed against the life of
someone, he must do it on proper justification and for manifest cause, but above all
things he must keep his hands off the property of others, because men more quickly
forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony (The Prince, Machiavelli).
In The Prince (1513), Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state
that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the
ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put
in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. These interests were gaining,
maintaining, and expanding his political power.
Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular (not concerned with or relating to
religion) society and felt morality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of an
effectively governed principality. Though in some cases Machiavelli's suggestions seem
harsh and immoral, one must remember that these views were derived out of concern Italy's unstable political condition.
Though humanists of Machiavelli's time believed that an individual had much to
offer to the well being of the state, Machiavelli was quick to mock human nature.
Humanists believed that "An individual only 'grows to maturity- both intellectually and
morally- through participation' in the life of the state." However, Machiavelli generally
distrusted citizens, stating that "...in time of adversity, when the state is in need of its
citizens there are few to be found." Machiavelli further goes on to question the loyalty of
the citizens and advises the Prince that "...because men are wretched creatures who
would not keep their word to you, you need not keep your word to them."
In order to win honor, Machiavelli suggests that a prince must be readily willing
to deceive the citizens. One way is to "show his esteem for talent actively encouraging
the able and honoring those who excel in their professions." By encouraging citizens to
excel at their professions he would also be encouraging them to "increase the prosperity
of their state."
Machiavelli actively promoted a secular form of politics. He laid aside the
medieval conception "of the state as a necessary creation for humankind’s spiritual,
material, and social well-being." In such a state,"[a] ruler was justified in his exercise of
political power only if it contributed to the common good of the people he served”.
Machiavelli’s views were to the benefit of the Prince, in helping him maintain power
rather than to serve for the well-being of the citizens. Machiavelli promoted his belief by
stating: “The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily
comes to grief among those who are not virtuous. Therefore, if a prince wants to
maintain his rule he must learn not to be so virtuous.”
Having studied and experienced Italy's political situation, Machiavelli felt that
his suggestions would provide a framework for a future Prince of Italy to bring about
political stability. Machiavelli writes: “Italy is waiting to see who can be the one to heal
her wounds […]. See how Italy beseeches God to send someone to save her from those
barbarous cruelties and outrages; see how eager and willing the country is to follow a
banner, if someone will raise it.”
Although Italy had become the center of intellectual, artistic, and cultural
development, Machiavelli did not feel these qualities would help in securing Italy's
political future. His opinion was that Italy required a leader who could have complete
control over Italy's citizens and institutions. This would allow the Prince to govern
without being morally bound. This follows Machiavelli's view of human nature, which
included the thought that people generally tended to work for their own best interests
and gave little obligation to the well being of the state.
Although Machiavelli doubted that this form of government could ever be
established it did appear several years after he wrote The Prince. Machiavelli has
become to be regarded as "the founder of modern day, secular politics." Today we
describe those who do bad deeds for the sake of political power as Machiavellian and
their views as Machiavellianism.
English 112 – Machiavelli
In the reading, Machiavelli states that, “Upon this a question arises: whether it be better
to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish
to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, is much safer to be
feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with.”
1. If you believed as Machiavelli did, then what type of parent would be most effective?
Teacher? Class President? Peer mentor? Employer? Political Leader? Make a few
comments on the nature of at least 3 of the individuals listed. You may choose to
include someone who is not mentioned.
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2. “Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary
and in fact stood in the way of an effectively governed principality.” and “Machiavelli has
become to be regarded as "the founder of modern day, secular politics." are two quotes
from the reading. What influences of Machiavelli can you see in today’s political
structure?
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3. Machiavelli's view of human nature included the thought that people generally tended
to work for their own best interests and gave little obligation to the well being of the state.
Come up with examples which both support and contradict Machiavelli’s view of human
nature. Find at least two examples for each view.
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