Day one
Pre-reading questions
What is the relationship between ethics and politics?
Should the leader’s behavior be above, below, or at the same level as the rest of us?
GENERAL OVERVIEW QUESTIONS, as you go along and at the end, to finalize your thoughts.
What is Machiavelli’s view of human nature? Evidence?
What is the purpose of religion in Machiavelli’s way of thinking?
What is Machiavelli’s hierarchy of values?
What connections do you see between Machiavelli’s thought of and anyone else we have studied this year,
or encountered through literature?
What lessons might Machiavelli have for the current war on terrorism?
Why does Machiavelli have such staying power?
How can a prince avoid being hated?
Why is it better to be loved than feared?
How many of Machiavelli’s pearls of wisdom are true today? Cite 20th and 21st century examples to prove
or disprove M.
Chapter 3 …a prince who makes an annexation…must refrain from changing the laws or taxes of his new
subjects.
another good plan is to send colonies into one or two key places of the new province,,,[they] are
inexpensive and they are loyal.
it is to be noted that men must be either conciliated or annihilated
as soon as a powerful foreigner enters a country, all the less powerful of that country join him, moved by
envy of those who have ruled over them, so he has no difficulties in attracting them,
whoever is the cause of another’s coming to power, falls himself, for that power is build up either by art or
by force, both of which are suspect to the one who has become powerful.
Chapter 5
Whoever becomes master of a city accustomed to living in freedom and des not destroy it may expect to be
destroyed by it himself.
Ch. 8 [Cruelty] may be said to be well used…when all cruel deeds are committed at once in order to make
sure of the state and thereafter discontinued …
Ch 9 {When a citizen becomes prince, not through villainy or intolerable violence, but my favor of his fellow
citizens}
IN every city there are two different humors which have their origin in the desire of the people to be free of
the orders and oppression of the great and the desire of the latter to order about and oppress the people.
From these two urges comes one of three results: either a one man rule or liberty or anarchy….one
coming into power with the aid of the great finds it more difficult to maintain himself for he is surrounded by
many who think themselves his peers so that he cannot manipulate or command them as he would like
to…
Hence one who attains power by favor of the people must keep the people always friendly to
him…and since men, when they receive good from whence they expect evil, feel more indebted to their
benefactor
adopt a policy which will insure that his citizens always and in all circumstances will have need of
his government,
Ch 12.
…Experience has shown us that princes using their own forces and armed republics achieve great
success, b but mercenary arms do only harm.
Ch 13. auxiliary arms, the arms of a powerful foreigner whom you invite to assist you in your defense
they are much more dangerous than mercenaries, for under their service your downfall is assured,
as they are all united and all under the command of another,
Ch 14. when princes have given more thought to amenities than to arms they have lost their states.