In 1494, Florence, Italy was overtaken by France. There the Prince, leader of Florence at the time was the third generation Medici. Given to him was a series of chapters of The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli written in 1513. Niccolo Machiavelli was known for his vast knowledge in politics and literature. Thus after being exiled from Florence by the French, he wrote from experience and vast knowledge to the current prince so he would know how to rule.
In order to be a prestige prince, he must always be ready for war, act like a lion and fox, be feared but not hated, and to not take the property of citizen and people, but if it is a new prince having a knowledgeable advisee also can help him become even more outstanding. Even in times of peace a prince must always be ready for war, by practice or by study by succeeding it would benefit him in achieving to be a prince. He must study the terrain and his own country.
Such knowledge is useful to him in two ways: for first, he learns thereby to know his own country, and to understand better how it may be defended; and next, from his familiar acquaintance with its localities, he readily comprehends the character of other districts when obliged to observe them for the first time. ” quoted Machiavelli. (3, chapter 14) By doings so, even during times of peace he may be prepared even when a war does break and the prince will have to go to war. If the prince and leader of the country is not ready for war then he would not be an adequate leader.
Thus, he must prepare himself before war breaks out for he can counter attack what is thrown at him so there will be peace at where he reside for it affects the country greatly. By doing so the prince can achieve being a great leader by doing so, if he was to save his country. To maintain status of a prince one must be feared but not hated, not take his citizen’s or other people’s property, and be a beast. The goal of being feared by the enemies but not hated by the citizens. Machiavelli gave two examples of circumstances two princes were viewed but achieved to maintain in their countries.
Along the lines he said, Cesare Borgia was reputed cruel but by unifying Romagna to order, he was more merciful than letting the people of Florence suffer cruelty by factions. In this way, disregard the thoughts of being a cruel leader as to keeping his subjects in check. ” And for a new Prince, of all others, it is impossible to escape a name for cruelty, since new States are full of dangers. Wherefore Virgil, by the mouth of Dido, excuses the harshness of her reign on the plea that it was new, saying:-‘A fate unkind, and newness in my reign Compel me thus to guard a wide domain. cited by Machiavelli.
As follow a new prince can be excused to be harsh in new times to the land, after acknowledging so make sure not to take property from citizens or people for the anger of possession taken is far greater than killing their father. Doing so, a new prince will not be hated by its people but be feared by his enemies. Machiavelli quotes, “ But since a Prince should know how to use the beast’s nature wisely, he ought of beasts to choose both the lion and the fox; for the lion cannot guard himself from the toils, nor the fox from wolves.
He must therefore be a fox to discern toils, and a lion to drive off wolves. ” (3, chapter 18) To sum it up, a prince’s actions and personality have to be a beast in order to rule, for acting human and keeping his word will devaste himself when he does not keep his word and pledging by it to do so. (4, chapter 18) But, do not lose faith, “a Prince, and most of all a new Prince, cannot observe all those rules of conduct in respect whereof men are accounted good, being often forced, in order to preserve his Princedom, to act in opposition to good faith, charity, humanity, and religion. (7, chapter 18) Again stating that if a prince does not lose faith it can help him and to even follow evil course if he must so that a prince can become victories. At the same time while keeping faith, one must not rely too much on fortune, for it may change anytime. Machiavelli stated in The Prince to be prepared for war and to be good leader features that a new one will not be able to achieve so, but with help he can.
So knowing that after the war in 1494, he lived under a rule not of Italy but France rule that describes of unjust, that can be better if the Medici Florence prince would pardon and let him help with his experience and knowledge that the Medici prince would not fail in being a leader like the previous two generations. The prince by Machiavelli was dedicated to the Medici prince in order to come home to Italy, but states experience of princes he have seen. For someone who has experience such vast knowledge and experience if I was a leader I would consult The Prince what is expected when one becomes a leader.
