A Prince’s Duty Concerning Military Matters
1- Machiavelli thinks it is better to concentrate on war
than on personal luxuries. I agree that it is not good for princes to think
only of themselves because they should serve the people. But why does
everything have to be about war?
2- I agree that in war communities it is more respectable to
be the best swordsman… but I do not think this is relevant today. Also, Hobbs
claims that everyone’s power is equal whether it is physical strength or other
so there is controversy on this matter. (After reading How a Prince Should Keep
His Word paragraph 5 I have come to the conclusion that this is relevant in
today’s society. Also, after reading the entire essay, it seems that Hobbs’
idea does not really apply to princes that have the support of the people.)
3- Yes, if a prince is leading an army he should be familiar
with the land and have street smarts or rather land smarts.
4-
5- I agree that it is imperative to study history, because
it often repeats itself.
6- Machiavelli’s idea that princes must be active even in
times of peace is relatable to my athletic experience. I like to say that the
off season is the hardest season.
On Those Things for Which Men, and Particularly Princes, Are
Praised or Blamed
1- Ooh so he thinks you should not try to be good all the
time but rather demonstrate selective goodness. Interesting.
2- I think Machiavelli is saying that princes that pursue
vices are more successful. This idea seems a little bit twisted, but it seems
like Machiavelli has a point here.
On Generosity and Miserliness
1- So Machiavelli is saying that generous people do not receive
praise, and people are quicker to recognize a tiny flaw than a huge virtue.
2- “In our times we have not seen great deeds accomplished
except by those who were considered miserly” (225). Someone generous to their
own people is probably considered miserly to the world. I guess this means that
everyone is selfish.
3- “… for spending the wealth of others does not lessen your
reputation but adds to it; ony the spending of your own is what harms you”
(226).
On Cruelty and Mercy and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved Than
to Be Feared or the Contrary
1- “for with a very few examples of cruelty he will be more
compassionate than those who, out of excessive mercy, permit disorders to
continue, from which arise murders and plundering” (227). This is a good point
because the right amount of cruelty will keep the most people safe. I think
this goes along with the element of fear that is mentioned later.
2-
3- “fear is held together by a dread of punishment which
will never abandon you” (228).
4- Avoid being hated by having a reason for taking a life
and by not taking property. This also makes the people sound bad because
according to Machiavelli, they value their property more than the lives of
their loved ones. This is a depressing essay because I like to think that
people are better than this.
5-
6-
7-
How a Prince Should Keep His Word
1- The more successful princes have not been committed to
keeping their word.
2-
3- “but since men are a sorry lot and will not keep their
promises to you, you likewise need not keep yours to them” (230). Well, I believe
that this could be a good way to stay a prince, but it is also depressing.
Machiavelli is saying a lot of negative things about people as a whole. People
like leaders who steal from other communities as long as some of the bounty
trickles down to them.
4-
5- “Therefore, it is not necessary for a prince to have all
of the above-mentioned qualities, but it is very necessary for him to appear to
have them” (230). Sounds like modern politics… nothing has changed. I am
re-evaluating my previous statement in which I expressed the opinion that
Machiavelli’s work is out of date.
6- “Let a prince therefore act to seize and to maintain the
state; his methods will always be judged honorable and will be praised by all;
for ordinary people are always deceived by appearances and by the outcome of a
thing; and in the world there is nothing but ordinary people; and there is no
room for the few, while the many have a place to lean on” (231). This is so
depressing. I cannot deny what he is saying, but I do not like it all the same.
On Avoiding Being Despised and Hated
1- “What makes him despised is being considered changeable,
frivolous, effeminate, cowardly, irresolute…” (232). Yep, sounds legit, sounds
like the qualities I would not want to have in a field hockey coach.
2-
3-
4- “I conclude, therefore, that a prince must be little
concerned with conspiracies when the people are well disposed toward him; but
when the populace is hostile and regards him with hatred, he must fear
everything and everyone” (233). Seems legit, no argument here.
