Machiavelli needs to be looked at as he really was. Hence:
Can Machiavelli, who makes the following observations, be Machiavellian as we understand the disparaging term?
- So it is that to know the nature of a people, one need be a Prince; to know the nature of a Prince, one need to be of the people.
- If a Prince is not given to vices that make him hated, it is unusual for his subjects to show their affection for him.
- Opportunity made Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, Theseus, and others; their virtue dominated the opportunity, making their homelands noble and happy. Armed prophets win; the disarmed lose.
- Without faith and religion, man achieves power but not glory.
- Prominent citizens want to command and oppress; the populace only wants to be free of oppression.
- A Prince needs a friendly populace; otherwise in diversity there is no hope.
- A Prince, who rules as a man of valor, avoids disasters.
- Nations based on mercenary forces will never be solid or secure.
- Mercenaries are dangerous because of their cowardice
- There are two ways to fight: one with laws, the other with force. The first is rightly man’s way; the second, the way of beasts.