Chapter+14-17

Machiavelli's: //The Prince// Chapters XIV-XVII:

Group Summary:

In chapter fourteen of Machiavelli’s, //The Prince//, Machiavelli asserts that, “A prince ought to have no other aim or thought nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline”. He believes that every prince should study war because someone who is an expert at war will have a strong hold on their kingdom. If a prince is an expert at war, then he shall meet no opposition from his soldiers simply because they will have confidence and pride for being led by such a wise prince. Machiavelli states two ways to become a master of war: “one by action, the other by study”. Machiavelli suggests that in action, the Prince should become familiar with the landscape of his kingdom as well as to constantly train his soldiers. The former, so that he may have an advantage when dealing with an intrusion and the latter so that his troops may always be prepared for war. The second approach in mastering war is to study the art of war in previous campaigns. In doing so, he will gain some insight knowledge on what makes a successful campaign and also he will learn not to make the same mistake by which other campaigns have failed. He states that “it is said that Alexander the Great imitated Achilles, Caesar Alexander, and Scipio Corpius”. It was because Alexander the Great imitated them that caused his successful campaigns. In chapter fifteen, the topic revolves around the strengths of the state, the way a prince should behave, and how practical rule is better then theoretical rule. A prince's first job is to safeguard the state and harboring "bad" characteristics, sometimes necessary for this end. Machiavelli states, "Hence it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong and make use of it, or not according to necessities." This means sometimes rulers are considered to be unjust or cruel because of the lack of judgment they had when deciding when to do "bad" things. It is also necessary for a prince to hold certain good qualities that will make him praiseworthy, but it is also understood that human conditions do not always permit this from happening. This meaning that a prince cannot always have good qualities because somewhere along with the good traits bad ones could arise. Machiavelli states, "It is necessary for him to be sufficiently prudent that he may know how to avoid the reproach of those vices which would lose his state; and also to keep himself, if possible from those which would not lose him it." This means that a prince should know when to do certain things that are bad but at one point seemed to be good. A prince should be good to his people but he can't be seen as weak because then he has the risk of losing his kingdom.
 * Chapter XIV**
 * Chapter XV**

In chapter sixteen Machiavelli explorers the concept of whether it is more effective of a leader to be liberal, liberal meaning generous, or a prudent, and ignoble leader. In paragraph one he states, "COMMENCING then with the first of the above-named characteristics, I say that it would be well to be reputed liberal. Nevertheless, liberality exercised in a way that does not bring you the reputation for it, injures you; for if one exercises it honestly and as it should be exercised, it may not become known, and you will not avoid the reproach of its opposite." What he is simply expressing is, that of course it would be nice for a leader to have a reputation for being kind, but problems can arise. For example, even though the leader is generous, it won't necessarily appear to be so by other people.He thus is saying it wouldn't be for the best, for a leader to be generous. Machiavelli then states, "Therefore, any one wishing to maintain among men the name of liberal is obliged to avoid no attribute of magnificence; so that a prince thus inclined will consume in such acts all his property, and will be compelled in the end, if he wished to maintain the name of liberal, to unduly weigh down his people, and tax them, and do everything he can to get money." What he means is, for a leader to support his generosity, he would have to burden his people with taxes, which of course, angers a lot of people. In paragraph two, Machiavelli then speaks, states it would be better for a leader to be known as cheapskate, rather than generous. This is evident in the following quote, "Therefore, a prince, not being able to exercise this virtue of liberality in such a way that it is recognized, except to his cost, if he is wise he ought not to fear the reputation of being mean..." In paragraph three, he addresses leaders whom have were considered effective, while being generous. In the quote, " Either you are a prince in fact, or in a way to become one. In the first case this liberality is dangerous, in the second it is very necessary to be considered liberal; and Caesar was one of those..."This basically says that, the leaders in question, were only generous on their way to power. Machiavelli then goes on to say,"Either a prince spends that which is his own or his subjects' or else that of others. In the first case he ought to be sparing, in the second he ought not to neglect any opportunity for liberality. And to the price who goes forth with his army, supporting it by pillage, sack, and extortion, handling that which belongs to others..." He ends by stating that the other leaders whom were also considered generous, supported their generosity through plunder, and basically stealing.from other civilizations. To simply conclude, it is better for a good leader to be known as a cheapskate rather than generous, as generosity needs to be supported. Also, generosity is not beneficial, and needs to be supported through taxation, which will anger his people.
 * Chapter XVI**

In chapter seventeen, Machiavelli discusses the importance of a Prince being respectful to his subjects. “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.” When Machiavelli gives this statement he believes that everyone who is seen as a higher being should treat their people with a clear amount of respect; neither being too nice or too mean. Machiavelli gives his reader another example of how a strict and an unjust leader of that time brought his country together in peace and harmony. This leader was Cesare Borgia. Borgia was a man who was considered cruel; notwithstanding, his cruelty reconciled Romagna, unified it, and restored it in unification and allegiance. Though Borgia may have been cruel, he still had a successful term. This effectively proves Machiavelli’s argument as to how a good leader must take action towards his people and become a man or women of their word.
 * Chapter XVII**



Return Home
Damian's Analysis Angelica's Analysis Christian's Analysis Khadija's Analysis