Another Machiavellian idea is that morality and ethics are for the weak, powerful people should feel free to lie, cheat, and deceive whenever it suits their purpose. A prince should weaken people that are stronger then him to ensure that no foreign power invades another state. Weaker powers will side with those that are stronger than them to ensure protection (The Portable Machiavelli, Page 80-88) This idea is encompassed in Law 14 of 48 Laws of Power, stating Pose as a friend, work as a spy. Friends live by morality and ethics, as you would be perceived as weak to have so many friends. If you want to be powerful, you need to learn how to cheat and deceive. Using spy tactics, you appear moral, but you are a step ahead of the person. In polite
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This was shown in the scenario of Joseph Duveen, a great art dealer. He used charm and armed himself with knowledge in order to make money by making the art sound more expensive then they were. (The 48 Laws of Power, Page 101-107). He uses the Machiavellian strategy of influence with knowledge to achieve his goal, he dominated in power because of his wisdom and quick wit. This was also highlighted in class when discussing the idea of the conman who targets tourists with finding a ring on the ground. The conman targets the naïve and weak to show his power over them and get money the tourists do not expect that this man is conning them because, he seems to be doing something good. Another Law that supports this ideology is Law 33, Discover each man’s thumbscrew. This law states that everyone has a weakness, usually an insecurity. A moral man would ignore other insecurities however, a powerful man will expose or use those insecurities or weaknesses to his/her advantage. In the story of Catherine de’ Medicis, she saw the advantages that she could gain from Antoine de Bourbon’s love for young women. A man of wealth and status has everything to
This was shown in the scenario of Joseph Duveen, a great art dealer. He used charm and armed himself with knowledge in order to make money by making the art sound more expensive then they were. (The 48 Laws of Power, Page 101-107). He uses the Machiavellian strategy of influence with knowledge to achieve his goal, he dominated in power because of his wisdom and quick wit. This was also highlighted in class when discussing the idea of the conman who targets tourists with finding a ring on the ground. The conman targets the naïve and weak to show his power over them and get money the tourists do not expect that this man is conning them because, he seems to be doing something good. Another Law that supports this ideology is Law 33, Discover each man’s thumbscrew. This law states that everyone has a weakness, usually an insecurity. A moral man would ignore other insecurities however, a powerful man will expose or use those insecurities or weaknesses to his/her advantage. In the story of Catherine de’ Medicis, she saw the advantages that she could gain from Antoine de Bourbon’s love for young women. A man of wealth and status has everything to