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Machiavelli's Fate Of A Ruler-Fortune Capabilities

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Machiavelli introduces two main factors that determine the fate of a ruler - fortune andabilities. He also states that it does not take virtue to attain a hereditary domain, but it isrequired in order to acquire new territory. It is admitted how a prince is praised when he keepsfaith and lives with integrity, not craft. Princes who have done great things have held good faithof little account, and have known how to outwit the intellect of men by ability. There are twoways a prince can contest, first by the law (which is not always sufficient), then the other byforce. A prince needs wisdom to understand when to avail himself by law (man) or by force(beast). When a prince is compelled to use force, he needs to have discernment for which beasthe

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