Niccolo Machiavelli was the first person in his time to criticize politics and to explain how they really work. Because of this, The Prince was very controversial at the time, but Machiavelli explains a lot of renaissance values throughout the book. Respect for the ancient Greco-Roman traditions, secularism and realism are examples of traditional renaissance values that are revealed throughout Machiavelli’s The Prince.
Respect for the ancient Greco-Roman traditions is so important that it can still be seen today in democracy, architecture and much more. Machiavelli said that a man should always be wise enough to follow in the footsteps of the great, and to imitate those who were successful. Even if he cannot be perfect, he will still be successful …show more content…
It is the practical details of things about the world and not what people want to believe. Princes could not be everything their citizens wanted them to be. It is just not possible to have all good qualities. Every prince had his weaknesses, but he had to make it look like he was strong and able to lead. Machiavelli said that “a Prince should have all the good qualities …, but it is most essential that he should seem to have them…” (46). The prince had to appear trustworthy, kind, compassionate and more, even if he was not. Sometimes a prince may have to use evil to keep the integrity of his kingdom strong. His followers would believe he was a good ruler if he appeared that way. “Thus, it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, religious, and upright, and also to be so; but the mind should remain so balanced that were it needful not to do so, you should be able and know how to change the contrary” (Machiavelli 46). People judge the ruler based on results and appearance. If a ruler has to use evil to achieve his goals, as long as he keeps the appearance of being trustworthy, he will be seen as a good leader.
Of the many renaissance values Machiavelli describes throughout The Prince, respect for the ancient Greco-Roman traditions, secularism and realism are very prominent examples. In order for a prince to be successful, he should imitate what past successful rulers did. A prince should always keep his religion out of how he rules. Even if a ruler does not have all of the great qualities of a leader, if he acts like he does, his followers will trust him. Although Machiavelli’s The Prince was banned for being too controversial at the time, it later turned out be very influential on many governments around the
Respect for the ancient Greco-Roman traditions is so important that it can still be seen today in democracy, architecture and much more. Machiavelli said that a man should always be wise enough to follow in the footsteps of the great, and to imitate those who were successful. Even if he cannot be perfect, he will still be successful …show more content…
It is the practical details of things about the world and not what people want to believe. Princes could not be everything their citizens wanted them to be. It is just not possible to have all good qualities. Every prince had his weaknesses, but he had to make it look like he was strong and able to lead. Machiavelli said that “a Prince should have all the good qualities …, but it is most essential that he should seem to have them…” (46). The prince had to appear trustworthy, kind, compassionate and more, even if he was not. Sometimes a prince may have to use evil to keep the integrity of his kingdom strong. His followers would believe he was a good ruler if he appeared that way. “Thus, it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, religious, and upright, and also to be so; but the mind should remain so balanced that were it needful not to do so, you should be able and know how to change the contrary” (Machiavelli 46). People judge the ruler based on results and appearance. If a ruler has to use evil to achieve his goals, as long as he keeps the appearance of being trustworthy, he will be seen as a good leader.
Of the many renaissance values Machiavelli describes throughout The Prince, respect for the ancient Greco-Roman traditions, secularism and realism are very prominent examples. In order for a prince to be successful, he should imitate what past successful rulers did. A prince should always keep his religion out of how he rules. Even if a ruler does not have all of the great qualities of a leader, if he acts like he does, his followers will trust him. Although Machiavelli’s The Prince was banned for being too controversial at the time, it later turned out be very influential on many governments around the