Great political leaders have often been idealized as virtuous people, having desirable moral qualities that, in turn, make them strong leaders. Niccoló Machiavelli refutes that belief entirely, asserting that politics and morals are not connected in any way whatsoever, and develops a concept that encapsulates the true qualities that define a great leader. In The Prince, Machiavelli gives instructions on how a ruler should attain and maintain a principality, and introduces the concept of virtú as the measure of a leader’s ability to do whatever is necessary to succeed in governing a principality or republic, and the characteristics that comprise that ability, such as prudence and pragmatism. The idea of virtú is present both in The Prince and
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First, he addresses the natural phenomenon that is corruption and how, over time, a republic that was good in its inception will ultimately decay into this universal state. This leads to Machiavelli’s paradox of laws and customs: “For just as good customs require laws in order to be maintained, so laws require good customs in order for them to be observed.” (Discourses 225) This paradox causes the degeneration of a republic over time, as people become evil and exploit the institutions of their government. Machiavelli cites Rome as a prime example of this, discussing how the Roman institutions of electing people into the consulate and other main offices slowly turned from being determined by one’s ability into being determined by one’s power. “…for those who had the most power, not those who had the most ability, sought the magistracies; and although they were capable, the powerless refrained from asking for them out of fear.” (Discourses 226) Through this example, Machiavelli shows how even good institutions become corrupted over time. He then argues that in order to stop or prevent this corruption, not only must new laws be passed, but also new institutions. Machiavelli states that these new institutions must be established all at once, or gradually as the old ones begin to decay. He then points out how difficult it is to execute these reformations, saying, “both of these two approaches are almost impossible; for it takes a prudent man who can see defects from far off and in their initial stages in order to reform them gradually…” (Discourses 227) Machiavelli once again expresses the need for a man of virtú in order to maintain a republic, specifically a man with the prudence and foresight to anticipate potential problems with a republic’s present
First, he addresses the natural phenomenon that is corruption and how, over time, a republic that was good in its inception will ultimately decay into this universal state. This leads to Machiavelli’s paradox of laws and customs: “For just as good customs require laws in order to be maintained, so laws require good customs in order for them to be observed.” (Discourses 225) This paradox causes the degeneration of a republic over time, as people become evil and exploit the institutions of their government. Machiavelli cites Rome as a prime example of this, discussing how the Roman institutions of electing people into the consulate and other main offices slowly turned from being determined by one’s ability into being determined by one’s power. “…for those who had the most power, not those who had the most ability, sought the magistracies; and although they were capable, the powerless refrained from asking for them out of fear.” (Discourses 226) Through this example, Machiavelli shows how even good institutions become corrupted over time. He then argues that in order to stop or prevent this corruption, not only must new laws be passed, but also new institutions. Machiavelli states that these new institutions must be established all at once, or gradually as the old ones begin to decay. He then points out how difficult it is to execute these reformations, saying, “both of these two approaches are almost impossible; for it takes a prudent man who can see defects from far off and in their initial stages in order to reform them gradually…” (Discourses 227) Machiavelli once again expresses the need for a man of virtú in order to maintain a republic, specifically a man with the prudence and foresight to anticipate potential problems with a republic’s present