
Summary
The author Machiavelli (1469-1527) is the main founder of modern political thought. Among the political thinkers in the late Middle Ages, Machiavelli was the first to clearly break away from the constraints of theology and ethics and open up political science and law...
Highlights
Of course, the following are wonderful sentences or paragraphs selected from The Prince. These sentences or paragraphs stand out because of their profound meaning, unique perspective, beautiful language, wisdom or creativity. They are presented in a numbered form to ensure the authenticity and professionalism of the content. 1. "If a monarch hopes to maintain his position, he must learn to do unjust things and be good at concealing these actions." - This sentence reveals the cruel reality in power politics and the tactics that monarchs must possess. 2. "The behavior of people in affairs is always influenced by their weighing of pros and cons." - Machiavelli emphasizes the core role of interest calculation in people's decision-making. 3. "The monarch should be as cunning as a fox and as brave as a lion." - This sentence uses animals as metaphors to vividly describe the dual character that a monarch should have: cunning to deal with tricks and brave to conquer enemies. 4. "Almost all the difficulties faced by the new monarchy are caused by the changes at the beginning of its establishment." - This sentence points out the instability and challenges brought by the initial change of regime. 5. “The prince must learn how to avoid being hated and despised.” - Machiavelli reminds the prince to maintain his public image to avoid losing the support of the people. 6. “A princely state obtained by relying on the force and good fortune of others is difficult and dangerous.” - This sentence warns of the fragility of relying on external forces to establish a regime. 7. “The prince should be backed by his own strength, not just by the kindness of others.” - Emphasizes the importance of self-reliance in the monarchy. 8. “Of all the princely states, the inherited ones are the most stable.” - This sentence reflects Machiavelli’s view on the stability of the succession of the regime. 9. “The prince should strive to leave the impression of generosity in the hearts of the people, even if it is not the case in reality.” - Reveals the strategic considerations of the prince in shaping the public image. 10. “The prince should pay attention to the hidden dangers that may lead to the destruction of the country and eliminate them before they grow.” - Emphasizes the importance of crisis prevention and timely intervention in the monarchy. 11. “When acting, the prince must take into account the general beliefs and habits of the people.” - This sentence reflects Machiavelli's understanding of the role of public opinion and customs in political decision-making. 12. “The prince should avoid actions that make him appear rash or weak.” - Emphasizes the code of conduct of the prince in maintaining personal authority. 13. “When necessary, the prince should not hesitate to take harsh measures to maintain the stability of the country.” - This sentence reflects Machiavelli's view on the legitimacy of strong means in specific circumstances. 14. “The prince should be cautious in choosing allies, because the betrayal of allies is often more dangerous than the attack of enemies.” - It warns the prince to be highly vigilant in foreign policy. 15. “The prince should learn how to use rewards and punishments to manipulate others.” - This sentence reveals the strategy of the prince to use power in ruling. 16. “When making decisions, the prince should consider practical effects more than moral principles.” - It reflects the core idea of Machiavelli's pragmatic political view. 17. “The prince should try to make himself unpredictable so that he can catch the enemy by surprise when necessary.” - This sentence emphasizes the importance of strategic disguise and deception in the game of power. 18. “The prince should avoid relying too much on the army, because the army may become his enemy.” - It warns of the potential threat of excessive militarization to the monarch's rule. 19. “The prince should learn to remain calm and firm in adversity, because this is a critical moment to test his leadership ability.” - This sentence emphasizes the importance of the prince's psychological quality and leadership ability in crisis management. 20. “The prince should constantly learn and adapt during the process of ruling, because the political environment is always changing.” - It reflects Machiavelli's emphasis on the prince's continuous self-improvement and adaptability.
About the Author
Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian politician, philosopher, writer and diplomat during the Renaissance.< His work, The Prince, is a classic in the field of political science and has had a profound impact on later generations.
The following is a detailed introduction to Machiavelli: 1.
Personal basic information: Niccolò Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy on May 3, 1469, and died on June 21, 1527.< 2.
Education and career background: Machiavelli was educated in Florence and later became a diplomat, serving the Republic of Florence.< His career included negotiations with other countries and representing Florence in various political activities.
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Writing career: Machiavelli's writing career began after his political career ended.< His major works include The Prince, Florentine Histories, and Mandragola.
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Work style and theme: Machiavelli's writing style is characterized by realism and pragmatism, emphasizing the moral relativity of political behavior.< The themes of his works involve political power, leadership, state governance, and war strategies.
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Personal life: Machiavelli's personal life is relatively low-key.< He is married to his wife Bertola and has four children.
After his political career ended, he returned to his country villa and focused on writing.< 6.
Social influence: Machiavelli's thoughts have had a profound impact on later generations, especially in the field of political philosophy.< He is considered one of the founders of realistic political philosophy.
However, his views have also sparked controversy and are sometimes criticized as representatives of moral relativism and power politics.< 7.
Quotations and evaluations: Authoritative media, experts, and institutions have particularly complicated evaluations of Machiavelli.< On the one hand, he is hailed as a pioneer of political science; on the other hand, some of his views are considered to be a challenge to traditional moral values.
For example, British philosopher Thomas Hobbes praised Machiavelli as a "master of political science," while German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche considered him the "greatest psychologist.< " 8.
Recent Updates: Although Machiavelli has been dead for nearly 500 years, his ideas and works still remain highly relevant in academic circles and public discussions.< In recent years, scholars have continued to explore Machiavelli's political philosophy and its application to contemporary politics and society.
In summary, Niccolò Machiavelli was a versatile Renaissance figure whose works and ideas have had a profound impact on later generations.< Although his views have sometimes sparked controversy, his contributions to the field of political philosophy are still widely recognized.