The Prince Flashcards
Who is the author?
Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian Renaissance diplomat, philosopher, and writer
What has the author of the Prince been called the father of?
Modern political philosophy or political science
What idea/phrase is Machiavelli associated with?
“The ends justify the means”
According to the Dedication, what is of most value in Machiavellis opinion?
Knowledge
What kinds of things did Machiavelli say a leader should study?
A leader should study the art of war, because it allows him to rise up and rank .
According to Machiavelli, who can rise to the level of a prince?
Men from private stations can rise to the level of a prince
What are the qualities Machiavelli says brings men in princes praise? Blame?
Machiavelli says praise, comes from qualities, such as generous, compassionate and faithful. Whereas Blame comes from qualities, such as rapacious, cruel and faithless.
What is Machiavelli’s overall attitude towards the relationship between leaders and their people?
He sees the people as having power over their leaders, but leaders need to figure out a way to please the people so that there is an allusion that the leader is actually all powerful. The people are just another obstacle for a leader.
Does Machiavelli think it’s better to be feared or loved?
He says one should wish to be both feared and loved, but if one can’t have both then they must choose to be feared.
What is Machiavellis opinion on how much Fortune rules our lives?
Fortune rules half our lives and we have control over the other half
What does Machiavelli compare Fortune to?
A river
What is Machiavellis attitude towards women?
Machiavelli believes women are objects I need to be controlled by men.
Machiavelli claims that humans are likely to be motivated not by loyalty or patriotism but by ______________.
Self-interest
What two beasts does Machiavelli say leaders should be able to act like?
A lion and a fox
In what way is Erasmus’s “Education of a Christian Prince” different from Machiavellis “The Prince”?
Erasmus stressed the need for a Prince to act like a kindly father to his subject. Machiavelli concerns himself only with how a prince is to survive. The Prince has no religious emphasis that appears in Erasmus’ work.
