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Machiavelli: How To Become A Prestige Prince

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Machiavelli: How To Become A Prestige Prince
Linda Yang
History 222-02
Midterm
To Become A Prestige Prince In 1494, Florence, Italy was overtaken by France. There the Prince, leader of Florence at the time was the third generation Medici. Given to him was a series of chapters of The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli written in 1513. Niccolo Machiavelli was known for his vast knowledge in politics and literature. Thus after being exiled from Florence by the French, he wrote from experience and vast knowledge to the current prince so he would know how to rule. In order to be a prestige prince, he must always be ready for war, act like a lion and fox, be feared but not hated, and to not take the property of citizen and people, but if it is a new prince having a knowledgeable advisee also
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The goal of being feared by the enemies but not hated by the citizens. Machiavelli gave two examples of circumstances two princes were viewed but achieved to maintain in their countries. Along the lines he said, Cesare Borgia was reputed cruel but by unifying Romagna to order, he was more merciful than letting the people of Florence suffer cruelty by factions. In this way, disregard the thoughts of being a cruel leader as to keeping his subjects in check. “ And for a new Prince, of all others, it is impossible to escape a name for cruelty, since new States are full of dangers. Wherefore Virgil, by the mouth of Dido, excuses the harshness of her reign on the plea that it was new, saying:- ‘A fate unkind, and newness in my reign Compel me thus to guard a wide domain.’” cited by Machiavelli. As follow a new prince can be excused to be harsh in new times to the land, after acknowledging so make sure not to take property from citizens or people for the anger of possession taken is far greater than killing their father. Doing so, a new prince will not be hated by its people but be feared by his

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