Machiavelli The Prince A Miser Analysis

. Consequently, he would have to burden his people by incrementing taxes and taking away resources. This in turn would make him a miser to the eyes of his people rather than generous. “This will begin to make him [the prince] hateful to his subjects…as a consequence of his generosity, having offended many and rewarded a few, he will feel the effects of any slight unrest...recognizing this and wishing to alter his policies, he immediately runs the risk of being reproached as a miser” (225). In other words, private citizens would only recognize their prince lavishing them and granting all their wishes, only to become blind with hate if he can no longer continue doing so. Machiavelli advises his prince that “it is wiser to live with the reputation
However, its never that simple. Although we would like to keep our word, it’s never a sure thing. Obstacles get in the way or we may have chewed off more than we can handle. Machiavelli understands these circumstances and notes them in his advice to his prince on not keeping his word. “…one sees from the experience of our times that the princes who have accomplished great deeds are those who have cared little for keeping their promises and who have known how to manipulate the minds of men by shrewdness…” (229). Much like todays politicians, Machiavelli suggests for his prince to never keep his word because there are many circumstances in which he will have to break them for the better. Nonetheless, breaking a promise without disturbing the peace takes great skill that a prince should learn. For example, Alexander VI, religiously broke his promises; however, he mastered the aspects of man and how to deceive them without causing chaos. Machiavelli uses an analogy to bring his point to perspective by using the two alpha beasts, the fox and lion. “…a prince must know how to use wisely the nature of the beast…it is necessary to be a fox in order to recognize the traps and a lion in order to frighten the wolves. Those who play only the lion do not understand matters” (230). Learning to be slick is important so that a prince will always be liked even if he is feared. However, Machiavelli warns his prince to use this skill wisely and on occasions, but not all the time so to not raise any questions and make him hated amongst his subjects. Hatred is the most powerful emotion, a prince who is despised and hated should be concerned for more than just his position on the