Machiavelli's The Prince: Questions And Answers

1. Why does Machiavelli caution a prince against being too generous?

Machiavelli, in Chapters 15 of The Prince, explains that nature doesn’t allow perfection in any human being. This leads him to the conclusion that princes should avoid qualities that may hindrance their abilities to rule even if they are considered ‘good’, under which generosity can be grouped as. He speaks further in detail in the next chapter, when he says generosity is a ‘dangerous practice’. He explains that if a prince were to act too generous it would lead to having a reputation for it. This would cause increased taxes all over the prince’s realm, a depleted treasury, and a lower approval by his subjects as a result over all. This lack of loyalty from subjects would
This laid his military foundations and later political foundations. He continued to astonish his followers by invading other large states and keep them in fear of him through his rule – something Machiavelli said was beneficial. One of Ferdinand’s main actions that made him successful was that he developed his reputation over everything else and kept his own interests alive, shown when he continued to invade. Moreover, Machiavelli explains that princes will always be successful if their mechanisms fit the changing time periods, something that Ferdinand was able to embrace and led him to being a great leader under Machiavelli’s
If Machiavelli saw our current system today, which involves both the public and has an overall head of state, he wouldn’t be able to apply his suggestions to it because of its largely democratic and republican nature. His time period didn’t see much of this type of government; therefore, his opinions don’t take into account the fact that it can exist. Perhaps he would enjoy that every citizen has a role in the government without creating chaos and, though it takes more time, that good decisions in government are made that the public can