295. Summary: The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

<p><em>The Prince</em> is a political treatise, written by Niccolò Machiavelli, first distributed in 1513. It’s infamous for its apparent advice to political leaders to lie, murder, and manipulate. It’s still a fascinating read today, and is thought-provoking when considering any context where the true motives of actions may not be what they seem. Here, in my own words, is a summary of Niccoló Machiavelli’s, <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YWYCBNK?tag=kadavyinc-20"><em>The Prince</em></a>.</p> <h3><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --></h3> <h3>Is <em>The Prince</em> advice, satire, or sabotage?</h3> <h3><!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --></h3> <p>Machiavelli wrote <em>The Prince</em> while in exile from Florence. Since he opens it with a letter to Lorenzo d’Medici it seems like Machiavelli was trying to get a political position with the Medici, by demonstrating his political knowledge. (The Medici had recently returned to power in Florence, after themselves being exiled fifteen years.) But, some scholars think <em>The Prince</em> is satire. Others think the advice within was a ploy, in that if it were followed, the actions would weaken the power of the Medici.</p> <h3><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --></h3> <h3>“The ends [justified] the means,” in Renaissance Italy</h3> <h3><!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --></h3> <p>Though the phrase isn’t in the book, <em>The Prince</em> is the origin of the saying, “the ends justify the means.” In other words, if you have an important goal, morality doesn’t matter. It’s also the inspiration for the name of the personality trait of “Machiavellianism”, which is characterized by manipulativeness, insensitivity, and an indifference to morality. Psychologists include Machiavellianism in the “dark triad” personality traits, along with narcissism and psychopathy.</p> <h3><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --></h3> <p>Sixteenth century Italy was the perfect environment for advice li