The Prince Flashcards
What is the overarching theme of The Prince?
The acquisition and maintenance of power.
What does virtu represent in Machiavelli’s philosophy?
The qualities of boldness, decisiveness, cunning, and adaptability needed for effective political action.
How does Machiavelli define fortuna, and how should a prince deal with it?
Fortuna is the unpredictable nature of fate, and a prince should use virtu to overcome its challenges and exploit opportunities.
Why does Machiavelli prioritize a citizen army over mercenaries and auxiliaries?
Citizen armies are loyal and fight for their homeland, while mercenaries and auxiliaries are unreliable and dangerous.
What does the metaphor of the lion and the fox illustrate?
A prince must combine the lion’s strength and decisiveness with the fox’s cunning and ability to avoid traps.
Why does Machiavelli argue that it is better to be feared than loved?
Fear ensures obedience and discourages rebellion, while love is less reliable as people are fickle and self-serving.
Under what conditions does Machiavelli say it is acceptable for a prince to break promises?
When keeping promises harms the prince or state, or when circumstances render the reasons for the promise irrelevant.
What role does public image play in Machiavelli’s advice to princes?
A prince must appear generous, virtuous, and religious while being prepared to use deception and cruelty as needed.
How does Machiavelli view human nature?
Humans are inherently self-interested, ambitious, and deceitful, requiring pragmatic and sometimes ruthless leadership.
Why does Machiavelli dedicate The Prince to Lorenzo de’ Medici?
To gain Lorenzo’s patronage and inspire him to unify and liberate Italy.
What is Machiavelli’s critique of mercenaries and auxiliaries?
They are self-serving, unreliable, and pose a threat to the prince’s security.
What historical figure does Machiavelli often cite as an ideal prince?
Cesare Borgia, for his decisiveness, cunning, and effective use of power.
What does Machiavelli propose in the final chapter of The Prince?
A call for a strong leader to unify Italy and free it from foreign domination.
How does Machiavelli’s view of virtue differ from traditional conceptions?
Virtue in Machiavelli’s sense (virtu) is about effectiveness and adaptability, not moral goodness.
What famous quote reflects Machiavelli’s view on fear and love?
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”
