Topic > The Impact of Classical Literature on Machiavellianism

In offering his worldview and knowledge to the Medici family, Machiavelli draws a considerable amount of his resources from classical figures and ideologies. While Machiavelli writes for a prince, whose goal would be to gain territory, power and control; his philosophy is simply tied to less vital victories in the lives of ordinary people. In this article I will explain where it differs from and conforms to classical ideology in the generalized context of a leader. He uses them in two ways: by agreeing and strengthening them, or by refuting them. While Machiavelli maintains the need for a leader to have independence, seriousness, loyalty and intellect; rejects the need for generosity, mercy and honesty, in favor of the outward appearance of these virtues. Although Machiavelli's view differs from the common ideology of his time and classical antiquity, he does not disagree with all virtues. One of these virtues is independence. Machiavelli spends the beginning of his treatise discussing principalities and defending them. A wise and successful leader, he says, should not use auxiliaries or mercenaries, as they will always lack unity and their true loyalties are always uncertain. For auxiliary troops, their loyalty is always to a rival, who can betray the leader at any time. Furthermore, wise leaders do not consider a victory with outside help to be a real victory. (The Prince, chapter 13, page 49) For mercenaries, their loyalty is to those who can offer them the most. (The Prince, chapter 12, page 43) Machiavelli reinforces this key idea with two examples. The first is in the Old Testament, when Saul offered David his weapons and armor, which he refused because he would not be able to fight well with... middle of paper ......king leaders who maintain a facade. of honesty, while being skilled at deceiving rivals and enemies. He advises that a leader cannot and should not keep his word when it would harm him to do so. He goes on to say that men are so naive and focused on the present that any skilled deceiver would have no difficulty finding people to deceive. (The Prince, chapter 18, pages 61-62) Despite some of Machiavelli's most provocative and shocking statements in The Prince, upon careful reading, his values ​​are not very different from those of the classical period. Although he rejects the genuine need for generosity, mercy and honesty in exchange for his appearance; keeps the most significant remaining values ​​as they are. The changes he makes in explaining his worldview are based on his examination of humans as inherently corrupt and selfish..