The Prince

This is the work that gave us the term MACHIAVELLIAN. In being Machiavellian, a ruler will do whatever is necessary to maintain power. Today, we use the term in the context of rulers (or others seeking their own ends) who are scheming, ruthless. But Machiavelli conceived his work with the simple aim of giving practical advice to the new ruler. All states, he claimed, are either republics or principalities. His subject is the latter. And his advice is practical. A new prince should employ appointed ministers loyal to himself, rather than place his trust in hereditary nobles who control the loyalty of their subjects. He should avoid attempts to change the culture of those he conquers; they are less apt to rebel if they are allowed to maintain the familiar. But Machiavelli had no concern for the morality of the prince’s methods; The goal is to establish oneself in the role, make that role secure, and prepare for whatever challenges might come. Maintain the pose of the virtuous ruler, he advises, but act with all the cunning, the deception, the devices at your command.