Machiavelli's Advice With His Views on Human Nature
Machiavelli’s Advice With His Views on Human Nature
The scholar Machiavelli used his writing of The Prince to advise leaders on how to rule effectively, but the piece also reflects a realistic view of human nature and offers points of advice in dealing with other people. Machiavelli makes the point that people do not do what they ought to in order to live moral lives, even if they understand that they should do so; that people cannot be counted on to do just or moral actions and should be handled accordingly. Machiavelli tells us not to strictly follow ideals and be prudent-to pay attention and act on what is going on in the world rather than dwell on what should or shouldn’t be happening. One should also, as Machiavelli points out, not attempt to become the perfect moral ideal-as humans, this is impossible for us-and instead use the negative aspects of our nature and that of the people around us to our advantage in moderation. However, Machiavelli does not condone being without virtue-one should keep up appearances and be fair to others to avoid disrespect or hatred. And in the interest of self-preservation, one should be selfish, cautious and miserly with oneself and one’s surroundings. Lastly, one should be flexible and understand that certain unjust acts may be necessary, within reason, in order to uphold order and do away with chaos in any situation. With these things in mind, Machiavelli gives us advice in handling those around us for the sake of the greater good and reflects his realistic views about human nature.
To Machiavelli, the nature of man leads humankind to be fickle, ignorant, greedy and even underhanded. The advice Machiavelli writes in The Prince reflects that one cannot trust in others too readily. He expresses that “… because [men] are bad, and will not keep faith with you, you too are not bound to observe it with them.” (Austin 136) This means that the very nature of a man will lead him to do things against his word, despite any pacts or promises previously made. Another example of Machiavelli’s view is that he sees men as “so simple, and so subject to present necessities, that he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.” (136) In this sense, Machiavelli is telling us that men are both ignorant and vain, and that in order to deceive someone through outer appearances, one will not have to look very far to find those that can be deceived. Men are untrustworthy, and the masses, ignorant. “The vulgar are always taken by what a thing seems to be,” Machiavelli writes, “and by what comes of it…” (137) This further illustrates the rather dark view Machiavelli holds toward his fellow man-that he cannot be trusted. Finally, he tells us that "[men] are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous…” (134) In essence, to him, men are all but vain, blind for what pleases them and untrustworthy; they are easily deceived and their word cannot be counted on.
Men, according to Machiavelli, look too much into their ideals-good qualities in leaders, for example-and not enough into the real situations at hand. These ideals are unrealistic, and even as those ideals are praised, they are not followed. Machiavelli writes, concerning desirable and undesirable qualities in a prince, “because they can neither be entirely possessed nor observed, for human conditions do not permit it, it is necessary for [the prince] to be sufficiently prudent…” (131) By man’s own nature, he is unable to exhibit all the ideal qualities that are thrust upon him. Even these qualities may lead to man’s destruction. As Machiavelli says, “that he who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.” (131) It is not in man’s nature to have the ability to practice every good quality he sets for himself to its fullest extent, and even as he wishes to do so, he continues to live below his unrealistic standards.
Reacting on the situation at hand rather than reacting on what one simply hopes should or shouldn’t happen is important to Machiavelli. He states that, “it appears to me more appropriate to follow up the real truth of a matter than the imagination of it.” (131) This ability in a leader would be crucial in any situation, such as war, domestic trouble, or economic hardship. Rather than simply planning according to one’s ideals, Machiavelli tells us through The Prince to act on the actual ordeal and to be aware of one’s situation. It is also important, with one’s reactions, to understand how to incorporate both manipulation and strength through force. According to Machiavelli, “A prince… ought to choose the fox and the lion… It is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves.” (136) When trouble comes to pass for a leader, he must find the balance between brute force and craft and know how to apply those things to the time at hand in order to achieve a successful outcome.
It is wise to understand that because a leader cannot practice all the desired qualities wanted of him, he must also use his cunning to pretend to display such qualities toward his subjects. To reiterate, “because they can neither be entirely possessed nor observed, for human conditions do not permit it, it is necessary for [the prince] to be sufficiently prudent…” (131) Therefore, “it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to appear to have them.” (136) Machiavelli is not, however, expressing the need to cover up corruption with false attributes. He tells us “not to diverge from the good if [one] can avoid doing so, but, if compelled, then to know how to set about it.” (136) In this, it is now understood that strength and craft are also needed, not just in dealing with situations elsewhere, but to control one’s nature for the greater good of the state; to appear to have desired qualities and avoid disrespect and hatred.
Finally, one should be aware of the notion that even the negative qualities-attributes that are undesired by the people of the state-are necessary for the stability of the country and the well being of the people. “Hence it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.” (131) Machiavelli means that, as no man is capable of putting all good qualities into practice, a leader must learn to do what he must within reason in order for himself and his kingdom to survive. This includes being miserly-not spending his country’s wealth generously, “for in time he will come to be more considered than if liberal, seeing that with his economy his revenues are enough, that he can defend himself…” (132) Increased spending of his subjects’ wealth will increase taxing, and thereby lead to the hatred toward the leader and poverty of the country, whereas miserly behavior will ensure the country’s status in times of economic hardship. Another quality that is seemingly undesirable is fear. However, “it is much safer to be feared than loved…” (134) This is further advised in that “a wise prince should establish himself on that which is in his own control and not in that of others; he must endeavor only to avoid hatred, as is noted.” (135) A leader should only avoid hatred, for that leads to disloyalty, but in fear, the leader’s subjects “are yours entirely; they will offer you their blood, property, life and children…” (134) If a leader is loved, the feeling of loyalty is on the subject’s terms, not those of the leader. Yet if a leader is feared, he has the control; he can do what he must on his terms in order to uphold order in the state. These qualities, though thought to be undesirable, are simply more reflections of man’s nature. Machiavelli’s advice suggests using those aspects to one’s advantage, within reason, the greater good.
Machiavelli’s The Prince is a book of suggestions and advice on how a leader should rule effectively, but includes an accurate portrayal of Machiavelli’s views on human nature. He explains that men are simple and easily deceived; that the leader should act on these things and use them to his advantage. Rather than see Machiavelli’s view of the world as pessimism, one could almost see it as more of a realistic view. Machiavelli takes what he sees in men and offers advice on how to deal with it for positive results-for the good of the masses, how the leader should act and respond, so that the country should not suffer.
Michael, Austin. Reading the World: Ideas That Matter. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2007