#3 - Machiavelli’s The Prince – A Discovery in Leadership

Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian Renaissance political philosopher and statesman, born in 1469 in Florence, Italy, is best known for his political treatise ‘The Prince.’ This work advocates a realpolitik approach to leadership, promoting pragmatic and sometimes ruthless tactics for maintaining power and stability. Beyond his political theories, Machiavelli was also a diplomat, historian, and playwright, deeply involved in Florence’s political life.

After a change of rulers in Florence, Machiavelli fell out of favor in noble circles and was exiled to his farm. During this exile, he wrote The Prince, addressing the new ruler in hopes of regaining favor. Although unpublished during his lifetime, the manuscript circulated privately and was posthumously published in 1532, five years after his death.

While writing my trilogy, ‘Warrior’s Quest,’ I explored various texts to gain deeper insights, including Machiavelli’s seminal work. Initially, ‘The Prince’ did not fit the trilogy’s theme, but after the success of Book II, I revisited this classic.

Over the past 500 years, The Prince has remained one of the most influential books on political theory and philosophy. Many view The Prince as notorious for its perceived advocacy of deceit and manipulation, but I offer a different perspective. Machiavelli described the harsh realities of political life and the complexities of governance. He argued that rulers often cannot afford to govern with purely personal virtues like love and non-violence, as these are not always practical in maintaining power and stability.

Machiavelli’s profound influence is evident in the term ‘Machiavellian,’ which I will discuss further in The Perspectives, this newsletter.

To introduce the essence of The Prince, consider these key quotes, which also makes one question this book:

1. It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
2. Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
3. The nature of peoples is fickle; it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them in that persuasion.
4. Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed.
5. A prince should not necessarily avoid vices such as cruelty or dishonest only if they benefit the state.
6. A man who wishes to profess goodness at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good.

While some may find Machiavelli’s writing amoral, advocating deceit and manipulation over idealism, it prompts valuable discussions about ethics in leadership. ‘The ends justify the means’ is often seen as a central message of The Prince.

It’s important to remember that Machiavelli wrote for the political ruling class, whose primary goal was maintaining power and influence. In a modern context, The Prince offers profound insights for professionals and leaders, emphasizing outcomes over popularity, pragmatism in business, resilience, adaptability, and the importance of perception management. Contrary to popular belief, while criticized for its ruthless approach, Machiavelli’s work encourages readers to understand their moral compass better.

In upcoming editions of The Perspectives, I will delve deeper into what contemporary professionals can learn from Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince.

Given the nature of Machiavelli's The Prince, a few of you may not like any of these articles, but I encourage you to consider them as opportunities to critically engage with challenging ideas that provide deeper insights and help you assess your own moral compass.