The Prince

It is important to consider Machiavelli for who he really was. Therefore, can Machiavelli—who offers the following insights—be considered Machiavellian in the negative sense of the word? It follows that in order to understand the nature of a people, one must first understand the character of a prince, and vice versa. 2. It is unusual for a prince's subjects to express their love for him if he abstains from vices that turn people against him. 3. Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, Theseus, and others were made possible by opportunity; their virtue subdued the opportunity and elevated and joyfully inhabited their homelands. Prophets with weapons prevail; those without weapons fall short. 4. Man obtains power but not glory in the absence of faith and religion. 5. The general public only wants to be free from tyranny; prominent citizens want to rule and subjugate. 6. A Prince need a hospitable population; without them, variety is hopeless. 7. A prince who reigns like a brave man, averts catastrophes, 8. Mercenary-based nations can never be stable or safe. 9. The cowardice of mercenaries makes them dangerous. 10. There are two approaches to combat: using force or the legal system. First, the path of man is proper; second, the way of creatures.