Comparing Machiavelli And Wollstonecraft
Machiavelli says that men possess virtu that is challenged by fortuna. On the other hand, Wollstonecraft argues that there is no such thing as ‘sexual virtues’. I agree with Wollstonecraft in that there are no ‘sexual virtues’, because in my experience men and women are equal.
In the excerpts of The Prince, Machiavelli outlines the ways a prince should conduct himself in order to rule successfully and maintain power over a state. He first discusses what brings about praise over blame. Specifically, Machiavelli writes that if a man wishes to live according to his claims of virtue he will likely be destroyed. He advises that it is best to appear virtuous in order to receive praise, but sometimes it is necessary to know how to do wrong and chose …show more content…
Especially since, the ‘human condition’ limits the number of qualities that can be observed in -or possessed by- an individual (p.44). In essence, Machiavelli maintains that virtuous qualities may not provide the same security and success as ‘vicious’ qualities would (p.44). Machiavelli goes on to discuss the way princes should lie. He notes that princes, who have no problem lying, outdo those you choose to remain faithful because their honesty could be used against them (p.45). However, Machiavelli also notes that princes who do not worry about lying should make an effort to disguise this trait, as it will not incite praise. In order to overcome this issue, Machiavelli insists that a prince should know how to fight using law and force. A fight by using the law relies on truth, while a fight using force relies on behaving as a beast would (p.45). To illustrate his point, Machiavelli refers to the Centaur Chiron, a half-man and half-beast who would be incomplete without both his natures. Moreover, Machiavelli divides the method of the beast further, when he discusses the fox and the lion. In addition, he explains that a prince should be clever like a fox and brute like a lion. Ideally, the prince should be both in …show more content…
However, Machiavelli reveals that if anything, the prince should be like the fox. This ties into Machiavelli’s general point, as it is not necessary to have good qualities, but it necessary to make it seem as though they are possessed. In any case, Machiavelli writes that it helps to appear to possess certain qualities as opposed to actually having them, since they could prove to be weaknesses. This is validated when he writes “… to appear merciful, faithful, humane, religious… but with a mind so framed that if required, you may be able to change to the opposite” (p.46). Therefore, a prince should act as is necessary in order to maintain power, however if he can avoid doing bad he should. Machiavelli pays a lot of attention to appearances because he believes that ‘men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand’ (p.46), this explains why the prince should maintain appearances because nobody knows what he is really capable of. The next thing Machiavelli discusses is the influence that fortune has on man’s life. Machiavelli believes that fortune has an important rule over man’s fate, however he also mentions that man possesses free will over his own actions. Machiavelli attributes
In the excerpts of The Prince, Machiavelli outlines the ways a prince should conduct himself in order to rule successfully and maintain power over a state. He first discusses what brings about praise over blame. Specifically, Machiavelli writes that if a man wishes to live according to his claims of virtue he will likely be destroyed. He advises that it is best to appear virtuous in order to receive praise, but sometimes it is necessary to know how to do wrong and chose …show more content…
Especially since, the ‘human condition’ limits the number of qualities that can be observed in -or possessed by- an individual (p.44). In essence, Machiavelli maintains that virtuous qualities may not provide the same security and success as ‘vicious’ qualities would (p.44). Machiavelli goes on to discuss the way princes should lie. He notes that princes, who have no problem lying, outdo those you choose to remain faithful because their honesty could be used against them (p.45). However, Machiavelli also notes that princes who do not worry about lying should make an effort to disguise this trait, as it will not incite praise. In order to overcome this issue, Machiavelli insists that a prince should know how to fight using law and force. A fight by using the law relies on truth, while a fight using force relies on behaving as a beast would (p.45). To illustrate his point, Machiavelli refers to the Centaur Chiron, a half-man and half-beast who would be incomplete without both his natures. Moreover, Machiavelli divides the method of the beast further, when he discusses the fox and the lion. In addition, he explains that a prince should be clever like a fox and brute like a lion. Ideally, the prince should be both in …show more content…
However, Machiavelli reveals that if anything, the prince should be like the fox. This ties into Machiavelli’s general point, as it is not necessary to have good qualities, but it necessary to make it seem as though they are possessed. In any case, Machiavelli writes that it helps to appear to possess certain qualities as opposed to actually having them, since they could prove to be weaknesses. This is validated when he writes “… to appear merciful, faithful, humane, religious… but with a mind so framed that if required, you may be able to change to the opposite” (p.46). Therefore, a prince should act as is necessary in order to maintain power, however if he can avoid doing bad he should. Machiavelli pays a lot of attention to appearances because he believes that ‘men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand’ (p.46), this explains why the prince should maintain appearances because nobody knows what he is really capable of. The next thing Machiavelli discusses is the influence that fortune has on man’s life. Machiavelli believes that fortune has an important rule over man’s fate, however he also mentions that man possesses free will over his own actions. Machiavelli attributes