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Should A Prince Be Merciful Or Cruel

“Every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel; nevertheless, he must take care not to misuse this mercy.” This implies that there’s a fine line between what is considered cruel and the “misuse of mercy” according to Machiavelli.

It is no use to be merciful if by doing so, a prince allows disorder in his state to get out of control. A controlled amount of cruelty, which harms a few, can avert widespread violence and lawlessness, which harms many. Mercy that allows the majority to suffer cannot properly be called mercy.

But when a prince is with his army, and has under control a multitude of soldiers, then it is quite necessary for him to disregard the reputation of cruelty, for without it he would never hold his army united or disposed to its duties.

However, when a prince commands an army, he must be cruel in order to control his troops. In conclusion, people love at their own wish, but fear at the prince’s will, so a wise ruler will rely on what he can best control. Continuing his discussion of virtues that are not virtues, Machiavelli considers mercy and cruelty.

Should a prince be loved or feared?

Niccolxf2 Machiavelli was a political theorist from the Renaissance period. In his most notable work, The Prince, he writes, “It is better to be feared than to be loved, if one cannot be both.” He argues that fear is a better motivator than love, which is why it is the more effective tool for leaders.

When should a prince be cruel?

As in Chapter 8, he warns the prince not to constantly injure his subjects, because this will make him hated. Instead, he must be cruel only when necessary to avoid greater wrongs.

How a prince should behave?

A prince should present the appearance of being a compassionate, trustworthy, kind, guileless, and pious ruler. Of course, actually possessing all these virtues is neither possible nor desirable. But so long as a prince appears to act virtuously, most men will believe in his virtue.

Should a prince be virtuous?

Virtue. Machiavelli defines virtues as qualities that are praised by others, such as generosity, compassion, and piety. He argues that a prince should always try to appear virtuous, but that acting virtuously for virtue’s sake can prove detrimental to the principality.

Is it better to be feared or loved as a ruler?

According to Machiavelli, it is better to be feared than loved; a ruler must not only care about reputation, but also must be willing to act unscrupulously at the right times. A loved ruler maintains authority by obligation while a feared leader rules by fear of punishment.

How did Machiavelli describe a good politician?

In a nutshell, the medieval Italian philosopher asserted that a good leader: Should be feared rather than loved “if you cannot be both” in order to avoid a revolt. Should have the support of the people because it’s difficult to take action without their support. Should hold good virtues.

What is Machiavelli’s approach in regard to cruelty?

Machiavelli is careful not to advocate cruelty for cruelty’s sake. As in Chapter 8, he warns the prince not to constantly injure his subjects, because this will make him hated. Instead, he must be cruel only when necessary to avoid greater wrongs.

Why is it better to be feared than loved?

Niccolxf2 Machiavelli was a political theorist from the Renaissance period. In his most notable work, The Prince, he writes, “It is better to be feared than to be loved, if one cannot be both.” He argues that fear is a better motivator than love, which is why it is the more effective tool for leaders.

Why did Machiavelli think it’s better to be feared than loved?

Forced to make a choice, it is much better to be feared than loved. This is because men, by nature, are “ungrateful, fickle, dissembling, anxious to flee danger, and covetous of gain.” In times of remote danger, they are willing to take risks for their prince, but if the danger is real, they turn against their prince.

Does Machiavelli think that a prince should prefer to be loved or feared Why quizlet?

Machiavelli claims it is better to be feared because it is safer than being loved since people with fear can be easier to manipulate and control into following the demands of their rulers.

Should a good leader be feared or respected?

He talked about it in his famous book, The Prince, where he gives an insightful analysis of the subject and comes to the conclusion that it’s better for a leader to be feared than to be respected. As a psychologist, I come across both the feared and the respected leaders.

Should a leader be feared or loved?

Niccolxf2 Machiavelli was a political theorist from the Renaissance period. In his most notable work, The Prince, he writes, “It is better to be feared than to be loved, if one cannot be both.” He argues that fear is a better motivator than love, which is why it is the more effective tool for leaders.

More Answers On Should A Prince Be Merciful Or Cruel

The Prince – CliffsNotes Study Guides

Summary and Analysis Chapter 17. Every prince will want to be considered merciful, but mercy should not be mismanaged. Cesare Borgia, by being cruel, restored peace and order to the Romagna. No prince should mind being called cruel for keeping his subjects peaceful and loyal. Punishing a few, and thus averting disorder, is better than allowing …

Quote by Niccolò Machiavelli: “I say that every prince … – Goodreads

Dec 6, 2021″I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness. … A prince, therefore, must not mind incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and confident; for, with a very few examples, he will be more merciful than those who, from excess of tenderness, allow disorders to …

How can a prince being cruel possibly be an act of mercy?

The Prince How can a prince being cruel possibly be an act of mercy? How can this happen? Asked by Jamia B #429071 on 3/10/2015 5:06 PM … It Is Better To Be Loved or Feared,” posits the seemingly simple argument that, though it is ideally better to be merciful than cruel, clemency should be handled in moderation. Again, Machiavelli …

The Prince – FCIT

Therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to mind the reproach of cruelty; because with a few examples he will be more merciful than those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions …

The Prince Questions | The Prince Questions | Q & A | GradeSaver

Whether It Is Better To Be Loved or Feared,” posits the seemingly simple argument that, though it is ideally better to be merciful than cruel, clemency should be handled in moderation. Again, Machiavelli complicates the notion of good as purely subordinate to power, invoking utilitarian reasoning to argue that an excess of “good” can …

The Prince | Political Science Flashcards | Quizlet

A prince should desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. True By considered this means a prince must not actually be merciful but that they should be considered merciful. If the prince is actually merciful they can be walked all over, overruled, and taken advantage of. He must look like he is being merciful, but musth really be cruel.

Is God merciful or cruel? – Contradicting Bible Contradictions

Is God merciful or cruel? Published January 21, 2014. God is kind, merciful, and good. “6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and …

Machiavelli’s View on Morals and Politics in “The Prince”

A prince should want to be feared but should not want to be hated. Hate will lead to a rebellion. Machiavelli made it very clear why it is better to be feared than loved. Another quality of a prince is that it is better to be considered merciful than cruel, but mercy must never be misused. Machiavelli said that the art of war was the subject of …

Should a devotee be merciful even to cruel and clever people?

So, my advice to you is: Even a criminal will be touched by you in his heart, if you are sincere in Krishna Consciousness and if you do not interfere in their personal affairs, but maintain a sweet smiling HAI, HELLO with them. This does not mean association, but, just the maintenance of day to day living in the sweetest possible manner.

Solved please answer this question with at least 500 words – Chegg

please answer this question with at least 500 words – should a politician be cruel or merciful; Question: please answer this question with at least 500 words – should a politician be cruel or merciful

Machiavelli Cruelty Vs Mercy Analysis – 1266 Words | Cram

As Machiavelli reaffirms throughout his piece, the sole purpose of the prince is for glory, and for the continuation of the state. To achieve this goal, the prince will encounter many obstacles, some of which may force him to be cruel. Being cruel is preferred over mercy for many reasons. When a prince is merciful, his people will always expect …

Five qualities of the prince: merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and …

For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the above-named five qualities, that he may appear to him who sees and hears him altogether merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and religious. There is nothing more necessary to appear to have than this last quality, inasmuch as men judge generally more by the eye than by the …

Chapter XVII: Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and whether … – Marxists

Cesare Borgia was considered cruel; notwithstanding, his cruelty reconciled the Romagna, unified it, and restored it to peace and loyalty. And if this be rightly considered, he will be seen to have been much more merciful than the Florentine people, who, to avoid a reputation for cruelty, permitted Pistoia to be destroyed.[*]

Quote for the Day: Cruel to be Merciful? – Blogger

There is a heartless nihilism that in the name of human decency should not be “understood” and doing so, will ultimately cause one to be cruel to the merciful. Words are powerful and they often reflect the deepest held passions and beliefs of individuals. In the new age of dirty bombs one can’t afford to dismiss them.

A cruel prince may be better for his subjects in the long run.

Read the passage from chapter 17 of The Prince. Therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to remind the reproach of cruelty; because with a few examples he will be more merciful than those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions …

XVII. Of Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved or …

PASSING to the other qualities above referred to, I say that every Prince should desire to be accounted merciful and not cruel. Nevertheless, he should be on his guard against the abuse of this quality of mercy. Cesare Borgia was reputed cruel, yet his cruelty restored Romagna, united it, and brought it to order and obedience; so that if we look at things in their true light, it will be seen …

Read the passage from chapter 17 of The Prince. Therefore a prince, so …

A.Machiavelli suggests that the cruel prince would like to be more merciful. B.Machiavelli forces readers to carefully consider the meanings of the words merciful and mercy. … city should open a skate park. —————————————————— A. Skaters and cyclists are less likely to have health issues later in life. B.

Concerning cruelty and clemency, and whether it is better to be loved …

Cesare Borgia was considered cruel; notwithstanding, his cruelty reconciled the Romagna, unified it, and restored it to peace and loyalty. And if this be rightly considered, he will be seen to have been much more merciful … men loving according to their own will and fearing according to that of the prince, a wise prince should establish …

Machiavelli’s The Prince, part five: reversing the virtues

Apr 23, 2012The Prince lives in this shadow. … Virtuous rulers – generous, compassionate, merciful rulers – won. Machiavelli knew otherwise. … one has to be cruel to be kind – or, as Machiavelli …

Commentary of The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli | 123 Help Me

Machiavelli clearly explains how there’s a difference between the misuse of mercy and cruelty. “Every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel; nevertheless, he must take care not to misuse this mercy.”. This implies that there’s a fine line between what is considered cruel and the “misuse of mercy” according to …

Machiavelli: A Prudential Morality – E-International Relations

It is recognised, however, that Machiavelli’s consistent characterisation of fortuna across his works (see e.g.,The Prince, Chapter 25; Discourses, Book 3, Chapter 9; ’letter to Vettori’, 10 December 1513; also depicted as ’opportunity’ in his poem ’On Occasion’) as the feminine to be dominated by a man of virtu (theme recurring generally throughout The Art of War and The Prince …

Whoever is Merciful on the Cruel – KBY

The attempt to find favor in the eyes of a nation that hates Israel, to find the way to their heart to form a peace treaty with them, with the thought of sparing war, is a mistaken thought. “Whoever is merciful on the cruel, in the end is cruel on the merciful.” In the end, he does not prevent the war and also gets disgraced.

Machiavelli’s Cruelty Essay – 944 Words | Cram

With courage and cruelty, the prince should abandon his personal qualities, rule by cruelty, and eliminate all possible crimes and misdeeds for the safety of the country. How can being cruel to a few lead to being merciful in reality to many? Being cruel to a few can lead the country and the people to a merciful and peaceful path.

By being cruel he is being merciful example

by being cruel he is being merciful example florentines wanted to be merciful. By being cruel he is being merciful example. School Concordia University; Course Title POLI 206; Uploaded By elsarc. Pages 28 Ratings 100% (1) 1 out of 1 people found this document helpful;

Discussion on cruel and merciful; – Critical Homework

Discussion on cruel and merciful; Leaving aside, therefore, the imagined things concerning a prince, and taking into account those that are true, I say that all men, when they are spo- ken of, and particularly princes, since they are placed on a higher level, are judged by some of these quali- ties which bring them either blame or praise.

Cruel vs. Merciful – What’s the difference? | Ask Difference

Cruel vs. Merciful. Published: 27 Jun, 2022. Cruel adjective. Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless. ’The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most degrading work he could find.’; Merciful adjective. showing mercy.

Is God merciful or cruel? – Contradicting Bible Contradictions

Is God merciful or cruel? Published January 21, 2014. God is kind, merciful, and good. “6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and …

Lessons and Quotes from Machiavelli’s “The Prince”

A prince should appear merciful, faithful, kind, religious, upright, but should be flexible enough to make use of the opposite qualities when it is necessary.” … Cesare Borgia was considered cruel, but notwithstanding, his cruelty calmed the Romagna, unified it, and restored it to peace and loyalty. And if this is carefully considered, he …

Machiavelli’s The Prince – Angelfire

Thus, a prince should avoid appearing to be rapacious, greedy, corrupt, unscrupulous, or arbitrary. However, the reputation for being either merciful or cruel, generous or miserly, honest or deceitful, trustworthy or untrustworthy is only important to a prince if it is useful to maintain his political power.

The Prince Chapters XV-XVII Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes

But a prince should be careful in his exercise of cruelty, tempering it with humanity and prudence. Machiavelli then asks whether being feared or loved is preferable. Ideally, a prince should be both loved and feared, but this state of affairs is difficult to attain. … it is possible for a prince to be too miserly or too cruel. A prince might …

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