History Main / ThePrince

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrince'', a 2021 adult-oriented animated cartoon on HBO Max.

* ''WeaternAnimation/ThePrince'', a 2021 adult-oriented animated cartoon on HBO Max.

[[redirect:Literature/ThePrince]]

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->"And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both; but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved."

Written by Italian statesman NiccoloMachiavelli in 1513, ''The Prince'' (''Il Principe'') is the single most famous political treatise and the first entirely secular work of TheRenaissance. At the time it was first published, ''The Prince'' was seen as extremely scandalous for its endorsement of ruthlessness and amorality. Nevertheless, it quickly became popular with politicians and remains highly influential in Western politics today. If there's any MagnificentBastard in ''anything'' set after the Renaissance, it's very probable he's taken cues from this book[[hottip:*: Although they aren't quite as likely to actually have an in depth knowledge of the book as much as a pop-culture impression]].

[[PopculturalOsmosis Most people]] are familiar with Machiavelli as the man who said, "[[BeamMeUpScotty it is better to]] [[PopCulturalOsmosis be feared than loved]]". Over the years Machiavelli's name has become associated with [[DidYouActuallyBelieve dishonesty]], [[ChronicBackStabbingDisorder duplicity]], and [[TheUnfettered ruthlessness]], so much that they even [[{{Flanderization}} made his name an adjective most often used for unsavoury characters]]. However, Machiavelli repeats that while it is better for one to inspire fear, one must also remember not to [[ZeroPercentApprovalRating inspire hatred]]. Machiavelli's original message was to stress the importance of ''pragmatism'' in politics, one of the attributes of modern politics. ''The Prince'' should be regarded as a guidebook to maintaining power for the good of the prince and [[WellIntentionedExtremist ultimately the state]], ''not'' how to [[KickTheDog kick puppies]] [[TheCaligula left and right]].

Also, he wrote this book when Italy was in a very chaotic state: to ensure order the prince ''had'' to rule with iron fist. Finally, one must remember that Machiavelli was attempting to ingratiate himself with the Medici, who had just taken over Florence (and promptly ignored his advice: they chose to be universally loved, and ended up massively in debt for it), and that most of his work was about supporting (small-r) republican regimes with an emphasis on freedom (although the means he recommended for operating and preserving them were rather, well, Machiavellian); more educated political theorists tend to regard him as something of a DeepCoverAgent for what eventually became modern liberal democracy. Though if so that would be an ironically Machievellian XanatosGambit in itself.

[[hottip: Note: "Prince" (or "principe" in the original Italian) at the time just meant "ruler", more or less (from Latin "princeps" = "first one"). [[IThoughtItMeant It didn't mean "the son of a king"]]. If there was only one person in the state who really mattered, it was called a monarchy. Even a democratically elected president would have still been called a "Principe".]]

Compare ''TheBookOfLordShang'', whose traditional author actually ''was'' that big a prick. See also ''DiscoursesOnLivy'', Machiavelli's other book, and HobbesWasRight.

(It's worth noting that the English translation of ''The Prince'' came out several years ''after'' the English rebuttal book was published. Good news travels fast, it seems.)
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!!This work provides examples of:
* AboveGoodAndEvil: [[BeamMeUpScotty "The ends justify the means"]], after all.
** Subverted. The actual lesson is that one must be willing to ShootTheDog if the situation calls upon it as the leader.
* ArmiesAreEvil: Once you wise up, stop using mercenaries or other nations' armies and create your own army. It's very important that you don't make your soldiers or officers too greedy or too ambitious, and that you don't get too soft on the discipline part. On the other hand, a balance between courage, rewards for their loyalty and AFatherToHisMen attitude, and hard discipline and harsh punishments if they don't listen to you, will make them a BadassArmy.
* AristocratsAreEvil: You shouldn't put too much trust in the social elite. There's a chance if they don't like your governing, they either rebel against you, try to overthrow you, try to assassinate you, or ally themselves with your enemies. And allowing them to commit corruption sure is gonna awake the people's wrath, and that is something a wise prince must not allow to happen. If they would commit treason against you then you must depose them immediately. That shouldn't be too difficult if you have the people's support and the army's loyalty, and if you don't have it then executing the traitors will help your popularity rise amongst the average people. If the prince is able to TakeAThirdOption and create a social and economic society that both the aristocrats and the people are satisfied with, he may not need to use violence (at least internally) to rule the country.
* BeamMeUpScotty: Machiavelli never said "the ends justify the means", which is a mistranslation. His exact quote is "si guarda al fine", which should be translated to "one must think of the final result" in regards to the ultimate effect a prince's words and actions have on his image.
** Similarly, the line is "The answer is that one would like to be both the one and the other; but because it is difficult to combine them, it is far safer to be feared than loved if you cannot be both", not "It is better to be feared than loved".
* BeneathTheMask.: He speaks about social masks in detail in chapter XVIII
* BreadAndCircuses: Helps, but not a requisite.
* CrazyPrepared: Machiavelli advises the reader to prepare himself and anything else for war, and never to forget it, because you never know if TheEmpire, LaResistance or TheStarscream is gonna pick a fight with you.
* DeadlyDecadentCourt: Machiavelli warns not to trust aristocrats and to avoid lavishness, as it would force the prince to raise taxes in order to support the court. And everyone knows that [[TheAmericanRevolution higher taxes lead]] [[TheFrenchRevolution to revolutions]].
* DefeatMeansFriendship: If you want to make a good impression after you've conquered an enemy, pardon them and allow them to swear loyalty to you in exchange for their lives. If that doesn't work, you can always dispose of them anyway.
* DidNotDoTheResearch: Machiavelli's critics made his name the byword for brutal dictatorship. A closer reading reveals that he was actually against TheCaligula, but in support of the strong leader who [[IDidWhatIHadToDo does what is necessary]] to fight for his people.
* DirtyCoward: Easy to force to join your side. If they are actually competent in military warfare or any other area, than you should force them to join you so that their abilities don't end up in the enemies' hands. It's really important that the prince himself isn't this, or even rumored to be this, or his popularity will fall.
* DisproportionateRetribution: ''"Upon this, one has to remark that men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot; therefore the injury that is to be done to a man ought to be of such a kind that one does not stand in fear of revenge."'' (The Prince trans. W. K. Marriott, chp. III)
* TheDogBitesBack: This sure as hell is gonna happen if you act like a CompleteMonster for too long. Just look that happened to the Roman Emperor Caracalla Antoninus, after [[WhatAnIdiot he abused his own bodyguard to the point he couldn't take it anymore]].
** The page quote comes from a passage that continues:
--->''Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred.''
* EvenEvilHasStandards: A few of his contemporary examples are noted as being effective, but so underhanded or bloodthirsty that you'd probably go straight to hell for them.
* FairForItsDay: With the state of Italy (and most of the rest of [[strike:Europe]] the world for that matter) anything else would be hopelessly idealistic.
* {{Flanderization}}
* FollowTheLeader: Machiavelli advices the reader to read the histories of great leaders, such as Cyrus the Great or Hiero II of Syracuse, and learn the ways they used to get and kept power, but also learn what mistakes they made, so that you don't makes them as well.
* FridgeLogic: See the [[Headscratchers/ThePrince headscratchers page]].
* GreatWhiteHunter: Hunting is an excellent way for the prince to exercise himself in his free time. It also will teach him the ways of nature and basic tactics on how to take down competitors.
* HiredGuns: The prince is advised to avoid these as often as possible, as they're [[OnlyInItForTheMoney difficult to control]].
** The chapters on war might as well be called "Why one should never use mercenaries parts I, II, and III."
* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: By the common pop cultural idea of the book, you'd think it was a guide on being the biggest CompleteMonster you could be.
* HumansAreBastards
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: The prince's morals [[DirtyBusiness should not get in the way]] of governing his state. After all, don't expect that the other nations will [[GreyAndGrayMorality be be ruled by paragons of virtue]].
* [[ItsAllAboutMe It's All About Me]]: ''The Prince'' takes the healthy individualism of the Renaissance to the extreme.
* JerkJustifications: Type 1.
* KansasCityShuffle: Just like Sun Tzu once said in his book ''TheArtOfWar'', deception is a very useful tool in both the military and the political game.
* LetNoCrisisGoToWaste: Crises brings opportunities for men who want to become a prince. Use them, it's a great first step in your way to power. With them, you can gather the support of the people for whatever action you plan to do to end the crisis, and then it's hard work, strength, intelligence and determination which determine the results. If you succeed, you'll be seen as a great leader by the people.
* {{Miser}}: While it's good for the wise prince to be seen as generous, he shouldn't make his name from overwhelming generosity. Instead, he should spend as little money as possible, and not worry too much about being seen as a miser - because if things go to hell, he'll have enough money to set things right again. That would've been impossible if the prince was overwhelmingly generous and so if things did go to hell, he wouldn't has any money left to sett things right again.
* MoralEventHorizon: [[invoked]] Actually, you're supposed to avoid this one. At least, if you're going to KickTheDog, do it in a way that makes people too afraid to do anything about it.
* TheNeidermeyer: A truly dumb choice of military leadership. It's one thing to be a strict disciplinarian, and another to be a complete JerkAss to the troops. The troops can tolerate the first, since it cause them to shut up and do as they're told. The second will only make them pissed at you, and they will lose morale, and in worst cases, they'll frag your ass.
* NostalgiaFilter: Machiavelli acknowledges that old ideals or rules usually have more followers who are more fierce and loyal to them. It's why it's importent for the leader of new ideals or rules to has a greater sence of discipline, or soon all his followers will be dead or turned traitors in less of a year.
* OrIsIt: Some historians and political philosophers believe that Machiavelli's Prince and other works were a satire against the Medecii's consequentialism, since none of the things he did during his lifetime were backed by his philosophical methodology. If this is true it would mean Machiavelli is one of the most influential and tragic trolls in all history.
* PlayingBothSides: Subverted. It's effective during peace times, when the Prince has some time weaken his conquered subjects will to fight him and instead strengthen their will to fight each other, but it's a risky tactic during war times, because the weaker faction will likely ally with the enemy.
* ThePowerOfFriendship[=/=]AFriendInNeed : If your friends/allies are in trouble, the first thing you shall do is to help them, not to stand outside and declare "neutral". It just makes you look weak in the eyes of the enemy, and unreliable in the eyes of your allies.
* PowerOfTrust: Newly conquered people should be left their weapons They will, after all, need to defend themselves, and while disarming them will slow rebellion, it will not stop it since they will be able to get arms somehow, and the good will generated by this trust is better against rebellion than the delay.
* PragmaticVillainy: "The prince can always avoid hatred if he abstains [[RapePillageAndBurn from the property]] of his subjects and citizens and [[IHaveYouNowMyPretty from their women]]."
* ThePurge: If you must do this then you should only do this on your first years as a ruler, and only on your political enemies. If you do this on the civilians, or continue with purges every single year then you'll lose popularity points.
* {{Realpolitik}}
* RevengeByProxy: When taking over a new country, the prince must kill off the deposed prince's family as well.
** That's not revenge so much as preemptive self-defense.
* ScrewDestiny: "I certainly think it is better to be impetuous than cautious, for fortune is a woman and it is necessary, if you wish to master her, [[ValuesDissonance to take her by force]]."
* ShootTheMessenger: The term, "Machiavellian" is often used to describe dirty or corrupt politics, but Machiavelli wasn't a bad guy. All he did was write a history book and identified which leaders did certain things and stayed in power and which leaders did other things and lost power.
* TakeThat: Machiavelli mocks the political philosophers that came before him for their refusal to look reality in the eye.
* TheStarscream: These guys are something a ruler should be careful of, since they're more dangerous than foreign enemies. If you find out that someone is a Starscream, then you should depose him in order to teach the other Starscreams a lesson.
* TreacherousAdvisor: Similar to TheStarscream, these guys are something a prince should be careful of. A backstabbing adviser is much more dangerous since they have more influence in the court, and if they grow too ambitious, they will gladly use this influence for their own needs. If a prince finds out that his adviser is much more concerned about himself than about the prince or the state, he should fire him at once.
* TheUnfettered
* VetinariJobSecurity: Suggested as the best possible position to be in.
* VillainBallMagnet: "A new prince, of all rulers, finds it impossible to avoid a reputation of cruelty, because of the abundant dangers inherent in a newly won state."
* VillainsNeverLie: Machiavelli advises that a prince should maintain his word as honesty would earn him [[VillainWithGoodPublicity respect]]. However, he shouldn't be above breaking promises if necessary. The most pragmatic decision however is to not make any promises at all.
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: Good public relations are good, but not necessary.
* WarriorPrince: Fighting on the front lines alongside with your troops is a great way to boost positive PR.
* WeAreStrugglingTogether: The last few chapters of the book blame many of Italy's woes on this trope. He concludes by asking the Medicis to seize Italy and conquer it with Italian armies, thereby averting the problems that had cropped up with using mercenaries. His pleas would eventually be answered... 300 years later by Giuseppe Garibaldi.
* WhatAnIdiot: {{Invoked| Trope}} - Louis XII of France is [[InUniverse cited as a prime example]] of how to ''not'' screw with another country effectively.
* WickedCultured: Good publicity, again. And it doesn't hurt to know a bit of history, for when you feel like imitating Alexander the Great.
* TheWisePrince: What this book wants you to be.
* YesMan: Advised against, since they would spend more time flattering the prince in order to improve their status than actually giving good advice.
* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Something a prince must avoid or else [[LaResistance the serfs will revolt]].
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<<|{{Literature}}|>>

* BrutalHonesty: The main reason why many people bash it. Machiavelli wasn't afraid to tell how harsh the life of being head of state is and [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids how trying to rule like your average fairy tale prince will send your ass into a living hell]] (if you're able to survive it), [[HumansAreBastards how greedy, traitorous and petty the middle-and-upper classes are, and how deceitful, simpleminded and ungrateful the average joes are]].

Written by Italian statesman NiccoloMachiavelli in 1513, ''ThePrince'' (''Il Principe'') is the single most famous political treatise and the first entirely secular work of TheRenaissance. At the time it was first published, ''ThePrince'' was seen as extremely scandalous for its endorsement of ruthlessness and amorality. Nevertheless, it quickly became popular with politicians and remains highly influential in Western politics today. If there's any MagnificentBastard in ''anything'' set after the Renaissance, it's very probable he's taken cues from this book[[hottip:*: Although they aren't quite as likely to actually have an in depth knowledge of the book as much as a pop-culture impression]].

[[PopculturalOsmosis Most people]] are familiar with Machiavelli as the man who said, "[[BeamMeUpScotty it is better to]] [[PopCulturalOsmosis be feared than loved]]". Over the years Machiavelli's name has become associated with [[DidYouActuallyBelieve dishonesty]], [[ChronicBackStabbingDisorder duplicity]], and [[TheUnfettered ruthlessness]], so much that they even [[{{Flanderization}} made his name an adjective most often used for unsavoury characters]]. However, Machiavelli repeats that while it is better for one to inspire fear, one must also remember not to [[ZeroPercentApprovalRating inspire hatred]]. Machiavelli's original message was to stress the importance of ''pragmatism'' in politics, one of the attributes of modern politics. ''ThePrince'' should be regarded as a guidebook to maintaining power for the good of the prince and [[WellIntentionedExtremist ultimately the state]], ''not'' how to [[KickTheDog kick puppies]] [[TheCaligula left and right]].

(It's worth noting that the English translation of ''ThePrince'' came out several years ''after'' the English rebuttal book was published. Good news travels fast, it seems.)

* [[ItsAllAboutMe It's All About Me]]: ''ThePrince'' takes the healthy individualism of the Renaissance to the extreme.

* YourMilageMayVary: Just look at the back and forth on the previous entries. Is it a work condoning utter cruelty and despotism, a pragmatic guide to ruling a country in the face of anarchy, or a satire of both? Whichever you choose, someone will disagree with you.

** Subverted. The correct lesson is that One Must Consider the Outcome and is more in line with being willing to ShootTheDog if the situation calls upon it, but otherwise to be a moral person.

* BrutalHonesty: The main reason why many people bash it. Machiavelli wasn't afraid to tell how harsh the life of being head of state is and how trying to rule like your average fairy tale prince will send your ass into a living hell (if you're able to survive it), [[YouSuck how greedy, traitorous and petty the middle-and-upper classes are, and how deceitful, simpleminded and ungrateful the average joes are]].

* WhatAnIdiot: [[invoked]] Louis XII of France is [[InUniverse cited as a prime example]] of how to ''not'' screw with another country effectively.

* FridgeLogic: See the [[JustBugsMe/ThePrince IJBM page]].

* BrutalHonesty: The main reason why many people bash it. Machiavelli wasn't afraid to tell how harsh the life of being head of state is and how trying to rule like your average fairy tale prince will send your ass into a living hell (if you're able to survive it), [[YouSuck how greedy, traitorous and petty the middle-and-upper classes are, and how deceitful and simpleminded the average joe is]].

* BrutalHonesty: Probably the main reason why many people bash it. Machiavelli wasn't afraid to tell how harsh the life of being head of state is and how trying to rule like your average fairy tale prince will send your ass into a living hell (if you're able to survive it), how greedy, traitorous and petty the middle-and-upper classes are, and how deceitful and simpleminded the average joe is.

Written by Italian statesman NiccoloMachiavelli in 1513, ''ThePrince'' (''Il Principe'') is the single most famous political treatise and the first entirely secular work of TheRenaissance. At the time it was first published, ''ThePrince'' was seen as extremely scandalous for its endorsement of ruthlessness and amorality. Nevertheless, it quickly became popular with politicians and remains highly influential in Western politics today. If there's any MagnificentBastard in ''anything'' set after the Renaissance, it's very probable he's taken cues from this book.

* NostalgiaFilter: Machiavelli acknowledges that old ideals or rules usually have more followers who are more fierce and loyal to them. It's why it's importent for the leader of new ideals or rules to has a greater sence of discipline, or soon all his followers will be dead or turned traitors in less of a year.

* LetNoCrisisGoToWaste: Crises brings opportunities for men who wants to become a prince. Use them, it's a great first step in your way to power. With them, you can gather the support of the people for whatever action you plan to do to end the crises, and then it's hard work, strength, intelligence and determination which determine the results. If you succeed, you'll be seen as a great leader by the people.

* AristocratsAreEvil: You shouldn't put too much trust in the social elite. There's a chance if they don't like your governing, they either rebel against you, try to overthrow you, try to assassinate you, or ally themselves with your enemies. And allowing them to commit corruption sure is gonna awake the people's wrath, and that is something a wise prince must not allow to happen. If they would commit treason against you then you must depose them immediately. That shouldn't be too difficult if you have the people's support and the army's loyalty, and if you don't have it than executing the traitors will help your popularity rise amongst the average people. If the prince is able to TakeAThirdOption and create a social and economic society that both the aristocrats and the people are satisfied with, he may not need to use violence (at least internally) to rule the country.

* WhatAnIdiot: [[invoked]] Louis XII of France is cited as a prime example of how to ''not'' screw with another country effectively.

* YourMilageMayVary: Just look at the back and forth on the previous entries. Is it a work condoning utter cruelty and despotism, or a pragmatic guide to ruling a country in the face of anarchy? Either one you choose, someone will disagree with you.

Written by Italian statesman NiccoloMachiavelli in 1513, ''ThePrince'' (''Il Principe'') is the single most famous political treatise and the first entirely secular work of TheRenaissance. At the time it was first published, ''ThePrince'' was seen as extremely scandalous for its endorsement of ruthlessness and amorality. Nevertheless, it quickly became popular with politicians and remains highly influential in Western politics today.