The Prince - 3 - Things You Can Rely On And Things You Can't
Part 3 (Chapters 9 - 14)
Quote
Such a prince cannot rely upon what he sees during periods of calm when the citizens need his rule, because then everyone comes running, everyone makes promises, and each person is willing to die for him, since death is remote. But in times of adversity, when the state needs its citizens, then few are to be found.
Notes
🔥 In addition to winning power through violence, there are also instances where a prince gets power by earning the favour of the people. There is still a tension here between whether he has favour from the nobility or from the common people, as both have different desires. Having one or the other on your side will bring with it advantages as well as disadvantages.
🔥 With nobles, some might help you because they are afraid of you, in which case, since they're not a threat, you can take what help they offer. But some are more cunning and will want to manipulate you since they see themselves as being better than you. Stay away from those ones.
🔥 The common people are fairly easy to please. Mostly what they want is to not be oppressed (by the nobles). Having them on your side, as long as you remain a competent leader, is a good foundation.
🔥 When times are good, lots of people will be willing to help you. But when times are tough, that's a different story. During the good times then, a prince should take what people promise with a grain of salt.
🔥 When it comes to defense against attack, you repel more enemies if your city is well fortified and you are not hated by your people. "Men are always enemies of undertakings in which they see difficulties." You need to be able to defend yourself in battle.
🔥 Sometimes you have to sacrifice the surrounding countryside being destroyed, including the homes of people who live there, but this usually happens at the beginning of a battle/war and will help rally the people to the cause. There are dangers if the siege goes too long, but if you have enough food you can outlast the attackers.
🔥 Ecclesiastical principalities (religious institutions) "are sustained by ancient institutions of religion, which are so powerful and of such a quality that they keep their princes in power no matter how they act and live their lives." They don't defend or govern, but there's no threat to their power.
🔥 "They are protected by higher causes that the human mind cannot fathom." Though, as Machiavelli describes, it seems like there were certain actions that the popes took that got them their power, too. Mainly having to do with acquiring wealth and suppressing their enemies.
🔥 The principle foundation for all states are good laws and good armies. An army can be made of the prince's own troops or mercenaries (hired troops) or auxiliaries (foreign troops). "Mercenaries are useless and dangerous." They are not loyal to the prince. They are ultimately only out for themselves. A salary is not enough to make them want to die for you.
🔥 Machiavelli believes that Italy's reliance on mercenaries (which arose from many Italian cities rising up against the nobles, spurred on by the church, after the fall of Rome) has led to its many defeats.
🔥 Auxiliary soldiers are similarly dangerous to use since they're not yours. If they win, "you end up their prisoner."
🔥 "A wise prince prefers to lose with his own troops rather than win with those of others, judging that to be no true victory which has been gained by foreign troops."
🔥 He cites a few historical examples, including David and Goliath, since David refused to wear King Saul's armour and went to face Goliath using only his own weapons.
🔥 "Nothing is so unhealthy or unstable as the reputation for power that is not based on one's own forces."
🔥 A prince must be focused on the art of war, "because that is the only art befitting one who commands."
🔥 "A prince who does not understand military matters, besides other misfortunes, cannot be esteemed by his soldiers, nor can he trust them."
🔥 Practice the art of war by hunting and by study. Good way of learning your own land, and its the terrain, in order to defend it.
🔥 "As for study, the prince must read histories and in them consider the deeds of excellent men." Imitate them, just as other great leaders studied and imitated others, too.
Thoughts
Machiavelli's view seems very different than others who came before, but he clearly values the study of history as a way to observe examples of things that worked or didn't work in the past, and examples of extraordinary men who accomplished great things. He doesn't usually go into much depth with the historical examples he's using as examples for his arguments, but most of the principles he's describing are supplemented with examples from history.
It's also a bit surprising to see his acknowledgment of the power of religious institutions. But he only sees it through the lens of power, and whatever metaphysical truth you might glean from seeing how powerful religion is in the world, if any, that isn't important for Machiavelli. The human mind cannot fathom the causes of that power, he says, so no use wasting time thinking about it. Just accept it and move on.