The Prince: Chapter 15-17 Flashcards

How would a prince achieve the most practical benefit?

What is the prince's 1st job?

What are truly evil if they endanger the state?

What happens if a prince develops a reputation for generosity?

In order for a prince to maintain his reputation for generosity, what will he be forced to burden his people with?

What will make the people despise and resent the prince?

What is the outcome of a prince being too compassionate?

What harms the entire community?

What harms only individuals who commit crimes?

Princes are much better to be ________ than loved.

What must a prince be careful to avoid inducing?

When it comes to one's army, there is no such thing as too much what?

The Prince: Chapters 15 - 17 Overview

A prince should prioritize practical benefits over strict adherence to morality for effective governance.
Safeguarding the state is paramount, and at times, adopting "bad" characteristics may be essential to achieve this goal.

Key Principles

Maintaining the state requires careful consideration of one's actions; certain vices are justified if they serve the state's stability.
A reputation for excessive generosity can lead to resource depletion, ultimately ruining a prince’s rule.
To uphold a generous image, a prince might resort to high taxation, burdening his subjects and straining their loyalty.

Perception and Public Relations

A prince's liberality can foster resentment among the populace, resulting in hatred towards the ruler.
Overly compassionate rulers create disorder, as subjects may take advantage of leniency, undermining social order.

Consequences of Governance Approaches

General crime disrupts the entire community and compromises public safety, whereas executions target only individual wrongdoers, impacting a narrower segment of society.
It is preferable for a prince to be feared rather than loved, as fear maintains control and order more effectively than affection.

Cautions for Rulers

A prince must avoid inducing hatred among his subjects, as it can lead to rebellion and instability.
In military contexts, employing cruelty can be justified if it strengthens the army and ensures victory.

This quiz focuses on key concepts from Chapters 15 to 17 of Machiavelli's 'The Prince'. Participants will explore the practical benefits of prince-like behavior and the necessity of certain vices for maintaining power. Use these flashcards to deepen your understanding of the text's themes and ideas.