The story of Machiavelli

        Machiavelli states that a prince who occupies his own country should dominate all the 

neighboring countries and weaken the stronger countries in order stay in rule of their current state by 

making sure no other countries try to invade their country and weaker countries will naturally follow 

the stronger countries. Once the prince conquers all the countries he must make sure to govern them 

like he governs his own states. Also, a prince's job is to solve all conflicts before it increases and gets 

out of hand. These were the same tactics that the Romans used and this influenced Machiavelli to use 

the same methods..."In the provinces they took over, the Romans followed these politics: they sent in 

colonies, kept the less powerful occupied without increasing their strength, put down the powerful, and 

did not allow powerful foreigners to acquire a reputation there (Machiavelli 9)". So Machiavelli's goal 

was to plan ahead and solve the problem by conquering neighboring countries before they can get 

conquered and prepare for any other region countries invasion in order to remain in power one must 

keep the others away from grasping power. Even though this almost sounds like dictatorship, 

Machiavelli thought this was necessary for his country's security. 

     Next, Machiavelli argues that the arms that the prince provides for his state are his own or from his 

mercenaries and auxiliaries. Also, states that mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous if 

they are not controlled by someone with higher power..."Let me say, then, that the arms with which a 

prince defends his state are either his own, or they are mercenaries, or auxiliaries or a mixture. 

Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous (Machiavelli 38)." What Machiavelli is trying to 

say is that most of Florence, Italy's army were made up of mercenaries and auxiliaries, there were no 

loyal soldiers at his command so in order to persuade the mercenaries and auxiliaries you must lead 

them and discipline them, because they will work for only meager salary and won't even fight in a war 

to defend their state. That is why it is up to the prince to step up and take action or in other words be 

the evil prince who is very demanding and most feared. Only then the people of the state and the 

mercenaries will respect and listen to you otherwise they will just turn tail and run, as a result your 

state will burn and decay if no one is left to protect it. 

    Finally, Machiavelli discusses about his way of virtues, which in general are not really virtues but a 

balance of order and justice, a balance of good (mercy) and bad (cruelty). He goes on and explains that 

being merciful on criminals is a penalty and cruelty upon the innocent people of Florentine, so we 

must be cruel and show aggression towards the bad and corrupt in order to keep the innocents and the 

weak safe. Criminals have no use to the state, because they can harm the innocent people and go after 

the government next which could impact the economy, security, community and justice system in a bad 

way. Therefore, the government must take action if there is any violence or injustice going on. Mercy 

upon small individuals, who commit sin is called mercy when it is affecting the group of good people, 

who resides in the state. Cesare Borgia from Romagna had the same idea of the justice system and 

spread these ideas across Italy. Cruelty and Mercy should be limited and used when 

necessary therefore it should not be taken advantage of by no one especially the prince. The prince's 

job is to enforce these laws..." Proceeding to the other qualities mentioned before let me say that every 

prince should desire to be considered merciful and not cruel; nevertheless, he must take care not use 

this mercy badly. Cesare Borgia was considered cruel; but still that cruelty brought order to Romagna, 

united it, and restored it to peace and loyalty (Machiavelli Ch.7 pg.52)". 

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