Machiavelli gets a bad rap.
It’s not uncommon to hear someone describe Machiavelli in deeply narcissistic, self-serving terms. To be called Machiavellian typically suggests a lack of emotion, a tendency toward deception, and a darkly manipulative personality. When we describe a politician as Machiavellian, it conveys a not-so-subtle lack of moral sensibility. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a Machiavellian personality is “cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or in advancing one’s career.” According to a 2018 History Channel profile, Machiavelli’s legacy could be described as “the ends always justify the means—no matter how cruel, calculating or immoral those means might be.”
That’s pretty damning. But it also lacks context.
The Prince
Working as a diplomat in the service of the independent Republic of Florence following the exile of the Medici in 1494, Machiavelli was appointed at the head of the Second Chancery in 1498, responsible for the city-state’s foreign policy and relations. Among his duties, Machiavelli also supervised the recruitment and training of the Florentine militia, a force with which he hoped to prevent the return of the Medici. But return they did, with a vengeance. Machiavelli wasn’t just ousted from a position of influence, he was accused of conspiracy, imprisoned, tortured, and exiled—at least temporarily—by the Medici.
When Niccolo Machiavelli crafted the book that would influence political thinking for the next 500 years, he was describing the intrigue and machinations that characterized sixteenth century Florentine politics. The Prince not only earned Machiavelli recognition—albeit long after his death—as the first modern political theorist, it broke from the traditional morality-based view of politics advocated since the time of Aristotle, who defined politics as a sub-branch of ethics. Machiavelli saw it differently: “There is such a gap between how one lives and how one should live that he who neglects what is being done for what should be done will learn his destruction rather than his preservation.”
In short, Machiavelli was a political realist. He wasn’t an idealist. His thinking might be described as cynical in some respects. But first and foremost, he was speaking to the “effectual truth” of politics. He didn’t sugarcoat what he saw or what he experienced. Florentine politics was a virtual house of cards—and the inspiration for the series of the same name. The Prince was a survival guide for a career in politics.
The Art of War
Though The Prince will always be Machiavelli’s greatest legacy, his Art of War was far more familiar and influential in the years following his death. Written as a Socratic dialog between Florentine nobility and Lord Fabrizio Colonna, Art of War serves as a directed lens to explore the evolution of warfare and military affairs during the period. Fabrizio was an ironic vehicle for Machiavelli; his influence in Italian military affairs on behalf of Spain played a significant role in the return of the Medici to power, and he espoused none of the opinions expressed in Art of War.
Setting Fabrizio aside—the academic literature on Machiavelli’s motivation is substantial—Art of War’s dialog provides a unique perspective on the broader political, social, and economic changes sweeping across sixteenth century Europe. However, when Machiavelli closes Book Seven with Fabrizio’s 27 “general rules” of war, the technological impact of an ongoing revolution in military affairs is unmistakable.
While many of the rules described in Art of War could be interpreted as influenced by the thinking of Sun Tzu, the first Western translation of Master Sun would not be complete for nearly 200 more years. The fundamental principles of warfare, however, have endured through time and are relatively universal. Nevertheless, the influence of the “modern” technology on military affairs is clearly evident. Machiavelli notes that “new and speedy things frighten armies” and advises captains to embrace the technology: “make your army experienced.” And if your opponent is the one with advanced technology, “learn (the strength) of a new enemy by skirmishes, before you come to an engagement with him.”
Machiavellian Maxims
If Machiavelli understood one thing, it was that while times change, people don’t. In the 500 years since he wrote The Prince, many believe mankind has approached the cusp of a technological singularity, a hypothetical point in time where human civilization is threatened by uncontrollable and irreversible technological growth. But people? They’re pretty much the same as they were in Machiavelli’s time. Those wise enough to understand that have recast his wisdom to do everything from increasing the competitiveness of women in the workplace to developing successful television shows. His words might actually be more relevant today than ever before.
In politics, in business, and in life, Machiavelli’s maxims prove timeless. Can they be a little harsh? Yes. Brutal? Sure. But do they reflect the reality of our existence? Absolutely. Try a few on for size.
- “All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger, but in calculating risk and acting decisively.” Fortune favors the bold.
- “For there is no other way to guard oneself from flattery unless men understand that they do not offend you in telling you the truth.” Find the truth, even if it hurts to do so.
- “The Prince … ought also to make himself the head and protector of his feebler neighbors, and endeavor to weaken the stronger.” Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
- “The first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his capability, is by observing the people he has around him.” Surround yourself with good people.
- “If a prince cannot recognize evils until they are upon him, he is not truly wise; and this insight is given to few.” Watch your back.
- A good prince “is defended by being well armed and having good allies.” Cultivate your network with people who genuinely care about you.
- “A prince ought, above all things, to always try in every action to develop the reputation of being a great and remarkable man.” Be the best version of you that you can be.
- “He who believes that new benefits will cause great persons to forget old injuries is deceived.” People have long memories; revenge is a dish best served cold.
- “You must know that there are two kinds of combat: one with laws, the other with force.” To some, there is no such thing as a fair fight.
- “A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been the best, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will have some traces of it.” Learn from the echoes of history.
A last maxim that is often quoted, but rarely considered in context is particularly relevant. “Related to this a question arises: whether it be better to be love than feared or feared than loved?” Would you rather be respected or liked? That’s a false dichotomy faced by many leaders. The answer should be obvious, but is it?
