How the Theme of Human Nature is Illustrated in The Prince: Niccolo Machiavelli (Essay Sample)

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The Prince: Niccolo Machiavelli
The theme of human nature is fully illustrated in "The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli. Machiavelli argues that man in his natural from is selfish and will always do something that gives him an advantage over the rest. In choosing between being loved and being feared as a ruler, Machiavelli advice princes that it is very nice to enjoy both at the same time. However, Machiavelli appreciates that unfortunately, the two events seem to be mutually exclusive, and only one can occur at the same time. Niccolo advises that it is better to be feared than loved because being feared means that a ruler’s subjects are always kept in check (Machiavelli 43). Machiavelli considers human nature as if there is no moral guidance towards what is right or wrong, rather, he thinks that the ultimate decision should be purely based on what he calls virtu.
To act with virtu according to Machiavelli, is to pursue grandezza (greatness) (Machiavelli 20). He distinctively says that virtu is not the same as what Christians call virtue. The virtu that Machiavelli prefers and attributes to the selfish nature of human beings is not considering any moral consequences but is justified by the end result which is greatness. To illustrate the lack of morality in what Niccolo thinks is just human nature and therefore is right. Niccolo gives the example of Agathocles who became the King of Syracuse, after killing all the rich men and members of the Senate (Machiavelli 21). According to Machiavelli, this is what brings someone grandezza and is virtu.
Niccolo’s view of human nature is that human beings are only limited by some laws and societal values. He thinks that acting with virtu is different from acting with Virtue. He considers acting with virtue as a Christian thing and does not prefer it to virtu (Machiavelli 22). Niccolo, therefore, expresses the theme of human nature as being selfish and led by ethical egoism. This theme however only partially relates to ethical egoism as a body of ethics. Although one may see it ethical only to pursue self-interests as is encouraged under ethical egoism, they are constrained by the fact that it would also not be in their self-interests to attract the wrath of their selfish actions from others. This, therefore, means that Niccolo discusses the theme of human nature as being wild and inconsiderate to any ethical standards.
Niccolo also discusses the theme of Power and governance throughout various chapters in "The prince," First of all, he does not seem to prefer liberal governance or rather democratic societies. For newly acquired states, Niccolo argues that it is best for a prince to govern by using force. To this effect, Machiavelli argues that for democracies and republics, a prince should first of all destroy the conquered state, if the state was not previously under a King; because republicans are so used to freedom that seldom will they lie back and accept to be subjected to the rule of a prince (Machiavelli 11). To support his claim, Niccolo gives an example of Spartan Conquest in Chapter five. He argues that the Spartan failed miserably when they conquered Athens and tried to rule by allowing the laws the Athens used before the conquest to exist. The Spartans also tried creating allies and included some Athens’ citizens in government. He, however, lauds the technique employed by the Roman who conquered Carthage and completely destroyed it so as to rule them (Machiavelli 11). According to Machiavelli, power and governance cannot be gotten through democracy. Machiavelli only thinks of one way to gain power, and that is through dictatorship. Although he does not directly state the words dictatorship in his book, the nature of the conquest which the Romans used in Carthage and the activities they undertook to maintain their rule in Carthage simply describe a dictatorship rule.
In governing, Niccolo also suggests that a prince must maintain good advisers and ministers. He describes good advisers as those who will always think of the prince first, always and in every case. He, therefore, argues that an adviser who thinks of self-profit and normally pursues his own goals will not be a good minister (Machiavelli 62). In this case, we see some contradictions in what Niccolo thinks about human beings and their nature. On one hand, Niccolo appreciates that human nature is that of self-interest and personal gain in every decision we make (Machiavelli 43). He does not seem to have a problem with this when it comes to being a good prince. On the other hand, Niccolo thinks that to get good advice, a prince must always seek to find those who will put the interests of the...