Machiavelli did not rule, he wrote a book called "Il Principe" or "The Prince" that was meant to be a guide for rulers. Machiavelli was a diplomat, civil servant, writer, and philosopher.
Niccolo Machiavelli's recommendation to rulers is to prioritize maintaining power and stability above all else, even if it means resorting to cunning, subterfuge, and ruthlessness. He advises rulers to be pragmatic and flexible in their decision-making, willing to adapt to circumstances in order to protect their rule.
Machiacelli's The Prince is best known for describing whether it is better for a ruler to be feared or loved (Machiavelli chooses feared). Overall, though, the book is a guide on how to/how not to rule over a country, and is an early form of political philosophy.
Machiavelli believed that having a good appearance could help a prince maintain power by gaining the support and loyalty of the people. By projecting an image of competence and authority, a prince could instill confidence among his subjects and deter potential challenges to his rule. Machiavelli saw appearances as a strategic tool for controlling perceptions and maintaining stability in the realm.
Public and Private morality has to be understood as two different things inorder to rule well
Machiavelli believed that rulers should prioritize maintaining power and stability, using any means necessary, including deception and force. In contrast, Plato advocated for a philosopher-king, someone with wisdom and moral virtue, to rule justly and for the benefit of the state.
According to Machiavelli, a foreign prince ruling a mixed principality should aim to gain the trust of the local nobility while also keeping the common people content. This can be achieved by balancing displays of authority with acts of generosity to prevent rebellion. The prince should also dismantle any existing power structures that could pose a threat to his rule.
Machiavelli believed that a ruler should prioritize power and stability over morality and should be willing to use any means necessary to maintain control. He argued that a ruler should be feared rather than loved by the people, as fear is a more reliable motivator. Additionally, Machiavelli emphasized the importance of being adaptable and pragmatic in making decisions to protect and strengthen one's rule.
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
An historian may call Niccolo Machiavelli the first modern Italian because he started an argument on his book called The Prince by telling other kings and queens how to rule over the kingdom.
Machiavelli believed that the populace is more subject to criticism than a prince because they are fickle, easily swayed by emotions, and lack a unified purpose or self-interest. In contrast, a prince can maintain control through power and strategic decision-making to ensure stability and rule over the people.
An historian may call Niccolo Machiavelli the first modern Italian because he started an argument on his book called The Prince by telling other kings and queens how to rule over the kingdom.
Machiavelli advised kings to prioritize their own self-preservation and the stability of their rule above all else. He suggested that rulers should be both feared and loved, but if they had to choose, it is better to be feared. Machiavelli believed that successful rulers should be flexible in their methods and willing to act immorally if it served the interests of the state.