MACHIAVELLI'S VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE

     In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is

     drastically different from that of humanists of his time.  Machiavelli believes the

     ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and

     put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests.  These interests were

     gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power.1  His understanding of human

     nature was a complete contradiction of what humanists believed and taught.  Machiavelli

     strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary but in fact

     stood in the way of an effectively governed principality.

2  Though in come cases

     Machiavelli's suggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these views

     were derived out of concern Italy's unstable political condition.3

     Though humanists of Machiavelli's time believed that an individual had much to offer to

     the well being of the state, Machiavelli was quick to mock human nature.  Humanists

     believed that "An individual only 'grows to maturity- both intellectually and morally-

     through participation' in the life of the state."4  Machiavelli generally distrusted

     citizens, stating that "...in time of adversity, when the state is in need of it's

     citizens there are few to be found."5  Machiavelli further goes on to question the

     loyalty of the citizens and advises the Prince that "...because men a wretched

     creatures who would not keep their word to you, you need keep your word to them."6

     However, Machiavelli did not feel that a Prince should mistreat the citizens.  This

     suggestion once again to serve the Prince's best interests.

     If a prince can not be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests, it would be better

     for him to be feared bey the citizens within his own principality.  He makes the

     generalization that men are, "...ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun

     danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well they are yours."7  He

     characterizes men as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interest of

     the state,"[and when the prince] is in danger they turn against [him]."8  Machiavelli

     reinforces the prince's need to be feared by stating:

  Men worry less about doing an injury to one who makes himself loved than to one who makes

  himself feared.  The  bond of love is one which men, wretched creatures they are, break

  when it is to their advantage to do so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment

  which is always effective.9

      In order to win honor, Machaivelli suggests that a prince must be readily willing to

      deceive the citizens.  One way is to "...show his esteem for talent actively

      encouraging the able and honouring those who excel in their professions...so that they

      can go peaceably about their business."10  By encouraging citizens to excel at their

      professions he would also be encouraging them to "...increase the prosperity of the

      their state."11  These measures, though carried out in deception, would bring the

      prince honor and trust amongst the citizens, especially those who were in the best

      positions to oppose him.

     Machiavelli postulates that a prince must also deceive those who attempt to flatter

     him.

  [In] choosing wise men for his government and allowing those the freedom to speak the

  truth to him, and then only concerning matters on which he asks their opinion, and nothing

  else.  But he should also question them toughly and listen to what they say; then he

  should make up his own mind.12

     Since each person will only advice the prince in accord to his own interests, the

     prince must act on his own accord.  Machiavelli discourages action to taken otherwise

     "...since men will always do badly by [the prince] unless they are forced to be

     virtuous."13 Machiavelli actively promoted a secular form of politics.  He laid aside

     the Medieval conception "of the state as a necessary creation for humankinds spiritual,

     material, and social well-being."14  In such a state,"[a] ruler was justified in his

     exercise of political power only if it contributed to the common good of the people he

     served, [and] the ethical side of a princes activity...ought to [be] based on Christian

     moral principles...."15  Machiavelli believed a secular form of government to be a more

     realistic type.  His views were to the benefit of the prince, in helping him maintain

     power rather than to serve to the well being of the citizens.  Machiavelli promoted his

     belief by stating:

  The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief

  among those who are not virtuous.  Therefore, if a prince wants to maintain his rule he

  must learn not to be so virtuous, and to make use of this or not according to need.16

     Machiavelli's was that, "God does not want to do everything Himself, and take away from

     us our free will and our share of glory which belongs us."17

     Having studied and experienced Italy's political situation, Machiavelli derived these

     views.  He felt that his suggestions would provide a frame work for a future prince of

     Italy to bring about political stability.  Machiavelli writes:

  Italy is waiting to see who can be the one to heal her wounds, put and end to the sacking

  of Lombardy, to extortion  in the Kingdom and in Tuscany, and cleanse those sores which

  have been festering so long.  See how Italy beseeches God to send someone to save her from

  those barbarous cruelties and outrages; see how eager and willing the country is to follow

  a banner, if someone will raise it.18

     Although Italy had become the center of intellectual, artistic and cultural

     development, Machiavelli did not feel these qualities would help in securing Italy's

     political future.  His opinion was that Italy required a leader who could have complete

     control over Italy's citizens and institutions.  One way of maintaining control of was

     to institute a secular form of government.  This would allow the prince to govern

     without being morally bound.  Machiavelli's view of human nature was not in accord to

     that of humanists who felt that an individual could greatly contribute to the well

     being of the society.  Machiavelli, however felt that people generally tended to work

     for their own best interests and gave little obligation to the well being of the state.

      Although Machiavelli doubted that this form of government could ever be established it

     did appear several years after he wrote The Prince.  Machiavelli has become to be

     regarded as "the founder of modern day, secular politics."19