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Machiavelli - Feared and Loved

            Machiavelli is a brilliant historical writer. He wrote pieces that many leaders throughout history have read, and have adopted his theories into their own rule. One of his greatest works The Prince, he states whether or not it is better for a leader to be feared or loved by his people. The answer to this question he states is both, he believes that it is best for a leader to be both loved and feared[Mac32]. However he also goes along to say that this is extremely difficult and most will not attain both therefore it is better to be feared. He also goes on to state that though being loved could be a good method of rule, a leader who is loved is much more vulnerable to revolt and being taken advantage of. Therefore being feared is much safer than being loved as when a leader is feared he still has the ability to make his/her people obey out of fear of what may happen if they are disobedient. A leader should be both feared and loved, however if this is not possible it is a better option to be feared as being loved comes with more chance of side effects.
             A famous leader in history who was both feared and somewhat loved is Adolph Hitler. Hitler, though he did horrendous deeds was loved and feared among his people. Behind the entire story of the holocaust is all the good Hitler did for Germany. During Hitler's reign Germany was in one of its most stable time periods. He did thing such as establish the famous German Autobahn highway, he had young students tested to see what their strong suits were and directed them into a field that would ensure their success and many other things that benefited the German society[LOV14]. This made him rather favourable among the German people; however Hitler went against a key principle outlined in Machiavelli's book The Prince. Machiavelli states that a leader must avoid hatred by any means[Mac32]; Hitler failed to do so, thus leading to his eventually death.


Essays Related to Machiavelli - Feared and Loved

1. Machiavelli

Machiavelli "It is better to be feared than loved" This is one of the most interesting topics that was brought up in the movie that I felt would be fun to write about. The different between being feared and loved is a very fine line sometimes, through the years many different leaders have bordered on the two in their leadership. Machiavelli obviously firmly believed that it was much better to be feared than loved, but as always there are two sides to every argument. I agree with Machiavelli in some ways because fear is a good way to rule people. ... The problems that I see with Machiave...

  • Word Count: 419
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Machiavelli

This is not to say, however, that Machiavelli intended the prince to be indulgent and benevolent to the people, he says quite clearly in Chapter 17, " it is much more safe to be feared than loved, when you have to choose between the two- Machiavelli's reasoning was that an excess of clemency towards the subjects when they do something wrong would lead to widespread crime, hurting the whole community. ... However, Machiavelli draws a clear distinction between being feared and hated. He writes, " A prince must make himself feared in such a manner that he shall at least not incur their h...

  • Word Count: 777
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Machiavelli

Simply stated, Machiavelli believes that " for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails." ... Therefore, it is ultimately better to be feared than to be loved. If a prince is loved, his people's loyalty is only skin deep. ... The suggestion that only fear can command the loyalty of such people shows that Machiavelli believes that human nature is intrinsically bad. ... For the most part though, the idea that it is better to be fear...

  • Word Count: 2510
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Machiavelli

So when, why, and what do we fear? ... Presently with elected officials, should they be ready for military matters at all times, avoid being hated but be feared, and be able to live by integrity just like a Prince would have to by the eyes of Machiavelli? ... The characteristics that Machiavelli stresses on a prince being overall, is it's better to be feared then loved. It is a tough task to bring both love and fear together, but in all of your choosing never be hated by the people. ... To have the qualities that will make the people fear but love the Prince is the first priority to ...

  • Word Count: 1276
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Mortality in The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

This is why he declares that it is better to be feared than loved. He argues, "Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with" (Machiavelli, 79). He continues to say, "...for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishmen...

  • Word Count: 907
  • Approx Pages: 4

6. machiavelli

Machiavelli Machiavelli views are extremely hard to comprehend only because they contradict with they way society views itself as of today. ... and how if a Prince must choose between being feared or loved,it is far safer to be feared than loved.? ... In order to save himself from embarrassment from the public and fear from impeachment, he denied all encounters with the intern. ... The Portable Machiavelli. ... Machiavelli and His Times. 1936. ...

  • Word Count: 935
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

7. The Philosophies of Niccolo Machiavelli

The Philosophies of Niccolo Machiavelli I significantly agree with Machiavelli's philosophies. Three of Machiavelli's beliefs are it is better to be feared than loved when you are any kind of ruler. ... Is it better to be feared than loved when you are a leader? According to Niccolo Machiavelli, the answer is it is better to be feared rather than loved. ... Three philosophies that I extremely agree with are, it is better to be feared than loved when a leader. ...

  • Word Count: 398
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Niccolo Machiavelli

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 in...

  • Word Count: 1088
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Machiavelli's Advice To America

In The Qualities of the Prince, Machiavelli discusses a number of traits that he believes a prince or ruler of his time must have to be safe, successful, and loved by his people. ... In America today this can be related to the death penalty, some Americans see it as cruel but in reality it is necessary to maintain a fear in those that wish to do others harm. ... Preparation for all obstacles is the center point for most of Machiavelli's qualities, he stresses intensely on the fact of keeping your peoples faith while doing so, "for a prince must have two fears: one, internal, concerni...

  • Word Count: 1205
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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