Machiavelli

Personal Conclusion- Concluding the presentation of The Prince to Lorenzo de Medici, Machiavelli’s hard work was wasted. Medici simply looked the document over, and ignored it. I believe this was very inconsiderate and not a wise choice. Although Medici was very unsatisfied with Machiavelli as a person, he still should have taken the long letter and at least attempted to utilize the work.

Machiavelli believed that a prince should do what is necessary to rule with authority and to keep the citizens civilized. I interpret this as though Machiavelli would have been a great ruler himself. He would have kept great order with the people and I think he would have accomplished his goal to unite Italy as a whole country. The people living during his time believed that he did not know what he was talking about. If there were anyone that knew what they were talking about, Machiavelli would be the one. He spent much time in office and worked his way through positions, learning everywhere he was.

There was approximately twenty-four years in Machiavelli's work, The Prince. Generally in the last ten years of his twenty-four years in office, he spent a lot of time traveling and meeting people. He met many of the great politicians of his day, such as Caesar Borgia, the Duke Valentino. Machiavelli looked upon these people as heroes and learned from them. There is much valuable information in his book, The Prince, because of all the influence.

Machiavelli's philosophy was fairly complex, yet also in a way simple. He tried to define a good prince, or leader. He tried to define a good government and civilization. He made out what the prince should do in multiple situations.

Often, we learn from history. With the early politician's ideas and ways put into a book, we can now have the luxury of learning from them. Machiavelli's book has helped shape and influence the Western World's civilizations.