Machiavelli's "The Prince" 3 of 3

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• Machiavelli
• prince
• politcal
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• italy
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[GrassAndRocks]

cropperb wrote the following to me in a private email:

"I regard every graduate of UCLA as cognitively deficient, brainwashed and woefully misinformed. The modern university system is corrupt like Hitler's inner circle, and the Cali U system is the most depraved of any educational system since the Nazi's ruled Germany (possibly more corrupt than that)."

[cropperb]

Do you not have anything better to do than start new accounts when I block you?

Why are you quoting a private email?

[RedRuuj]

Trolls are we. Hmm. You are quite full of yourself, aren't you?

You sir, are education's Wobbly-headed Bob!

[terpsixori]

i don't think you quite understand the importance of this book for modern politics, and the irony of it all

[DarthNaver1]

and the resources on it, and have some control over the distribution of wealth. There is a sense in which the prince's personal wealth is the GNP. So these are probably the senses in which Machiavelli is speaking. Remember that many kings throughout European history had bastard children with no formal legal rights, or inheritances, who they would invent titles for, carve out properties for, and who's families often remained allies to the royal family, all withgovt's not being productive.

[DarthNaver1]

I really like these machiavelli vids. But I want to add to your ponderings on what benefits the prince would shower on his allies. Firstly, it could be referring to rewards that are not goods such as certain exclusive rights, honors, favors, government positions etc. It could be referring to goods or services stemming from the prince's personal wealth. That said, bear in mind that he is writing in the feudal era, so governments are ultimately aggregates of landlords who own their land . . .

[TheNighthawk00]

Very good read! I like the way you explain some things in your own words and I also appreciate that you give, sometimes, your own opinion in a non-Political Correct (PC) way.

Reflecting upon what I just said, one could say that Machiavelli encourages PC speeches to keep up appearances of being merciful and just. While at the same time, behind the scenes, Machiavelli supports the dirty business. Isn't that exactly what politicians do today (and have always done and will always do)? :-)

[justinmccann]

Thank you for an excellent overview of "The Prince."

[GAIS414]

A bit of advice.

Maybe you should travel the world for a while to see whats really out there instead of just reading about it in books. You make yourself an easy target for angry comments when you start pushing your own perception of politics on people, instead of just presenting Machiavellis ideas in a straightforward manner. Read the book again and try to apply what you learn to yourself.

Good luck.

[yourmajezty]

fuck you. 4 eyes, ill punch you in the face and kill you!!!!!!!

[handelsme]

I mean look at Cesar and Brutus... Cesar was a completely dear friend and loyal companion to Brutus and Brutus just betrayed him because he was convinced by his friends and family.

[handelsme]

I'm confused at the part where he speaks of how one should gain one's loyalty by his friendship and honor instead of showering them with gifts... Cause it sounded like you were saying you couldn't trust the nature of people...