A Goodreads user asked this question about The Prince:
Niccolo Machiavelli seems confused (and hence, confusing to me). Of course, he has written a lot of evil in the book, and then he writes something as quoted below. What's the account/motivation behind him writing the following? "It cannot be called ingenuity to kill one's fellow citizens, to betray friends, to be without faith, without mercy, without religion; by these means, one can acquire power but not glory."
Meltem I think I should start off with saying that this book was addressed to Lorenzo de Medici and in some sense it was written to get back into their good …moreI think I should start off with saying that this book was addressed to Lorenzo de Medici and in some sense it was written to get back into their good graces. This work is in contrast to his other works. The previous two chapter explain other ways how a prince came to power and the does not want to leave the last, however 'wicked' it is (in his view). His thoughts on this matter is quite clearly expressed by the following sentence:

"Nevertheless, his barbarous cruelty and inhumanity with infinite wickedness do not permit him to be celebrated among the most excellent men."

One can gain power this way, but according to Machiavelli's reasoning he will not be able to keep it, because he pleases no one. As in another example by Machiavelli, Oliveretto rose to power by wickedness however was strangled because of it.
In this work Machiavelli writes about how a prince should acquire land by, in some ways, cruelty. He is seen to be somewhat more of a realist, using examples throughout history as well. But do keep in mind that he is more of an idealist in other works.

I hope I understood it correctly and explained it so it would be intelligible to you.(less)
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