The Prince

There is one chapter in "The Prince" that I found to be particularly disturbing. In chapter 17, Machiavelli discusses the virtues of mercy and cruelty. He says that no Prince should mind being called cruel for keeping his subjects peaceful and loyal. What is interesting to me is that Machiavelli suggests that keeping his subjects in fear of him is the best way for a Prince to ensure their loyalty. Through this reasoning he makes the conclusion that it is better to be feared than to be loved. He says that this is because in general people are greedy and that those who claim to love you at your best time will often abandon you in tough times. In my opinion, his theory, "It is better to be feared than loved" is saying that when the people fear their ruler, the ruler will most likely get what he wants. When a ruler has intimidated his people, he has control over them, and they will most likely do what he says and follow his rules- out of fear. Some people might argue and say that if a ruler is loved than people will respect him and follow his rules. This is true, except, it is harder to get people to love and respect you so much as to do everything they are told, than it is to get them to fear you.