|Niccolò Machiavelli was a middle-class, humanistically educated Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Renaissance in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Although honored with the title of father of modern political theory, Machiavelli has been, and continues to be, widely misunderstood and misinterpreted (Kreis). The term “Machiavellian”, and it is in the dictionary, is defined as devious or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expedient or dishonesty (Dictionary). Recognizing Machiavelli's lasting impact on society, psychologists identified a distinct personality style characterized by manipulativeness, cynicism about human nature, and cunning in interpersonal behavior, and named this syndrome after Machiavelli (“48”). Machiavellianism is described as a manipulative strategy of social interaction and personality style that uses other people as instruments of personal gain (“48”). In this excerpt from The Prince, Machiavelli's most recognized and popular discourse on morality and power, the author discusses and compares numerous aspects of the necessary attributes of a successful ruler. While discussing the pros and cons of vice and virtue, Machiavelli presents a convincing argument in favor of the skillful application of vice, in case princely virtues threaten the sovereignty of authority. Most of Machiavelli's work, including The Prince, was only formally published posthumously, and it is assumed that his intention in writing The Prince was not to inform the general public, most of whom had neither reading ability , access to books, or held leadership and government positions. Machiavelli's true intention in writing The Prince Prince was to achieve the at... half of the paper... itic. That Machiavelli has become synonymous with betrayal is ironic, for this essay unequivocally and definitively confirms that throughout the history of civilization, those leaders who persevered and achieved recognition as icons of power, character, and intellect were those who understood the balance between virtue and vice. .Works CitedDictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Network. March 12, 2012. Kirszner, Laurie G. and Mandell, Stephen R. Practical Argument. "From the prince." New York: Bedford-St. Martin. 2011. PrintKreis, Steven. “Niccolò Machiavelli”. The history guide. The history guide. Network. March 10, 2012. SparkNotes Editors. "SparkNote on the Prince." SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Network. 6 March 2012. "48 laws of power and the Machiavellian personality". Psychology and mental health forum. Psychology and mental health forum. Network. Tue. 12 2012.

Topic > |Niccolò Machiavelli was a middle-class, humanistically educated Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Renaissance in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Although honored with the title of father of modern political theory, Machiavelli has been, and continues to be, widely misunderstood and misinterpreted (Kreis). The term “Machiavellian”, and it is in the dictionary, is defined as devious or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expedient or dishonesty (Dictionary). Recognizing Machiavelli's lasting impact on society, psychologists identified a distinct personality style characterized by manipulativeness, cynicism about human nature, and cunning in interpersonal behavior, and named this syndrome after Machiavelli (“48”). Machiavellianism is described as a manipulative strategy of social interaction and personality style that uses other people as instruments of personal gain (“48”). In this excerpt from The Prince, Machiavelli's most recognized and popular discourse on morality and power, the author discusses and compares numerous aspects of the necessary attributes of a successful ruler. While discussing the pros and cons of vice and virtue, Machiavelli presents a convincing argument in favor of the skillful application of vice, in case princely virtues threaten the sovereignty of authority. Most of Machiavelli's work, including The Prince, was only formally published posthumously, and it is assumed that his intention in writing The Prince was not to inform the general public, most of whom had neither reading ability , access to books, or held leadership and government positions. Machiavelli's true intention in writing The Prince Prince was to achieve the at... half of the paper... itic. That Machiavelli has become synonymous with betrayal is ironic, for this essay unequivocally and definitively confirms that throughout the history of civilization, those leaders who persevered and achieved recognition as icons of power, character, and intellect were those who understood the balance between virtue and vice. .Works CitedDictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Network. March 12, 2012. Kirszner, Laurie G. and Mandell, Stephen R. Practical Argument. "From the prince." New York: Bedford-St. Martin. 2011. PrintKreis, Steven. “Niccolò Machiavelli”. The history guide. The history guide. Network. March 10, 2012. SparkNotes Editors. "SparkNote on the Prince." SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Network. 6 March 2012. "48 laws of power and the Machiavellian personality". Psychology and mental health forum. Psychology and mental health forum. Network. Tue. 12 2012.