Comparing and Contrasting two World Famous Political Theorists

Both leaders of their generations, Martin Luther and Niccolo Machiavelli were also religious and political icons. Through their theses, essays, and books they were able to successfully convey their views to the public. Martin Luther was a lawyer turned priest, who tried to open the eyes of the public to the general corruption of the Catholic Church. His 95 theses were the foundation of the Protestant Reformation, while Machiavelli used his skills as a writer, with …

…build up a revolt. Both men were religious and political icons for their generation and ours. Machiavelli, the father of politics, and Luther, the fire behind the Protestant Reformation, changed government and the world as we know it. “A man does not live for himself alone in this mortal body to work for it alone, but he lives also for all men on earth; rather he lives only for others and not for himself.” (Luther, 27).