The Prince2

In The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the importance of portraying virtues, but not necessarily practicing them. The English dictionary defines virtue as an act of moral goodness. On the contrary, the text defines it as a kind of personal strength and spirit that gives a Prince the power and faith to carry out his mission. The capturing and retaining of a principality are the main focus of the author. He warns of certain virtues that are …

…plotted. The lessons that Machiavelli offers to princes are lessons in critical thinking. Rulers must learn how to make distinctions, how to consider alternative courses of action and evaluate their consequences, and how to asses critically conflicting advice from varying sources. If they are to preserve and maintain their states, the need to know how to apply general information about human nature to particular circumstances that will be encountered through the road to successful leadership.