Machiavelli True intentions for writing the prince

Chapter XV of Machiavelli’s The Prince houses a famous Machiavellian quote. Machiavelli writes, “since my intent is to write something useful to whoever understands it, it has appeared to me more fitting to go directly to the effectual truth of the thing than to the imagination of it” (Machiavelli 61). This quote explains one of Machiavelli’s reasons for writing The Prince but also serves another purpose. The quote is intended to criticize the work of Aristotle and other philosophers who have “imagined” republics and principalities that have never existed. Machiavelli’s quote serves to distinguish himself from other philosophers such as Aristotle. Unlike Aristotle, Machiavelli is going to examine a “real” republic, not an “imagined” one.

Machiavelli’s goal in writing The Prince is to create an outline to build a powerful and successful republic. If you are going to write about the creation of a successful republic you must be realistic and base your writings on truth. This is why Machiavelli wants to go directly to the “effectu

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The final question that arises is what kind of political life arises from such an intention of Machiavelli to create a realistic republic? The political life that arises is one based upon practical rules. Machiavelli explains how private citizens should rule if they become princes by good fortune or by acquiring principalities by the help of others’ arms. He substantiates his claims but using evidence from history to justify his teachings of how to rule principalities acquired through fortune or others’ arms. Many have written about “imagined” republics, the most famous being Aristotle. And is impossible to create because each and every human being is unique. Machiavelli uses Cesare Borgia to validate his writing. Machiavelli uses Borgia as an example of acquiring principalities through fortune and comments on Borgia by saying, “I do not know what better teaching I could give to a new prince than the example of his actions [Cesare Borgia]” (Machiavelli 27).

Machiavelli accomplishes his goal of writing about a realistic and true republic rather than an “imagined” republic by substantiating his claims with evidence from history. The political life that Machiavelli creates is how man actually acts. Machiavelli is going to base his writings on truth not on the “imagined” or something that doesn’t exist or is even know to exist. However, Borgia was unable to maintain his rule, even though he made many attempts to consolidate his new power. Machiavelli doesn’t want to explore the “imagination” of the republic. Even though Cesare Borgia could not maintain his rule he did lay a strong foundation for future rule.

Approximate Word count = 722
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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