Although Niccolo Machiavelli did not succeed in his attempt to appease Lorenzo De Medici, perhaps he provided society a politically correct looking glass that one could use in order to judge, and peer into the souls of men. Sometimes with humor, and sometimes with pomp arrogance Machiavelli's novel meant to play on men's tainted morals, and other wise cowardly, backstabbing human nature as a means of example. An example for a prince to follow, in order to rule with absolute power. As was the case with Hobbes and Locke, Machiavelli tells his own, honest views of human nature, and it is the ability to understand, breakdown, and deal with this definition of human nature that is Machiavelli's greatest gift to the reader.
             The prince's ultimate goal is to maintain the state at all costs. It so follows with an understanding of Machiavelli's definition of Human Nature, that of benevolence and cruelty the latter is more reliable. However, one must understand that Machiavelli never condones cruelty for its own sake. He condones it only in the interests of the ultimate end of statecraft.
             Machiavelli asserts that a number of traits are inherent in human nature, and the ability to seek these out, to understand human nature and bend it to your will that is the key to maintaining a kingdom. People are generally self-interested, although their affection for others can be won and lost. They are content and happy; so long they are not victims of something terrible. They may be trustworthy in prosperous times, but they will quickly turn selfish, deceitful, and profit-driven in times of adversity.
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