1. Should people today follow Machiavelli’s advice?

2. DO NOW: Think about the principal or teachers at your school
DO NOW: Think about the principal or teachers at your school. They have to keep the school safe and make sure that all students receive a quality education. List the reasons below. For them to do their job the best, is it better for them to be feared or loved?
It is better to be LOVED than FEARED
It is better to be FEARED than LOVED

3. Niccolo Machiavelli
Born in Florence, Italy (Birthplace of the Renaissance)
Humanist who learned Greek and Latin
Wrote “The Prince”: A guide to ruling based on his experience working for the government in Florence as a dedicated civil servant
Gives Italian city-states the advice: “It is much safer to be feared than to be loved, if you cannot be both”; and “the end justifies the means”

4. Directions – Passing Notes – 5 Min Each
Underline/highlight the key details in each section.
Circle words you don’t know
Annotate the text
Something confusing or have a question – write it in the margin – try to answer or comment on questions that have been asked
Make a Connection: self, world, text, history, other parts of the text
✓When you agree and explain why
X When you disagree and explain why
Answer the question on the bottom of the page – bullet point OR full sentences

5. The Prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank. And, on the contrary, it is seen that when princes have thought more of ease than of arms they have lost their states…. ….For among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised [hated], and this is one of those ignominies [shame or disgrace] against which a prince ought to guard himself, as is shown later on. Which aim or thought should be most important to the Prince?

6. “In order to maintain the state [a prince] is often obliged to act against his promise, against charity, against humanity, and against religion…As long as it is possible, he should not stray from the good, but he should know how to enter into evil when necessity commands.” “If a prince wishes to maintain the state, he is often obliged not to be good.” “And in the actions of all men, and especially of princes, where there is no fair judge, one must consider the final result, that the ends justify the means….one looks at the result” What does these quotes say about how Princes should rule, especially when it comes to difficult decisions?

7. . “It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.” What are the risks of changing a government?

8. 4. “And one of the most powerful remedies that a prince has against conspiracies is not to be hated by the people generally…For whoever conspires cannot be alone, but he cannot find company except from those he believes to be malcontents.” “Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being feared whilst he is not hated, which will always be as long as he abstains [stops oneself] from the property of his citizens and subjects and from their women. According to Machiavelli, is it better to be feared or loved?

9. 5. “A prince, therefore, should always take counsel (advice), but when he wants, and not when others want it…So one concludes that good counsel, from wherever it comes, must arise from the prudence (good sense/logic) of the prince, and not the prudence of the prince from good counsel.” According to Machiavelli, how should the Prince seek help to make his decisions?

10. Writing Response: According to Machiavelli, what are the most important qualities and actions for a leader to rule effectively?
Point Value
4 points
3 points
2 point
1 points
Topic Sentence
Interesting, original topic sentence, reflecting thought and insight; focused on one interesting main idea.
Clearly stated topic sentence presents one main idea.
Acceptable topic sentence presents one idea.
Missing, invalid, or inappropriate topic sentence;  main idea is missing.
Supporting Details 
Interesting, concrete and descriptive examples and details with explanations that relate to the topic.  
Examples and details relate to the topic and some explanation is included. 
Sufficient number of examples and details that relate to the topic.
Insufficient, vague, or undeveloped examples. 
Organization and Transitions
Thoughtful, logical progression of supporting examples; Mature transitions between ideas.
Details are arranged in a logical progression; appropriate transitions.
Acceptable arrangement of examples; transitions may be weak.
No discernible pattern of organization; Unrelated details; no transitions.
Mechanics
Consistent standard English usage, spelling, and punctuation. No errors.
Some errors, but none major, in usage, spelling, or punctuation. (1-2)
A few errors in usage, spelling, or punctuation (3-4)
Distracting errors in usage, spelling, or punctuation