1. How Machiavellian was Machiavelli
How Machiavellian was Machiavelli? an analysis of The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
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2. How Machiavellian Was Machiavelli?
Title of a lecture given by Quiten Skinner at the University of York (2/21/2013)
The following is a summary of the lecture.
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3. Humanism Machiavelli is a Civic Humanist
Focus upon logical argument
As all humanist of the time he seeks to define the virtues of human
Machiavelli stresses the concept of Virtù
60 times this is used in The Prince
pivotal to his argument and to an interpreter to understand the meaning of this word
So what does this word mean?
he doesn’t define the concept
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4. Characteristics of Virtù
Skill/ability/judgement to offset luck (Chapter 24 is highlight of this idea)
you can never get rid of luck; it’s always there
Quality to see and seize power (Romulus, Cyrus, and Moses); no opportunity wasted (Ch 6)
Quality to be able to maintain their state (standing/status/power/condition as a ruler)
Maintain the state/jurisdiction of course coincides with this idea
Notion of state could be a principality or republic
Hiro of Syacuse is perhaps the ideal example of this concept of Virtù
You can obtain power in many ways but the only way to maintain power is Virtù
The quality of virtue will enable you to obtain the ultimate goal
veneration
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5. Contemporary Thoughts
Other writers of the time talk of key values of society
justice/keeping your word (taken from Cicero/Roman laws); perhaps more accurately taken from Seneca (wrote 2 treatises to princes)…tutor to Nero
Liberality
Clemency (goes beyond justice, its mercy)
“I’m well aware others have written on princes and virtues/I fear I depart massively from these other people”
Chapter 16: Concerning Liberality, then cruelty, clemency, keeping of word (justice)
He brings up literature and then counters their arguments
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6. Key Issue addressed in Machiavelli’s Argument
Follow the key humanistic virtues but you SHOULD NOT follow them if they get in your way.
No such quality absolutely forbids you from acting in a certain way.

7. Judging Actions based upon the Consequences
For any action: Will this help me to maintain my state?
The princely virtù therefore is judging when to apply or not to apply the humanistic virtues
Liberality: A prudent prince will not mind being a miser (Ch 16) if the consequence is beneficial
Clemency can be badly used (Ch 17)
Cruelty can help you to succeed
Justice: Always keeping word will turn against you.
Will keeping promise help or endanger the keeping of the state.
DO modern politicians follow this advice?
Chapter 18: How Far? (How far will you keep/how often will you keep your promise)
For the day this was a shocking idea; again a humanist idea
Famous image of the FOX; minimize when people see you not keeping your promise
Our idea of playing politics

8. Ultimate Message of the Book
Do evil so that ultimate good will come of that action.
This is at least what Machiavelli wants to say about Justice.
However is that the idea he expresses for Liberality and Clemency?

9. Rhetorical Traditions: Thucydides and History of the Peloponnesian War
Moralistic View Point
Thucydides (A history; Part 3)
When civil war breaks out, first casualty is moral language for their partisan purpose
Example: making excuse
calling things courageous, bravery (that are not)
good actions can be called cowardice

10. 1st Rhetorical tradition
Later generations pick this moralistic idea apart.
Aristotle instead says you can/should try to change what is being said.
More interested in how you can manipulate moral language and excuse the vice
Always furious; always frank
Extravagant; generous
Modesty; cowardice
Deliberation; lack of decisiveness
Roman Idea (Quintillion): Act of excusing vices by describing virtues

11. 2nd Rhetorical Tradition:
The other Rhetorical tradition is the moralistic view point of Thucydides
Rhetorical Trick is to point out what people are doing
Point out that they are manipulating the language
Point out that they are corrupt, etc.
Roman Rhetorical Tradition often looked to this idea 
During this time/common to learn Rhetoric in university from one basic text (Sixth Form?)/this culture knew this text and followed Thucydides idea of pointing out corruption

12. Chapter 16 and 17 (Liberality and Clemency)
“What passes in our society for liberality is in fact the vice of extravagance” (paraphrased a quote in the book)
“when people get praised in our times” The Florentines in order to avoid being called cruel…congratulated themselves on their clemency this was over indulgence.
How is this clemency, they left corrupt people in power and it caused great trouble.
The town was destroyed and it could it have been stopped
Scipio (Great Hero of Roman Republic), revered for clemency. This “clemency” was a corruption by the society.
He forgave a mutiny.
City destroyed, he didn’t punish anyone in order to avoid not being called cruel. (He is lax/overindulgent according to Mach.)
Machiavelli calls all this out
he does not rename
We live in a corrupted society that just renames
We live in a corrupted society in which liberality and clemency are renamed
True virtue of liberality: Louis XII was very parsimonious: abut yet fought many wars.
No rapacious demands upon the people. (did not over burden his people)
True virtue of Clemency: Cesare was called cruel at outset but in the end was far better because it brought order.
Better than the Florentines
TRUE Liberality and Clemency will always HELP the state.
In a corrupt society these virtues are constantly renamed

13. How Machiavellian is Machiavelli?
The virtue of Justice? VERY “Machiavellian”
Always keeping word will turn against you
Act as the fox
The Virtue of Liberality?
Muddled Compared to other Humanists
The Virtue of Clemency?
Machiavelli argues that: TRUE Liberality and Clemency will always HELP the state.