Introducing Machiavelli by Patrick Curry

Author:Patrick Curry
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781848319783
Publisher: Icon Books

SETTING ASIDE EVERY SCRUPLE, ONE MUST FOLLOW TO THE UTMOST ANY PLAN THAT WILL SAVE HER LIFE AND KEEP HER LIBERTY.

Note that Machiavelli does not say that the end justifies the means, morally or otherwise; only that the end, when it is good, “excuses” the means.

WHAT MAKES THIS END “GOOD”?

WHEN ITS OBJECT IS NOT INDIVIDUAL SELF–INTEREST BUT THE COMMON GOOD OF ALL CITIZENS.

For apart from just laziness and decadence, the chief danger to republican virtù is when either powerful individuals or small factions follow their own agenda at the expense of the collective public interest. Such corruption is ruinous to liberty, and it was the major concern of Machiavelli and republicans like him. This emphasis on collectivism – “a people is more prudent, more stable, and has better judgement than a prince” – was a departure from The Prince.

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