Machiavelli primarily wrote The Prince to serve as a blueprint for rulers or leaders of his time. The book illustrates concepts and ideas that are practical and less idealistic. In the book, Machiavelli provides numerous ideas about leadership and how the prince ought to behave and treat their subjects (Cronin and Genovese, 2015, 99). This paper examines the reasons why Machiavelli suggested that the prince must always learn how not to be good.
Primarily, Machiavelli does not suggest that the prince should always avoid doing what is good. However, he implies that where necessary, they should be willing and ready to act unethically to achieve their objectives. He does not advise the leaders to be outright ruthless and indifferent, but implores them to be incorporate some elements of cunningness and brutality in their day to day leadership responsibilities.
Furthermore, Machiavelli implies that image is essential and necessary for a ruler. Therefore, leaders must learn to manipulate the perceptions of their subjects and to present false images about themselves. In this regard, they should take credit for triumphs and place the burdens of unpopular decisions on lesser officials. This can only be achieved when they realise the importance of how not to be good (Machiavelli, 2013, 60).
The quote also illustrates the fact that leaders must learn to be untrustworthy and deceitful for them to survive, which is part of not being good. For example, when a leader is unable to win his arguments or battles through civilised ways, they can employ some arm-twisting to achieve their objectives. Specifically, he suggests that leaders should not consign themselves to obeying fixed concepts and ideologies. Instead, they should always be flexible and be ready to use both popular and unpopular strategies to lead their subjects (Cronin and Genovese, 2015, 99).
References
Cronin, M and Genovese, M 2015. Leadership matters: Unleashing the power of paradox. New York: Prentice Hall Press.
Machiavelli, N, 2013. The prince. New York: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
