#WWMS What would Machiavelli say? by cyndim https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1 Made with big dreams for Italy. en-us 2016-10-05 14:13:56 UTC 2016-10-07 16:01:11 UTC hello@padlet.com “Another important lesson can be learned from this: rulers should leave unpleasant tasks to others, but themselves do those things that increase their popularity.” stevenschloe https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/128914077 I thought this was important to understanding Machiavelli because it ties everything he stated earlier together.  Rulers must always keep a good self image and should do anything in their power to maintain this.  Leaving the “dirty work” for someone else to handle promotes the idea of keeping that good self image.  This ties with being a cunning fox and a fierce lion; the ruler still is being strict while maintaining respect from his people, as they are ignorant to what the ruler is really doing.  Ultimately self image is the most important element one must keep in line, according to Machiavelli, to successfully rule a nation.  

]]> 2016-10-06 17:32:47 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/128914077 "Since a ruler, then, must know how to act like a beast, he should imitate both the fox and the lion, for the lion is liable to to be trapped, whereas a fox cannot ward off wolves.  One needs, then, to be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten away wolves. Those who rely merely upon the lion's strength do not understand matters. longstaffalexa https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/128979167 This passage really stood out as I was reading because I think that it encompasses the main qualities a ruler must have to be successful.  You have to be smart AND strong, rather than relying on one or the other.  This idea relates to the balance that was brought up in our discussion.  To be effective, a ruler must embody many different traits and utilize them to their advantage.  Being one thing may obscure the true nature of the problem or goal. Ultimately, a ruler must maintain this balance and embody intelligence and strength to be successful.]]> 2016-10-06 21:00:02 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/128979167 "In these matters, most men judge more by their eyes than by their hands. For everyone is capable of seeing you, but few can touch you." orvisalyssa https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/128999499 This passage stood out to me because it highlights one of the topics Machiavelli seems to tie everything back to: you control how you are perceived. This sets up the groundwork for the practice of manipulating the subjects. Rulers must be good at this, they need uphold a flawless self image while also being strong and smart in order to do what's best for their nation, and they need their subjects to completely believe in them no matter what happens. They use their power of manipulation to twist the truth. This leads to being both a fierce lion and a cunning fox, how a ruler needs to act to succeed. Machiavelli believes that the ability to uphold self image is perhaps the most important aspect of leadership.

]]> 2016-10-07 00:45:39 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/128999499 There is nothing that is so self-consuming as generosity: the more you practice it, the less you will be able to continue to practice it" https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129085860 This passage stood out to me because it seems like the opposite of what you would want a ruler to be. To me you would want a ruler that is generous and nice but Machiavelli is telling the prince that generosity of any sort will cause you to let go of all your assets. By constantly giving away things such as money or possessions you will eventually be left with nothing causing you to then stop looking like a generous ruler and look selfish. This in turn can cause you to be hated which is what Machiavelli repeatedly warns the prince against. I also liked this quote because it made me think about life now and how generosity might work now in the 21-century. 
-Anika]]> 2016-10-07 12:19:16 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129085860 "A skillful deceiver always finds plenty of people who will let themselves be decieved."  https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129168953 This seems to be the motto for the media today. There are plenty of people who are willing to mindlessly wander through life. This is also the theme for many politicians who promise change and/or just lead the masses into deception. 

-Adrianna ]]> 2016-10-07 15:52:28 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129168953 "Men are less hesitant about offending or harming a ruler who makes himself loved than one who inspires fear" https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129168968 This passage stood out to me because I think that its an important concept for rulers to keep in mind. If rulers' relationships with their people are too casual and lenient, they will not respect him and they will likely take advantage of him. If a ruler is able to inspire a bit of fear (but not hatred), people will be less likely to act against him.

Sam Owens

]]> 2016-10-07 15:52:32 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129168968 "Every ruler should want to be thought merciful, not cruel; nevertheless, one should take care not to be merciful in an inappropriate way." https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129169776 This passage stood out to me because it is a concept he stresses. 
-Emily ]]> 2016-10-07 15:54:50 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129169776 "If the vast majority of men are not deprived of their property and honour they will live contentedly, and one will have to deal with the ambition of a few men, which can easily be restrained in various ways." https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129169995 This passage shows Machiavelli's view on the nature of men, which helps to understand why Machiavelli thinks leaders should be the way they are. By believing that most men will live passively with their ruler so long as their property is protected, it shows that they can be easily manipulated and swayed. -Bryce]]> 2016-10-07 15:55:35 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129169995 "A ruler who accompanies his army, supporting it by looting, sacking and extortions, disposes of what belongs to others; he must be open - handed, for if he is not his soldiers will desert." https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129170029 I think this is an important quote because i think it was important in the time for a ruler to be with his men and campaign with them. Also, when the army wins loot he should share it with the whole group as it says here. 
-Dom]]> 2016-10-07 15:55:41 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129170029 "One of the best safeguards that a ruler has against plots is not being hated by the people." https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129170376 This passage seems like one of the most undeniably true passages from the excerpt. Even if "plots" don't necessarily entail assassination anymore, rulers and leaders of all kinds need to maintain their reputation and stay liked (or at least tolerable) in the eyes of the public. If not, they might be spoken against or voted out of office.

--Tommy]]> 2016-10-07 15:56:49 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129170376 "Even if he does not become loved, he does bot become hated." https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129170461 This passage kind of stood out to me because this quote says that one does not have to go to either side of a spectrum, and Machiavelli later brings this idea up during the rest of the Prince. ]]> 2016-10-07 15:57:07 UTC https://padlet.com/cynthia_makos/vegjik95a9i1/wish/129170461