Just Finished Reading: The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli (FP: 1531/32)

After hearing so much about this book I tried to read it back in my early 20’s. Failed miserably of course as it was yet another case of trying to run before I could barely walk. So, 30 years later I thought it was about time to give it another shot.

Rather inevitably I did much better this time. Despite being easy to read (in that it is a well written and well-argued piece) it is not really a young person’s book. It is, after all, the considered thoughts and ideas of someone who had spent his adult life in the literal cut and thrust of Italian politics in one of the most turbulent periods of their history. This is the distillation of mature knowledge about a mature subject presented in a very mature fashion. Not for Machiavelli the blandishments of praise for the empty headed fops of his time. No, here is the honest assessment of what someone with ability and determination needs to do to gain and, more importantly and with more difficulty, hold power. It is not about virtue and high ideals. It is about getting your hands dirty and doing what needs to be done no matter the supposed morality of the act. This is a practical manual for practical people (actually men) who need to know that pragmatism and necessity are far more important than being well thought of – though that helps.

Of course for a book written so long ago and in a foreign country – which is kind of a double whammy – you have to often read between the lines to bring things up to date. Much of the treatise is dated and a passing knowledge of the time comes in handy to understand some of his contemporary examples of what a ‘prince’ should or shouldn’t do in a particular circumstance. Likewise his advice on fortifications or the use of mercenary troops (though coming back into fashion it would seem) can largely be skimmed over. However, as a keen observer of human nature sections of this work have proved to be timeless. It is certainly no wonder why this little volume has been in continuous print for almost 500 years. It’s basically because he talks a lot of sense in plain almost brutal language. Unlike many other books in that period Machiavelli tells it like it is – not how things should be if mankind was more along the path to angelhood. This the kind of book that can be read and re-read over the years with important lessons emerging each time. But don’t worry too much. I doubt if it will turn many people into manipulative political operators – though it might improve the effectiveness of those already inhabiting that role!

This is definitely a book of significance – maybe my first this year – and is part of my ongoing reading of political classics, political philosophy, political history and political biography. More to come of all these…