Shveta Sharma

The author, Niccolò Machiavelli states that it is always commendable for a prince to be honest and avoid being crafty. However, he also says that those who have shown craftiness (like animals do) most of the times have been more successful than the people who have shown candor and honesty (which is proper for men).
Hence, according to the author, in order to be successful, a prince must know how to fight both ways: one with law and other with force. He says that the prince should be trained just like the Achilles, the Greek mythological hero, who was trained by Chiron, the centaur (half man and half beast). Machiavelli says that a prince should strive to be only as good as circumstances allow him to be. The prince, hence, ought not to quit the right ways if he can help it, but should know how to act deviously if he must.
Machiavalli states that, “A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.”
Therefore, it is very important that the leader be willing to do anything necessary to maintain power. He should gain from being feared rather than loved.
However, Machiavell further emphasizes that the prince should not be hated by his people and should command their respect. This will keep the people satisfied and ensure that there will not be conspirators within. In order to do so, the prince might not have all the good qualities but should appear to be merciful, faithful, humane, religious and upright. The author says that every one sees what you appear to be but only few really know what you are. And with majority of people on your side defending you, the few will not dare to oppose you.
Furthermore, Machiavell says that what matters the most to the people are the results. If the prince is successful in establishing and maintaining his authority, all the means he has resorted will be considered fair and just.