Happy Birthday, Niccolo Machiavelli!

Niccolo Machiavelli: "Is it better to be feared than loved?"

Can the man who's name is synonymous deviousness, cruelty, and corrupt totalitarian government be misunderstood? Is this the case with Machiavelli?

Niccolo Machiavelli was born May 3, 1469 in Florence the son of a jurist. His life spanned the highest point in Florence's cultural achievements until its downfall. He entered Florentine government as a secretary. However, he soon was engaging in important diplomatic missions and meeting with the powerful politicians of his time. Unfortunately, this all came to an end in 1512 when the Medici family returned to power and he lost his office.

He soon turned to writing to gain favor with the ruling Medicis. His most famous work The Prince, modeled after Cesare Borgia of the Papal States, was an attempt to ingratiate himself with the Medicis. For Machiavelli politics was about the "getting and keeping of power." The ruling family disagreed with the book, but the public reaction was that of outrage. They wondered how anyone could think such cruel thoughts as presented in the book. "Does a prince never lack legitimate reasons to break his promise?"

Machiavelli did not realize his ambitious goal to return to government and died June 20, 1527.

For more information on this controversial man check the CDPL for copies of The Prince and Machiavelli on Modern Leadership by Michael Ledeen.