machiavelli Essay -- essays research papers

The Church accused Niccolo Machiavelli of being Satan for writing his book The Prince. Machiavelli accurate The Prince in 1513. He wrote it as a gift to Lorenzo Medici, called the Magnificent, reign overr of Florence. The political views Machiavelli expressed in his book went against the theology of the Church, specifically the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. Machiavelli wrote to gain retain of a principality one must be brutal. (I)f you are a prince in possession of a newly acquired state and deem it necessary. . . to annihilate those who go off or must attack you. . . . , you must do so to protect your principality. He gave the example of Duke Valentinos slaying of his nobles to maintain order, saying if Valentino had not killed his men, Valentino would have addled power. The Bible strongly forbids the killing of anyone. The Sixth Commandment states You shall not murder. In what is known as the Beatitudes, from Jesus Sermon on the Mount, the Bible also says those who are humble shall inherit the earth. A meek person certainly does not kill others for standing in his or her way like Machiavelli is suggesting to be done. Another rhythm from the Beatitudes says those who are peacemakers will be called sons of God. Peacemakers do not kill either. For Machiavelli to say if killing a person is for the betterment of your principality, then to do so went against Gods rule and the Churchs. True followers of the Church abide by the Church beliefs, because if you are not for God, ...