Niccolò Machiavelli is very well known as an important and...

Niccolà ² Machiavelli is very well known as an important and influential Italian historian, politician, philosopher, and writer during the Renaissance. His book, Discourses on Livy, is a discussion regarding the classical history of early Ancient Rome, although it uses contemporary political examples and strays far away from the subject of Rome at times. It is presented as a series of lessons on how a republic should be started and structured. Most importantly, it constantly brings up the idea of corruption and corrupt people, which is not surprising because we all desire things and search for the simplest way to obtain it, even though the easiest way to obtain something might be a corrupt way. When Machiavelli uses the term â€Å"corrupt† or†¦show more content†¦It seems more difficult to change the regime. This is the source of corruption. When one class of society strives to better themselves and succeed in doing so, it causes corruption. Machiavelli spends a chun k of Discourses on Livy discussing how states are corrupt and the citizens within them are corrupt as well. The first important point he makes when it comes to corruption is that men do not know how to be entirely good or bad. He claims, â€Å"they concluded that men clearly do not know how to be honourably bad or perfectly good, and that when an evil deed contains in itself some grandeur or some generosity, they do not know how to carry it out† (Machiavelli 82). Thus, Machiavelli is elaborating on the theme of good and bad and how even those who are good and are not considered corrupt still make bad decisions sometimes. Generally, men decide on a middle course, instead of choosing a completely good or bad course. This decision is seen as most hazardous because it is hard to claim someone is good if they do not make entirely good decisions and it is hard to claim someone is bad if they do not make entirely bad decisions. The second important point Machiavelli makes is that me n are easily corrupted and even those who are good can easily turn bad. He states, â€Å"It should also be noted, in this matter or the decemvirate, how easily men may be corrupted and how they may transform themselves and giveShow MoreRelatedThe Life And Importance Of Machiavelli Essay1367 Words   |  6 PagesLife and Importance of Machiavelli â€Å"There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless† (Niccolà ² Quotes). Niccolà ² Machiavelli was one of the greatest influences on our world today. His research and philosophies explored new strategies and ways of thinking. Machiavelli was before his own timeRead MoreThe Rebirth Of Ancient Cultures1462 Words   |  6 PagesItaly is known as the â€Å"cradle of the Renaissance† (la culla del Rinascimento). It is a city full of beautiful architecture, art, and history. The Renaissance was a powerful cultural movement that not only shaped all aspects of Florentine life, but eventually the rest of Europe. Science, art, literature, philosophy, religion, architecture, and politics have seen heavy influences by this movement. The term Renaissance literally m eans â€Å"rebirth†: the rebirth of man and the rebirth of two important ancientRead MoreMedieval Europe And The Renaissance Essay3095 Words   |  13 Pagesalso came about. Banking was a great supporter of the Renaissance, Italian bankers were bankers of the pope and all trade was going through them. Cities rise in importance and farms get closed off and are owned privately which moves toward a market economy. The Renaissance was not an economic boom because the advancements were happening in different places, at different times and at different rates. Literature was very important during this time. Literature was starting to be written in the vernacularRead MoreEssay on Art Throughout History2129 Words   |  9 Pagesof the printing press (outside of what is now China) by the German polymath Johannes Gutenberg in the 1440`s. Indeed it must also be conjectured as to the distribution of works which are now considered essential in the esoteric world of the art historian: â⠂¬ ¢ Ghiberti`s I Commetarii (1455); †¢ Antonio Manetti`s biography of Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) †¢ Leonardo da Vinci`s notebooks (1452-1519) which were preserved by his students; †¢ Albrecht Dà ¼rer`s notes and writings; †¢ Giorgio Vasari`s ViteRead MoreThe Renaissance Period3406 Words   |  14 Pagesin this dissertation is that the Renaissance in Europe, with specific emphasis on Italy, during the 15th Century, was the most influential period in developing the ‘early modern’ human society. Many believe that this was due to its almost perfect location between Western Europe and the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean. By analysing various factors and sources, as well as different aspects of society, for example political factors and the views of contemporary texts, it will provide enlighteningRead MoreRational Appeasement15291 Words   |  62 PagesWinston Churchill ridiculed appeasement as the strategy of â€Å"one who feeds a crocodile , hoping it will eat him last+† 1 Reasons for distrusting the policy were, in fact, noticed long before Munich+ Classical political thinkers from Thucydides to Machiavelli offer many statements of the anti-appeasement view+ Appeasement, many argue, is not just futile: it is self-destructive+ The danger is most acute when many potential challengers exist+ Acceding to one challenger undermines the appeaser’s reputation