nt to the people, he says quite clearly in Chapter 17, “…it is much more safe to be feared than loved, when you have to choose between the two…” Machiavelli’s reasoning was that an excess of clemency towards the subjects when they do something wrong would lead to widespread crime, hurting the whole community. Therefore, being cruel and severe to those who deserve it would allow for the greatest utility (Chapter 17). This view on how to maintain relations with the populace is both logical and realistic. However, Machiavelli draws a clear distinction between being feared and hated. He writes, “ A prince must make himself feared in such a manner that … he shall at least not incur their hatred, for being the feared, and not hated, can go very well together,” (Chapter 17). The way that a ruler can earn his subjects hatred, says Machiavelli, is if he steals or harms their property. Therefore, by being severe and cruel in his punishments he inspires fear. In being feared, the prince further secures his empowerment, for none of his subjects dare to attempt to take it from him. More advice given to the prince by Machiavelli was on general good governance, meaning how to rule, all supported by historical examples. He writes, “…the prince will avail himself of the occasion… to secure himself, with less consideration for the people by punishing the guilty, watching the suspected, and strengthening himself at all the weak points of the province…” (Chapter 3). In so doing, the prince is neither inaccessible nor invisible, but his justice is obvious to those who are governed. This is key to maintaining both power and good relations with the people. In ruling heterogeneous lands, which is where more than one ethnicity resides and more than one language is spoken, Machiavelli writes that the prince ought to “… go and reside there which will make his po...
