ower in life, but rather to metaphorically kill them with smart thinking and sound judgment. His work is very useful to anyone at any time in history, just as long as his message is kept in perspective. Machiavelli never suggested that amoral behavior ought to be a way of life. He simply suggested that desperate times call for desperate measures. (McAlpine, p.XII)At one point in The Prince, Machiavelli is quoted as saying, "...do like the prudent archers who, the place where they intend to wound seeming too far, and knowing how far the virtu of their bow reaches, aim much higher than the destined place, not to reach such height with their arrow, but in order to be able to attain their design with the aid of such high aim." (Machiavelli, p.21)This quote basically sums up the message that is relevant to people today, set a goal and do whatever you need to do to attain it. Machiavelli's writing was not about being a tyrant. It was a formula for getting things done.Machiavelli's name has over time become synonymous with evil deeds and deceitful actions, (Wood, p.510) because he was the first person to create theories about this subject using a rational world view. His idea of government was dependent on individualism and the idea that people control their path in life, rather than God. (C3.) Although he agreed with the Church that humans are sinful, he did not arrive at this conclusion by the Word of God. Only after careful observation of the people around him, and the application of logic did he come to this conclusion. ...
