642.君主论 The Prince

Reader86

https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/ ... %89%88%E6%9C%AC.pdf

Reader86

(Chapter 19) is:

"A prince is despised if he is considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, pusillanimous, and irresolute; from all of these, as from a sandbank, he should guard himself."

[Ⅳ]一位君主如果被认为反复无常、轻率任性、懦弱无能、胆怯怕事、优柔寡断，就会被人蔑视；因此，他应该像提防暗礁一样提防这一切。

Reader86

Gemini said
This chapter, titled "On Avoiding Being Despised and Hated" (Chapter 19 of Machiavelli's The Prince), focuses on the internal security of a ruler. It argues that a prince’s greatest defense against conspiracies is the favor of his people and a reputation for strength.

The chapter can be summarized into four key principles:

1. The Two Deadly Reputations
Machiavelli distinguishes between two types of negative public perception:

Hatred (Odium): Primarily caused by being "rapacious" and violating the property or women of his subjects. If a prince leaves people's assets and honor alone, most will live contentedly.

Contempt (Contemptus): This is more dangerous. A prince is despised if he is seen as fickle, frivolous, effeminate, pusillanimous, or irresolute. He must ensure his actions show grandeur, courage, and gravity so that no one dares to deceive or "trick" him.

2. The Shield Against Conspiracies
A prince faces two fears: his subjects (internal) and foreign powers (external). Machiavelli argues that if a prince is not hated by the "mass of the people," a conspirator will hesitate to strike. Conspirators only act when they believe the prince's death will satisfy the public; if the public likes the prince, the conspirator faces certain ruin.

3. The Balance of Power (The French Model)
Machiavelli praises the Kingdom of France for creating the "Parliament" (a judicial body). This institution acted as a "third judge" to restrain the nobility and protect the people without the King having to take sides. This allowed the King to avoid the hatred of the nobles or the contempt of the commoners by shifting the burden of unpopular decisions onto the court.

4. Lessons from Roman Emperors
Machiavelli addresses the counter-argument: Why did many "virtuous" Roman emperors still get assassinated? He explains that Roman emperors had a unique, third power to satisfy—the soldiers.

Marcus Aurelius: Lived and died honorably because he inherited the throne by right and didn't need to satisfy the soldiers through cruelty.

Septimius Severus: A "ferocious lion" and "sly fox" who was so talented that he could be cruel to the people while keeping the soldiers amazed and satisfied.

Commodus & Maximinus Thrax: Both failed because they became despised. Commodus was despised for his "vile" behavior in the arena, and Maximinus for his low birth and perceived barbarity.

Conclusion: For a modern prince, satisfying the people is generally more important than satisfying the soldiers (unlike in Roman times). The ultimate goal is to avoid the "hatred of the many" and the "contempt of the powerful."