Key Arguments

• He claims that in the actions of men—especially princes—judgment turns on results when no higher court exists.
• He asserts that success in securing authority ensures universal approval of the means.
• He characterizes the multitude (‘the vulgar’) as captivated by appearances and results, and as constituting ‘the world.’

Source Quotes

Every one sees what you seem, but few know what you are, and these few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many who have the majesty of the State to back them up. Moreover, in the actions of all men, and most of all of Princes, where there is no tribunal to which we can appeal, we look to results. Wherefore if a Prince succeeds in establishing and maintaining his authority, the means will always be judged honourable and be approved by every one.

Moreover, in the actions of all men, and most of all of Princes, where there is no tribunal to which we can appeal, we look to results. Wherefore if a Prince succeeds in establishing and maintaining his authority, the means will always be judged honourable and be approved by every one. For the vulgar are always taken by appearances and by results, and the world is made up of the vulgar, the few only finding room when the many have no longer ground to stand on.

Wherefore if a Prince succeeds in establishing and maintaining his authority, the means will always be judged honourable and be approved by every one. For the vulgar are always taken by appearances and by results, and the world is made up of the vulgar, the few only finding room when the many have no longer ground to stand on. A certain Prince of our own days, whose name it is as well not to mention, is always preaching peace and good faith, although the mortal enemy of both; and both, had he practised them as he preaches them, would, oftener than once, have lost him his kingdom and authority.

Key Concepts

• in the actions of all men, and most of all of Princes, where there is no tribunal to which we can appeal, we look to results.
• if a Prince succeeds in establishing and maintaining his authority, the means will always be judged honourable and be approved by every one.
• For the vulgar are always taken by appearances and by results, and the world is made up of the vulgar, the few only finding room when the many have no longer ground to stand on.

Context

Chapter 18, lines 1115-1168; consequentialist rationale for the primacy of outcomes in political judgment.