Ingratitude and Suspicion in Republics

Where it surfaces

• Book I

  The chapter discusses how republics often treat their great citizens with ingratitude, as seen in the exile of Camillus and the suspicion toward Scipio, and how this can be a danger to liberty.

• V

  The nobles' suspicion of the plebeian dictator and the ensuing accusations reflect the ingratitude and distrust that can destabilize a republic.

• VII

  The chapter discusses how suspicion against powerful citizens (like Coriolanus, Valori, Soderini) can destabilize a republic if not channeled through lawful accusations.

• Chapter VIII

  Manlius's calumny exploits popular suspicion and ingratitude toward Camillus, showing how envy and distrust can destabilize a republic.

• XXIV

  The apparent ingratitude of the Romans in trying Horatius is reinterpreted as a necessary safeguard against the arrogance that would arise if past services were allowed to excuse future misdeeds.

• Chapter XXVIII: Whence it came that the Romans were less ungrateful to their citizens than were the Athenians.

  The chapter directly examines why republics show ingratitude toward their great citizens, comparing Rome and Athens and attributing it to the level of suspicion arising from past subversions of liberty.

• Chapter XXIX: Whether a people or a prince is the more ungrateful

  Central theme of the chapter; Machiavelli analyzes how suspicion of victorious captains leads to ingratitude in both princes and peoples.

• How Princes and Commonwealths May Avoid the Vice of Ingratitude

  The chapter directly addresses how princes and commonwealths can avoid the vice of ingratitude toward successful captains, and how suspicion leads to ingratitude.

• XXXII

  Machiavelli warns that benefits granted under duress are met with suspicion and fail to earn genuine gratitude.

• XXXVII

  The commons' suspicion of the nobles and the nobles' defense of property fueled mutual distrust, leading to civil strife and the eventual loss of liberty.

• XXXVIII

  The Florentines' distrust of King Louis XII's good faith led them to reject advantageous terms, illustrating how suspicion can undermine a republic's interests.

• XXXIX

  Both the Florentine people and the Roman commons blamed their magistrates for wars caused by external forces, showing suspicion and ingratitude toward their leaders.

• XL: Of the creation of the Decemvirate in Rome, and what therein is to be noted.

  The commons' excessive love of liberty and the nobles' eagerness to govern led them to support a single man, creating the conditions for tyranny, and later the people turned against Appius once his true nature was revealed.

• LII

  Highlights how suspicion and envy among citizens can lead to ruinous opposition, as in the cases of Soderini and the Roman senate.

• LVIII

  Addresses the charge of popular ingratitude, using Scipio as an example, and argues it is less severe than that of princes.

• Of the dangers incurred by princes or republics who resort to auxiliary or mercenary arms

  The Capuans, who had been protected by Rome, were nearly betrayed by the very troops sent to guard them, showing how suspicion and ingratitude can arise even among allies.

• XXV

  The Veientines' miscalculation illustrates how suspicion and overconfidence in exploiting a republic's divisions can lead to ruin.

• XXVIII

  Rome's ingratitude toward the Gauls' grievance and its failure to punish the Fabii fueled suspicion and revenge.

• How an hereditary king may come to lose his kingdom

  The chapter touches on how the people's willingness to rebel is shaped by the ruler's conduct, and how good governance earns loyalty, while tyranny breeds ingratitude and conspiracy.

• VI

  The chapter touches on the suspicion that can arise in republics, as illustrated by the caution of the Roman senate in dealing with Catiline and Hanno.

• Chapter XVI

  Machiavelli highlights how republics often neglect their most deserving citizens in tranquil times, leading to resentment and potential disorder.

• XVII

  Claudius Nero's resentment toward Rome for its ingratitude and suspicion after his failure in Spain, which nearly led him to risk the republic's survival.

• XXII

  The chapter notes that Valerius's methods, while effective, can lead to suspicion and harm for a private citizen, as seen in the Venetian example and the banishment of Camillus.

• Why Camillus was banished from Rome

  The people's hatred of Camillus despite his virtues exemplifies the ingratitude and suspicion that republics often show toward their great men.

• XXIV

  The prolongation of commands fostered loyalty to individual captains over the state, undermining republican institutions and enabling tyranny.

• How women are a cause of the ruin of states

  The chapter implies that unchecked factionalism breeds suspicion and invites external enemies.

• XXVIII

  The Senate's swift action against Spurius Melius illustrates how republics must suspect even seemingly generous deeds to prevent hidden tyranny.

• On Envy, Authority, and the Defense of a City

  The chapter discusses how envy disables men from acting for the common good, and how in corrupt cities rivals will ruin their country rather than accept another's superiority.

• Of the methods which some have used to make peace impossible

  The mutineers' fear of punishment leads them to commit further crimes, showing how suspicion and ingratitude can perpetuate cycles of violence.

• XLIII

  The examples of the Gauls and the French show the perfidy and avarice of barbarian nations, warning republics to be suspicious.