The Prince · Chapter
XVII: Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved Than Feared explained
Machiavelli argues that a prince should be both loved and feared, but if forced to choose, it is safer to be feared.
What happens
Machiavelli argues that a prince should be both loved and feared, but if forced to choose, it is safer to be feared. He uses Cesare Borgia as an example of effective cruelty that unifies a state, and contrasts this with the Florentine people's misplaced mercy. He emphasizes that fear, maintained through punishment, is more reliable than love, which is easily broken by self-interest. However, a prince must avoid hatred by respecting subjects' property and women. Military contexts require cruelty to maintain discipline, as demonstrated by Hannibal, while Scipio's leniency led to rebellion.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when Machiavelli strips away the pretense of moral idealism, forci…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Fear vs. Love as a Governing Tool
Central to the chapter: Machiavelli argues that fear is more reliable than love for maintaining control, as love is fickle and easily broken by self-interest.
- The Use of Cruelty and Clemency
Explores how well-applied cruelty can unify a state and prevent greater harm, while misplaced clemency leads to disorder.
- Human Nature and Its Exploitation
Machiavelli describes men as ungrateful, fickle, and cowardly, justifying the prince's reliance on fear over love.
- Military Strength and Self-Reliance
Discusses the necessity of cruelty to maintain army discipline, using Hannibal and Scipio as contrasting examples.
Characters to notice
- Cesare Borgia
Cited as an example of a prince whose cruelty reconciled and unified the Romagna, restoring peace and loyalty.
- Hannibal
Praised for his inhuman cruelty which kept his diverse army united and disciplined through both good and bad fortune.
- Scipio
Used as a counterexample; his excessive forbearance led to rebellion among his troops and was criticized by Fabius Maximus.
- Fabius Maximus
Upbraided Scipio in the Senate for corrupting Roman soldiery through leniency.
- The Prince
The central subject of the chapter, advised to prefer being feared over loved while avoiding hatred.
Key passages
“Cesare Borgia was considered cruel; notwithstanding, his cruelty reconciled the Romagna, unified it, and restored it to peace and loyalty.”
Though Cesare Borgia was seen as cruel, his harsh actions actually brought peace and unity to the Romagna region.
Key example of effective cruelty.
“it is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with.”
If a prince cannot be both loved and feared, it is wiser to choose being feared.
Core thesis of the chapter.
“men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.”
People are more willing to harm someone they love than someone they fear, because love depends on gratitude that is easily forgotten, while fear is maintained by the constant threat of punishment.
Rationale for preferring fear over love.
“men more quickly forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.”
People are more upset by losing their property than by the death of a family member.
Advice to avoid seizing subjects' property to prevent hatred.
