Niccolo Machiavelli was the author of the book "The Prince", which was written in 1513, and, has often been called the "Handbook of Dictators". Benito Mussolini praised the book in public, and, it was revered by Napoleon, Hitler, and Stalin.
All of Machiavelli's ideas have often been touted as evil, and, it is true that he encourages decietfulness and cunning, however, upon closer examination, Machiavelli has some ideas that run contrary to his reputation.
Niccolo Machiavelli was born in May 3, 1469, in San Casciano, in Val di Pesa near the city-state of Florence, Italy. (Wilkipedia, Machiavelli, Life). Probably a large part of Machiavelli's thinking was formed when he was growing up due to the fact that Italy, unlike France and Germany, was not a well-unified state. Italy was often taken over because it was so weak, and, there was no assuredness from week to week who would be in power. (Hart, Michael Page 464)
Finally in 1494, the Republic of Italy was restored and that same year Machiavelli took a reasonably high position as a civil employee. However, in 1512, the government once again was overthrown and ultimately, Machiavelli was arrested on conspiracy charges, but, they were later dropped.
As we uncover the true Machiavelli, we must consider at least one other major work that he wrote, and, that is the book "The Discourses of the First Ten Books of Titus Livy".
Initially we must concede the fact that Machiavelli believed in brute force, and, at times, evil force, considering his response to the question "What is better, to be loved or feared?" His response was "...it is safer to be feared than loved if one of the two is wanting...love is held through obligation...men being selfish, it is broken when it serves their purpose...fea ...