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Comparing Machiavelli and Rousseau

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In Machiavelli’s “The Qualities of the Prince,” he tells us different ways to be a “good” prince and to always prepare or think about war, be armed, read history, and be a miser. But in Rousseau’s “The Origin of Civil Society,” he goes a different route which deals with reasoning. Machiavelli and Rousseau have different views on leadership and how it should be used. One of the first things Machiavelli talks about in “Qualities of the Prince” is always preparing or thinking about war, and that also goes with always being armed. One should go hunting that way he knows the lay of the land. “He must always be out hunting, and must accustom his body to hardship in this matter; and he must also learn the nature of the terrain (Machiavelli 222)” Machiavelli says he it takes a good prince to know the land, he knows where the mountains and valleys are. It will help defend the country better, and he would know that country better than most. When he would go hunting, he would bring friends with him. “He would often stop and reason with them (Machiavelli 223).” When one would hear their opinions, they would hear his. He would back up his opinion with arguments. It would help the army to work together better. Another quality is to keep up with is history.“ The prince must read histories and in them study the deeds of a great men; he must see how they conduct themselves in wars (Machiavelli 223).” Keeping up with history, he can see how they succeed and how they were defeated. He can learn from others mistakes, and to make sure history does not repeat itself. He can examine the reasons how they came about their victories. One of the last things Machiavelli talks about is being a miser. According to Merriam Webster, the definition of a miser is a mean grasping person; especially one who is extremely stingy with money. “I say it would be to be considered generous; nevertheless, generosity used in such a manner as to

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