Machiavelli’s ideas were revolutionary renaissance literature, and the foundation of modern political science, but many of his ideas are not supported by the bible. The beatitudes can be used to argue against Machiavelli from a biblical point of view.
Machiavelli praises cruelty as more than acceptable but a necessary method of ruling your principality however in the Beatitudes wants us to believe, ”Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (The Beatitudes Mathew 5:3-12). This directly contradicts Machiavelli’s ideas on cruelty, and using deceit and murder for your own gain. Machiavelli himself says, “We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed.” (Chapter XVI Machiavelli) According to the Beatitudes a prince, one who supposedly has “the divine right of kings” will not be going to heaven if they follow Machiavelli’s ideas fanatically.
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he Beatitudes also say,” Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (The Beatitudes). Machiavelli is not a very optimistic man and it reflects in his writing, he believes one can rise to become a successful person either through inheritance or through the help of citizens and nobles. Machiavelli fails to grasp the idea of chance and simple luck as a valid way to gain power and influence. Take the most popular renaissance artists of that time. Michelangelo, Leonardo, Brunalleschi; All were discovered by rich patrons and all started out as middle class Italian citizens. They became wealthy and powerful through their art but who’s to say there were not smarter or more talented artists waiting to be discovered?
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