Machiavelli and Thoreau

Morals are the way we believe what is right and wrong. This accounts for everything we do, like talking to elders and obeying laws. The reason why we do almost everything we do, is because we think it is morally right. Both Machiavelli and Thoreau believe in being morally right, however Machiavelli’s thoughts of morals are contradicting, while Thoreau believes very directly that men only somewhat act  morally.

Power and control is usually thought to be at its best, when a leader is morally just. Machiavelli however believes that a prince should appear moral, because he will influence people to obey him, yet he should be feared, and sneaky. How can someone have morals yet be both sneaky and frightening? Thoreau has very direct views that a government that is unjust, and is not morally right, should be overthrown by the people. He thinks that following what is morally right, is most important when it comes to power, and control, yet he says that as a whole, man does not follow morals.

Man in general should be moral, which is why we have a system of laws, in order to keep the masses of people on track, and behaving properly. Machiavelli believes that men in a way are idiots, because they can be deceived by the craftiness of the person in control. He is saying that men believe in morals but are deceived by their rulers, who are more successful than a ruler who is an honest man. Could he be saying that believing solely in morals makes you stupid? Thoreau is saying that the individual is somewhat moral, but the masses of men are not. He believes that men have a moral sense of what is right and wrong, yet for example in the issue of Slavery they just decide to ignore the issue, even though they know it is morally wrong. I think this means that the individual is not strongly a follower of morals.

Appearing good at heart means that you appear to strictly follows morals and can be respected. Machiavelli explained how it is good to appear moral because people will trust you, however you must also appear frightening. He says that a prince should be man and beast, meaning he appears with two sides, the moral, and the frightening beastly side. Thoreau however is very direct with saying that voting is not a good way to achieve the best person as a leader, because they appear moral, yet are then you find out the virtues they promised are all lies. He says "There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men," which in some way actually connects to Machiavelli’s belief about morals and how one should appear moral but actually be the opposite (Thoreau 280).

In conclusion Machiavelli and Thoreau believe you should follow morals, however Machiavelli’s thoughts of morals are contradicting, while Thoreau believes that deep down men do not act morally right.

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