Karen's+Page

The last five chapters in The Prince explain Machiavelli's views on social standing, by discussing how the prince should be treated in a higher position then everyone. He decsribes the princes duties and privleges. Although, two arguments seemed rather questionable: "Therefore, do not let our princes accuse fortune for the loss of their principalities after so many years' possession, but rather their own sloth..." (The Prince, Chapter XXVI) Machiavelli states that the prince should not blame this mis fortune on his bad luck, however in chapter XXIV he says: says: "Until recently, there had been a prince who seemed ordained by heaven to redeem Italy. But a string of bad luck has prevented such an outcome" This doesn't make much sense to let the prince blame his own sloth and then turn around and tell him that it was just bad luck. Perhaps his sloth and spoils are his bad luck.