Michelle Gauthier November 5,2004
Utopia and The Prince



It is difficult to settle on Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas More’s views on human nature. Each took a different approach to the topic. Through Utopia, Thomas More attempted to change peoples thinking by creating a perfect society. Thomas More, in Utopia, tried to express that the only way for a better life was through change. More’s key objection of human nature was greed, power, and pride. More imagined a society, in which these three things no longer existed, believing that they were man’s downfall. More attempted to create a society in which oppression did not exist, More also intended to erase power. Increasingly conflicting is that More states that women are the “…weaker sex…” and “…are given the lighter jobs” Thomas More unsuccessfully, describes human nature. He depicts that man by nature is good-willed and conforming.
Although Niccolo Machiavelli, through The Prince, attempted to teach people how to deal with human nature. Machiavelli’s interests were gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. Though in some cases Machiavelli may seem harsh. Machiavelli generally did not trust citizens, “…since men are a sorry lot and will not keep their promises to you, you likewise need not keep yours to them”. In addition, “ a prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promises” when, “such an observance of faith would be to his disadvantage; and when the reasons which made him promise are removed” Machiavelli pronounces human nature to be very callous, deceiving, self-centered, and most of all unpredictable. Niccolo Machiavelli, on the other hand, triumphantly describes human nature. He depicts man in a form, though pessimistic, truer to reality. Machiavelli suggests that man will never change and that one will always attempt to overcome the other. He portrays man as an untrustworthy, ungrateful, greedy, and lying lot. Machiavelli admits the unchangeable faults of man in a way that stuns the reader, unlike More who has a more positive aspect towards the human nature of man.
In More’s vision of society, all citizens are thought of as equals. More's “perfect world” lacks classes, everyone shares in the same work, everyone is equal, and everyone has the same rights. In Utopia there is an obligation for all to work a minimum of six hours everyday at whatever he is best at. All people spend time in the country working on the land. All clothing is plain and simple, designed only for usefulness and sensibleness. More points out that if someone were dressed in 'finer' material, he would not appear better dressed to the Utopians. To prevent any manner of showing off, the Utopians exchange homes every ten years and eat together in mess halls. Hereditary distinction does not exist because children are easily moved around from household to household, depending on which profession he would like to be trained in. Since there is very little distinction in occupation, dress, lodging, riches, or use of free time, pride is almost non-existent in Utopia.
While Niccolo Machiavelli believes that when regarding how a prince should rule and act, Machiavelli states that in an ideal world, it is important for a prince to be good. But in reality, princes who distance themselves from moral concerns and do whatever it takes for the benefit of themselves rule best. Therefore, it is better to be frugal than giving, cruel than loving, cunning than honest. Machiavelli's general rule is to be as good as a ruler can get away with, but be willing to resort to any means necessary for the good of the state. Wisdom is also needed in picking and satisfying his closest advisors and avoiding flatterers.
If Utopia were an actual state, the citizens of Utopia would treat issues much differently than the citizens of modern day America. For example in Utopia the government forces men to work the land in two-year terms. In modern society, the government does not own the economy but it does control the economy. Also today people adorn all sorts of jewelry to beautify themselves or attract attention. People today are like the Anemolian ambassadors, they strut their fine jewels because they are "more proud than wise, they decide to dress as splendidly as the very gods." Utopians do not believe that this is beautiful or attractive; they believe that it is nothing but child’s toys because this is the way they are brought up. The Utopians also highly prize virginity. The government forbids marriage for life, for those who commit premarital intercourse. Yet the percentage of people marrying without premarital intercourse in our society is minute. In most cases, the couple has a long-standing sexual relationship. Utopian society is very controlling and would not allow many of the immoral acts that go on every day in our current times.
In, The Prince, Machiavelli stresses the importance for a prince to have the ability to relate to his citizens. Machiavelli also stresses the importance of gaining the support of the people because that is essential in times of trouble. This is also true in today’s society. Presidents need support of the people just to be elected; they also need the support of people during times of war. Having a leader that you, as a citizen support, would make you more liable to go and defend what your leader believes in. Machiavelli also states that a prince who is prepared in the art of warfare both in mind and body can overcome times of unfavorable fortune. This is also true in modern times because even when we are not at war we still train our, willing, citizens for combat. Another point that Machiavelli makes is that it is common sense that generosity is a good quality, but for a prince, it can lead to his downfall. In a practical sense, a prince cannot be generous all the time. Therefore, it is better for a prince to be economical from the beginning than earn the disapproval of the people. When choosing a leader people of our country tend to choose the leader that would most benefit them but, when a leader enters into office they don’t always end up keeping their promises to the people. Our presidents do this because it is not important to our country and may not benefit as many people.
Many of More’s and Machiavelli’s views are very different although they both believe in a strict system of rules and order. Both of these authors differ on equality and how their citizens are treated. Thomas More and Niccolo Machiavelli would run modern day America different from one another, due to their contradicting ideas on how a society should be run.