Was Machiavelli evil?Machiavelli is often considered a man without conscience, religion or ethics. He is even considered a man who advocates cruelty and tyranny. The adjective Machiavellian is also used as a synonym for deceitful and hungry for power. Because he is often seen as just a man who believes that "the ends justify the means", he is seen as an evil man. Even though he is often seen as such, does this mean he is truly evil or simply a brilliant, down-to-earth man? While his ideals about taking control, war, virtue, human nature, and secularism are not often the most revered tactics, they are all very pragmatic. His thoughts may sometimes seem immoral or evil, but there is always a reason and historical explanation for each of his beliefs. In chapter five of The Prince, he discussed the best way to gain control over a specific region that is accustomed to living under its own laws and freedoms. He states that the first thing you must do is ravage them, then live there under their laws only to get paid while gaining control over their political and administrative elites (Machiavelli 17). While it is extremely immoral to devastate a region just to gain control of it, it is an extremely wise maneuver. By reducing a community to its lowest level, they are looking for a stronger power that can pull them out of this devastation. By living there, you would build relationships and trust with people which will essentially help you gain power. Then people will not only allow you to gain power, but they will want you to be there, which, in turn, makes it much easier to govern if you are adored by the people rather than hated by them. Even if it's not... half way... it comes back to the simple thought of appearing virtuous. Without this, most of his theories could not work. Machiavelli's beliefs that humans are fickle and easily persuaded are clearly relevant to explaining why he believes that any state can be easily deceived by a new prince. Because of this mindset, he forces himself into this strategic way of thinking. To some he seems indifferent to his peers, but to others they can see his intelligence as he thinks about politics in a completely new and unheard of way. His thoughts on gaining control, war tactics, virtues, human nature, and secularism are all thoughts that push the limits of a new society. It's amazing the audacity he had to write what he wrote during the time he did it. It is obvious that he is not an evil or evil man, but rather a down-to-earth and inspiring gentleman.