Socrates And Machiavelli

“The Similarities of Socrates and Machiavelli”

Socrates is one of the most famous Greek philosophers to have ever trolled in this world, not to mention the man was brilliant. He comes from ancient Greece and lived around the time of 400 B.C. He was quite a unique man; reason being is that he never wrote his own work. Socrates had a student by the name of Plato that documented all his findings and theory’s. This is where the book The Apology resides from. This book was the final words of Socrates before he met his final fate of execution because he was found guilty for corrupting the minds and morals of the youth. Then we have Machiavelli, who was a political scientist who wrote the very famous book by the name of The Prince. The Prince is

basically a how-to-guide on how to gain power in politics and maintain that power. Machiavelli was a Florentine man who resided in Florence, Italy. He lived quite a short life between the times of 1469-1527. Machiavelli was a mid-level civil servant. His book was not even published until after his death. However, his book carries a lot of meaning and can be perceived to make him look like he was a bad man. This is not the case at all. His political views are rather cut-throat, but that does not define his character. The ideas and the thoughts of these two men were quite similar. However, they were expressed in different ways. The three similarities’ of Socrates and Machiavelli were, they were both intelligent and clever, they both valued the appearance of a man and how he presented himself, and they also believed in exposing people of their true colors.
First, Socrates was extremely intelligent and his main way of teaching was to ask questions.

Socrates believed the knowledge of mankind was very limited and people only believed what they were forced to believe. He also pointed out the fact that if a person’s beliefs were challenged they would label that person a liar. Even in Socrates last moments before his execution he could have maneuvered his way around it because he was that clever. However, he took pride in what he taught to the youth and accepted his fate. He believed that his teachings were the truth and he was nothing short of an honest man. Socrates felt excitement about the afterlife and what awaited him after death. He sought after the true judges that he felt were upright in their earthly life as he was. Socrates yearned for more knowledge and understanding and he felt he would gain that amongst the heroes that had also met their fate unfairly. As he said, “I am willing to die ten times over if this account is true”. This means that even in his afterlife he still felt the need to examine people and see them for what they truly were. Machiavelli was also, quite an intelligent and clever man. The Prince is a deceitful book, and teaches a man how to be persuasive and clever in order to obtain power. Machiavelli principles on how to gain power can be perceived as evil. However, they are not evil at all. His principles are the reason every political leader up until this time, have gained the throne of power.

Machiavelli believed that a man should obtain the upmost intelligence when in power. He stood for that fact that a young prince must have these certain qualities in order to maintain the state of power. One thing he says is that, it is necessary for a prince to have a mind ready to turn itself accordingly with the variations of the winds. This means that anything could oppose them at any time and a prince must be ready at all times when faced with a challenge. With the intelligence and cleverness that Socrates and Machiavelli possessed they were both able to turn a crowd. They didn’t have to earn respect or trustworthiness. People looked upon them as the pieces that were missing to the puzzles.
Second, both Socrates and Machiavelli both took precedence in how a man was perceived to the seeking eye.

Socrates stood by the words that a man should always be honest and good. As Socrates was close to his execution he said the famous words of, “It is not a lack of arguments that has caused my condemnation, but a lack of effrontery and impudence, and the fact that I have refused to address you in the way which would give you most pleasure”. When, he said these words it showed his true character. In society most people would scream and wail and lie until the end to escape death, but not Socrates. Socrates remained humble and passionate to himself even at the end. Socrates believed that this is how all men should have presented themselves with grace, with dignity, and most of all with honesty. It could seem that many people feared Socrates because of the fact that he was so blunt and truthful. However, Socrates left this world knowing he was the best person he could possibly be. Machiavelli on the other hand, believed that a man should have appeared to be merciful, faithful, humane, religious, and upright even if this is not what they truly were. As a political leader a man must obtain these virtues. Machiavelli was stern on these qualities because these are the qualities the public looks for in a political leader. Machiavelli clearly states that, “For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the

above-named five qualities, that he may appear to him who sees and hears him altogether merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and religious”. Machiavelli’s main purpose behind The Prince was, to teach a man what they needed to appear like to the crowd, not who they truly needed to be deep down inside. It is politics, and every politician you see is well dressed, shows dignity and seems trustworthy. If a politician did not appear this way, they would not make their way into power. Socrates and Machiavelli again both shared a common interest in appearance, Machiavelli’s may have been a facade, but it still held meaning.
Above all, both Socrates and Machiavelli both believed in a form of exposure. However, both man had a different way of doing so. Socrates form of exposure was not necessarily, politically correct to the eyes of certain people. This is why he landed himself in the place of execution. Socrates acted without ever worrying about the consequences of his actions. If he felt as though a man was not good or appeared to be untrustworthy, he was the first person to call them on their rubbish. Socrates was good at getting information out of people, so it was fairly simple for him to expose people. Many people who had limited knowledge plagued Socrates as a liar. It was against all of their morals to believe anything negative he said about the political leaders. These people feared the consequences, so they dared to oppose a person of higher power. However, Socrates feared no man especially when he felt his morals and beliefs of them were correct. Socrates felt his exposures were justified. In his last moments he made that very clear with saying, “You will have more critics whom up until now I have restrained without you knowing it, and being younger they will be harsher to you and will cause you more annoyance”. This generally means, Socrates was the least of their worries. Basically the jury should strap-up, because they have a whirlwind coming their way. As Socrates has said, “you cannot kill us all”. Machiavelli