Question

Interpret a Statement Reread lines 23–29. What is the main standard that Machiavelli uses to judge the personal behavior of a prince?

Answer 1

Machiavelli creates many standards for how an ideal leader should act. In this passage, he describes an ideal prince as being someone who is conscious of his behavior. This means that the prince should always be wary of whether or not he is maintaining his control and therefore his power. More specifically, the prince should be aware of whether his actions are helping or hurting his position of power.