Question

Read this passage from chapter 22 of The Prince. But to enable a prince to form an opinion of his servant there is one test which never fails; when you see the servant thinking more of his own interests than of yours, and seeking inwardly his own profit in everything, such a man will never make a good servant, nor will you ever be able to trust him; because he who has the state of another in his hands ought never to think of himself, but always of his prince, and never pay any attention to matters in which the prince is not concerned. On the other hand, to keep his servant honest the prince ought to study him, honouring him, enriching him, doing him kindnesses, sharing with him the honours and cares; and at the same time let him see that he cannot stand alone, so that many honours may not make him desire more, many riches make him wish for more, and that many cares may make him dread chances. When, therefore, servants, and princes towards servants, are thus disposed, they can trust each other, but when it is otherwise, the end will always be disastrous for either one or the other. What is Machiavelli’s primary purpose in writing this passage? to inform readers about the relationship between a prince and his servants to entertain readers with stories about masters and servants in Italian city-states to provide readers with information about the duties and benefits of serving a prince to convince readers that a prince must choose a trustworthy servant to represent him

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is to convince readers that a prince must choose a trustworthy servant to represent him

Explanation:

Niccolo Machiavelli, the author of the revolutionary and controversial book, 'The Prince' wrote the passage stated in Chapter 22 to convince its readers that a prince must choose a trustworthy servant to represent him.

Machiavelli wrote that a servant is a representation or a reflection of what kind of person the prince is. He argued that although a servant is of no importance to a prince, his presence and traits will be a basis of forming an impression or an opinion about the prince.

For example, if a servant is faithful and capable, he will be known as a wise prince because he has the power and ability to make them loyal and competent. And the same goes if they are dishonest and inept, it will make him look a weak and incapable prince.

Answer 2

To convince readers that a prince must choose a trustworthy servant to represent him.