The Prince.

“So let the prince win and maintain his state: the means will always be judged honourable, and will be praised by everyone”.

Machiavelli gives primacy to holding on to power over ethical considerations to meet that end. He argues that power is always celebrated and is an end in itself, that means are immaterial. Once achieved, power justifies all means.

He argues that the acts of the powerful are considered noble by most, even though similar acts might normally attract ethical scrutiny if committed by a common man. The silent minority, who may understand the ethical transgressions, will likely be too frightened to counter the majority opinion.

Machiavelli - the Prince

Those who do not learn from history…..