Discourses on Livy · Chapter
Chapter XXXIII explained
Machiavelli argues that when a mischief has grown within or against a state, it is safer to temporize with it than to meet it with violence.
What happens
Machiavelli argues that when a mischief has grown within or against a state, it is safer to temporize with it than to meet it with violence. He uses the example of Rome's neighbors forming a league of forty nations against her, which only made Rome more united and led to the creation of the dictatorship, a powerful expedient. He also cites Cosimo de' Medici and Caesar to show that opposing a growing power often accelerates its rise.
Themes in this chapter
Necessity and Reason of State
The chapter discusses how temporizing with a growing mischief can be safer than violent opposition, and how the creation of the dictatorship was a necessary expedient for Rome's survival.
Leadership and Moral Character
Machiavelli examines how the favor shown to young men of rare excellence can lead to their undue influence, and the difficulty of correcting such a situation once it has grown.
Characters to notice
- Cosimo de' Medici
Used as an example of a citizen whose rising influence was opposed, leading to his banishment and later return as prince.
- Caesar
Cited as an example where fear of his power led to remedies that accelerated the destruction of the republic.
- Pompey
Mentioned in the context of Cicero's remark that 'it was late that Pompey began to fear Caesar.'
Key passages
“When a mischief has grown up in, or against a state, it is safer to temporize with than to meet it with violence.”
When a problem has become serious within or against a state, it is safer to delay and manage it gradually than to confront it forcefully.
Central thesis of the chapter.
“For commonly those who make this attempt only add fuel to the flame, and hasten the impending ruin.”
Those who try to suppress a growing disorder with violence often make it worse and speed up the disaster.
Explains the danger of violent opposition.
“And it is all the harder to recognize these disorders in their beginning, because it seems natural to men to look with favour on the beginnings of things.”
These problems are hard to detect early because people naturally view new developments favorably.
Explains why disorders are not recognized in time.