The Prince · Chapter
XXII: Concerning the Secretaries of Princes explained
Machiavelli discusses the critical importance of a prince's choice of ministers or secretaries, arguing that the quality of a prince's servants reflects his own wisdom.
What happens
Machiavelli discusses the critical importance of a prince's choice of ministers or secretaries, arguing that the quality of a prince's servants reflects his own wisdom. He categorizes intellects into three types: those who understand by themselves, those who appreciate what others understand, and those who are useless. He uses Pandolfo Petrucci and his servant Antonio da Venafro as an example of a wise prince who chooses capable and faithful servants. Machiavelli advises princes to judge servants by whether they prioritize the prince's interests over their own, and to secure loyalty through honor, enrichment, and shared responsibility.
Themes in this chapter
The Importance of Public Perception
Machiavelli argues that a prince's choice of servants shapes public opinion of his wisdom and judgment.
Human Nature and Its Exploitation
The chapter discusses how a prince can exploit a servant's self-interest by binding them through honors and riches, ensuring loyalty.
Pragmatism Over Morality
Machiavelli offers practical, amoral advice on managing servants through incentives and mutual dependence rather than ethical considerations.
Characters to notice
- Pandolfo Petrucci
Prince of Siena, cited as an example of a wise ruler who chose a capable and faithful servant, Messer Antonio da Venafro.
- Niccolò Machiavelli
Author of The Prince, providing counsel on the selection and management of princely servants.
- The Prince
The intended reader and subject of the chapter's advice on choosing and keeping honest secretaries.
Key passages
“The choice of servants is of no little importance to a prince, and they are good or not according to the discrimination of the prince.”
A prince's selection of ministers is crucial, and their quality directly reflects his own discernment.
Machiavelli establishes the central thesis that a prince's judgment is revealed by the people he appoints.
“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”
If a servant prioritizes his own gain over the prince's, he is untrustworthy and unfit for service.
Machiavelli provides a clear test for identifying disloyal servants based on their self-interest.
“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”
To ensure a servant's loyalty, a prince should reward him generously while making him dependent on the prince's favor.
Machiavelli advises a strategy of calculated generosity to bind servants to the prince's will.