Single Idea 6307

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars]

Full Idea

It is very natural and normal to wish to conquer, and when men do it who can, they always will be praised, or not blamed.

Gist of Idea

A desire to conquer, and men who do it, are always praised, or not blamed

Source

Niccolo Machiavelli (The Prince [1513], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Machiavelli,Niccolo: 'The Prince, selections from Discourses', ed/tr. Plamenatz,J [Fontana 1972], p.65


A Reaction

This view seems shocking to us, but it seems to me that this was a widely held view up until the time of Nietzsche, but came to a swift end with the invention of the machine gun in about 1885, followed by the heavy bomber and atomic bomb.