Machiavelli: Chapter 23


Chapter 23 pertains to flatterers and a princes objectivity and need to get opinions. Machiavelli explains that a prince should not make all decisions, but make diplomatic decisions among his people, asking for their "honest" opinion of him and his decisions. He goes on to explain and instance where Emperor Maximilian did not take advice from his people, and this could only breed contempt and disclosure of thought. If a prince is not open to all thoughts then he will not see all of the picture and then he will fail to govern in an effective manner. It was a great chapter indeed.