Reading Comprehension: Machiavelli's Prince, XVI

Mr. Steel

 

 

 

 

1. What is the subject of this chapter?

 

 

2. What is "liberality"?

 

 

 

3. Why is true liberality harmful, according to Machiavelli?

 

 

 

 

4. What is "parsimony," and how should a prince view it?

 

 

 

5. How does Machiavelli think a prince can benefit from being "mean" or cheap? (two reasons)

 

 

 

6. Machiavelli states that "either you are already a prince or you are on the path to acquiring it." What is he saying about human nature?

 

 

 

 

7. When, in Machiavelli's view, is it good to exhibit liberality? What is ironic about this?

 

 

 

 

8. What is the greatest danger for a prince, in Machiavelli's opinion? How is liberality related to this danger?

 

 

 

 

9. What is better, in Machiavelli's opinion: liberality or parsimony? Explain why.