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Machiavelli for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ,mɑkiʌ'vɛli

What does Machiavelli really mean?

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Hey there! So I heard you're curious about what the word "Machiavelli" means. Well, let's take a journey together to understand this word! Now, imagine you're in a beautiful garden, filled with different types of flowers and plants.

Imagine that each flower represents a person, and these people have different ways of thinking and acting. In this garden, there is one particular flower that stands out – it's called "Machiavelli." This flower has unique qualities and characteristics that make it distinct from the others. Now, let's come back to reality and talk about the historical context behind this word.

Imagine you are a time traveler, and you've just gone back to the 16th century in Italy. In this era, there was a man named Niccolò Machiavelli. He was not a gardener, but rather a famous thinker and writer. Niccolò Machiavelli wrote a book called "The Prince," which has become quite influential over the centuries. Now let me explain the first meaning of "Machiavelli."

When people talk about "Machiavelli," it often refers to Niccolò Machiavelli himself and his ideas as expressed in his book "The Prince." See, Niccolò Machiavelli had a special perspective on politics and leadership. He believed that in order to maintain power, rulers should do whatever it takes, even if it means being deceitful or ruthless sometimes. So when someone says "Machiavelli," they might be referring to his cunning and strategic way of thinking. But wait, there's more – let's explore a second meaning of "Machiavelli."

On the other hand, the word "Machiavelli" can also be used to describe someone who manipulates or controls others for their own benefit, just like how Machiavelli thought rulers should behave. So when people say someone is being "Machiavellian," they mean that person is crafty and calculating, trying to achieve their goals through any means necessary, even if it means being unscrupulous. So, to sum it all up, "Machiavelli" can mean two things:

First, it can refer to Niccolò Machiavelli himself and his ideas about politics and leadership, as expressed in his book "The Prince." Secondly, it can describe someone who manipulates or controls others for their own gain, just like how Machiavelli believed rulers should act. Now, imagine our journey through the garden has come to an end. We've explored different flowers and learned about the unique qualities of the Machiavelli flower. I hope this explanation helped you understand what "Machiavelli" means. Feel free to ask any more questions!


Revised and Fact checked by Emily Davis on 2023-10-27 22:57:54

Machiavelli In a sentece

Learn how to use Machiavelli inside a sentece

  • Machiavelli was an Italian writer who lived a long time ago and wrote a book about politics and power called 'The Prince'.
  • Machiavelli's ideas in 'The Prince' are sometimes used to describe someone who is sneaky or cunning in order to get what they want.
  • Even though Machiavelli wrote 'The Prince' a long time ago, people still read it today to learn about politics and leadership.
  • Some politicians are often compared to Machiavelli because they are willing to do whatever it takes to gain and keep power.
  • Machiavelli's writings have had a lasting impact on the field of political science, and his name is often mentioned in discussions about politics and ethics.

Machiavelli Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Machiavelli Instances

Words that the original word is an example of.