Machiavelli and Thoreau on: What A Man Should Be

     Machiavelli and Thoreau had similar ideas about how a man should act and present himself. Machiavelli believed that a man should be well balanced, meaning that he should have all the good characteristics of a human being as well as the bad characteristics. Thoreau believed that a man should have his own mind and think for himself. Machiavelli had many beliefs about how a man should act such as being feared over being loved. Thoreau and Machiavelli’s ideals about what a man should be may be questionable but are also accurate.

      Thoreau goes to state that “A wise man will only be useful as a man, and will not submit to be “clay” and “stop a hole to keep the wind away”, but leave that office to his dust at least” Pg 278. What Thoreau means by this is that a man should not be used as a puppet for the benefit of the Government. He should have knowledge and conscience to think of his own words and actions. I believe that if Machiavelli were to read this he would agree because he states in his writing that some men are “feeble and effeminate, another fierce and spirited” pg 458. Fierceness goes with speaking up for yourself and not being afraid to say what you feel.

       Thoreau and Machiavelli have a strong opinion of being passive. They both do not like it at all. They believe a man should do whatever it takes to get what he needs done. When it comes to wrong doings, Thoreau believes “If the injustice has a spring, or a pulley, or a rope, or a crank, exclusively for itself, then perhaps you may consider whether the remedy will not be worse than the evil; but if it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law pg 284. What Thoreau is saying is that if a law you have to follow is hurting other people, then by all means, don’t follow it. Machiavelli is saying the same thing but with a different situation. Machiavelli says that, “Thus a prudent prince cannot and should not keep his word when to do so would go against his interest, or when the reasons that made him pledge it no longer apply” pg 463” Basically Machiavelli is saying that a man can break his promises if they are no longer in best interest or are no longer needed.

       Machiavelli and Thoreau are very similar in ideals, not saying that they don’t have their contradictions with each other but they still have a lot in common. They are both passionate and strong about the topics they discuss in their writings and although the topics may be questionable, their responses are very close to accurate.