Read this passage from chapter 22 of the prince.
what is machiavelli's primary purpose in writing this
passage?
but to enable a prince to form an opinion of his servant there
is one test which never fails; when you see the servant
thinking more of his own interests than of yours, and seeking
inwardly his own profit in everything, such a man will never
make a good servant, nor will you ever be able to trust him;
because he who has the state of another in his hands ought
never to think of himself, but always of his prince, and never
pay any attention to matters in which the prince is not
concerned.
to inform readers about the relationship between a prince
and his servants
to entertain readers with stories about masters and
servants in italian city-states
to provide readers with information about the duties and
benefits of serving a prince
to convince readers that a prince must choose a
trustworthy servant to represent him
on the other hand, to keep his servant honest the prince
ought to study him, honouring him, enriching him, doing him
kindnesses, sharing with him the honours and cares; and at
the same time let him see that he cannot stand alone, so that
many honours may not make him desire more, many riches
make him wish for more, and that many cares may make
him dread chances. when, therefore, servants, and princes