Niccolo Machiavelli’s short book, The Prince, is a guide on how to be a successful monarch; “Ruling for Dummies” could be its modern title. One aspect of his advice which is most arguable in its moral implications is that the ends always justify the means. Lying and killing are perfectly acceptable if they keep a Prince in power. In Chapter 17, Machiavelli suggests that a ruler should prefer to be feared than loved. The affection of the people “is held by the tie of obligation, which, because men are a sorry breed, is broken on every whisper of private interest; but fear is bound by the apprehension of punishment which never relaxes its grasp.” The only limit to using fear is when it begins earning the people’s hatred. Machiavelli finds torture and cruelty perfectly acceptable as long as they are effective and do not escalate - people forget cruelty, but continuous terror will eventually lead to hate. When a republic is taken over, The Prince advises that the new ruler destroy it completely to wipe freedom from the minds of the people.

Perhaps the clearest statement of the ends justifying the means is in Chapter 17: “In the actions of all men, and most of all of Princes, where there is no tribunal to which we can appeal, we look to results. Wherefore if a Prince succeeds in establishing and maintaining his authority, the means will always be judged honorable and be approved by every one.” In the end, the stability of the princedom is determined by the firmness of the Prince and he is justified in any means he uses to establish that stability.

Adolf Hitler is perfect example of how Machiavelli’s advice can work out well for a Prince and his princedom–and lead to true immorality and atrocity. Germany had fallen into poverty and depression after World War I. War debts and tributes were high, and many Germans did not accept that they had lost the war in the first place. Hitler came on the scene as a rejuvenating force, providing a new mentality based on a united and superior Aryan race. He boosted both morale and the economy. However, in true Machiavelli form, he could not trust to the love of his people; he distracted them with a war of invasion and expansion (under the name of liberation), and inspired a healthy fear by pointing a finger - and a gun–at the Jewish people.

Hitler’s fascist regime was very successful. Even after the fall of the Nazis, Germany managed to maintain First-World status. It’s arguable that without Hitler, Germany may have remained in its economic slump and become a Second- or Third-World country. But if Hitler was ultimately good for Germany, did this end justify his horrific means? No. The Prince may give practical advice to leaders, but when stability comes at the cost of human lives, the ends can never be justified.