"A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example"
About this Quote
Machiavelli draws attention to the profound impact that personal virtue can have not just on individuals but on the broader fabric of a republic. At critical moments when a republic has strayed from its foundational ideals, the return to first principles, the core values and ethical standards upon which it was built, does not always arise from grand reforms or structural changes imposed from above. Sometimes, it is the conduct of a single individual of exceptional character that catalyzes such a renewal.
The phrase emphasizes the dual effect such a person has on society. First, those who already possess good character, the "good men", find themselves inspired, redoubling their own commitment to virtue as they strive to match or honor the example they witness. These men are moved not necessarily by external laws or threats of punishment, but by an internal desire to emulate what they perceive as excellence in their peer. The very presence of someone living out the republic’s core virtues acts as a living standard, reigniting the population’s own values through the force of personal example.
On the other hand, those inclined toward vice, the "wicked", are themselves affected, not out of inspiration, but of shame. The public comparison with someone steadfastly good throws their own moral failings into stark relief. The shame of being seen as oppositional to such an evident good exerts a subtle but real social pressure, often enough to suppress or curb the public expression of their worst instincts. The virtuous individual thus becomes both a moral exemplar and an indirect form of social censure.
Machiavelli suggests that the power of example can be greater than laws or punishments because it appeals to both admiration and shame, fundamental drivers of human behavior, making virtue contagious and vice less palatable. Through the presence and deeds of one person, an entire culture can be reminded of its best self and nudged back toward it.
The phrase emphasizes the dual effect such a person has on society. First, those who already possess good character, the "good men", find themselves inspired, redoubling their own commitment to virtue as they strive to match or honor the example they witness. These men are moved not necessarily by external laws or threats of punishment, but by an internal desire to emulate what they perceive as excellence in their peer. The very presence of someone living out the republic’s core virtues acts as a living standard, reigniting the population’s own values through the force of personal example.
On the other hand, those inclined toward vice, the "wicked", are themselves affected, not out of inspiration, but of shame. The public comparison with someone steadfastly good throws their own moral failings into stark relief. The shame of being seen as oppositional to such an evident good exerts a subtle but real social pressure, often enough to suppress or curb the public expression of their worst instincts. The virtuous individual thus becomes both a moral exemplar and an indirect form of social censure.
Machiavelli suggests that the power of example can be greater than laws or punishments because it appeals to both admiration and shame, fundamental drivers of human behavior, making virtue contagious and vice less palatable. Through the presence and deeds of one person, an entire culture can be reminded of its best self and nudged back toward it.
Quote Details
| Topic | Leadership |
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