"God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us"

Niccolò Machiavelli’s observation contemplates the delicate dynamic between divine intervention and human autonomy. He asserts that if God were to accomplish all things by Himself, there would be no space left for human free will, nor for humans to earn or possess their own share of glory. This perspective implies that the divine recognizes a boundary, choosing not to interfere in all affairs so that individuals maintain agency over their own lives and destinies.

The assertion underscores a fundamental aspect of human existence: the ability to choose and act independently is central to dignity, personal achievement, and the cultivation of virtue. If omnipotence dictated every outcome, people would be mere spectators, denied the opportunity for moral growth, heroism, or excellence. Struggle and decision become meaningful only when individuals have a real stake in the outcome. Without free will, both merit and failure lose their significance, reducing human experience to passive observation.

Moreover, Machiavelli hints at the idea that glory, recognition for achievement, valor, or virtue, must be earned through one’s own efforts. Divine restraint allows humans to stake a claim in the unfolding drama of life. The potential for greatness exists precisely because people are permitted to act on their own will, facing the consequences of their choices, for good or ill. This arrangement can be viewed as an ennobling partnership: the divine sets the stage and the boundaries, but it is people who perform, create, and strive.

Embedded in this reflection is a moral challenge and an implicit encouragement. If God leaves space for human action, the responsibility to shape one’s destiny and the world lies squarely with individuals. The share of glory, then, comes not as a gift but as a hard-won prize, justified by the courage, wisdom, and determination displayed in the exercise of free will.