Liberality#
Summary#
Machiavelli argues that while a reputation for liberality seems desirable, the actual exercise of liberality leads to ruin. A prince who wishes to be seen as generous must spend lavishly, eventually exhausting his resources and being forced to burden his people with taxes, making himself odious and despised. Therefore a wise prince should not fear a reputation for meanness, since thrift allows him to defend himself and undertake enterprises without oppressing his subjects. Machiavelli notes that great things have only been accomplished by those considered mean, and distinguishes between spending one’s own wealth, which should be avoided, and distributing the wealth of conquered enemies, which adds rather than diminishes reputation.