Asked by rebecca

True or False: Niccolo Machiavelli thought that a ruler could do whatever they wanted as long as they won in the end.

True

False

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
False.

Machiavelli argued rulers should be pragmatic and may need to use deceit or cruelty when necessary to maintain power and the state, but he did not endorse limitless wrongdoing. He emphasized prudent, strategic action—avoiding unnecessary cruelty, keeping public support, and maintaining the appearance of virtue—rather than "doing whatever they wanted" indiscriminately.