Fortune and prowess are themes that run throughout Machiavelli’s the Prince. They are two elements which can contribute to the rise of a ruler and variably help maintain him in power; prowess in particular is believed necessary to remain in power. Both fortune and power are employed in the Prince as part of Machiavelli’s set of guidelines for rulers to reinforce their position. He particularly shows their importance and how they should be used in Chapters VI and VII, which furthermore clarify the relationship between both concepts.
Prowess refers to the power of character whereas fortune refers to wealth. While these two concepts are to be variably found throughout the book, Machiavelli elaborates on them in Chapters VI and VII respectively. The Chapters define them but also the relationship among them.
With regards prowess, Machiavelli seems to mean by it a combination of physical ability and mental dexterity of the ruler to impose himself and secure his rule. The idea of prowess physical ability or the use of force is brought home via a number of examples. In such sense, the lack of prowess is the reason why “all armed prophets have conquered, and unarmed prophets have come to grieve” (Machiavelli 21) and why in ancient such as rulers as Moses, Cyrus, Theseus, and Romulus have established long rules. Prowess, in its material meaning, is considered as necessary to the rise to power but foremost to the maintenance of the rule. As much as the ruler imposes respect to his persona via forcefulness as much there are chances for his rule to last for a long time. Prowess has also an abstract meaning to it; it is the ability to seize the opportunity to establish one’s rule. This is exemplified by Moses’, although upon a divine call, mobilizing the Jews at a time when they were living in servitude and oppression. Cyrus too had managed to rally the Persians at a time where they were antagonistic towards the then established rule. Theseus managed to rule over Athena because its people were non-grouped. As to Romulus, his initial departure from Alba where he was meant to die made him later the ruler of Rome. Hence, the four examples from history converge in their forceful set up of their rule but also in them coming at peculiar times or situation, in other words they were the right men at the right time.
As to fortune, it refers to wealth. On this, Machiavelli acknowledges that it is a means to acquire a principality. Money helps bribing people, notably soldiers. Gradually, a private citizen might pay his way up to reach the position of a ruler. Money helps becoming a prince because of its power to corrupt. However, he is suspicious of how significant is fortune if used solely, with no sustain of power or ruling talent. He give examples on how if fortune can ‘buy’ off a principality, if alone, it cannot sustain it. Cesar Borgia acquired a state using the money handed down by his father. As soon as the money was gone, so was his rule.
It is here where prowess comes to play. It is a must according to Machiavelli’s precepts, once a principality is acquired, notably via fortune, to be reinforced by the use of prowess. This is exemplified in Francesco Sforza, who was a private citizen, hence of good fortune, and managed to establish a powerful rule when he became the duke of Milan. Machiavelli, analyzing why his case was a success, states that Francesco has directed his efforts towards building the foundations for the future. He endorsed his position through forceful struggle, but once he firmly established his position he could enjoy a stable rule.
Prowess, therefore, has the upper hand over fortune. Both are conducive to the acquisition of rule but only prowess can help maintain the rules. Fortune is somehow a short cut to becoming a prince. Prowess is what gives the prince its aura as a prince, installs stability and respect/fear towards his persona.
Prowess can be particularly useful when used in its meaning that pertains to mental dexterity. It is important to know when to operate, as afore-explained, but also how to. One good way, if there is no such situation as the ones mentioned above dispersion or animosity towards the already established rule, is to create it.
Alexander VI, as put forth by Machiavelli, had material difficulties that would prevent him from enlarging the scope of his rule and the passing on to his sought (Machiavelli 23-26). He had no access to arms and could not acquire a state for the duke. What he did instead is to generate discord, pitting states against each other. He built an alliance with the Venetians who wanted France back and he helped king Louis invade Italy. This displaced the ruling powers notably the church. The next step was gaining the allegiance of the elite of Rome. He rallied around him the nobility. He then proceeded to the destruction of his rivals in the states of Orsini and Colonna. Afterwards, he employed his efforts to quelling all forms of opposition, helped by the French. He ultimately managed to reinforce his position and restore his former rule. All these manifestations of prowess are in fact a matter of strategic thinking. The use of force as such is but an intervening factor. The reason why Alexander VI managed to reinforce is position is because of his strategic thinking and his acting according to well calculated plans. Prowess, in its mental value is extremely important; it is more important than fortune and more important than material prowess or the use of force.
It is important to understand the extent of each of the two concepts, subjects of this study. Regardless o how valuable each is, a prince should understand each to better use them when appropriate, know how far he can get through them, and also understand the limitations. Although the portrayal of prowess seems to give it the greatest value, both fortune and prowess are part of the educational guidelines that Machiavelli addresses to the princes or would be princes.
In line with the overall ideational schemes, both fortune and prowess are defined according to an ethical standard different from that of common man. They are developed according to a system of values that upholds corruption and treachery. Fortune is an asset because the prince can corrupt the people and buy them off until he reaches the summit of the rule. Prowess is good because the prince has to be foxy and forceful in his methods to reinforce or even reach such position. It is fine to stab in the back, make alliances with feuds, create animosity, pit states and rulers against each other, in word discord is a quest. Likewise, resorting to force is legitimate for the one who wants to be a prince. Making war is part of becoming a prince. One talks here about a different set of morality. The means justifies the end, and getting to power is indeed a legitimate end.
As much as they may seem different, both fortune and prowess are complementary. Having the financial means to become a prince is always an asset to start off. This is why many examples drawn by Machiavelli refer to private citizens. They have the means to embark on such venture as getting to summit of rule. Prowess can guarantee the continuity of what money buys. This why in the Chapter where he discusses fortune and put forth the example of the duke Alexander, he still refers many times to prowess.
It is interesting however that while fortune is a quality that a prince either has or has not, prowess can be applied by a prince but need not to emanate from him. A prince can take advantage of other rulers’ prowess and ‘imitate their greatness’. This is an interesting point because Machiavelli takes us to another dimension- the make belief. So what is important is the perception that others have of the prince, he must give the impression that he is powerful without necessarily being so.
He pushes this is a step further always using the example of the duke Alexander when he states that authority should be carefully handled so as not to generate hatred. Alexander was clever to hand out the ‘dirty job’ of authoritatively unifying the people of Romagna to a cruel man, according to Machiavelli standards, who ruled over them forcefully. He is Remirro de Orco and he excelled in his job, sparing the duke the hatred of the people. It is all a matter of degree and management of the concepts/precept of princely ruling. Even prowess and the use of force, which are extensively praised, have to be used carefully. The ultimate goal is to sustain one’s rule, and this should remain in perspective. Of authoritativeness is on the verge of turning people against you, then it is no more useful. This logic is perhaps behind the duke’s killing of Remirro whom he installed by himself. Once unification is established, Alexander literally disposed of him.
Prowess and fortune are ultimately best understood as going by each other. They all make a prince and depending on how employed may guarantee him the position and security. The two are part of a large inventory of precepts that Machiavelli puts forth. Their value has been detailed, but there is need for understanding them within the grand Machiavelli scheme, giving a treatise on how to become and remain a prince. Both prowess and fortune are only meaningful when applied through actions that are swift, effective, and short-live in terms of cruelty. Brute power which is partly defining these two concepts, like most of the ones to be found in the Prince, are not gratuitous as one may be tempted to understand. Brutality is a necessary measure, but it moves from becoming a means to an end in itself there is a danger of moving away from the main logic and the therefore not succeeding as a prince.
Machiavelli’s treatment of prowess and fortune is delicate. At first, it reads like a scrupulous treatise, devoid of morality. At the same time one is forced to acknowledge that Machiavelli does not applaud a concept without outlining its strategic significance and the extent to which it should be used. Accordingly, prowess and fortune are introduced as concepts that are to be employed strategically. Planning is a key word.
All in all, one should say that the two concepts are presented as complementary. Fortune is important only when some measure of prowess is accompanied with it. A talented prince should grasp this complementarity so that after he actually acquires a state he remains its ruler for a long time. Fortune and prowess, according to Machiavelli, are some of the many methods by which a principality can be acquired. It is the prince who has to retain the subtleties in the usage of each of there methods and strategically plan how and when to employ them.