Explain how Machiavelli's discussion of virtue (virtu) in The Prince Essay

Explain how Machiavellis discussion of virtue (virtu) in The Prince differs from that of the ancients like Plato and Cicero. Give examples - turn out ExampleIt is immoral and unethical, maintains Plato, for a normal to rule solely by might.Machiavelli has stated, A Prince, therefore should scram no c be or thought still for war, and the regulations and training it requires, and should apply himself exclusively to this as his comical province for war is the sole art looked for in superstar who rules (Machiavelli, P. 70).Therefore, it is clear that Machiavellis idea of virtu is not whizz that is based on moral character, but rather, based on utility. For Machiavelli, virtu outweighs morality when the needs of the situation demands it for Plato, one must preserve morality at all times. Plato believes in utopian ideals and propositions Machiavelli, was a realist.Cicero, on the new(prenominal) hand, maintains that there was no distinction between that which was morally good and wh at was useful to man. His concept of duty is presently opposite the concept of duty as forwarded by Machiavelli. Cicero believed that pleasure whitethorn be enjoyed by man, but that there is a right and moral way to enjoy pleasure. For example, sex is an enjoyable activity and may thus be engaged in by man, but it is wrong to have sex with other mans wife. To quote from Cicero, Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason. Even their concepts of government are markedly different. Machiavelli would be wont to argue for the top-down approach, i.e., a good ruler is essential, a ruler who must be feared, more than loved. Cicero, on the other hand, believes that people should work together for the betterment of the community. Hence, he espouses a bottom-top approach.Describe the role of virtue in friendship, according to Cicero.Ciceros work, De Amicitia (On Friendship) captures this thinkers thoughts on friendship, and particularly, the role that virt ue plays. A really enlightening passage in this work, translated in English, reads I can only advise you to select friendship to all things else within human attainment, insomuch as nothing beside is so well fitted to nature, -- so well adapted to our needs whether in prosperous or in adverse circumstances. nevertheless I consider this as a first principle -- that friendship can exist only between good men. Much ado is made regarding the moral dimension of friendship - that it should be based on nature, and not on need, on love and not on benefit. To quote the good philosopher once again, But in friendship there is nothing feigned, nothing pretended, and whatever there is in it is both authorized and spontaneous. Friendship, therefore, springs from nature rather than from need, -- from an inclination of the mind with a certain consciousness of love rather than from counting of the benefit to be derived from it. Hence, Cicero believes that truth-telling is an important aspect of friendship, and that the truth must be told to a friend, even though the truth hurts.But perhaps the most important point made by Cicero is that virtue is the very framework of friendship, it is the very bulwark on which friendship rests -Virtue, I say to you, Caius Fannius, and to you, Quintus Mucius, -- virtue both forms and hold friendships. In it is mutual agreement in it is stability in it is consistency of conduct and character. When it has put itself forth and