Cesare-borgia Quote by Frederick the Great
““(About Cesare Borgia) What cruelties were not the result of his? Who could count all his crimes? Such was the man that Machiavel prefers to all the great geniuses of his time, and to the heroes of antiquity, and of which he finds the life and action make a good example for those that fortune favors.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Historical commentary on Machiavelli and Cesare Borgia, 18th century
The speaker questions the moral cost of power, noting that even great leaders have dark deeds, yet their actions can still inspire others
In simple terms: Powerful figures can be both terrible and exemplary
Key Takeaway
Consider both the good and bad in leaders
Themes
ethics
power
history
leadership
Mood
thoughtful
critical
serious
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- ethical debates
- historical study
- leadership training
Key Concepts
moral ambiguity
political philosophy
historical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria should we use to judge historical figures?
- Can a leader’s achievements justify their cruelty?
A Different Perspective
Machiavellian praise may overlook suffering caused by such leaders
![“All religions must be tolerated ... every man must go to heaven in his own way. [Die Religionen müssen alle toleriert werden ... denn hier muss ein jeder nach seiner Fasson selig werden.]” quote by Frederick The Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cdf/frederick-the-great-8525_atheism_all-religions-must-be-tolerated-every-ma_313631.jpg)
