Changes

For the Romans, virtus was the opposite of inertia, weakness, or dependence on luck. A classic example is Cicero or Livy praising a general’s virtus for his boldness, decisiveness, and success, even if the means were ruthless.

For the Romans, virtus was the opposite of inertia, weakness, or dependence on luck. A classic example is Cicero or Livy praising a general’s virtus for his boldness, decisiveness, and success, even if the means were ruthless.

Machiavelli adopts this Roman sense almost exactly. In ''[[The Prince]]'' and the ''[[Discourses]]'', virtù is the set of personal qualities—courage, decisiveness, adaptability, cunning, audacity, self-reliance—that enable a ruler (or a republic) to master circumstances, seize opportunities, and dominate Fortune.

Machiavelli adopts this Roman sense almost exactly. In ''[[The Prince]]'' and the ''Discourses'', virtù is the set of personal qualities—courage, decisiveness, adaptability, cunning, audacity, self-reliance—that enable a ruler (or a republic) to master circumstances, seize opportunities, and dominate Fortune.

Crucially, it is amoral: a prince can (and sometimes must) use cruelty, deception, or betrayal if they are done '''bene''' (well) and at the right moment. That is still an exercise of virtù.<br>

Crucially, it is amoral: a prince can (and sometimes must) use cruelty, deception, or betrayal if they are done '''bene''' (well) and at the right moment. That is still an exercise of virtù.<br>