Machiavelli's view on mankind?

Question

"Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain". Why does he feel that way?

Answer 1

Machiavelli was a man who was born poor!  He did, however, rise to a great level both in society and intellect, because of his insatiable curiosity, and his love for knowledge.

His greatest contribution to the world was his book "The Prince." From which we obtain that most famous of his quotes: "The ends justify the means!"  He had a great deal of political acumen, and in addition to that, he was wise enough to know when his ideas were too bizarre for others.  He was dealing with wealthy, arrogant, people, people who had been in power for generations, and had a real sense of entitlement.  They wanted to know how to obtain more, and hold it with an iron fist!  

His sense of things in the quote was that in general, men are never satisfied with what they have, and will lie to get what they want, and their desire for more is never sated!  This is a pretty bleak outlook on life don't you think?

I have read The Prince, but I think his play "La Mandragola" or The Mandrake, is great, it is full of irony, and is wonderful.

The Mandrake (Italian: La Mandragola; written in 1518 and first printed in 1524) is an acclaimed satirical play by Niccolò Machiavelli. Its tale of the corruption of Italian society was written while Machiavelli was in exile, allegedly having plotted against the Medici. Written between 1504 and 1518 and first performed in 1518, the play dramatizes the principles from The Prince; Callimaco is La Mandragola's prince, his actions are in the pursuit of happiness at the expense of others [1]. Historically scholars connect him to Bernardo Rucellai, a Florentine aristocrat and opponent of Soderini [2]. Lucrezia is the state, Nicia is the "hereditary prince", Father Timeteo is the 'ecclesiastical prince', and Ligurio is the prince's philosopher advisor, or Machiavelli himself.

The play details a 24-hour period [3]. It concerns Callimaco's desire to sleep with Lucrezia, the young and beautiful wife of an elderly fool, Nicia, who, above all else, desires a son and heir. Callimaco, masquerading as a doctor, convinces Nicia to drug Lucrezia with mandrake claiming it will increase her fertility, but adds the dire warning that the Mandrake will undoubtedly kill the first man to have intercourse with her. Callimaco helpfully suggests to Nicia that an unwitting-fool be found for this purpose. Lucrezia, is eventually convinced to comply with her husband's wishes and finally allows a disguised Callimaco into her bed and thereafter accepts him as her lover on a more permanent basis.

Go find a copy of it, you will love it!