Famous Quotes Explained: « In times of peace, the mercenary steals; in times of war, he deserts, »The Prince, Machiavelli, 1532.

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Famous Quotes Explained: « In times of peace, the mercenary steals; in times of war, he deserts, »The Prince, Machiavelli, 1532.

Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian political philosopher of the Renaissance, primarily known for his major work, The Prince, published in 1532. This quote, In times of peace, the mercenary steals; in times of war, he deserts, reflects Machiavelli’s pragmatic and sometimes cynical view of politics and human nature. In his work, he sets morality aside to analyze ways of acquiring and maintaining power. It is a political treatise dedicated to Lorenzo de Medici.

Machiavelli acknowledges that mercenaries, soldiers hired to fight without loyalty to a specific cause, primarily act out of self-interest. He divides their behavior into two situations:

In times of peace, the mercenary steals. This means that when the nation they serve is not engaged in armed conflict, the mercenary may engage in dishonest activities to satisfy their financial needs. Their loyalty to the employer is weak in the absence of constant payment. This is one of the reasons that pushed countries to gradually maintain regular armies to avoid having bands of looters on their territory once the war is over.

In times of war, he deserts. Machiavelli suggests that when war breaks out, the mercenary may choose to desert rather than risk their life. Their loyalty is primarily directed toward their survival, and they may leave the battlefield if conditions become too dangerous. They have no other interest than their purse for fighting: no way of life, territory, or family to defend.

The quote underscores the unstable and self-interested nature of mercenaries, describing them as opportunistic actors in conflicts. Machiavelli does not valorize them, but he acknowledges their pragmatic use by the rulers and governments of his time to achieve their political goals. For him, mercenaries are tools, and their loyalty depends on the situation. However, in The Prince, he strongly prefers conscription, the use of national soldiers by the government.

Overall, this quote highlights the pragmatic and often brutal reality of politics according to Machiavelli, where actors, including mercenaries, act based on their personal interests and the political situation of the moment.

In times of peace, the mercenary steals; in times of war, he deserts.

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