What “Machiavellian” really means - Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler

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From Shakespeare’s plays to modern TV dramas, the unscrupulous schemer for whom the ends always justify the means has become a familiar character type we love to hate. For centuries, we’ve had a single word to describe such characters: Machiavellian. But is it possible that we’ve been using that word wrong this whole time? Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler investigate the origins of the term.

Lesson by Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler, directed by TOGETHER.

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[firestorm]

The quote is actually incomplete.

"If you cannot be both it is better to be feared than loved but avoid being hated at all costs"

[rippingjeans]

“Learn the way to hell, in order to flee from it.”

[benjaminbauer]

A man who shares his thoughts on how to be manipulative is not manipulative. Hes honest and decent and tries to protect naive people from being absorbed by this cruel world.

[paulhan]

"An ideal without the grounds for reality is merely an illusion, a reality without the grounds for ideals is merely an object." Watching this video reminded me of this statement.

[j-user]

“The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.” -Machiavelli, fox & lion

[JonatasAdoM]

Machiavelli: "It is a warning, not a manual!!"
Orwell: "First time?"

[cosminblk]

Just to clarify: Machiaveli wasn't a bad guy, he just had a realistic vision about power

[ArtWithSR]

“Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible.”

[kaguya-sama]

'Machiavellian' is still an accurate word to use in that context though. 'Orwellian' doesn't refer to George Orwell's attributes, it refers to his famous work's attributes. Same goes for Machiavelli

[cheesecakelasagna]

This is why knowledge should never be only available to leaders, but also to followers and normal citizens.

[ramontavaresdacruz]

My stepfather gave me The Prince to read when I was around 16, I understood his takes but couldn't see the applications on the real world, after I've grown up and got more into politics I started to see what he meants and how the world works. I firmly believe that Machiavelli influenced to the point where I advocate for change by any means because I know the people in power will use any means to maintain the status quo.

[TheLifeFormulaa]

The Art of War and The 48 Laws of Power are great books to read regarding power

[XSpImmaLion]

Sorry Machiavelli, we apparently learned nothing.

[MrSmellySmell]

It is much safer to be feared than loved, but never hated. That last part is left off too often. I'm grateful that high school philosophy teacher assigned The Prince to us to read.

[-subscriberswithahammerad]

I’ve never even heard about that word before, but now I’m interested in learning more

[jeffcarrollshock]

Notice how the character at 2:51 removes his rose tinted glasses.

[iinarrab]

For those Filipinos who watched this and still think that there is such a thing as "good" Machiavellian" probably didn't watch the whole video at all.

Please be ashamed of yourself if you think that a leader should be Machiavellian

[uniqueusername_]

I love you, TED-Ed. You're a thousand times more interesting than my teachers. Every time they play one of your videos, it's a good period.

[nicolenicole]

In Italy studying Macchiavelli is compulsory...He was an amazing man honestly...I suggest reading it

[charmainegumarang]

It's funny how yt recommended this to me while there is a presidential candidate here in the Philippines who view Machiavellian as a positive attitude and got praised hagdg