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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What message does a prince give his subjects if he builds a fortress for himself?
(a) That he will always be ready to defend the people.
(b) That he is more important than the people.
(c) That he fears the people.
(d) That he trusts his military advisors.

2. What dichotomy does Machiavelli present regarding goodness and vices in a prince?
(a) Goodness will preserve his princedom while vices will bring his downfall.
(b) Vices can be balanced out by the amount of fear they generate.
(c) His goodness may lead to his downfall whereas his vices may sometimes keep him safe.
(d) People see goodness as weakness and vices as strengths.

3. What is the best type of mind Machiavelli says is needed for a strong prince?
(a) One that can think for himself.
(b) One that takes only a short time to make a decision
(c) One that has no opinions whatsoever.
(d) One that can understand what other men think.

4. When does Machiavelli say a prince should be thinking most about military strategy?
(a) When he is being invaded.
(b) When he visits another prince.
(c) During times of peace.
(d) On hunting expeditions.

5. What in Machiavelli's opinion is the problem with a prince being too liberal with his subjects?
(a) Everyone will always fear him because he might take away his liberality.
(b) Eventually his liberality will lead to burdensome taxation.
(c) People will not take him seriously when he has a problem.
(d) He will not have time to enjoy his own life.

6. How does Machiavelli justify his position that a prince is not duty bound to keep his word?
(a) He says that a prince should always change his mind about everything until he gets all the facts.
(b) He says it is the only way to keep the people satisfied that he knows what he is doing.
(c) He says men are basically self-centered and will not keep their word, so the prince is not obligated to do so.
(d) He says that people always believe everything a prince says, so he can say what he pleases.

7. Who can successfully gain the reputation for generosity but not ruin himself in the process?
(a) A prince who goes to war to create jobs for his subjects.
(b) A prince who gives away someone else's money.
(c) A prince who has unlimited resources.
(d) A prince who only gives when he can expect a generous return.

8. What does Machiavelli say the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan had in common?
(a) They both had great skill in dealing with the nobles.
(b) They both learned quickly how to rule effectively.
(c) They both improved the laws in their dominions.
(d) They both lost their dominions in Italy.

9. Why is a reputation for cruelty necessary for a prince?
(a) To keep people from asking too much.
(b) To maintain control of his army.
(c) To show his tough love.
(d) To defend himself from mercenaries.

10. What is more effective than honesty in a prince?
(a) Indifference.
(b) Good looks.
(c) Generosity.
(d) Cunning.

11. How does Machiavelli classify auxiliary troops?
(a) As extremely reliable during a crisis.
(b) As cheaper than hiring independent mercenaries.
(c) As the best possible choice for a prince to make.
(d) As the worst possible choice for a prince to make.

12. A prince who has acquired a new dominion added to his own should disarm the conquered people. Why?
(a) The arms should be in the control of his own military.
(b) The new subjects will feel that the miliary will protect them.
(c) He only needs the arms to add to his arsenal.
(d) It shows the new subjects that they are safe.

13. Which prince does Machiavelli say must be generous?
(a) One who has excessive vices.
(b) One who is about to go to war.
(c) One who inherited his title.
(d) One just coming into power.

14. What response does a prince receive if he is seen as fickle, effeminate, cowardly, frivolous, or irresolute?
(a) Admiration.
(b) Strong support.
(c) None.
(d) Contempt.

15. How does Machiavelli say a prince can make himself feared without making himself hated?
(a) By giving pardons to criminals.
(b) By hanging only unpopular criminals.
(c) By leaving people's property alone.
(d) By taking the women away.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli mean when he says "impetuousness is better than calculation"?

2. In his discussion of the qualities of a good leader, how does Machiavelli depart from the accepted rules?

3. Which statement is true according to Machiavelli?

4. Although Machiavelli says that Pope Julius II was impetuous in all he did, still he succeeded. Why?

5. What does Machiavelli say is the problem with remaining neutral between two warring sides?

(see the answer keys)

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