5. What does it mean to ‘master fortune’?
Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli references fortune and the role it plays in the affairs of government; for example, he discusses how fortune or luck can affect the acquisition of new territories. At the end of the work, however, Machiavelli delves into an in-depth discussion of fortune—this decision can be seen as an element of Machiavelli’s pragmatism, as any political treatise naturally should discuss the role of chance, as it is a ubiquitous force in government, and in human affairs in general.
Machiavelli urges his not to give into the nihilistic view that fortune controls everything, and therefore one should not bother to exert any effort in one’s ventures; instead, he asserts that “fortune determines one half of our actions, but that, even so, she leaves us to control the other half” (74). This frames the relationship between fortune and human will as a constant power struggle, since the two opposing fortunes are equally matched. Machiavelli depicts fortune as a cunning foe, who “demonstrates her power when precautions have not been taken to resist her” (75). A ruler who does not recognize fortune’s power, and instead depends on its good graces continuing, “will be destroyed” (75). In addition, those who do not change their behavior to suit the times “will be destroyed for [they] will continue to behave in the same way” (75) even when that way is no longer suitable. The way to master fortune, then, is to “change one’s character as times and circumstances change” (76). However, Machiavelli asserts that this is not possible, as “one cannot find a man so prudent he knows how to adapt himself to changing circumstances” (75). As an example of this idea, Machiavelli offers the story of Pope Julius II, who “always acted impetuously” (76). Because Julius’ “style of action was so appropriate to the times and circumstances in which he found himself” (76), he was always successful; however, had he lived long enough for the times to change, “he would have been destroyed” (76). Machiavelli concludes that even Julius, a successful leader, “would never have been able to change the style of behavior to which his character inclined him” (76).
In a classically pragmatic conclusion, Machiavelli ends his rumination on fortune with the idea that “it is better to be headstrong than cautious, for fortune is a lady...if you want to master her, [you must]...beat and strike her” (76). To master fortune, therefore, is not to do the impossible—change one’s character with the times—but rather to display as much force as possible when facing fortune. While Machiavelli does not elaborate very much on this point, he urges those who want to master fortune to “act boldly” (77); I interpret this to mean responding rapidly and decisively to political or military developments, rather than continuing down the same path despite changes in the situation. This idea contains an inherent contradiction, however, as Machiavelli has just asserted that one cannot change one’s character to fit the times and circumstances. Thus, it seems that it is not entirely possible to master fortune, but it is feasible, with aggression and boldness, to pull ahead of it slightly in the ongoing battle between fortune and man.
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