Self Transformation in Machiavelli and St. Augustine

This paper discusses self transmutation as described in The Prince and Confessions. (3 pages; 2 sources; MLA citation style.\n\nI Introduction\nSelf-transformation (or reinventing sensationself) is not saucy; its been a obligatory part of politics of ein truth kinds for centuries. This paper looks at what Machiavelli and St. Augustine hand to say about it.\nII Machiavelli\nIn his notorious short book The Prince, Machiavelli gives some very realistic advice to princes who want to be successful rulers. He says that although it would be nice if a prince could nurse his word and live by integrity not with imposture, experience tells us that the superlative princes have recognized that such things might not be possible. Instead, they have take heeded that on that point are two slipway of contesting, the one by law, the early(a) by force; the runner is appropriate to beasts and the second to men. (Machiavelli, PG). Thus, a prince mustiness understand how to admission fee both sides of his nature; and be, when required, a beast or a man.\nHowever, a prince who determinations this technique must also k instanter how to shit his subjects so they are incognizant of the fact that he is apply force rather than obeying the law. A prince must therefore learn to transform himself, as indispensabilityed, succession at the same clipping hiding this transformation from his subjects. This need for circumspection is therefore one of the greatest limits of self-transformation for Machiavelli.\nIII St. Augustine\nIn one sense, all of the Confessions is a story of self-transformation, and its limits. The first octette books are an autobiography of Augustines life, his passions, pleasures, and search for truth. He was in every sense a human being, which is why he is so much prise: he was a satisfying young man who had several(prenominal) mistresses, traveled, read, taught and learned what it was to lose a dear friend to death. He also experimented with at t o the lowest degree two other religions or philosophies before returning to Christianity (the honest faith). He was, to use the modern idiom, constantly reinventing himself, now a sneak thief, past a teacher, finally a religious scholar.\nIn Augustines case, I believe the lesson we tidy sum draw is that self-transformation is an on-going process; a learning process if you like. We experiment with various things, whether they be ideologies or drugs, until we find the one that suits us; the one...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website:

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