Verified Document

Sermon On The Mount And The Prince Term Paper

Sermon on the Mount and the Prince Anyone who is even vaguely familiar with the teachings of Jesus and theories of Machiavelli would see just how starkly different are the two in their approach to everything especially leadership. Jesus was a symbol of compassion and forgiveness and in his Sermon on the Mount, he presented summary of his teachings which included the golden rule "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets" and the beatitudes such as 'the meek ... shall inherit the earth" and "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Obviously Machiavelli wasn't the man Christ was addressing because his rules of leadership and ruling are widely different and radical. Machiavelli's political theories were grounded in that belief that a ruler, "who wants to keep his post must learn how not to be good, and use that knowledge, or refrain from using it, as necessity requires."

The...

Parts of this document are hidden

View Full Document
svg-one

This is because while Jesus wanted an end to ruthless senseless killings and strongly condemned such acts of barbarism. Barbarism aside, Jesus did not even allow minor conflicts and grievances between people and advocated reconciliation. He said during the sermon: "You have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not commit murder" and "Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court." .. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, "You good-for-nothing," shall be guilty before the Supreme Court; and whoever says, "You fool," shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." Machiavelli on the other hand believed that man must kill freely as and when the ruler desired in order to terrorize people and remain in power. "If you are a prince in possession of a newly acquired state and deem it necessary . . .…

Sources used in this document:
References

1) Jesus: Sermon on the Mount

2) Machiavelli The Prince
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now