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About Niccolo Machiavelli Trivia Quiz

Niccolo Machiavelli was a philosopher and statesman as well an author. The term "Machiavellian" has become synonymous with cynicism and immorality in politics and just, in general, being sneaky.

A multiple-choice quiz by safemann. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
safemann

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
214,888

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1483

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What did Bertrand Russell say about Machiavelli's "The Prince". Hint

It's a handbook for gangsters.

It should be banned from K-12 in the educational system.

It's a brilliant treatise on diplomatic survival.

It should be required reading for all MBA candidates.

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Question 2 of 10

2. Where was Machiavelli born? Hint

Palermo

Florence

Naples

Rome

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Question 3 of 10

3. Machiavelli wrote: "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. This quote "The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous" is often incorrectly attributed to Machiavelli.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. An example of Machiavelli's cynicism can be found in this quote: "Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain."

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. "At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid." Did Machivelli write this?

Yes

7. This is my favorite, but did Machiavelli really say it? "There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."

Yes

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Question 8 of 10

8. Did Machiavelli say this? "The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently."

Yes

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Question 9 of 10

9. Sitting in class today my instructor said "If you learn to rule one man's soul, you can get the rest of mankind." Who was he quoting? Hint

Friedrich Nietzsche

Niccolo Machiavelli

Jean-Paul Sartre

Ayn Rand

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Question 10 of 10

10. Here is an easy question to finish this Machiavellian quiz. Niccolo Machiavelli has been called: Hint

"Old Nick"

"The Devil's partner in crime"

All of these

"Murderous Machiavel"

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Dec 21 2024 : Guest 136: 6/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 47: 5/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What did Bertrand Russell say about Machiavelli's "The Prince".

Answer: It's a handbook for gangsters.

In an earlier time Francis Bacon said we should be "much beholding" to those who write "...what men do and not what they ought to do."

2. Where was Machiavelli born?

Answer: Florence

Machiavelli was the third son of a lawyer and was educated in the best humanist tradition.

3. Machiavelli wrote: "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

Answer: True

Machiavelli's contemporaries included: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Christopher Columbus.

4. This quote "The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous" is often incorrectly attributed to Machiavelli.

Answer: False

Machiavelli writes a "...little book, 'On Principalities.'". This little book was to become, after his death, the infamous "The Prince".

5. An example of Machiavelli's cynicism can be found in this quote: "Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain."

Answer: True

Machiavelli's "The Prince" is dedicated to Lorenzo Medici, the nephew of the Pope and was written in the hope of regaining his lost political prestige.

6. "At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid." Did Machivelli write this?

Answer: No

The concept of "Fortune" (that is "chance") is important in Machiavelli's philosophy. It is a force which intervenes uncontrollably in one's life in either a good or bad way. It cannot be anticipated or planned for.

Answer: Yes

In "The Prince" Machiavelli writes on the establishment of a new ruler: "Men must be either pampered or crushed, because they can get revenge for small injuries, but not for grievous ones. So any injury a prince does a man should be of such a kind that there is no fear of revenge."

8. Did Machiavelli say this? "The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently."

Answer: No

The quote comes from Friedrich Nietzsche's "The Dawn".

Nietzsche shared Machiavelli's belief that it was impossible to be a good citizen and a good Christian because a citizen will have to do things that are reprehensible to a Christian.

9. Sitting in class today my instructor said "If you learn to rule one man's soul, you can get the rest of mankind." Who was he quoting?

Answer: Ayn Rand

While "The Prince" gets all the publicity, "The Discourses" provide the truest look at Machiavelli's politics by clarifying two important ideas: He never urged immorality for its own sake but as necessary for a strong state; and the ideal state is a republic.

10. Here is an easy question to finish this Machiavellian quiz. Niccolo Machiavelli has been called:

Answer: All of these

Consider this remark of his: "The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him." Machiavelli, Niccolo, "The Prince".

Source: Author safemann

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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