Although there is little recorded of the youth of Machiavelli, the Florence of those days is so well known that the early environment of this representative citizen may be easily imagined. Florence has been described as a city with two opposite currents of life, one directed by the fervent and austere Savonarola, the other by the splendour-loving Lorenzo. Savonarola’s influence upon the young Machiavelli must have been slight, for although at one time he wielded immense power over the fortunes of Florence, he only furnished Machiavelli with a subject of a gibe in The Prince, where he is cited as an example of an unarmed prophet who came to a bad end. Whereas the magnificence of the Medicean rule during the life of Lorenzo appeared to have impressed Machiavelli strongly, for he frequently recurs to it in his writings, and it is to Lorenzo’s grandson that he dedicates The Prince.
Little is recorded about Machiavelli’s youth, but Florence at that time is well known. This makes it easy to imagine the early surroundings of this representative citizen. Florence has been described as a city with two opposing ways of life. One was shaped by the passionate and strict Savonarola, the other by Lorenzo, who loved luxury and grandeur. Savonarola’s influence on the young Machiavelli must have been slight. At one point, he held enormous power over Florence’s fate. Yet he merely gave Machiavelli someone to mock in The Prince. There, Savonarola appears as an example of an unarmed prophet who came to a bad end. By contrast, the grandeur of Medici rule during Lorenzo’s lifetime seems to have made a strong impression on Machiavelli. He often returns to it in his writings, and he dedicates The Prince to Lorenzo’s grandson.
Machiavelli, in his “History of Florence,” gives us a picture of the young men among whom his youth was passed. He writes: “They were freer than their forefathers in dress and living, and spent more in other kinds of excesses, consuming their time and money in idleness, gaming, and women; their chief aim was to appear well dressed and to speak with wit and acuteness, whilst he who could wound others the most cleverly was thought the wisest.” In a letter to his son Guido, Machiavelli shows why youth should avail itself of its opportunities for study, and leads us to infer that his own youth had been so occupied. He writes: “I have received your letter, which has given me the greatest pleasure, especially because you tell me you are quite restored in health, than which I could have no better news; for if God grant life to you, and to me, I hope to make a good man of you if you are willing to do your share.” Then, writing of a new patron, he continues: “This will turn out well for you, but it is necessary for you to study; since, then, you have no longer the excuse of illness, take pains to study letters and music, for you see what honour is done to me for the little skill I have. Therefore, my son, if you wish to please me, and to bring success and honour to yourself, do right and study, because others will help you if you help yourself.”
In his “History of Florence,” Machiavelli describes the young men he grew up among. He writes: “They took more liberties than their ancestors in their clothing and way of life. They also spent more on other excesses, wasting their time and money on idleness, gambling, and women. Their main aim was to dress well and speak with wit and sharpness. Whoever could hurt others most cleverly with words was considered the wisest.” In a letter to his son Guido, Machiavelli explains why young people should make the most of their opportunities to study. He also suggests that he spent his own youth studying. He writes: “I received your letter, which gave me great pleasure, especially because you say your health is fully restored. I could have no better news. If God grants both you and me life, I hope to make you a good man. But you must be willing to do your part.” Then, writing about a new patron, he continues: “This will work out well for you, but you must study. Since illness is no longer an excuse, work hard at literature and music. You see how much honor I receive for the little skill I have. So, my son, if you wish to please me and bring yourself success and honor, do what is right and study. Others will help you if you help yourself.”