It was Lord Bacon, I believe, who said that Machiavelli tells us what princes do, not what they ought to do.

When Machiavelli takes Caesar Borgia as a model, he in nowise extols him as a hero, but merely as a prince who was capable of attaining the end in view.

The life of the State was the primary object.

It must be maintained.

And Machiavelli has laid down the principles, based upon his study and wide experience, by which this may be accomplished.