Machiavelli is a man of many words.  Some of the words he writes are more comedical, while others are more serious.   Either way, i believe that in the Prince, Machiavelli has a satirical but truthful tone.   As I look at his words, I realize that they are profound, but also simple at the same time.  One quote that I think is outrageous is, “the vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.”

This quote is quite absurd as it is a huge generalization of humanity to state that the world is full of vulgarity.  The definition of vulgar is to lack taste, or something unrefined.  I think that many times we as humans are unrefined and we do not realize it.   I feel like Machiavelli analyzes life versus looking more at human values.  With his slight satirical outlook, I think Machiavelli mocks how humans are vulgar and try to please crowds.   I think Machiavelli has a point in saying that humans are not very logical, and they make a lot of mistakes based on their own natural will and their choices that are based more on impulse.

To me, this quote is an outrageous generalization about the world, but it really is true.   We are a vulgar crowd looking to please.  Facebook is just another creation of a bunch of people looking to please one another through posts, social statuses, or photos.  Everything we do is self gratifying, and we are becoming more and more taken by appearances.   People are starting to care more and more about what is on the outside and not the inside.  The satire in Machiavelli’s writing is telling us that we are judged by the images we portray.

Another quote that is kind of absurd, but I found interesting is, “those princes who have accomplished most [are those] — who knew how to manipulate the minds of men craftily.  In the end they won out over those who tried to act honestly”.   I think this quote also coincides with Machiavelli’s satirical view on humanity, and how those who are more manipulative and dishonest, are those that succeed in life.  I think that those honest people, are not respected because they are looked at as too soft.  Just as the quote above, the world is becoming more vulgar because people want to flaunt their riches and show outward appearances.