Philosophies for Life 86: Niccolò Machiavelli - How to Stop People From Using You
Jun 5, 2025
29:19
Niccolò Machiavelli - Why People Will Always Use You (Unless You Do This)
In this video we will be talking about 8 powerful ways to stop people from using you the philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli. Niccolò Machiavelli’s philosophy is called political realism and it emphasizes practical and effective governance.
Niccolò Machiavelli—a political philosopher who dared to speak the truth about human nature.
He wasn’t cynical. He was realistic. He didn’t believe people were evil—but he did believe most people act out of self-interest. In his legendary book, The Prince, Machiavelli doesn’t tell us to be cruel. He tells us to open our eyes and see that the world isn’t ruled by kindness or fairness— but by strategy. By power. And by survival. He never actually said, “The ends justify the means”— but his philosophy danced dangerously close to it. To Machiavelli, if achieving power required cruelty, manipulation, or deceit—so be it.
What mattered was the result. And while his book was intended for monarchs, his ideas seep into modern life more than we’d like to admit. Because in today’s world, power doesn’t always wear a crown. Sometimes, it wears a smile. Sometimes, it sits across from you, asking for favors. Sometimes, it’s that “friend” who only calls when they need something. Machiavelli showed us how to recognize when we’re being used. And more importantly… how to stop it. Because once you see the game for what it is—You stop being the pawn.
So here are ways to stop people from using you from the philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli -
01. Understand that people are self-interested
02. Set and Enforce your boundaries
03. Control the Image that Others Have of You
04. Practice Generosity in a Measured Way
05. Appear Virtuous, but Be Strategic
06. Keep your powers hidden
07. Command Respect, Not Likeability
08. Stay Independent
I hope you enjoyed watching the video and hope that this wisdom on how to stop people from using you from the philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli will be helpful in your life.
Niccolò Machiavelli was an influential author, philosopher, and historian during the Italian Renaissance. Often called the father of modern political philosophy and political science, he is best known for his work, "The Prince." This book serves as a practical guide for new rulers, offering realistic advice on governance. Machiavelli changed the way people thought about politics by separating it from ethics. Before him, politics was seen as part of moral behavior but Machiavelli focused on what really works in politics, not on how things should ideally be. This approach is called political realism and it emphasizes practical and effective governance.
In this video we will be talking about 8 powerful ways to stop people from using you the philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli. Niccolò Machiavelli’s philosophy is called political realism and it emphasizes practical and effective governance.
Niccolò Machiavelli—a political philosopher who dared to speak the truth about human nature.
He wasn’t cynical. He was realistic. He didn’t believe people were evil—but he did believe most people act out of self-interest. In his legendary book, The Prince, Machiavelli doesn’t tell us to be cruel. He tells us to open our eyes and see that the world isn’t ruled by kindness or fairness— but by strategy. By power. And by survival. He never actually said, “The ends justify the means”— but his philosophy danced dangerously close to it. To Machiavelli, if achieving power required cruelty, manipulation, or deceit—so be it.
What mattered was the result. And while his book was intended for monarchs, his ideas seep into modern life more than we’d like to admit. Because in today’s world, power doesn’t always wear a crown. Sometimes, it wears a smile. Sometimes, it sits across from you, asking for favors. Sometimes, it’s that “friend” who only calls when they need something. Machiavelli showed us how to recognize when we’re being used. And more importantly… how to stop it. Because once you see the game for what it is—You stop being the pawn.
So here are ways to stop people from using you from the philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli -
01. Understand that people are self-interested
02. Set and Enforce your boundaries
03. Control the Image that Others Have of You
04. Practice Generosity in a Measured Way
05. Appear Virtuous, but Be Strategic
06. Keep your powers hidden
07. Command Respect, Not Likeability
08. Stay Independent
I hope you enjoyed watching the video and hope that this wisdom on how to stop people from using you from the philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli will be helpful in your life.
Niccolò Machiavelli was an influential author, philosopher, and historian during the Italian Renaissance. Often called the father of modern political philosophy and political science, he is best known for his work, "The Prince." This book serves as a practical guide for new rulers, offering realistic advice on governance. Machiavelli changed the way people thought about politics by separating it from ethics. Before him, politics was seen as part of moral behavior but Machiavelli focused on what really works in politics, not on how things should ideally be. This approach is called political realism and it emphasizes practical and effective governance.