《資治通鑒》的是Machiavelli's book, The Prince. 人們的評價是:
Machiavelli's Prince has had a mixed reaction. Some considered it a straightforward description of the evil means used by bad rulers; others read in it evil recommendations to tyrants to help them maintain their power.[16] Even into recent times, some scholars, such as Leo Strauss, have restated the traditional opinion that Machiavelli can be considered a "teacher of evil".[17]