In “The Prince,” Machiavelli discusses what a true leader should be. Throughout the book, he talks about how a prince should behave in order to be a successful ruler. He believes that a prince should rely on himself and should not be overly kind or violent. For example, Machiavelli states in Chapter 8 that it is acceptable for a prince to use violence, but only when it is absolutely necessary. He believes that unnecessary violence will turn the people against him. Machiavelli also believes that a prince must do anything to secure and ensure prosperity in the state. In Chapter 18, he argues that a prince should adapt to a circumstance in order to deal with it effectively. He uses an ancient Greek myth to show the characteristics of an effective prince. In the Greek myth, there were centaurs who are half-man and half-beast. The man was the noble portion, while the beast represented the bad part. This is used by Machiavelli to demonstrate that a prince must be both parts depending on the scenario.