Similarly, the effect an act will have on his reputation is dependent on the mood of his constituency. Fortune dictates which qualities are attained by various possible acts. These qualities can be displayed by a drawing like the one in Figure 1, which shows the intersection of the options laid before the prince. However, Figure 1 shows the general case, wherein there are necessary acts which are detrimental, those that are beneficial, etc. Obviously, this does not always occur.
Some circumstances tend to necessitate acts which are unpopular with the people.
This is the result of fortune, or fate, defining a situation. When a prince is establishing himself in a new rule, it is wise for him to proceed with whatever atrocities will help him obtain the state. During this time, fortune provides a different map, as in Figure 2. Necessity and viciousness will overlap almost completely, and virtue will fall in line with detrimental acts. Once a prince has established and solidified his rule, Machiavelli notes that his reputation plays a larger role in the good of the state.