Yes. I read The Prince and I think Machiavelli’s reputation as malevolent and scheming is undeserved. Perhaps he shocked the sensibilities of some by saying the quiet part out loud, but it would be foolish for either a ruler or his subjects to be unaware of that quiet part due to misplaced idealism. This remains true in the present day.

Edit: I assume that you know this, but I thought that a reply to you was a good place to say it to others.