How might a renaissance critic of machiavelli have responded to his work?

Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance Philosopher and statesman, through his works he often argued that political life could perhaps be excused for performing violent and deceptive actions which would not be a right in private life. He described how neither moral or religious rules alone were sufficient in governing. Because of this Machiavelli was often criticized and misunderstood by critics of the time because of this view he had on the relationship between politics and ethics. He was regarded as opportunistic and manipulative for this reason.