Macchiavelli: A philosopher, or a Politician?

Nicola Macchiavelli had succeeded to take my attention on his ideas for several reasons. Not only he is said to be the father of ethics of politics, but also having some stiff and primitive pragmatist ideas is very interesting to me. For instance his ideas on the issue about prince's appearance to the society can be regarded as intriguing because he thought that a prince must always appear good, but be prepared to be evil if necessary. This argument can be considered in two ways: was the argument is presented as an ideal ideology, or was it only for continueing a prince's puissance? If we consider Macchiavelli as a philosopher, we should consider the first perspective but he is considered as a politician the perspective should be the second one, I think.
If the theme of Goodwill and Hatred is investigated in the book, The Prince, we can see that Macchiavelly was suggesting the prince to have an image of fearing to remain her power. This perspective is where Macchiavelly thought as a politician, in my opinion. In chapter 17, he says "And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both; but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved." This idea cannot be a philosopher's perspective since it just considers the future of the prince and his power. Thus, this is an argument of a politician. 
On the other side, there are still small amount of ideas of a philosopher in the book. "The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people." This is a quotation whic reflects the philosopher side of Macchiavelli. He analyzes the aim of a leader and suggests the prince to be able to affect his people. This is the philosphical definition of puissance in Macchiavelli's point of view.