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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
This guy gets such a bad reputation for real. There's even a whole personality trait named after him that pretty much boils down to being manipulative. However, Machiavelli is a lot more than a manipulative person. His ideas are not necessarily immoral, just amoral. In a world where everyone is fending for themselves, there is no space for undiscriminating compassion. Renaissance Italy is one such world. I would say even that the ideas enunciated here constitute an early form of utilitarianism. There is a clear and total rejection of Kant's categorical imperative, centuries before it was even thought of! There is a lot to learn from Machiavelli and dismissing his writings as "historic" or "outdated" does not do justice to the thought put behind the writing. Evidently, The Prince is a product of its time and it does have some strange ideas. However, I would say that the writing is quite clear and the lessons can be valid, even in this day. Note that I do not condone that a person acts in a strictly Machiavellian way since the need for such behavior is long gone. Collaboration and empathy are much more valuable in today's world. Nevertheless, if one does not read this book to learn, they should at least read it for a culturally enriching experience.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This book is suited only to those leading people, not in middle management but with almost absolute autonomy. Learnings are vast, paraphrasing mentioned ideas to real life situations while studying the book is necessary.
this is a book i had to read for school but it discusses some interesting technical ideas of politics and power. ideas that are not new in todays leans however reading the literature where these political ideas developed was cool because it really broke it down to the basic understanding. it’s one of the pillars of political theory which i find very interesting to learn.
informative
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
““And let it here be noted that men are either to be kindly treated, or utterly crushed, since they can revenge lighter injuries, but not graver.” (pp. 34-35)
“He who is the cause of another’s greatness is himself undone” (pg. 43)
“...a Prince should inspire fear in such a fashion that if he do not win love he may escape hate.” (pg. 124)
“For men will sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.” (pp. 124-125)
“And it is human nature when the sea is calm not to think of storms.” (pg. 172)
“He who is the cause of another’s greatness is himself undone” (pg. 43)
“...a Prince should inspire fear in such a fashion that if he do not win love he may escape hate.” (pg. 124)
“For men will sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.” (pp. 124-125)
“And it is human nature when the sea is calm not to think of storms.” (pg. 172)
reflective