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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I definitely enjoyed The Prince more than I thought I was going to considering the timeframe in which it was written and the fact that I HAD to read it for school. Don't know if I would read again but I don't regret having to read it
I had been meaning to reread this for a while to see if my vision of a competent politician was skewed. Have I been expecting too much?
No.
This is a first-rate analysis of high-class, high-stakes governance. These days, we're running a clown show. Do world leaders not study these pivotal texts?
Not to say it's agreeable or the "one true path," but there are very basic functions of a leader and examples that could be helpful in any position of power.
No.
This is a first-rate analysis of high-class, high-stakes governance. These days, we're running a clown show. Do world leaders not study these pivotal texts?
Not to say it's agreeable or the "one true path," but there are very basic functions of a leader and examples that could be helpful in any position of power.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
"A prince must have no other object or thought in mind than war, and how to make it" [for it is by war that the fortunes of the city are attained, maintained, or lost].
Machiavelli is often misapprehended as advocating amorality. In fact he's the first to have recognized and written that to secure a greater good certain evils are inevitable, and that these evils rather than obstacles can be turned to the advantage of a cunning leader. Many will read Machiavelli and conclude he is nothing but force and fraud, which is not at all the case. He sought to provide the arms and ideas needed for pacifying Italy and ending it of constant internecine strife. He failed but is still worth reading. Much of his thinking is entirely correct, notably his understanding of war.
"Is it better to be loved or feared?" "Men love as they please but fear as the prince wills". But the best is to be loved by one's allies, and feared by one's enemies. A great leader must know whom to inspire and whom to terrify, and when to do of those theatrical acts.
Definitely worth reading and rereading since so many misunderstand his work.
Machiavelli is often misapprehended as advocating amorality. In fact he's the first to have recognized and written that to secure a greater good certain evils are inevitable, and that these evils rather than obstacles can be turned to the advantage of a cunning leader. Many will read Machiavelli and conclude he is nothing but force and fraud, which is not at all the case. He sought to provide the arms and ideas needed for pacifying Italy and ending it of constant internecine strife. He failed but is still worth reading. Much of his thinking is entirely correct, notably his understanding of war.
"Is it better to be loved or feared?" "Men love as they please but fear as the prince wills". But the best is to be loved by one's allies, and feared by one's enemies. A great leader must know whom to inspire and whom to terrify, and when to do of those theatrical acts.
Definitely worth reading and rereading since so many misunderstand his work.
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
I followed his advice and now am ruling my own principality (not new, taken with own arms), the one about destroying the local government and people so they can't revolt really came in handy! can't recommend enough
reflective
medium-paced