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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
This probably says more about me than about Machiavelli, but I expected it to be way more evil than it actually was. To adopt an International Relations theory perspective, it was rather a precursor of realism (which is viewed as the most 'evil/amoral' theory in IR).
What is clear is that for Machiavelli, power cannot be maintained without both strength (in arms) and cunning: “it has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain or unstable as fame or power not founded on its own strength.” And “it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves.”
And anyone rising to power should above all depend first and foremost on themselves, and “ought to avoid as much as possible being at the discretion of anyone.” And when seeking others' advice, they “ought to question them upon everything, and listen to their opinions, and afterwards form [their] own conclusions.”
Finally, a little planning goes a long way, since “it is a common defect in man not to make any provision in the calm against the tempest.”
And I think we may agree on Machiavelli when he discusses the matter of fortune:
“I compare [Fortune] to one of those raging rivers, which when in flood overflows the plains, sweeping away trees and buildings, bearing away the soil from place to place; everything flies before it, all yield to its violence, without being able in any way to withstand it; and yet, though its nature be such, it does not follow therefore that men, when the weather becomes fair, shall not make provision, both with defences and barriers, in such a manner that, rising again, the waters may pass away by canal, and their force be neither so unrestrained nor so dangerous.”
Some other notes from the Introduction
“After describing his daily occupations with his family and neighbours, he writes [in a letter to Francesco Vettori]: 'The evening being come, I return home and go to my study; at the entrance I pull off my peasantclothes, covered with dust and dirt, and put on my noble court dress, and thus becomingly re-clothed I pass into the ancient courts of the men of old, where, being lovingly received by them, I am fed with that food which is mine alone; where I do not hesitate to speak with them, and to ask for the reason of their actions, and they in their benignity answer me; and for four hours I feel no weariness, I forget every trouble, poverty does not dismay, death does not terrify me; I am possessed entirely by those great men.'
--> I am not sure whether this reveals that Machiavelli was in some form of major denial of his fate and fall from grace (as a diplomat and civil servant), or whether we should all find this sort of behaviour normal. Regardless, I think he was the sort of thinker - dare I say dreamer - who could not let go of what he may have enjoyed most about courtly life. He continues his letter:
'And because Dante says:
Knowledge doth come of learning well retained,
Unfruitful else,
I have noted down what I have gained from their conversation, and have composed a small work on ‘Principalities,’ where I pour myself out as fully as I can in meditation on the subject, discussing what a principality is, what kinds there are, how they can be acquired, how they can be kept, why they are lost: and if any of my fancies ever pleased you, this ought not to displease you: and to a prince, especially to a new one, it should be welcome: therefore I dedicate it to his Magnificence Giuliano.”
--> I cannot (at this point in reading) grasp how [b:The Prince|28862|The Prince|Niccolò Machiavelli|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1390055828l/28862._SY75_.jpg|1335445] is considered by many a satire when Machiavelli seems to discuss his 'small work' in such a way (that does not seem to me to be any product of a satirical inner-monologue at all, but rather a very serious endeavour).
What is clear is that for Machiavelli, power cannot be maintained without both strength (in arms) and cunning: “it has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain or unstable as fame or power not founded on its own strength.” And “it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves.”
And anyone rising to power should above all depend first and foremost on themselves, and “ought to avoid as much as possible being at the discretion of anyone.” And when seeking others' advice, they “ought to question them upon everything, and listen to their opinions, and afterwards form [their] own conclusions.”
Finally, a little planning goes a long way, since “it is a common defect in man not to make any provision in the calm against the tempest.”
And I think we may agree on Machiavelli when he discusses the matter of fortune:
“I compare [Fortune] to one of those raging rivers, which when in flood overflows the plains, sweeping away trees and buildings, bearing away the soil from place to place; everything flies before it, all yield to its violence, without being able in any way to withstand it; and yet, though its nature be such, it does not follow therefore that men, when the weather becomes fair, shall not make provision, both with defences and barriers, in such a manner that, rising again, the waters may pass away by canal, and their force be neither so unrestrained nor so dangerous.”
Some other notes from the Introduction
“After describing his daily occupations with his family and neighbours, he writes [in a letter to Francesco Vettori]: 'The evening being come, I return home and go to my study; at the entrance I pull off my peasantclothes, covered with dust and dirt, and put on my noble court dress, and thus becomingly re-clothed I pass into the ancient courts of the men of old, where, being lovingly received by them, I am fed with that food which is mine alone; where I do not hesitate to speak with them, and to ask for the reason of their actions, and they in their benignity answer me; and for four hours I feel no weariness, I forget every trouble, poverty does not dismay, death does not terrify me; I am possessed entirely by those great men.'
--> I am not sure whether this reveals that Machiavelli was in some form of major denial of his fate and fall from grace (as a diplomat and civil servant), or whether we should all find this sort of behaviour normal. Regardless, I think he was the sort of thinker - dare I say dreamer - who could not let go of what he may have enjoyed most about courtly life. He continues his letter:
'And because Dante says:
Knowledge doth come of learning well retained,
Unfruitful else,
I have noted down what I have gained from their conversation, and have composed a small work on ‘Principalities,’ where I pour myself out as fully as I can in meditation on the subject, discussing what a principality is, what kinds there are, how they can be acquired, how they can be kept, why they are lost: and if any of my fancies ever pleased you, this ought not to displease you: and to a prince, especially to a new one, it should be welcome: therefore I dedicate it to his Magnificence Giuliano.”
--> I cannot (at this point in reading) grasp how [b:The Prince|28862|The Prince|Niccolò Machiavelli|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1390055828l/28862._SY75_.jpg|1335445] is considered by many a satire when Machiavelli seems to discuss his 'small work' in such a way (that does not seem to me to be any product of a satirical inner-monologue at all, but rather a very serious endeavour).
informative
medium-paced
nice and brief. not massively memorable, but interesting nonetheless
My rating reflects my enjoyment rather than the writing or the historical importance. I did not enjoy this book! Had to read it for GoT history class. (You thought that class sounded fun, did you?) This guy is a stone cold bastard. I did not have a great time reading through his work. I would never have read it if not for school. I don't feel like I wasted my time reading it though, hence the second star.
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
dark
informative
fast-paced
reflective
tense
medium-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced