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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
A comprehensive and surprisingly modern treatise. It’s rich with historical example; introducing an interesting and compelling lens of historical analysis - if distasteful.
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
informative
fast-paced
dark
medium-paced
challenging
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slow-paced
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli is a short book that gives insight into the thinking of Machiavelli and his ideas about ruling, together with the examples he uses to support his points. It was sent as a letter to Lorenzo de Medici in the hopes of getting back into the graces of the Medici family and returning to his former glory.
His theories discuss what makes a good leader, how a leader is to run its army, its nobles and its people, along with multiple chapters about how a leader should paint himself. For every point he has, he goes into detail about the reign of historical figures and how they succeeded and failed based on his own ideas.
Lots of the details of theory have not stayed alive over the centuries, but there is only little insight needed to recognize the global idea of the theory and see how it can be applied in the modern life. I would not go as far as saying it is timeless in a way other philosophical works sometimes are, but that doesn't mean we can't learn anything from it anymore. I do believe that it's an important piece of work that anyone should read if they come across it.
It's not however the easiest piece of work to read.
He goes into lengthy descriptions of historical events and figures, which might confuse and distract a reader who is not as well versed in history, just like me. But even then, he always gets back to his point, and I never once felt like I was losing the thread of the story.
There are multiple moments when he says something that boils down to something that seems like common sense. This might annoy the reader, and makes him seem pretentious. It is however good to have the common sense written down, even when it feels unneeded.
And of course, this goes for lots of classics, it's written in a way that feels unneeded in the current time and day. Many big words that might not be used as much now, sentence structures that feel pretentious, and assuming of knowledge that aren't as usual in the present time.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it, and I do recommend it to anyone who is interested in the philosophy of politics!
His theories discuss what makes a good leader, how a leader is to run its army, its nobles and its people, along with multiple chapters about how a leader should paint himself. For every point he has, he goes into detail about the reign of historical figures and how they succeeded and failed based on his own ideas.
Lots of the details of theory have not stayed alive over the centuries, but there is only little insight needed to recognize the global idea of the theory and see how it can be applied in the modern life. I would not go as far as saying it is timeless in a way other philosophical works sometimes are, but that doesn't mean we can't learn anything from it anymore. I do believe that it's an important piece of work that anyone should read if they come across it.
It's not however the easiest piece of work to read.
He goes into lengthy descriptions of historical events and figures, which might confuse and distract a reader who is not as well versed in history, just like me. But even then, he always gets back to his point, and I never once felt like I was losing the thread of the story.
There are multiple moments when he says something that boils down to something that seems like common sense. This might annoy the reader, and makes him seem pretentious. It is however good to have the common sense written down, even when it feels unneeded.
And of course, this goes for lots of classics, it's written in a way that feels unneeded in the current time and day. Many big words that might not be used as much now, sentence structures that feel pretentious, and assuming of knowledge that aren't as usual in the present time.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it, and I do recommend it to anyone who is interested in the philosophy of politics!
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
sad
The Prince is an interesting and consise glimpse into the mentality of one who puts their own power and social stature before all else.
Whilst I don't agree with a great many things Machiavelli proposes in this volume, it's safe to say that there is still some wisdom to be found therein.
"The only good, sure, lasting forms of defence are those based on yourself and your own strength."
Whilst I don't agree with a great many things Machiavelli proposes in this volume, it's safe to say that there is still some wisdom to be found therein.
"The only good, sure, lasting forms of defence are those based on yourself and your own strength."
I will read this again.... later. Like I respect the literature and knowledge but I certainly ain’t ready to absorb the lessons and value from it. Will be back.