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Re Machiavelli quote on right column 12.3.19
First, it shows that Machiavelli was not the moral relativist he’s been falsely made out to be. In order to understand his points, you should read his Discourses on Livy, an annotated version of The Prince, and you’ll see that he was first and foremost, a fan of dealing with reality - not appearances! I’ve repeatedly noted on here over the past decade that Machiavelli’s reputation is undeserved.
He was simply making recommendations for a political leader in
A) retaining his position;
B) not allowing his country to be taken over; and,
C) lying to opposing power holders/country leaders and the idiot masses as appropriate.
He repeatedly goes out of his way to say how much better it is to be good, than pretend to be good, and yet people have mass misjudged him based upon a basic misunderstanding of his points of realpolitik.
RC
First, it shows that Machiavelli was not the moral relativist he’s been falsely made out to be. In order to understand his points, you should read his Discourses on Livy, an annotated version of The Prince, and you’ll see that he was first and foremost, a fan of dealing with reality - not appearances! I’ve repeatedly noted on here over the past decade that Machiavelli’s reputation is undeserved.
He was simply making recommendations for a political leader in
A) retaining his position;
B) not allowing his country to be taken over; and,
C) lying to opposing power holders/country leaders and the idiot masses as appropriate.
He repeatedly goes out of his way to say how much better it is to be good, than pretend to be good, and yet people have mass misjudged him based upon a basic misunderstanding of his points of realpolitik.
RC
Rowan Cocoan Doesn't "C) lying to opposing power holders/country leaders and the idiot masses as appropriate." kind of rebut your "not the moral relativist he’s been falsely made out to be." claim?
(Yes, I'm being a bit snarky if that wasn't evident... ;>)
That said, reading The Prince a few years back was a fairly eye-opening experience. I highly recommended it to anyone (who can read at a 6th grade level or above.)
I'm pretty sure, if it were written today, it would have been titled "How to Rule for Dummies."
(and HEY SOTT PEOPLE: How about a "comments" section for the "Quote of the Day" like the one for the "Picture of the Day?")
(Yes, I'm being a bit snarky if that wasn't evident... ;>)
That said, reading The Prince a few years back was a fairly eye-opening experience. I highly recommended it to anyone (who can read at a 6th grade level or above.)
I'm pretty sure, if it were written today, it would have been titled "How to Rule for Dummies."
(and HEY SOTT PEOPLE: How about a "comments" section for the "Quote of the Day" like the one for the "Picture of the Day?")
Shalmaneser 1) "As appropriate"... (yes, snarky is evident, but perfectly allowable for anyone who had read the Prince and seen the points that he really made.
2) Back in that day, there was NO expectation of otherwise.
RC
2) Back in that day, there was NO expectation of otherwise.
RC
Jah Bless JFK