Machiavelli
A Renaissance take on how to seize and maintain power over a principality. Taking a historical look at the book, nobody really knows whether Machiavelli is being serious or pandering to his friends in high places, he needed to get a job. He sets out a treelike structure, if this then that. Straightforward, but also ambiguous. It’s a short and simple book, on the first page Machiavelli notes he won’t be wasting any words on decoration.
People should either be caressed or crushed. 9
So too, in politics, for if you foresee problems while they are far off (which only a prudent man is able to do) they can easily be dealt with; but when, because you have failed to see them coming, you allow them to grow to the point that anyone can recognize them, then it is too late to do anything. 10
Transfer of power, 33.
a powerful and courageous prince will overcome all such difficulties by giving at one time hope to his subjects that the evil will not be for long, at another time fear of the cruelty of the enemy, then preserving himself adroitly from those subjects who seem to him to be too bold. 35
In short, someone else’s armor either falls off, or it weighs you down, or it trips you up. 44
A ruler then, should have no other concern, no other thought, should pat attention to nothing aside from war, military institutions, and the training of his soldiers. 45
Since a ruler, then, needs to know how to make good use of beastly qualities, he should take as his models among the animals both the fox and the lion, for the lion does not know how to avoid traps, and the fox is easily overpowered by wolves. 54
Therefore, many conclude a wise ruler will, when he has the opportunity, secretly foster opposition to his rule, so that when he has put down his opponents, he will be in a more powerful position. 65
The choice of servants is of no little importance to a prince, and they are good or not according to the discrimination of the prince. And the first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his understanding, is by observing the men he has around him; and when they are capable and faithful he may always be considered wise, because he has known how to recognize the capable and to keep them faithful. But when they are otherwise one cannot form a good opinion of him, for the prime error which he made was in choosing them. 70
I do think, however, that it is better to be headstrong then cautious, for fortune is a lady. It is necessary, if you want to master her, to beat and strike her. And one sees she more often submits to those who act boldly then to those who proceed in a calculating fashion. Moreover, since she is a lady, she smiles on the young, for they are less cautious, more ruthless, and overcome her with their boldness. 77
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