They say that the idea of “the end justifies the means” is not acceptable, it is inhumane. I challenge this self-blinding position! Who has actually read Machiavelli anyway? See? That's it. And in fact, in his main book “The Prince”, our old friend and teacher Niccolo simply described everything as it really is. Not wanting to accept this real description is like saying: “The anatomy book is disgusting, because it is about intestines and poop, and I’m an angel made of pure light. Ew, I’m definitely not reading that!”
Otherwise, they would have restrained their psycho-traumatized personalities, avoiding so many fatal mistakes, and would have worked things out technically correct. I read “The Prince” avidly, enjoying every line that was breathing psychology, sociology, and history. While doing that, I collected some quotes that I just can't help but share. We must learn why everything is exactly the way it is, and not the way we would like it to be. First, we should study, and only then talk about politics, economics, business, society, and human relationships. The results will be very different!
Quotes about motivation, or why everything is based on fear, not love:
People love sovereigns at their own discretion, but they fear them - at the discretion of sovereigns, therefore it is better for a wise ruler to rely on what depends on him, and not on someone else; the only important thing is not to incur hatred in any case.”
About bullying, abuse and repression:
“This is the order of things: if people try to get rid of fear, then they induce it on others, and when they want to avert injustice from themselves, they commit it in relation to others; as if it were necessary to either offend or be offended.”
About career:
“You should not be too close to your boss so that you get buried with them when they collapse, and you should not be too distant from them so you can use their collapse for your own elevation.”About election promises and populism:
On inequality and injustice:
“In properly organized republics (the ones, which will not collapse), it is provided that their treasury should be rich, and individual citizens - poor.”
“To govern is nothing more than keeping subjects in such a position that they cannot and should not harm the sovereign; this can be done by completely protecting yourself from them and depriving them of any opportunity to harm you, plus taking care of them in such a way that they can have no reasonable grounds for wanting a change of their fate.”About unconsciousness and automatic reactions:
“We cannot change at all for two reasons: firstly, it is difficult for us to resist what nature inclines us to; secondly, when a person has succeeded in some way, it is impossible to convince them that they can succeed by doing otherwise; this is why luck turns away from people: fortune depends on circumstances, and people persist in their behavior.”On the human need to create problems for ourselves:
“It is unlikely that any republic will be able to live in peace and tranquility, enjoying its freedom within small borders, because if it does not disturb anyone, then others will disturb it. And as soon as it does not have external enemies, it will find them inside.” “The cause of strife in the republics is most often peace and idleness, while fear and war incline towards unity.”About perseverance: