Machiavelli, a bad dude?

[Childress]

'Machiavelli survived and died in his bed.'

The Great Cynic held several ministerial positions in the Florentine city-state. His journey to the grave was interrupted by several weeks of torture at the hands of the Medici who, after a spell in the political wilderness, returned to power with a vengeance. They tied the future philosopher's hands behind his back and hung him from the ceiling causing dislocation of the shoulder. Unpleasant to be sure and the politics are too Byzantine to describe here. If only some of our pols had expiated their sins in a similar fashion.

One of Machiavelli's key policies while in power consisted in replacing the mercenary army of Florence with citizen-soldiers. As documented in his theoretical works, he found that the former's unpatriotic and uninvested nature made their allegiance fickle and often too unreliable when most needed. No diversity for him.

Machiavelli discussed history in purely human terms- including many striking examples from Ancient Rome- and he was never personally ruthless or devious. He praises Cesare Borgia in The Prince. But the former learned his realpolitik tactics from the latter, not vice-a-versa. The name of Machiavelli incurred obloquy for centuries. Mussolini was one of the few political leaders to praise him publicly.

 

[Michael Emrys]

7 hours ago, Childress said:

If only some of our pols had expiated their sins in a similar fashion.

I would be in favor of bringing back public beheadings for misbehaving politicians except that things being what they are, it would probably end up being applied to the wrong people.

Michael

[Childress]

Selected cynical quotes:

”If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared. ”

 “The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.” 

“it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.” 

“Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.” 

“…he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.”

“Since love and fear can hardly exist together if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved” 

“Of mankind, we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.” 

“The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.” 

“Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves” 

“He who builds on the people, builds on the mud” 

[Michael Emrys]

On May 19, 2017 at 7:44 AM, Childress said:

“Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.”

This should be a cardinal rule for every strategist...at least the ones on my side.

On May 19, 2017 at 7:44 AM, Childress said:

“…he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.”

This is what made the British Double Cross system workable.

Michael

[Childress]

'This is what made the British Double Cross system workable. '

Excellent example.

 

[Michael Emrys]

On May 19, 2017 at 7:44 AM, Childress said:

“Of mankind, we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.” 

Not much has changed, sadly enough.

Michael

[Childress]

We're irredeemable. Maybe Science will come to the rescue. Mandatory gene therapy?

[Michael Emrys]

20 hours ago, Childress said:

Maybe Science will come to the rescue. Mandatory gene therapy?

That would certainly lay the foundation for a series of interesting SF stories.

Michael

[Childress]

Or a film, better yet a TV series. 'Breaking Mutant'?