Re: can I have a show of hands...?

November 12, 2003

> You mean by Machiavelli? I don't recall any animals

> mentioned there, but it's possible, I guess.

A prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate

the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and

the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to

recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. Those that wish to be only

lions do not understand this. Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep

faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the

reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good,

this precept would not be a good one, but as they are bad, and would not

observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them.

Nor have legitimate grounds ever failed a prince who wished to show

colorable cause for the non-fulfillment of his promise. Of this one could

furnish an infinite number of modern examples, and show how many times peace

has been broken, and how many promises rendered worthless, by the

faithlessness of princes, and those that have been best able to imitate the

fox have succeeded best. But it is necessary to be able to disguise this

character well, and to be a great feigner and dissembler; and men are so

simple and so ready to obey present necessities, that one who deceives will

always find those who allow themselves to be deceived. (Prince Chapter 18) -

November 13, 2003

> One of my favorite things to do is

> curl up on the floor on the fleece bed-mats they sleep on in the hallway,

> and have them all pile up around/on me for a clowder nap.

Oh, my! I thought I was the only one who did things like that. In the

evenings I put down my mat in front of the TV and we all just lay there

and watch what's on.

Recommended Posts