good article about machiavelli in Renaissance magazine......

[RedXIII]

it states that he was actually misunderstood.what are your take on the article?

[fasttense]

1. I haven't read the article, do you have a link?

There is only one thing you have to remember about Machiavelli - his actual career. After little more than a decade as a minor politician, he never returned to power and the books for which he is remembered were published only after his death. Despite all the machinations over his writings, he was very unsuccessful.

He started in politics when he was 29 and was forced out when he was about 40. An age when most successful politicians are just hitting their stride, even in the 1400's. Then he went on to write but the bulk of his writing were published only after his death. Again, he was unsuccessful in his chosen career.

Listening to Machiavelli is like listening to a poor man tell you how to make money.

[RedXIII]

2. here is the link....

http://www.renaissancemagazine.com/


of course you need to buy the magazine at borders right next to British Heritage magazine. And there are many claims that he based the book "The Prince" on Caesar Borgia who he considered the emerging new style politician.

[politicat]

3. I agree. The Prince was supposed to be satire.

When I re-read it as satire, it made far more sense. He was lampooning his former bosses, which is why he never published it while alive. (I wouldn't have, either.)