#NiccoloMachiavelli

“The man whose name became a synonym for evil was a devoted republican and patriot — and the little book that damned him may be the most misread masterpiece in the history of political thought.”

“To understand politics, study power as it actually works — the "effectual truth" — not as moralists wish it worked; and know that a leader who refuses ever to do wrong will be destroyed by those who feel no such scruple.”