Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction by Quentin Skinner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Using Machiavelli's primary publications (notably The Prince, Discourses, and The History of Florence) and a robust knowledge of Florentine politics, Skinner presents a well-rounded and nearly compelling introduction to Machiavellian philosophy. Skinner quotes freely from classical sources such as Livy and Cicero, whose influence on Machiavelli cannot be overstated, to present a picture of a proto-Nietzschean whose concern is with establishing power, which is accomplished only through the good favor of Fortune--who smiles only on those who practice virtu (does Kierkegaard here speak: "Our age is essentially one of understanding and reflection, without passion, momentarily bursting into enthusiasm, and shrewdly relapsing into repose." The Age of Revolution, which is the only age in which princes can rule well, is "essentially passionate; therefore it has 'not nullified the principle of contradiction' and can become either good or evil, and whichever way is chosen, the 'impetus' of passion is such that the trace of an action marking its progress or its taking a wrong direction must be perceptible. It is obliged to make a decision, but this again is the saving factor, for decision is the little magic word that existence respects.") View all my reviews
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