Book
Discursuri asupra primei decade a lui Titus Livius
by Niccolò Machiavelli · 1531 · 2 reading cards · public domain
2 cards
Discursuri asupra primei decade a lui Titus Livius · 1531
Introducing new orders is the most difficult, risky, and dangerous undertaking.
Machiavelli describes the real obstacles faced by anyone who wants to change the established order. Those who benefit from the old order oppose it fiercely, while those who might benefit from the new order are skeptical and hesitant. A concrete example is introducing democracy in a country with an authoritarian tradition: the old elite sabotages reforms, and citizens lack trust in the new system.
“And there is nothing more difficult to undertake, more doubtful of success, and more dangerous to conduct than to initiate a new order of things.”
- 02
People are more impressed by appearances and visible results than by invisible reality or process.
Discursuri asupra primei decade a lui Titus Livius · 1531
People believe more in what they see than in what they feel or understand.
Machiavelli highlights a fundamental human weakness: we judge based on what we see, not on what is truly there. Hands symbolize direct contact with reality, but eyes are easily deceived by appearances. For example, a politician who makes a large public donation will be praised, even if the money comes from corruption, while one who works honestly but without fanfare remains unknown.
“For men judge more by their eyes than by their hands.”