I Do Not Choose to be Common
It is my right to be uncommon - if I can.
I seek opportunity - not security.
I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and build, to fail and succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.
I prefer the challenge of life to the guaranteed existence, the thrill of fulfillment to the state of calm utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor my dignity for a handout.
I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid.
There is nothing difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.
Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions and only lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.
2007-06-22 04:12:40 · 8 answers · asked by megalomaniac 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I fear that History has been unkind to Machiavelli (he does indeed have many enemies and only lukewarm defenders) but I think its more than that, the modern concept of 'Machiavellian', doesn't seem to fit this line of reasoning at all.
What do you think?
2007-06-22 04:14:09 · update #1
Sophist - do you really think that Republicans want to be 'uncommon' - thats news to me.
2007-06-22 12:33:34 · update #2
I still keep the Prince on my nightstand. In my opinion, it offers more insight on governance that Locke, Hobbes or Rousseau ever did. Machiavelli didn't live in a utopia, he lived in reality. His writings reflect an image of a flawed man rather than the fictional rational actor.
This quote:
"There is nothing difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."
is one of my personal favorites from the Prince. But the ideas that follow on creating order are sublime.
2007-06-22 04:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by ycats 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the same thing everyone thinks and wants, problem is if everyone sought money, power and respect the world would be even worse off then it is now. It is good humans are such a diverse race.
2007-06-22 04:25:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always liked Nicholo Machiavelli ever since I read the PRINCE in the eighth grade. I know that the Catholic Church really bashes him, but I don't know of any one else.
2007-06-22 04:17:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know, that he fairly be feared than enjoyed, he trusted the army to be the undesirable adult men, he stored a solid military, collectively as attempting to be respected by utilising the folk. i'm not sure if the quote got here from the prince, i'm so sorry.
2016-11-07 05:10:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read it as a satire. I find it amazing that intelligent people have been influenced by The Prince. Very cool though.
2007-06-22 04:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by neoaltro1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I think he had a lot of insight he basically talked a much better game than he played. the one military opportunity he had showed him to be more competent "from the armchair" so to speak
2007-06-22 04:40:37 · answer #6 · answered by beauhonkus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the Republican manifesto.
2007-06-22 05:00:55 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it's so rad that you can copy other peoples work and try to sound smart.
2007-06-22 04:20:44 · answer #8 · answered by kevrigger 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋