As a philosophy major, I was required to read many books, most were long, boring, and in no way applied to my life, or the life of anyone I knew. Among these volumes there were a few gems, The Prince being the biggest diamond in the patch. In fewer than 100 pages Machiavelli managed to write a book that has influenced ever politician, and every business leader. This book is short, concise, and to the point, I believe that everyone should read this book at least once, and if you are planning to be a leader then I suggest memorizing its pages.
“Those who desire to win the favour of princes generally endeavour to do so by offering them those things which they themselves prize most, or such as they observe the prince to delight in most. Thence it is that princes have very often presented to them horses, arms, cloth of gold, precious stones, and similar ornaments worthy of their greatness. Wishing now myself to offer to your Magnificence some proof of my devotion, I have found nothing amongst all I possess that I hold more dear or esteem more highly than the knowledge of the actions of great men, which I have acquired by long experience of modern affairs and a continued study of ancient history.
These I have meditated upon for a long time, and examined with great care and diligence; and having now written them out in a small volume, I send this to your Magnificence. And although I judge this work unworthy of you, yet I trust that your kindness of heart may induce you to accept it, considering that I cannot offer you anything better than the means of understanding in the briefest time all that which I have learnt by so many years of study, and with so much trouble and danger to myself….” (Preface to the Prince, Machiavelli)
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