I would go a step further and wonder if scheming truly wins in this world--or rather if it's truly your best bet for winning. I know this claim flies in the face of all the evidence about the current state of the world, but I'm sticking by it.
I agree that being straightforward, honest, and as good as your word is the best bet while navigating life. I'd rather lose or die and because I insisted on living with virtue rather than stealing success through shady dealings. But the value in reading Machiavelli or Greene is realizing that many people are not concerned with virtue; if you assume they are you'll get trampled, and those you must protect will suffer along with you. The stratagems they lay out aren't for you to use — they're for you to recognize so you can counter them.
By all means, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Once upon a time I enjoyed Greene's books and would have argued the line you are arguing--that the knowledge he offers is a sort of self-defense against operators. But looking back, I don't like what those books did to me and I'm skeptical that Robert Greene can be read so innocently. Despite his preface, he goes hard into the imperative voice. Do this, don't do that, etc. His books, I fear, make a man smaller. Maybe what I'm trying to argue is best captured in Tolkien's Elrond: "Best not to study too deeply the arts of the enemy."
"His books, I fear, make a man smaller. Maybe what I'm trying to argue is best captured in Tolkien's Elrond: "Best not to study too deeply the arts of the enemy."
Scheming may win this world but it invites the derision of the Next!
I would go a step further and wonder if scheming truly wins in this world--or rather if it's truly your best bet for winning. I know this claim flies in the face of all the evidence about the current state of the world, but I'm sticking by it.
Great, this seems similar to my reading of St Dionysius. The sly shiftiness of darkness opposed to the stability of the rock of God.
God shines His rays on us, just like William's virtue radiates and creates life.
Amen, brother!
I agree that being straightforward, honest, and as good as your word is the best bet while navigating life. I'd rather lose or die and because I insisted on living with virtue rather than stealing success through shady dealings. But the value in reading Machiavelli or Greene is realizing that many people are not concerned with virtue; if you assume they are you'll get trampled, and those you must protect will suffer along with you. The stratagems they lay out aren't for you to use — they're for you to recognize so you can counter them.
By all means, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Once upon a time I enjoyed Greene's books and would have argued the line you are arguing--that the knowledge he offers is a sort of self-defense against operators. But looking back, I don't like what those books did to me and I'm skeptical that Robert Greene can be read so innocently. Despite his preface, he goes hard into the imperative voice. Do this, don't do that, etc. His books, I fear, make a man smaller. Maybe what I'm trying to argue is best captured in Tolkien's Elrond: "Best not to study too deeply the arts of the enemy."
"His books, I fear, make a man smaller. Maybe what I'm trying to argue is best captured in Tolkien's Elrond: "Best not to study too deeply the arts of the enemy."
Well said!
“mediocrity must attempt to debunk excellence.” Love it!!
Thank you kindly!