Political prudence requires foresight to detect latent harms in seemingly attractive innovations; few possess this faculty, and lack of foresight leads states into concealed dangers.
By Niccolò Machiavelli, from The Prince
Key Arguments
- Changes can taste pleasant initially while hiding ‘venom,’ analogous to hectic fever.
- True wisdom consists in discerning evils before they manifest; this capacity is rare.
Source Quotes
And this example is in itself conclusive, for the realm of France would be invincible if the military ordinances of Charles VII had been retained and extended. But from want of foresight men make changes which relishing well at first do not betray their hidden venom, as I have already observed respecting hectic fever. Nevertheless, the ruler is not truly wise who cannot discern evils before they develop themselves, and this is a faculty given to few.
But from want of foresight men make changes which relishing well at first do not betray their hidden venom, as I have already observed respecting hectic fever. Nevertheless, the ruler is not truly wise who cannot discern evils before they develop themselves, and this is a faculty given to few. If we look for the causes which first led to the overthrow of the Roman Empire, they will be found to have had their source in the employment of Gothic mercenaries, for from that hour the strength of the Romans began to wane and all the virtue which went from them passed to the Goths.
Key Concepts
- from want of foresight men make changes which relishing well at first do not betray their hidden venom, as I have already observed respecting hectic fever.
- Nevertheless, the ruler is not truly wise who cannot discern evils before they develop themselves, and this is a faculty given to few.
Context
Chapter 13 methodological counsel on prudence, applied to military policy choices such as hiring mercenaries.