“A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour of it.” -Machiavelli, The Prince

This quote speaks to me about lessons on morality, strategy, leadership, competence, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses.

“A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men”….I view this as why reinvent the wheel when the wise man before you laid a proven solid foundation?  Of course, continue to polish that wheel or diamond in order to be more effective and inspire others. Machiavelli refers to rulers need to be strong like a lion and sly like the fox. His interpretation of a wise man had nothing to do with any religion but rather being a ruler that was a just King.

“Imitate those who have been supreme”… I view this as the wise men before you influenced many.  Be careful who you listen to or follow. It is not always the populist, public figure, or that person that “appears” to be good or positive, but rather a person that demonstrates with actions of nobility, valor, and the desire to produce good for all. Machiavelli’s presents arguments and examples of both successful and unsuccessful rulers. He asserts to get it done at all cost regardless if it’s immoral. 

“So that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour of it”….I view this as if your competence is not up to par as the wise man before you, savour his supremacy, recognize your own strengths and move forward full strength with your gifts, and continue to develop and enhance your weaknesses that will eventually catapult like the caterpillar from its protective casing, radically transforming its body, and eventually emerging as a butterfly.

From childhood, most people in society are taught that people in law and government, such as Police Officers and Presidents, are the epitome of virtue. They are to be honored and viewed as good, not evil. As history states in Machiavelli, The Prince and in present times, those values have not held to be true and many inconsistencies along with false promises throughout have caused this society to have substandard morals and beliefs. The velocity and intensity of doing something immoral in effort to gain fame and popularity are rampant.

A boss (a foolish man) relies on its authority (power and wealth), operates in ethical egoism, and only sees that their way is the highway.  Whereas, a leader (a wise man) finds strength in unity, accepts blame, relies on goodwill, and develops others unconditionally and honorably. My views clearly clash with those of Machiavelli.