"Do not believe those who say they have voluntarily relinquished power and position for love of peace and quiet. Nearly always, their reason was either levity or necessity. Experience shows that, as soon as they are offered a chance to return to the former life, they leave behind their much vaunted peace and quiet, and seize it with the same fury that fire seizes dry or oily things."
"He rose to prominence as a statesman and diplomat in a world of city-states and betrayals. Unlike many political thinkers of his time, Guicciardini did not deal in ideals-he dealt in survival. His Ricordi politici e civili ("Political and Civil Maxims") is a collection of sharp reflections drawn from decades in government. These are not lofty meditations on virtue, but hard-nosed lessons in how people really act: selfishly, calculatingly, and deceptively. At times sly, at times cold, Guicciardini's advice has the ring of experience."
"What makes his words so compelling is their staying power. Written for the treacherous politics of late medieval Italy, they remain strikingly relevant in today's world of shifting alliances and power struggles. Whether navigating the intrigues of Florence or the rivalries of global geopolitics, Guicciardini's wisdom still cuts close to the bone. Guicciardini wrote dozens of maxims. Here are 20 of our favourites: On Power and Ambition."
Francesco Guicciardini rose in Renaissance Florence to prominence as a statesman and diplomat amid feuding city-states, papal maneuvers, and betrayals. His Ricordi politici e civili compiles hard-won maxims drawn from decades in government. The maxims emphasize pragmatic survival over lofty ideals, portraying human behavior as selfish, calculating, and deceptive. Common themes include the relentless hold of power, the ambivalence of ambition, and the necessity of shrewd counsel. The advice values experience, prudence, and readiness to seize opportunities. The principles apply to both late medieval Italian politics and contemporary contexts of shifting alliances and strategic rivalry.
Read at Medievalists.net
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