Tony King

My Adopted Philosophy

My most favorite philosopher is Niccolo Machiavelli. I have gained much from following, and not following, what this man has written in his book, The Prince.

Part of what I have gained is the wisdom to know when and when not to do something. Often, it is not so much in life a matter of learning how to do something as it is a matter of knowing when not to do something. The nuance of knowing, and understanding, the idea that lack of action is an action unto itself is brilliant. In my tactician's mind, this was a wonderful revelation for me.

I read carefully what Maciavelli has to say, I undersatnd it first, and then act on (or ignore) what are the facts rather than move upon what I think should be the facts of a particular matter.

Machiavelli stressed often that a man, or as he termed it "a prince", should base his judgment and decision on what is rather than what should or ought to be. And to know when to follow and when to lead. This little talent is a skill little found today ... or ever, I suppose. As he says himself nearly 500 years ago,

"A prince being of thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten the wolves. Those that wish to be only lions do not understand this. Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interests, and when the reasons which made him blind himself no longer exist. "

Knowing when NOT to act is equally, if not more, important that knowing how to act in a particular matter.

"Never was anything great achieved without danger."

"The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it."

- Niccolo Machiavelli