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Maxims and Reflections
Softcover. University of Pennsylvania Press.
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1528
8 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Francesco Guicciardini
531 books29 followersFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances...
Francesco Guicciardini (Italian: [franˈtʃesko ɡwittʃarˈdiːni]; 6 March 1483 – 22 May 1540) was an Italian historian and statesman. A friend and critic of Niccolò Machiavelli, he is considered one of the major political writers of the Italian Renaissance. In his masterpiece, The History of Italy, Guicciardini paved the way for a new style in historiography with his use of government sources to support arguments and the realistic analysis of the people and events of his time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances...
Francesco Guicciardini (Italian: [franˈtʃesko ɡwittʃarˈdiːni]; 6 March 1483 – 22 May 1540) was an Italian historian and statesman. A friend and critic of Niccolò Machiavelli, he is considered one of the major political writers of the Italian Renaissance. In his masterpiece, The History of Italy, Guicciardini paved the way for a new style in historiography with his use of government sources to support arguments and the realistic analysis of the people and events of his time.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 27, 2012
One of the wisest books I've ever read. Guicciardini, a Florentine diplomat and friend of Machiavelli, collected his thoughts on self-interest in service of the powerful in this series of ricordi. They give the feeling of being developed through observation and experience rather than by any attempt at a philosophy or a system. Some of the topics covered include the role of boldness, luck, and deception in achieving success; the value of reputation and ways to maintain it; how people are driven more by hope than by fear, and why being stingy with generosity helps to build hope in others; how negatives are exaggerated and positives underrated; etc. Together they build up a picture of how to survive and succeed in a politicized context. It's a brilliant picture of an observant mind.
January 23, 2015
Sixteenth century Italy is remembered as the time of Machiavelli, but it also produced another noteworthy author of maxims and other works in Francesco Guicciardini (March 6, 1483 - May 22, 1540) . He was an Italian historian and statesman, a friend and critic of Niccolò Machiavelli, and is considered one of the major political writers of the Italian Renaissance. Guicciardini is considered as the Father of Modern History, due to his use of government documents to verify his "History of Italy. His Maxims and Reflections were recorded over the better part of two decades and reflect his thoughts on various questions based on his personal experience. In spite of increasing skepticism, Guicciardini argues in these maxims for the superiority of reason over ignorance. The turmoil in his world is never far from the surface of this work and it is a worthy source of reading enjoyment. The maxims provide a window on an age and a record of renaissance political thought during the greatness of the Italian Renaissance.
December 15, 2017
"Nostro padre ebbe figlioli sì bene qualificati, che, a tempo suo, fu communemente tenuto el più felice padre di Firenze; e nondimeno io considerai molte volte che, calculato tutto, era maggiore il dispiacere che aveva di noi che la consolazione: pensa quello che interviene a chi ha figlioli pazzi cattivi e sventurati."
******
Dedicato a te, grazie di tutto papà.
******
Dedicato a te, grazie di tutto papà.
October 21, 2024
Guicciardini is cynical, self-interested, practical, cautious, and a bit manipulative.
May 2, 2018
Why is The Prince more popular than this?? There's little a quote in here on how precious friends are, how gratitude from one person can outweigh dozens of previous ingratitudes, how we should judge people by their performance, not their position PLUS how we should just be more tolerant of each other. And my personal favourite;
"If I could hope to effect them by myself, I would be quite willing to seek changes in governments I dislike. But when I remember that it requires getting involved with other men- and most of the time with mad and wicked men who know neither how to be silent nor how to act- there is nothing I abhor more than to think about such things."
"If I could hope to effect them by myself, I would be quite willing to seek changes in governments I dislike. But when I remember that it requires getting involved with other men- and most of the time with mad and wicked men who know neither how to be silent nor how to act- there is nothing I abhor more than to think about such things."
March 15, 2025
The Maxims & Reflections of Francesco Guicciardini, His 'Ricordi', Provide Fascinating Insight On The History Of 16th Century Renaissance Thought.
Francesco Guicciardini was a prominent Renaissance-era diplomat & statesman who lived from 1483 - 1540, & was born into an economically powerful, patrician-class Florentine family with ties to the Medici clan. The Medici were the dominant power in Florence during that period in Italian history, at times alternating with brief republican forms of government before the advent of Grand Ducal Tuscany in 1569. Guicciardini received a formal education in law at the Universities of Ferrera & Padua, & after graduating, went on to serve as Florence's ambassador to the Spanish Kingdom of Aragon in 1511, followed by prestigious appointments as Papal governor of Modena in 1516, & then Reggio in 1517, under the Medici Pope Leo X. He also authored numerous political writings & treatises which were enriched by his successful career in politics, including the 'Discourse on Logorno', the 'Observations on Machiavelli's Discourses', also called the 'Considerations', & the unfinished 'History of Florence', which is also known as the 'Cose Fiorentine'.
In the years which followed his retirement from politics Guicciardini took up the historian's craft, composing his monumental multi-volume chronicle of the Habsburg-Valois Wars, 'The History of Italy'. Sydney Alexander's 1969 English translation is the most well-rounded & accessible to modern readers, & is accompanied by a breathtaking array of Renaissance maps & artwork as well as an assortment of fascinating expanded notes that provide interesting background & considerable depth to an already-impressive history. Nicholai Rubenstein's eloquent introduction to 'Maxims & Reflections' describes Guicciardini as "..an Italian statesman & diplomatist who for many years had been in close touch with the inner counsels of Italian politics, & who more than once had taken a leading part in shaping them." He proceeds to discuss in poignant terms the effect that Francesco's decades of experience in the political sphere likely had upon his writing, namely, on 'The History of Italy' : "But while the years spent in high office & in the midst of far-reaching political & military events had immeasurably widened & deepened Guicciardini's experience of public affairs, they had also brought him many disappointments; & the pessimistic overtones of his 'History of Italy' bear witness to the impact of Italy's misfortunes on the intellectual development of an Italian historian & patriot in an age of crisis."
This 1965 Mario Domandi translation of Francesco Guicciardini's 'Maxims & Reflections' was first published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 1972, & features a 25-page introduction by the historian Nicolai Rubenstein as well as a 5-page translator's preface at the beginning of the volume. The 431 maxims themselves are divided into 3 sections : Series C is the largest section, containing 221 maxims, or 'Ricordi', followed by Series B, which contains 181 'Ricordi', & lastly, Notebook 2 (the first notebook contained 13 maxims that are also featured in the second), which contains the final 29 'Ricordi'. There is also a Table of Correspondence that explains in a chart format the relationships between the 'Ricordi' in the different subsections, as a good deal of them are either repeated or related to the same primary subject.
Later in his introduction, Rubenstein postulates on Guicciardini's possible methods used in composing the now-famous collection of maxims & reflections : "In the process some 'ricordi' might be ruthlessly omitted, new ones added, or several 'ricordi' fused into one. It is not always easy to determine whether, in a given case, changes are caused by this striving after concise & lucid formulation or by Guicciardini's having modified his views on the subject." The 'Ricordi' themselves are a series of proverbs & adages that Guicciardini composed at different periods throughout his professional career in an effort to provide future generations with a template of sorts in order to live a fruitful, honorable, & profitable life. They are not believed to have been intended for general publication, & certain references found in the last collection, written in 1530, leads historians to posit that the 'Ricordi' were meant for the Guicciardini family members & their descendants. Many of the axioms possess an underlying cynicism which render the finding of inspirational examples a challenge; however, there are rays of sunshine to be found in Guicciardini's bitter political commentaries if the reader searches hard enough.
Many of Francesco Guicciardini's 'Ricordi' speak of noble republics & nefarious tyrants, & could be paired with the subject matter of Niccolò Machiavelli's treatise on autocratic rule, 'The Prince'. In Rubenstein's introduction he briefly discusses the two men's fascinatingly complex relationship, & how Machiavelli's republican views were both similar to & different from Guicciardini's more oligarchist political philosophy, in the following passage : "The development of Guicciardini's views on Italy coincides largely with the time of his friendship with Machiavelli. The two men shared the same views on a number of subjects; yet this went hand in hand with fundamental disagreements. Their intellectual relationship was of the nature of a long debate between equals, rather than of one-sided or mutual influence; while Guicciardini accepted some of the ideas which Machiavelli had put forward in his political works, The Prince & The Discourses, he strongly rejected others."
A handful of the 'Ricordi' explore strategies for acquiring wealth, conducting business affairs & propositions, & even managing large groups of people, albeit with a generous helping of Guicciardini's trademark pessimism that seems to manifest more in some than in others. Ricordo 56 in Series C appears in multiple iterations throughout the collection, & concerns the spending of available funds : "Wise economy consists not so much in avoiding spending - for that is often necessary - as in knowing how to spend well; that is, to spend a grosso, & get twenty-four quattrini's worth." Domandi's translation notes inform the reader that this maxim's basic meaning is that it is a wise man indeed who can generate double profit on his business expenditures.
In Ricordo 178 Series C, Guicciardini stresses the importance in matters of business to choose trades with a minimum of established competition to minimize the chance of failure : "Industries & trades are at their best before many people recognize how profitable they are. As soon as that happens, they decline, for strong competition makes them less profitable. Thus, in all matters, it is wise to get up very early." Although Guicciardini was a statesman, he was from a very well-connected family & was likely acquainted with successful entrepreneurs & other high-profile men of affairs, giving him a unique perspective which made him in all likelihood a valuable source of counsel for business-minded men & women from all strata of society.
In Ricordo 59 Series B, Francesco imparts to his readers some valuable wisdom that the grass is perhaps not as green on his side of the street as they might believe it to be : "Like other men, I have pursued honor & profit. And hitherto, thanks be to God & my good fortune, I have attained them beyond my hopes. But I never found in any of those things the satisfaction I had imagined. A good reason, if it is well considered, for men to still much of their thirst." Guicciardini's family was very wealthy & he enjoyed a successful career in Florentine politics as part of the Medici's inner circle, but, as this maxim demonstrates, there were definitely aspects of his life he would have liked to have seen improved.
Francesco even composed one of the 'Ricordi' which discusses the difficulty of writing the proverbs themselves! Ricordo 100 in Series B laments Guicciardini's brainstorming difficulties, & provides his readers with advice on how to achieve balance by pursuing a path of self-maintenance : "It is hard enough to think up these ricordi, it is even harder to put them into practice. For very often men will not act on their knowledge. And so, if you want to make use of them, work on yourself. Develop good habits, by means of which you will be able not only to use the ricordi but also to do what reason commands without difficulty." While the 'Ricordi' should probably be viewed from a historical standpoint & not a philosophical one, there are a few relating to basic human kindness that are admirable for the positive message they communicate, such as the one which follows.
In Ricordo 11 Series C Guicciardini advises his readers who walk the path of being kind to others not to become discouraged should they run into roadblocks, & this makes it among the more inspiring maxims in the entire set : "Do not let the ingratitude of many men deter you from doing good to others. To do good without ulterior motive is a generous & almost divine thing in itself. Moreover, while doing good, you may come across someone so grateful that he makes up for all the ingratitude of others." According to WikiPedia, Guicciardini was the 3rd child in a large family of 11 & received an excellent humanist education, with his godfather being the famous Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino, & after attending law school at the Universities of Ferrara & Padua, Francesco was appointed at the age of 23 by the Florentine Signoria to teach legal studies at the city's famous Law Studio.
Overall, the 'Maxims & Reflections' of Francesco Guicciardini are a fantastic way to gain perspective on the way people who lived during the 16th century thought about their values, their culture, & their government, & Nicolai Rubenstein's world-class introduction does an exceptional job of providing background information on the author's diplomatic & political career, his other writings, & even his nuanced relationship with his professional contemporary, Niccolò Machiavelli. This is an outstanding collection, & is highly recommended. For the reader who is seeking quality editions of Francesco Guicciardini's other, more substantial written works, in addition to the Princeton Press issue of Sydney Alexander's translation of 'The History of Italy', James B. Atkinson & David Sices' 'The Sweetness of Power' duology contains exceptional translations of Niccolò Machiavelli's 'Discourses on Titus Livius' as well as Guicciardini's 'Considerations'.
Francesco Guicciardini was a prominent Renaissance-era diplomat & statesman who lived from 1483 - 1540, & was born into an economically powerful, patrician-class Florentine family with ties to the Medici clan. The Medici were the dominant power in Florence during that period in Italian history, at times alternating with brief republican forms of government before the advent of Grand Ducal Tuscany in 1569. Guicciardini received a formal education in law at the Universities of Ferrera & Padua, & after graduating, went on to serve as Florence's ambassador to the Spanish Kingdom of Aragon in 1511, followed by prestigious appointments as Papal governor of Modena in 1516, & then Reggio in 1517, under the Medici Pope Leo X. He also authored numerous political writings & treatises which were enriched by his successful career in politics, including the 'Discourse on Logorno', the 'Observations on Machiavelli's Discourses', also called the 'Considerations', & the unfinished 'History of Florence', which is also known as the 'Cose Fiorentine'.
In the years which followed his retirement from politics Guicciardini took up the historian's craft, composing his monumental multi-volume chronicle of the Habsburg-Valois Wars, 'The History of Italy'. Sydney Alexander's 1969 English translation is the most well-rounded & accessible to modern readers, & is accompanied by a breathtaking array of Renaissance maps & artwork as well as an assortment of fascinating expanded notes that provide interesting background & considerable depth to an already-impressive history. Nicholai Rubenstein's eloquent introduction to 'Maxims & Reflections' describes Guicciardini as "..an Italian statesman & diplomatist who for many years had been in close touch with the inner counsels of Italian politics, & who more than once had taken a leading part in shaping them." He proceeds to discuss in poignant terms the effect that Francesco's decades of experience in the political sphere likely had upon his writing, namely, on 'The History of Italy' : "But while the years spent in high office & in the midst of far-reaching political & military events had immeasurably widened & deepened Guicciardini's experience of public affairs, they had also brought him many disappointments; & the pessimistic overtones of his 'History of Italy' bear witness to the impact of Italy's misfortunes on the intellectual development of an Italian historian & patriot in an age of crisis."
This 1965 Mario Domandi translation of Francesco Guicciardini's 'Maxims & Reflections' was first published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 1972, & features a 25-page introduction by the historian Nicolai Rubenstein as well as a 5-page translator's preface at the beginning of the volume. The 431 maxims themselves are divided into 3 sections : Series C is the largest section, containing 221 maxims, or 'Ricordi', followed by Series B, which contains 181 'Ricordi', & lastly, Notebook 2 (the first notebook contained 13 maxims that are also featured in the second), which contains the final 29 'Ricordi'. There is also a Table of Correspondence that explains in a chart format the relationships between the 'Ricordi' in the different subsections, as a good deal of them are either repeated or related to the same primary subject.
Later in his introduction, Rubenstein postulates on Guicciardini's possible methods used in composing the now-famous collection of maxims & reflections : "In the process some 'ricordi' might be ruthlessly omitted, new ones added, or several 'ricordi' fused into one. It is not always easy to determine whether, in a given case, changes are caused by this striving after concise & lucid formulation or by Guicciardini's having modified his views on the subject." The 'Ricordi' themselves are a series of proverbs & adages that Guicciardini composed at different periods throughout his professional career in an effort to provide future generations with a template of sorts in order to live a fruitful, honorable, & profitable life. They are not believed to have been intended for general publication, & certain references found in the last collection, written in 1530, leads historians to posit that the 'Ricordi' were meant for the Guicciardini family members & their descendants. Many of the axioms possess an underlying cynicism which render the finding of inspirational examples a challenge; however, there are rays of sunshine to be found in Guicciardini's bitter political commentaries if the reader searches hard enough.
Many of Francesco Guicciardini's 'Ricordi' speak of noble republics & nefarious tyrants, & could be paired with the subject matter of Niccolò Machiavelli's treatise on autocratic rule, 'The Prince'. In Rubenstein's introduction he briefly discusses the two men's fascinatingly complex relationship, & how Machiavelli's republican views were both similar to & different from Guicciardini's more oligarchist political philosophy, in the following passage : "The development of Guicciardini's views on Italy coincides largely with the time of his friendship with Machiavelli. The two men shared the same views on a number of subjects; yet this went hand in hand with fundamental disagreements. Their intellectual relationship was of the nature of a long debate between equals, rather than of one-sided or mutual influence; while Guicciardini accepted some of the ideas which Machiavelli had put forward in his political works, The Prince & The Discourses, he strongly rejected others."
A handful of the 'Ricordi' explore strategies for acquiring wealth, conducting business affairs & propositions, & even managing large groups of people, albeit with a generous helping of Guicciardini's trademark pessimism that seems to manifest more in some than in others. Ricordo 56 in Series C appears in multiple iterations throughout the collection, & concerns the spending of available funds : "Wise economy consists not so much in avoiding spending - for that is often necessary - as in knowing how to spend well; that is, to spend a grosso, & get twenty-four quattrini's worth." Domandi's translation notes inform the reader that this maxim's basic meaning is that it is a wise man indeed who can generate double profit on his business expenditures.
In Ricordo 178 Series C, Guicciardini stresses the importance in matters of business to choose trades with a minimum of established competition to minimize the chance of failure : "Industries & trades are at their best before many people recognize how profitable they are. As soon as that happens, they decline, for strong competition makes them less profitable. Thus, in all matters, it is wise to get up very early." Although Guicciardini was a statesman, he was from a very well-connected family & was likely acquainted with successful entrepreneurs & other high-profile men of affairs, giving him a unique perspective which made him in all likelihood a valuable source of counsel for business-minded men & women from all strata of society.
In Ricordo 59 Series B, Francesco imparts to his readers some valuable wisdom that the grass is perhaps not as green on his side of the street as they might believe it to be : "Like other men, I have pursued honor & profit. And hitherto, thanks be to God & my good fortune, I have attained them beyond my hopes. But I never found in any of those things the satisfaction I had imagined. A good reason, if it is well considered, for men to still much of their thirst." Guicciardini's family was very wealthy & he enjoyed a successful career in Florentine politics as part of the Medici's inner circle, but, as this maxim demonstrates, there were definitely aspects of his life he would have liked to have seen improved.
Francesco even composed one of the 'Ricordi' which discusses the difficulty of writing the proverbs themselves! Ricordo 100 in Series B laments Guicciardini's brainstorming difficulties, & provides his readers with advice on how to achieve balance by pursuing a path of self-maintenance : "It is hard enough to think up these ricordi, it is even harder to put them into practice. For very often men will not act on their knowledge. And so, if you want to make use of them, work on yourself. Develop good habits, by means of which you will be able not only to use the ricordi but also to do what reason commands without difficulty." While the 'Ricordi' should probably be viewed from a historical standpoint & not a philosophical one, there are a few relating to basic human kindness that are admirable for the positive message they communicate, such as the one which follows.
In Ricordo 11 Series C Guicciardini advises his readers who walk the path of being kind to others not to become discouraged should they run into roadblocks, & this makes it among the more inspiring maxims in the entire set : "Do not let the ingratitude of many men deter you from doing good to others. To do good without ulterior motive is a generous & almost divine thing in itself. Moreover, while doing good, you may come across someone so grateful that he makes up for all the ingratitude of others." According to WikiPedia, Guicciardini was the 3rd child in a large family of 11 & received an excellent humanist education, with his godfather being the famous Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino, & after attending law school at the Universities of Ferrara & Padua, Francesco was appointed at the age of 23 by the Florentine Signoria to teach legal studies at the city's famous Law Studio.
Overall, the 'Maxims & Reflections' of Francesco Guicciardini are a fantastic way to gain perspective on the way people who lived during the 16th century thought about their values, their culture, & their government, & Nicolai Rubenstein's world-class introduction does an exceptional job of providing background information on the author's diplomatic & political career, his other writings, & even his nuanced relationship with his professional contemporary, Niccolò Machiavelli. This is an outstanding collection, & is highly recommended. For the reader who is seeking quality editions of Francesco Guicciardini's other, more substantial written works, in addition to the Princeton Press issue of Sydney Alexander's translation of 'The History of Italy', James B. Atkinson & David Sices' 'The Sweetness of Power' duology contains exceptional translations of Niccolò Machiavelli's 'Discourses on Titus Livius' as well as Guicciardini's 'Considerations'.
April 7, 2017
Crooked Wisdom.
July 18, 2025
An absolute gem of a work. Francesco Guicciardini was a contemporary of Machiavelli and a consumate diplomat, I also highly recommend his work on the History of Italy and on the governance of Florence. This on the other hand is a very different work. He wrote this series of ricordi for the private consultations of his family as advice, and them getting leaked by a careless member years later was something of an outrage to them. Part short essays, part maxims, this is a very nice read that can be mulled over in leisure, but it is also a work that must be approach with careful respect. Guicciardini paid great respect to reason, but ever more importance to fate, and is a deft analyst of life with all its vagaries. It is by no means a political self help book, as it is an immensely intimate work where he offers opinions on many, many disperate topics, often to hilarious effect. It by no means promises any great change in life, and at turns seems to anticipate the self-help gurus of today with disgust (he does dislike a lot of people). From historical analysis, economic diagnosis, historiographical opinions, to sick burns he gave to people he disliked, to random jabs at his friends, to general life advice and a surprising amount of self reflection and in fact meta commentary, this is a wonderful and heartily recommended read.
February 3, 2018
Francesco Guicciardini was a famous Italian Statesman, living in the late 15th century and early 16th century. He was a friend (but also a critic) of Niccolo Machiavelli. He was born to elite family, one of 11 children, in Florence in 1483.
His Ricordi is a text filled with the top diplomat's musings. This text is a key text in diplomacy to this day. Also had a very influential position with historians, which consider it one of its seminal texts.
Guicciardini served under three popes and while in his musings he was highly critical of popes and 'princes' he continue on the employ of both well past the sack of Rome, having spent some time in jail as a rebel and afterwards having the task of visiting justice on his jailers (who were resisting the Medici family rule).
For all these reasons this book is amazing. Similar in style to Marcus Aurelius Meditations, it is filled with 16th century goodness and I would highly recommend its reading. 5 stars. And wishing there were more starts to be given! :) x
His Ricordi is a text filled with the top diplomat's musings. This text is a key text in diplomacy to this day. Also had a very influential position with historians, which consider it one of its seminal texts.
Guicciardini served under three popes and while in his musings he was highly critical of popes and 'princes' he continue on the employ of both well past the sack of Rome, having spent some time in jail as a rebel and afterwards having the task of visiting justice on his jailers (who were resisting the Medici family rule).
For all these reasons this book is amazing. Similar in style to Marcus Aurelius Meditations, it is filled with 16th century goodness and I would highly recommend its reading. 5 stars. And wishing there were more starts to be given! :) x
June 5, 2024
(4.3) – questo libro ha genuinamente slayato e purtroppo io so anche il motivo ovvero il signor guicciardini era amico di mio fratello in cristo machiavelli quindi è tutto collegato 🤍 tvb guicciardini tvb machiavelli
March 14, 2020
Outstanding translation, a marvellous read.
Read
September 24, 2024Rimango ancora fisso a pensare sopra un pavimento razionale, quando colonne e monumenti sono opere della discrezione e della fortuna
October 27, 2024
Classic - essential for shakespeare
December 16, 2024
Più che ricordi sono aforismi. La lettura è piacevole e scorrevole, grazie anche alla garbatezza dell'autore.
January 19, 2025
Generalmente ridondante e disinteressante, ma con qualche perla di pensiero su cui valeva la pena riflettere. Interessante vedere l'interazione con la riforma di Lutero nel Ricordo 28.
April 17, 2025
Old knowledge will always be useful
November 16, 2010
"È certo gran cosa che tutti sappiamo avere a morire, tutti viviamo come se fussimo certi avere sempre a vivere; non credo sia la ragione di questo perché ci muova piú quello che è innanzi agli occhi e che apparisce al senso, che le cose piú lontane e che non si veggono; perché la morte è propinqua, e si può dire che per la esperienzia quotidiana ci apparisca a ogni ora; credo proceda perché la natura ha voluto che noi viviamo secondo che ricerca el corso o vero ordine di questa machina mondana, la quale non volendo resti come morta e sanza senso, ci ha dato proprietá di non pensare alla morte, alla quale se pensassimo sarebbe pieno el mondo di ignavia e di torpore".
Ricorro spesso a queste pagine per consolarmi di ciò che appare.
October 29, 2013
This was a skim for me - I was just trying to get a general sense of how Guicciardini differed from Machiavelli, and the salient differences I cared about were 1- an emphasis on hope as power, rather than fear and 2- a sharp distinction (that Machiavelli doesn't make) between man and men , the former are inherently good, while the latter is horrible, mad, and beast-like. Some of the maxims/reflections occasionally veer into quite personal territory, which is uncommon for the genre of prince/governing manuals, but fairly interesting to the non-would-be-tyrant reader.
February 7, 2023
Personal and candid thoughts on how to thrive among tyrants and warlords: having begun a successful diplomatic career with the Florentine republic, upon the Medicis seizing power Guicciardini switched sides and had a long, successful career working for that family (whom he described as tyrants). He recorded what he learned in politics for his own reflection and that of his descendants and left that rarest of books, one that contains the candid thinking of a politician.
“Good advice from Satan’s Kingdom.”
“Good advice from Satan’s Kingdom.”
October 22, 2014
Francesco Guicciardini was a 16th century Florentine diplomat and historian who collected his observations on politics for posterity. The "Ricordi" are an excellent window on the world of Renaissance Italy, and on the foibles of humans in power.
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