Giuccardini: Maxims and Reflections of a Renaissance Statesman (Ricordi C)
Discretion is the wonderful virtue of being able to see the way things are, and act accordingly.
The forces governing life are knowable, and to an extent controllable. This knowledge and control requires effort, talent, experience, mind and Fortune.
A good master benefits his servants on every occasion, as much as he could.
Giuccardini found that the servants are willing to flat out leave if the treatment doesn’t keep up.
The best master therefore must be tight-fisted, more readily inclined to be stingy rather than liberal.
He must retain their allegiance with hopes rather than deeds. To be successful he must occasionally be very generous to just one of them; that is enough.
For the nature of men is such that hope, as a rule, is stronger than fear. They are more excited and pleased by the sight of one man well rewarded than they are frightened by seeing many men treated poorly.
Never in conversations say anything which might displease others if repeated.
Even prudent men go wrong here - but if the difficulty is great, so much greater is the reward for him who knows how to do it.
Do not let the ingratitude of many men deter you from doing good to others. To do good without ulterior motive is generous and almost divine itself. And while doing good you might come across someone who is so grateful that he makes up for all the ingratitude of others.
Nothing is more precious than friends, lose no opportunity to make them.
Hm: Giuccardini believes that the more men are honored, revered, and adored, the more they seem to approach and become similar to God. And what man would not want to resemble Him?
If you are seeking favor of men be careful to NEVER ISSUE A FLAT OUT REFUSAL. Give evasive answers, they may end up not needing what they asked at all, circumstances may arise that give you an excuse, or they will be satisfied merely by a clever answer.
Interesting approach to conflict resolution:
IN MY various administrative posts I have observed that when I wanted to bring about peace, civil accord, and the like, it was better, before stepping in, to let matters be debated thoroughly and for a long time. In the end, out of weariness, both sides would beg me to reconcile them. Thus, at their invitation, with good reputation, and without a single note of cupidity, I could accomplish what seemed impossible at first.
You can sufficiently maintain fear if you punish crimes with three quarters of the penalty, provided you punish all crimes.
Learning added to natural talent makes men perfect and almost divine.
He who has time has life. Delay brings infinite opportunities that at first could not be known or hoped for.
Hmm:
If you observe well, you will see that, from one age to another, there is a change not only in men's speech, vocabulary, dress, style of building, culture, and such things, but, what is more, even in their sense of taste. A food that was highly prized in one age will often be found far less appetizing in another.
The true test of a man’s spirit comes when he is visited by unexpected anger.
Everything that has been in the past and the present will be in the future. The names and appearances will change, so you must have a discerning eye.
If you are involved in important affairs or seeking power, you must exaggerate your successes and hide your failures. Your fate depends much upon the opinions of others, not facts.
Keep yourself constantly in view. For often, matters will arise suddenly, and if you are in sight you will be entrusted with the task.
Wow: general laws cannot possibly comprehend all particular cases. Often, specific cases cannot be decided on the basis of law, but rather be dealt with by the opinions of men (which are not always in harmony).
Why lawyers have so many conflicts, as do doctors, philosophers etc. This ties into my idea of improving the general rules, can’t do so by agreeing!
Bad things originate in suspicion. Doubting each other’s good faith, each man decides to act before the other gets to him. A man governing a city or divided men must therefore seek first and foremost to remove suspicions.
If you can make something for your own interest seem like it was done for the public good, take that opportunity
Interesting: I have always been very resolute and firm in my actions. And yet, as soon as I make an important decision, I am often a little bit sorry for the stand I have taken. Not that I believe I would decide differently if I had it to do over again. The reason is, rather, that before the decision, I had present before my mind's eye the difficulties either choice would present; whereas having taken a stand and no longer fearing the difficulties inherent in the course I did not take, I become conscious only of those with which I must now deal. And those, considered by themselves, seem larger than they did when they were being compared with the others. To free yourself from this torment, you must diligently revive in your mind all those other difficulties you left behind.
A good name is worth more than great riches.
A man’s ability to bear good fortune is a far better test of him than his ability to bear adversity. Good fortune can make men wicked and lighthearted.
Hm: There is nothing worse in this world than levity. Lighthearted men are the instruments of any party, flee from them as you would fire.
Strong words to be serious…
A ruler or someone with executive power must not show vengeance against anyone who offends him personally. For the use of public arm against private offenses will subject him to heavy censure. Achieve the effect privately.
It is wise to get up very early. Industries and trades are at their best before people recognize how profitable they are and flood in with competition.
Doing his job like he would be ok being fired (without fear or submissiveness) made Giuccardini very successful, which gave him a good reputation, which drove more benefit than endearments and friendships would have done for him.
Follow through to the end. Many men who do business assume the deal is concluded when in fact it has hardly begun. Impediments are likely to pop up.
When you want favors do not ask directly. Wait until occasions for proposing and introducing the request present themselves, then ask.
In all human decisions and actions there is always a reason for doing the opposite of what we do, for nothing is so perfect that it does not contain a defect. Nothing is so evil that it does not contain some good, just as nothing is so good that it does not contain some evil. This causes many men to remain inactive, because every tiny flaw disturbs them. They are the overconscientious, awed by every minute detail. That is no way to be. Rather, having weighed the disadvantages of each side, we should decide for the one that weighs less, remembering that no choice is perfect in every respect.
The greatest talent is knowing when the rules don’t apply (discretion).
There is far greater pleasure in controlling lewd desires than indulging them. Indulging is brief and bodily, denying provides long lasting pleasure for the mind and conscience after the pain of the initial appetite subsides.
Do not reveal your secrets to anyone, you become a slave to those who know them. If you must, tell them as late as possible.