Book of Conduct

Author: (Italian) Niccolò Machiavelli
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-09-01
Features: This book collects the essence of the works of two great Western thinkers—Machiavelli and La Rochefoucauld. It is the sister volume to The Maxims, presenting readers with the pragmatic wisdom of Western philosophers. Both authors profoundly expose human vices, telling us that most people have a dark side, and to survive in society, one needs a set of methods and strategies to resist evil. This The Art of Being Master of One's Own Life brings us the most practical wisdom in dealing with life. Machiavelli said, "Anyone who tries to be perpetually good will inevitably be destroyed by those who are malicious." La Rochefoucauld also said, "Studying people is more necessary than studying books." In this seemingly peaceful, quiet, and friendly world, it is always filled with deceit, cunning people, and things. Both authors believed that personal and social behavior can be reduced to selfishness. People are treacherous, hypocritical, avoid danger, and insatiably greedy. Therefore, they warn us that when living among others, one must never be complacent and must take into account human vices. Only in this way can one navigate the jungle of human relationships with ease. Different eras always play the same game. History has shown that the victors of the game are often not those with benevolent hearts but those who skillfully conceal their talents, stupidity, and cunning—they are the ultimate winners of this world. Machiavelli and La Rochefoucauld both revealed what people do. The former spoke the truth in harsh words, while the latter's thoughts were not a collection of norms and precepts but rather an analysis and description of people's actions and nature, revealing what they actually do and think. The Art of Being Master of One's Own Life—Pragmatic Wisdom for Navigating the World collects the essence of the works of these two great thinkers, telling us how to become the ultimate victors in life.