Sign in with Facebook
“When I was young, I forgot how to laugh in the cave of Trophonius; when I was older, I opened my eyes and beheld reality, at which I began to laugh, and since then, I have not stopped laughing. I saw that the meaning of life was to secure a livelihood, and that its goal was to attain a high position; that love’s rich dream was marriage with an heiress; that friendship’s blessing was help in financial difficulties; that wisdom was what the majority assumed it to be; that enthusiasm consisted in making a speech; that it was courage to risk the loss of ten dollars; that kindness consisted in saying, “You are welcome,” at the dinner table; that piety consisted in going to communion once a year. This I saw, and I laughed.”
―
―
“When evening comes, I return to my home, and I go into my study; and on the thresh-hold, I take off my everyday clothes, which are covered in mud and mire,and I put on regal and curial robes; and dressed in a more appropriate manner I enter into the ancient courts of ancient men and am welcomed by them kindly, and there I taste the food that alone is mine, and for which I was born; and there I am not ashamed to speak to them, to ask them the reasons for their actions; and they, in their humanity, answer me; and for four hours I feel no boredom,I dismiss every affliction, I no longer fear poverty nor do I tremble at the thought of death; I become completely part of them.”
― The Letters of Machiavelli : A Selection
― The Letters of Machiavelli : A Selection
David’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at David’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
266 books
|
61 friends
225 books
|
47 friends
796 books
|
532 friends
451 books
|
114 friends
173 books
|
10 friends
439 books
|
14 friends
412 books
|
33 friends
84 books
|
33 friends
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by David
Lists liked by David
