The Prince
I recently finished reading Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. Some critics I've read criticize Machiavelli, saying he was a brute who believed that 'the end justifies the means'. I would rather bounce his thoughts and insights against my heart than criticize... (kind of a new idea for me... hey, I'm changing). A selfish end does not justify gruesome means... a righteous end may. We are each personally responsible to weigh our motives, think before we act, and act righteously.
This book is as instruction manual for new princes who have taken responsibility for territories full of people who very well may hate them. Surrounded by new people and confusing situations, a prince turns the hearts, minds and will of the people to what is righteous (as he believes it) and preserves his integrity in the process. This, for me, is not unlike a new Christian or someone who has decided to turn over a new leaf. I was very encouraged by this book. A prince can lead a kingdom and I can lead my life, family, friends and even business associates to a new perspective... no matter how long we have been messed up and angry.
