/ horsespt / horses.ig ... Sources: The Prince The Prince, Translated by Tim Parks: apeiron.iulm.it/retrieve/hand... Machiavelli by Michael Sugrue: • Machiavelli
@MutinyVT it doesn't matter if it's from a TV show. Many people should feel that way and there are people who do. I'd say Donald Trump and Michael Jackson are 2 highly influential people that at one point or another people were afraid of how much they loved them if anything media is afraid of how much these 2 people are loved.
How is it not evil to choose to do things he himself thought we’re not admirable or just. I think he is kind of a coward because he sees the way people are unjust and has no hope to change it, he instead chooses to be really good at being evil
@@grantbrewer3270 It's about living in reality rather than fantasy. The reality is people are unjust, and always will be regardless of what people teach or train. It's human nature. He rejected Christianity or religion as it failed to convince people enough to be just and righteous. In the end, if everyone is going to be unjust, understand it and do it strategically.
@@MrRahibzz Fuck no, the boat may well be halfway under water and im the guy with the bucket, but reading Machiavelli made me have a lot more empathy for tyrants and bad people in general... The worse you are the worse you have to be, its a vicious cycle they cant get out of
@@lucasportasio nobody forced them to bad in the first place though. If you need people to be empathetic for, it should always be the ones who are preyed upon by the machiavellians.
@@MrRahibzz of course i empathize with the victims, but to become machiavellian one is almost always a victim themselves. Even poor Machiavelli got tortured before he made the book, and his outlook makes a lot more sense if you know he was desilusioned and defeated when he made it
@@lucasportasio I also belive that the true way of empathy is to also understand that nobody is born evil and they just lost their battles too many times to think that somebody is going to forgive them
Just so you know, there are high school teachers using this video in their classrooms to talk about Machiavelli. You're doing AMAZING work for it to have reached the classroom :)
Completely agree. I wouldn’t use the book, but I’d refer to various ideas that young people might seek to emulate the bad behavior and then discuss the possibilities of off-setting evil in the world. Students need to UNDERSTAND human nature. . . the good, bad, ugly and most importantly the beauty of human nature. Books like this, with regard to young people, should be read one-on-one, (parent/child) or in small groups so they can truly understand the repercussions.. . and not just to themselves but how these behaviors affects the whole world.
@@blissseeker4719 Yes, it does. Existence is a war of all against all; everything competes for supremacy, even the most infinitesimal organisms. The law of strong forces subjugating weak forces is a fundamental aspect of reality, and will always express itself in some way, shape or form. The Iron Law of Oligarchy should be a great starting point of research for you to come to terms with how unavoidable this aspect of the world is.
@@KevinJohnson-cv2noThis is true... but the definition of supremacy is subjective. One society may hold family values supreme while another may hold economic superiority as supreme.
One of the most profound books I've ever read. And to correct people's incorrect assumption. Machiavelli wasn't evil. He wrote about the strategies he observed people in power used to achieve and retain power. It's what he observed.
Thank you. I’d say that it is the author of this video’s fault: he wants to transmit a sensation of evil/sociopaty. Complitely wron, my god. Incredible. This video is a shame
The first time I read The Prince I thought Machiavelli was the devil in the flesh. The more I thought about it and re-read it, the more I came to realize that everyone should be exposed to the political evils that Machiavelli described so that they would be wise to them and avoid being tricked by them. Clearly Trump is a student of Machiavelli.
When I reached the end I was struck with the thought..."The WRITING!"... which was quickly replaced by "The RESEARCH!"... then "The ART!".... Carl Jung woven in plus a touch of self-disclosure. Genius.... these are masterpieces you're creating. Keep going!
@HorsesOnYT damn.. ppl send you money and you can't even write a full sentence of gratitude lol "TY".. how about "thank you" at the very least next time
Don’t be a wolf or a sheep, be a bird so that can see your surroundings and gain wisdom on what’s going on around you. Fly above the sheep, and wolves and just watch. Pay attention to your surroundings. Birds are skeptical but are also confident in what they can see
The way I see it, Machiavelli's philosophy is amoral rather than immoral. He's saying: "Here's the best way to act in politics, if you deviate from this by being execsively kind or cruel then you will inevitably run into trouble". Whether this should be followed or how closely seems to be left to the reader.
Actually he doesn't advise against excessive cruelty, and even praises the likes of those he views as tyrants who relied upon it, such as Septimius Severus; who cemented Rome's military autocracy and famously treated the citizens like trash, but kept the soldiers paid & thus held power through brute force. He does state some crucial things that a ruler should not do to avoid a full on insurrection; but aside from that handful of things, cruelty is almost always the best & swiftest option. Also, I do think the writings hold weight, his statements can be verified by simply observing the behavior and actions of any capable ruler throughout history. Power has never been a moral game. It's not moral when The Lion snaps the neck of the weak gazelle between his mighty jaws, so why would it be now?
@@KevinJohnson-cv2no well said. I think it’s worth noting that Machiavelli’s predator-prey analogy isn’t perfect, because animals aren’t self-aware enough to be moral actors. But, that’s more a nitpick than a strong critique.
@@KevinJohnson-cv2noHe absolutely advises agaisn't excess cruelty. That is why it is called excess cruelty, and not moderate cruelty, or a good ammount of cruelty or even more than enpugh cruelty.
It is interesting to note that it is possible that Machiavelli wrote the book not as a guide but more like a warning for people for “this is how tyrants act”
I believe it was that plus self analysis He was clearly cluster B Probably psychopath However that does not instantly make him evil, or even malicious. Many psychopaths do not wish to do evil things, some even try to educate others about their condition. I feel this may be that
@@bachtran957 I have also read Machiavelli was not on good standing with the De' Medici's and perhaps wrote 'the prince' as to mock them, similar powerful families/people and the way they act.
I always find it so interesting how some people can write or paint incredible things while alive and nobody cares but then once they're gone people finally realize how interesting these things were. I just feel sad for all these people who never had any recognition while they were alive
Ik I’m late but this is actually an interesting topic that I don’t think gets talk about a lot. Your definitely right, have any suggestions why that might be ?
@@Starkk-ic9cjI gave this topic alot of thought over the years, Only thing i can think of , is talented people are usually not understood nor are they liked but once there dead the threat is over and now you can learn someone with no hate because u feel like youve lived longer and its all good! Strange metaphor!
@@MadeMenL7L7 I think its more about innovation, and like said in the video, if tou do X Y and Z you can succeed, but if you do it on a different day maybe you will fail. Sometimes, the world isn't ready for innovation. Like Van Gogh, or Machiavelli, who showed works of art or presented philosophies, they were ignored or even ostracised. Remember that in Van Gogh's time, Post-Impressionism wasn't cared a lot because of the Fine Arts and standards for beautiful paintings, like Neo-Classic, which was seen as beautiful. In Machiavellis time, Church and Christianism was a heavy topic in politics, and society. It was innovation at the wrong time in history. Thats why its so appreciated after a few years!
“Unless you have been led to commit yourself by writing, your denial will go as far as their assertion. Shun writing, therefore, for there is nothing so damning as a girl screenshotting your message.” - Machiavelli
Was telling a friend I'd love to find a new video essay channel, and my friend told me, "oh, you gotta check out horses, he's been blowing up lately" Happy to be one of those newbies!
You should make a part two, since the prince isn't actually representative of Machiavellis actual philosophy. At least here in Italy historians believe the prince was sort of a metaironic piece he wrote to get back in the good graces of the Medici family; to display his aptitude for governance as the medici liked(they wanted to replicate Cesare Borgia in Florence) his real philosophy was an extreme for of republicanism, and it's likely that he's the first mainstream European republican. In his other works, such as his commentaries on Roman writers, he writes how a polis(city) should have citizens that are extremely devoted to maintain the sanctity of the republics institutions, whether it be from foreign invaders or domestic subversives.
Glad to know someone has actually read his works as well. Its funny to read some of these comments and see people spewing talking points out of their ass on misconceived notions on what Machavelli is talking about or what he really meant with his works. Barnes n nobles has a "classics series" on a bunch of different philosophical works and each of them first start by giving you a context of the time the work was written, and what misconceptions people have today about whatever work it is. I think everyone should read those because theyd gain more insight on The Prince for instance, more insight than they think they actually have.
Wonderful and well structured! I really enjoyed the argumentative parts. Plese, don't stop on making these videos. They're like a delightful cup of tea!❤
This would be a great video if it was accurate. Machiavelli was nothing like how he was portrayed here. Machiavelli was a diplomat and an ardent lover of republics. The Prince was less a dictator's handbook and more a sarcastic job application. Machiavelli's Discourses on Livy are far, far more representative on his actual beliefs.
Lmao the book the prince is him just telling ceasar about strategies that he observed rulers of history use to retain powers lol so this isnt a conspiracy this is a known thing if youve read his work
I read this book following a divorce and when I was needing to take the next step in my career. I got promoted a year later. I learned how to play the game, from this book. I had always kept my emotions on my sleeve, if I didn’t like someone or an idea I would just say it. That was the honest approach but we don’t deal with honest people so it can actually hurt you. Once I started being more duplicitous, laughing at jokes I normally wouldn’t have or befriending people I didn’t care for I achieved my goal in that environment. Then once I got my certification I left that place and went to a place better situated for my true self. The point being, it helped based on the environment I was in. Once I got what I needed I left and went to a place better suited for me, the real me.
It sounds like you used the tenets outlined in “The 48 Laws of Power” more wholly and if so, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I respect the honest approach of Robert Greene leaving far less room for interpretation than this work.
That's fine. You're a piece of shxt that deserves the worst pain that can be inflicted on a person if you behave like that toward people in your personal life but you probably already knew that.
@@user-kb1hw2yq2f not at my level bro lmao. By playing the game I meant laughing at dumbass jokes from supervisors I normally wouldn’t have. It improved my life and didn’t cost me anything other than annoyance. Always way the ends and the means beforehand.
21:05 It's cool to see here a painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, especially "Judith Slaying Holofernes". She was an Italian painter, one of very few women who were able to gain education and later employment during her era. Her painting style was influenced (through her father) by Caravaccio and she was a court painter under the patronage of House Medici 😊
You should do audiobooks. I love your calming voice. Also love the videos. I just found you recently, but these videos help me process stuff sometimes and I appreciate that. Keep up the good work man 👍
@@renex_g3915 Ever since his channel popped into my recommendation (I watch a lot of video essays. I'm sure we all do tbh) I've just been binging his videos
Your channel is destined to be one of the big players in the video-essay community. And your essays are about things that people should need to know in my opinion, there are plenty videos of 2 hours analyzing spongebob history but not a lot about philosophy, history, nature, politics, geography, economics, etc... and if they are, they are not as entertaining as you make them. Your videos are 10/10 almost all the time, I always feel like I learned new things with your content and some of my recent readings are influenced by the themes in your videos. Keep doing this great work dude! ❤
There's tons of videos on those topics. The problem is that to really engage in any of them, you need to read an actual book or research paper, because unless it's a recording of a lecture, UA-cam doesn't provide adequate means.
I have absolutely no idea how you manage to produce such high quality content in terms of both research, writing, visuals, and editing, but I'm here for it. These video essays are on such high level, it's still unbelievable that they're not produced by a whole team of people. Keep up the good work.
I learned about Machiavelli in university. We cross examined the Prince with Erasmus' The Education of a Christian Prince (which I suggest you potentially cover in a future?) and it made for quite an interesting debate. I think its important to point out the circumstances of Mach's torture. He lasted 22 days of imprisonment and torture through a method called strappado without giving up his political companions or admitting to bogus claims. The strappado is the method of tying the victim's arms behind their back, dropping them from a ledge and dislocating their arms from their shoulders to prevent death and ensure maximum pain. Since we know so little about his early life, this fact always seemed to be so counter to his later political ideology. I'm sure at some point, maybe before being ruthlessly tortured by the state, Mach believed in the goodness of humanity. However, at some point, whether through pain or clarity, he adhered to the efficiency of virtu over the complexities of virtue. Surviving the horrors of torture and political corruption would make anyone apathetic of the moral fantasies of those around them. Super great video! You summarized his ideas well and left it open to interpretation. Keep making more videos!!!!
Machiavelli never abandoned those principles. As he wrote The Prince, Machiavelli also wrote a book on republics. Throughout his life Machiavelli loved republics; losing Florence broke his heart. Discourses on Livy, which analyzed Roman history and that of the republic, was much more representative of his beliefs.
What an absolutely outstanding video. I only knew tiny bit about Machiavelli, so this was my first real learning as to what he was all about. Thank you very much for sharing this !
I FINALLY decided to get onto this topic. Have never read up on it. And I chose the PERFECT video to begin my journey. Well done. Such a great review. Subbed. Looking forward to exploring more content. What a great find
It's so good to see your channel growing in such big steps, because the quality of your videos and your in-depth analysis really do deserve it. Best of wishes, brother.
Can you guys stop adding these useless positive comments? Many people don't want to scroll thru thousands of comments that add nothing to the discussion
It's harder to keep people in love with you than it is to keep people scared of you, Machiavelli knew that those who wanted real power more often than not needed break the rules to get it. I think his works are more relevant today than ever before. Love your editing style, i swear it gets better with each video, i can literally see you improving❤
Horses May I say the art style and editing of your videos has been improving a lot lately. Everything comes together and creates a unique aestetic which makes the topics of your videos more interesting.
This man is slowly killing my social skills, I’ll want to talk about his is videos or the ideas from them. And all I get in return is a silence from my friends lol
Maybe you need to make some new friends who like discussing philosophy and other academic topics! No need to force that convo on friends who aren’t as interested.
this is genuinely one of the best channels on youtube. the graphics, your voice and your honesty, the obvious research, the sourcing, the topics. genuinely amazing :) thank you for the genuinely top tier content
These videos always seem to come out right when I get out of class, I just chill in the union building listening to these on the couch or while I'm playing pool.
Glad this channel exists. I've been following it for a while and I'm glad to say I've added it to my video essay channel collections. Definitely opened me up to reading more. Things like Hemmingway and philosophical writings
Can you share your video-essay favourite channels? I love this kind of channels. I know ahoy, defunctland, solar sands, emplemon and this channel, you have more?
Just read "The Prince" and now I'm reading "The Machiavellians - Defenders of Freedom" by James Burnham. It's dense but fascinating nonetheless. Horses killin it with the vids as always.
You might also like The Dictator’s Handbook by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith. Selectorate Theory is basically an independent rediscovery of the Italian School of Elite Theory.
To be honest this is a really good channel ,I was listening to this video while I was filing at work and this video was super interesting. Keep up the good work my guy 👍
While I too do not enjoy considering Machiavelli’s philosophy and certainly don’t live by it, it’s vital to understand for even the most virtuous individual. One cannot expect to recognize and resist the machinations of selfish or immoral people without understanding how they think and operate.
@@BuddyLee23fuck that. I love with the philosophy of "don't be a jerk unless you're being a jerk to people that don't deserve it. Then I'll be a jerk to you."
I can't express how calming and what a relexing effect your voice had on me while watching this video. I couldn't hold back but buy the booki n my local library whilst watching this video. This is just meant to be a little thank you for this video in the form of a comment
Just gotta say you have quickly become my favorite yt channel. So nice to actually find honest intellectual thought exploration full of reason and context. Feels like a great thirst being quenched in a desert if faux pseudo intellectuals, armchair psychologists, and political grifters.
the beauty of Machiavelli is that he didn't support the ideas that he wrote, he didn't support a cruel monarchy. Machiavelli was obsessed with the Roman Republic, and even wrote a much bigger book on it, he thought that everything they did was perfect in contrast with what was happening in Italy. writing the Prince, he mostly aspired to get as much of a voice in his book (in the Medicis eyes), because it is a very debatable book that gets attention and sparks debate. I think that the Prince was written as a warning and advice. it can help people who struggle too much in society and also signal them the evil people. he did write how to be the most efficient ruler, but not the best one...
I think the idea of "virtu" is fascinating in how it can be paralleled to Eastern thought. According to my professor, one of the key tenants of Daoism is de (德). He translated the term as "virtuosity," and connected it to the idea of someone being a virtuoso rather than to being Virtuous. Someone who is or who acts with "de" is able to do things extremely well, but is also able to make those things look effortless. I wonder how much that translation of the concept is informed by the idea of virtu...
Im not familiar with daoism but the word virtue has changed a lot under the influence of Christianity, in which the virtuous is he who does not sin. The latin origin is from "vir", man in latin so virtus is basically manliness and it was divided in wisdom, justice, self-control and courage, which were seen as the ultimate skillset that a man must have, and by a man they basically meant a very masculine one, a noble, a warrior. So virtus, virtu, virtue in origin meant the skillset of a great warrior. It was very tied to the concept of winning on others and the excellence in doing so. I think that Machiavelli use of "virtu" revive that concept in a neoclassical and anti-christian way perfectly.
Also that fade in later roman age and virtus, rather than excellent warrior, became a more broad idea of the ability to do the right thing, which became the ability to avoid sin
I'm so glad I found your channel. You're consistently making some of the most insightful, well written, visually interesting videos I've seen in a while. Wishing all the best for you and this channel 💙
The way I see "The Prince" is that it is a brutally honest how-to guide for obtaining and maintaining political power. Machiavelli doesn't make any judgement or comment about what you should do with it once you have it. I think the way he saw it was that it was not his purpose or his place, he just had to guide the reader to that position.
First time I have head this accurately summarized and analyzed. The schools in the US love to demonize this book without addressing it's accuracy. Great Work
Virtu is a word i’ve long tried to translate accurately, as it comprises part of my family motto “Virtute et Labore”, but in George Bull’s Oxford translation of The Prince, it is mostly translated as Prowess, and Fortuna as Luck (or opportunity). When I read The Prince aged 15 once of the parts that really stuck with me was this concept of Prowess and Luck/Opportunity. If one is lucky, then an opportunity may arise for you to take advantage of, but without prowess in that field, the opportunity comes in vain.
HORSES STORE: horses.land
😮
“Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”
― Michael Scott
I wonder how many people know this is a joke from "The Office" and how many are dumb enough to believe it's actually good advice LMAO.
It is actually a good advice. Machiavelli himself said the best ruler is someone who is feared and loved at the same time.
@MutinyVT it doesn't matter if it's from a TV show. Many people should feel that way and there are people who do. I'd say Donald Trump and Michael Jackson are 2 highly influential people that at one point or another people were afraid of how much they loved them if anything media is afraid of how much these 2 people are loved.
@@60wwediva MJ was a Pedoh
I want them to love how much they fear me. (They all have a fear kink, and pay me well to scare them)
Easier to avoid wolves if you know how they’re hunting.
Well put. Be good but be ready and be wary.
don t compare a wolf with a piece of crap. that creature hunts to eat. it does kill for pleasure like these scumbags.
Easiest to hunt with two wolves.
lol, imagine preferring to be a prey animal.
@@seanwieland9763Okay mr."communism was the most violent and destructive ideology in history".
I don’t see Machiavelli as evil, I see his views as a how-to navigate an evil world.
Years after his death, the things that were so called evil way became a usual thing in the modern political world.....
@damarfausan8207 Just because something is normalized doesn't make it not evil.
How is it not evil to choose to do things he himself thought we’re not admirable or just. I think he is kind of a coward because he sees the way people are unjust and has no hope to change it, he instead chooses to be really good at being evil
Good insight. Still evil but just has been normalized unfortunately but you are right about it becoming regular and accepted now@@damarfausan8207
@@grantbrewer3270 It's about living in reality rather than fantasy. The reality is people are unjust, and always will be regardless of what people teach or train. It's human nature. He rejected Christianity or religion as it failed to convince people enough to be just and righteous.
In the end, if everyone is going to be unjust, understand it and do it strategically.
“Machiavelli wasn’t very Machiavellian” that took me out 😂
I've never met a horse that knew so much about philosophy, let alone horses. Nice work.
Like Mr. Ed, but it's Higher Ed
you're not a marine
its actually multiple horses which is arguably more impressive
You’ve clearly never met a Houyhnhnm
Hahahaha my favorite comment
I read Machiavelli as a teen, what i took from it was mostly "if you gon be bad you better be the best at it"
So are you?
@@MrRahibzz Fuck no, the boat may well be halfway under water and im the guy with the bucket, but reading Machiavelli made me have a lot more empathy for tyrants and bad people in general... The worse you are the worse you have to be, its a vicious cycle they cant get out of
@@lucasportasio nobody forced them to bad in the first place though. If you need people to be empathetic for, it should always be the ones who are preyed upon by the machiavellians.
@@MrRahibzz of course i empathize with the victims, but to become machiavellian one is almost always a victim themselves. Even poor Machiavelli got tortured before he made the book, and his outlook makes a lot more sense if you know he was desilusioned and defeated when he made it
@@lucasportasio I also belive that the true way of empathy is to also understand that nobody is born evil and they just lost their battles too many times to think that somebody is going to forgive them
Just so you know, there are high school teachers using this video in their classrooms to talk about Machiavelli. You're doing AMAZING work for it to have reached the classroom :)
That’s unfortunate and lazy of the teachers
Completely agree. I wouldn’t use the book, but I’d refer to various ideas that young people might seek to emulate the bad behavior and then discuss the possibilities of off-setting evil in the world.
Students need to UNDERSTAND human nature. . . the good, bad, ugly and most importantly the beauty of human nature.
Books like this, with regard to young people, should be read one-on-one, (parent/child) or in small groups so they can truly understand the repercussions.. . and not just to themselves but how these behaviors affects the whole world.
@@sharongillespany other books or videos you can recommend to understand the basic philosophies? It’ll be really helpful :)
So teaching kids how to lie and manipulate their way to the top, is a good thing nowadays? Makes me nauseous.
😆@@BenjamUniverse
Keep going, take breaks, don’t burn out ❤️. Great vibe, great synthesis, thank you!
bless you for supporting a great creator and bless you, horses! ❤️
@@xtremememestv1717blud donated $5 lol
@@ohgeazywhat
1000 czk is around 43 dollars
@@ohgeazyand you donated 0
@@ohgeazy 1k czk is 40€
“Life is not knights on horseback. It’s a number on a piece of paper. It’s a fight for a knife in the mud” -Logan Roy
Does it have to be? No, it doesn't
Oh fuck off!
I'm kidding that's just a thing he says
@@blissseeker4719 Yes, it does. Existence is a war of all against all; everything competes for supremacy, even the most infinitesimal organisms. The law of strong forces subjugating weak forces is a fundamental aspect of reality, and will always express itself in some way, shape or form.
The Iron Law of Oligarchy should be a great starting point of research for you to come to terms with how unavoidable this aspect of the world is.
@@KevinJohnson-cv2noThis is true... but the definition of supremacy is subjective. One society may hold family values supreme while another may hold economic superiority as supreme.
Show is mid
One of the most profound books I've ever read. And to correct people's incorrect assumption. Machiavelli wasn't evil. He wrote about the strategies he observed people in power used to achieve and retain power. It's what he observed.
Pretty much an addition to the study of the human nature, something one should pursue to understand oneself throughout life
What's the books name
@@unboxinganything2498 The Prince
Thank you. I’d say that it is the author of this video’s fault: he wants to transmit a sensation of evil/sociopaty. Complitely wron, my god. Incredible. This video is a shame
The first time I read The Prince I thought Machiavelli was the devil in the flesh. The more I thought about it and re-read it, the more I came to realize that everyone should be exposed to the political evils that Machiavelli described so that they would be wise to them and avoid being tricked by them. Clearly Trump is a student of Machiavelli.
When I reached the end I was struck with the thought..."The WRITING!"... which was quickly replaced by "The RESEARCH!"... then "The ART!".... Carl Jung woven in plus a touch of self-disclosure. Genius.... these are masterpieces you're creating. Keep going!
❤️❤️❤️ ty!
@HorsesOnYT damn.. ppl send you money and you can't even write a full sentence of gratitude lol "TY".. how about "thank you" at the very least next time
@@playboismoovz9236 come on man a horse cannot type he is clearlly typing with his 2 toes yk
J
@@JAYoo747Bwahahahahahaha😂
Don’t be a wolf or a sheep, be a bird so that can see your surroundings and gain wisdom on what’s going on around you. Fly above the sheep, and wolves and just watch. Pay attention to your surroundings. Birds are skeptical but are also confident in what they can see
just seeing and observing is not enough. you gotta do something to rise to power.
or believe that community isn’t reliant on desperate grabs at power
@@YourAverageUA-camCommentora Raven and Wolf will often work together to find and both satiate their hunger.
Ravens make sounds when a predator, such as a wolf, is nearby. Can you explain how they are supposed to work in conjunction?
@mitchellwright5478
Really enjoy this idea, I can see where you're going with this.
The way I see it, Machiavelli's philosophy is amoral rather than immoral. He's saying: "Here's the best way to act in politics, if you deviate from this by being execsively kind or cruel then you will inevitably run into trouble". Whether this should be followed or how closely seems to be left to the reader.
Actually he doesn't advise against excessive cruelty, and even praises the likes of those he views as tyrants who relied upon it, such as Septimius Severus; who cemented Rome's military autocracy and famously treated the citizens like trash, but kept the soldiers paid & thus held power through brute force.
He does state some crucial things that a ruler should not do to avoid a full on insurrection; but aside from that handful of things, cruelty is almost always the best & swiftest option. Also, I do think the writings hold weight, his statements can be verified by simply observing the behavior and actions of any capable ruler throughout history. Power has never been a moral game. It's not moral when The Lion snaps the neck of the weak gazelle between his mighty jaws, so why would it be now?
@@KevinJohnson-cv2no well said. I think it’s worth noting that Machiavelli’s predator-prey analogy isn’t perfect, because animals aren’t self-aware enough to be moral actors. But, that’s more a nitpick than a strong critique.
@@KevinJohnson-cv2no so he's a realist
he’s also laying out the cards for the his readers so they can see when and how they are being tricked by politicians
@@KevinJohnson-cv2noHe absolutely advises agaisn't excess cruelty. That is why it is called excess cruelty, and not moderate cruelty, or a good ammount of cruelty or even more than enpugh cruelty.
It is interesting to note that it is possible that Machiavelli wrote the book not as a guide but more like a warning for people for “this is how tyrants act”
I believe it was that plus self analysis
He was clearly cluster B
Probably psychopath
However that does not instantly make him evil, or even malicious.
Many psychopaths do not wish to do evil things, some even try to educate others about their condition.
I feel this may be that
Nah, as far as I know, this book was a gift to Lorenzo Di Piero De’ Medici - the ruler of Florence. "The prince" was most likely a guide book.
@@bachtran957 I have also read Machiavelli was not on good standing with the De' Medici's and perhaps wrote 'the prince' as to mock them, similar powerful families/people and the way they act.
@@bachtran957 A sort of satire if you will.
@@sahajblatt3025 On what basis are you calling him a psychopath?
I always find it so interesting how some people can write or paint incredible things while alive and nobody cares but then once they're gone people finally realize how interesting these things were. I just feel sad for all these people who never had any recognition while they were alive
It’s called the “Jew Hustle”.
Ik I’m late but this is actually an interesting topic that I don’t think gets talk about a lot. Your definitely right, have any suggestions why that might be ?
schopenhauer, nietzsche, pessoa ect@@Starkk-ic9cj
@@Starkk-ic9cjI gave this topic alot of thought over the years, Only thing i can think of , is talented people are usually not understood nor are they liked but once there dead the threat is over and now you can learn someone with no hate because u feel like youve lived longer and its all good! Strange metaphor!
@@MadeMenL7L7 I think its more about innovation, and like said in the video, if tou do X Y and Z you can succeed, but if you do it on a different day maybe you will fail. Sometimes, the world isn't ready for innovation. Like Van Gogh, or Machiavelli, who showed works of art or presented philosophies, they were ignored or even ostracised. Remember that in Van Gogh's time, Post-Impressionism wasn't cared a lot because of the Fine Arts and standards for beautiful paintings, like Neo-Classic, which was seen as beautiful. In Machiavellis time, Church and Christianism was a heavy topic in politics, and society. It was innovation at the wrong time in history. Thats why its so appreciated after a few years!
“Unless you have been led to commit yourself by writing, your denial will go as far as their assertion. Shun writing, therefore, for there is nothing so damning as a girl screenshotting your message.” - Machiavelli
"deese niguhs dono who they fckn wit" - Abrahama Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 1863.
😂😂😂
*Don't Commit Professional/✍️Artsy Suicide!*
now i’m screenshotting your message
@@yisumisu8995 Many have
So happy your channel has been growing so much recently, you deserve it man.
Ikr man, I’ve been here since 10k
Agreed!
I agree.
@@datboi8005same! Shit found like a gold mine when I hit it.
Was telling a friend I'd love to find a new video essay channel, and my friend told me, "oh, you gotta check out horses, he's been blowing up lately"
Happy to be one of those newbies!
You should make a part two, since the prince isn't actually representative of Machiavellis actual philosophy. At least here in Italy historians believe the prince was sort of a metaironic piece he wrote to get back in the good graces of the Medici family; to display his aptitude for governance as the medici liked(they wanted to replicate Cesare Borgia in Florence) his real philosophy was an extreme for of republicanism, and it's likely that he's the first mainstream European republican. In his other works, such as his commentaries on Roman writers, he writes how a polis(city) should have citizens that are extremely devoted to maintain the sanctity of the republics institutions, whether it be from foreign invaders or domestic subversives.
This
behold, a man who actually read Machiavelli
@@tangzx3312impossible!
I was waiting for this part in the video but it did not appear so. This is an interesting viewpoint about The Prince I want to watch about too
Glad to know someone has actually read his works as well. Its funny to read some of these comments and see people spewing talking points out of their ass on misconceived notions on what Machavelli is talking about or what he really meant with his works. Barnes n nobles has a "classics series" on a bunch of different philosophical works and each of them first start by giving you a context of the time the work was written, and what misconceptions people have today about whatever work it is. I think everyone should read those because theyd gain more insight on The Prince for instance, more insight than they think they actually have.
The quality and quantity of this channel has been so surprising and i am so grateful for all these videos have taught me so far, thank you
Wonderful and well structured! I really enjoyed the argumentative parts. Plese, don't stop on making these videos. They're like a delightful cup of tea!❤
It’s crazy how you keep consistently putting out some of the best video-essays on the platform... once a week! Fantastic work, yet again.
Have you watched nerd writer? This guy's stuff seems completely "inspired" by that channel.
@@theboythatdid2495 i cant see the resemblance to be honest. its just how video essays generally are lmao.
This would be a great video if it was accurate. Machiavelli was nothing like how he was portrayed here. Machiavelli was a diplomat and an ardent lover of republics. The Prince was less a dictator's handbook and more a sarcastic job application. Machiavelli's Discourses on Livy are far, far more representative on his actual beliefs.
My personal conspiracy theory is that Machiavelli didn't invent his ideas. He just articulated what he saw in front of him out loud.
All ideas stem from experiences and influences
he was more an historian
Lmao the book the prince is him just telling ceasar about strategies that he observed rulers of history use to retain powers lol so this isnt a conspiracy this is a known thing if youve read his work
I read this book following a divorce and when I was needing to take the next step in my career.
I got promoted a year later. I learned how to play the game, from this book. I had always kept my emotions on my sleeve, if I didn’t like someone or an idea I would just say it. That was the honest approach but we don’t deal with honest people so it can actually hurt you.
Once I started being more duplicitous, laughing at jokes I normally wouldn’t have or befriending people I didn’t care for I achieved my goal in that environment.
Then once I got my certification I left that place and went to a place better situated for my true self.
The point being, it helped based on the environment I was in. Once I got what I needed I left and went to a place better suited for me, the real me.
It sounds like you used the tenets outlined in “The 48 Laws of Power” more wholly and if so, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I respect the honest approach of Robert Greene leaving far less room for interpretation than this work.
I did the same .. but i couldn’t keep up with it because i rly hated that place and those people
That's fine. You're a piece of shxt that deserves the worst pain that can be inflicted on a person if you behave like that toward people in your personal life but you probably already knew that.
To get what you want at what price? Do you lose a piece of your soul by playing this game?
@@user-kb1hw2yq2f not at my level bro lmao. By playing the game I meant laughing at dumbass jokes from supervisors I normally wouldn’t have. It improved my life and didn’t cost me anything other than annoyance.
Always way the ends and the means beforehand.
Randomly discovered your channel and I haven’t stopped binge watching since!! Thank you for the absolutely amazing content.
Excellent so far. Keep up the phenomenal work. This has quickly become one of my favorite channels.
Ty ❤️❤️❤️
Gotta second this, every word and sentiment. Excellent channel, so many varied and interesting subjects. Aesthetically beautiful too
name says horses but this channel is the goat
😅
Lol
So glad I found this channel. Incredibly interesting delivery!
21:05 It's cool to see here a painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, especially "Judith Slaying Holofernes". She was an Italian painter, one of very few women who were able to gain education and later employment during her era. Her painting style was influenced (through her father) by Caravaccio and she was a court painter under the patronage of House Medici 😊
Very happy to see a Gentileschi painting in there too. She was such an amazing painter.
You should do audiobooks. I love your calming voice. Also love the videos. I just found you recently, but these videos help me process stuff sometimes and I appreciate that. Keep up the good work man 👍
I know right
I use these videos as audiobooks anyway, so I would love a longer format that I can listen to while work
@@chironzxhis videos can be enjoyed with video or just audio, it's such a great channel
@@renex_g3915 Ever since his channel popped into my recommendation (I watch a lot of video essays. I'm sure we all do tbh) I've just been binging his videos
Very easy listen I agree
Your channel is destined to be one of the big players in the video-essay community. And your essays are about things that people should need to know in my opinion, there are plenty videos of 2 hours analyzing spongebob history but not a lot about philosophy, history, nature, politics, geography, economics, etc... and if they are, they are not as entertaining as you make them. Your videos are 10/10 almost all the time, I always feel like I learned new things with your content and some of my recent readings are influenced by the themes in your videos. Keep doing this great work dude! ❤
Ty! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
There's tons of videos on those topics. The problem is that to really engage in any of them, you need to read an actual book or research paper, because unless it's a recording of a lecture, UA-cam doesn't provide adequate means.
@@lotuseater7247 that's why this channel is great. It takes those topics and adapt them to a youtube audience
I am very thankful I have found this channel, this makes me more interested on philosophies.
I am so glad I came across this channel. It's excellent. Hats off to Horses. 🎩 🐎
I have absolutely no idea how you manage to produce such high quality content in terms of both research, writing, visuals, and editing, but I'm here for it. These video essays are on such high level, it's still unbelievable that they're not produced by a whole team of people. Keep up the good work.
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The work of an individual can easily surpass that of any group, for it has the optimal governance structure.
- chris heist
I learned about Machiavelli in university. We cross examined the Prince with Erasmus' The Education of a Christian Prince (which I suggest you potentially cover in a future?) and it made for quite an interesting debate.
I think its important to point out the circumstances of Mach's torture. He lasted 22 days of imprisonment and torture through a method called strappado without giving up his political companions or admitting to bogus claims. The strappado is the method of tying the victim's arms behind their back, dropping them from a ledge and dislocating their arms from their shoulders to prevent death and ensure maximum pain.
Since we know so little about his early life, this fact always seemed to be so counter to his later political ideology. I'm sure at some point, maybe before being ruthlessly tortured by the state, Mach believed in the goodness of humanity. However, at some point, whether through pain or clarity, he adhered to the efficiency of virtu over the complexities of virtue. Surviving the horrors of torture and political corruption would make anyone apathetic of the moral fantasies of those around them.
Super great video! You summarized his ideas well and left it open to interpretation.
Keep making more videos!!!!
Villain arc 😂
Machiavelli never abandoned those principles. As he wrote The Prince, Machiavelli also wrote a book on republics. Throughout his life Machiavelli loved republics; losing Florence broke his heart. Discourses on Livy, which analyzed Roman history and that of the republic, was much more representative of his beliefs.
Thanks
i just want to take a moment to appreciate this man's work on the graphics and how the tales were visualised with pictures and fine texting
He was a very interesting character in AC Brotherhood!! His appearance alongside Ezio was actually what made me read his book The Prince.
This is such an eye opener. You deserve all the support my man!
Your content is consistently engaging informative and visually outstanding. Don't change a thing, unless fortuna deems otherwise 😏
What an absolutely outstanding video. I only knew tiny bit about Machiavelli, so this was my first real learning as to what he was all about. Thank you very much for sharing this !
I FINALLY decided to get onto this topic. Have never read up on it. And I chose the PERFECT video to begin my journey. Well done. Such a great review. Subbed. Looking forward to exploring more content. What a great find
It's so good to see your channel growing in such big steps, because the quality of your videos and your in-depth analysis really do deserve it. Best of wishes, brother.
Can you guys stop adding these useless positive comments? Many people don't want to scroll thru thousands of comments that add nothing to the discussion
It's harder to keep people in love with you than it is to keep people scared of you, Machiavelli knew that those who wanted real power more often than not needed break the rules to get it. I think his works are more relevant today than ever before.
Love your editing style, i swear it gets better with each video, i can literally see you improving❤
Horses May I say the art style and editing of your videos has been improving a lot lately. Everything comes together and creates a unique aestetic which makes the topics of your videos more interesting.
Just found this channel and boy am I glad.
Please keep the videos coming brother, quality is top tier and I’ve cleared the back log in a couple days. Thank you for the quality content.
the editing on this is so engaging, the art really drew me in, good stuff man
When I first read “the prince” i couldn’t believe the amount of information one could learn from a little book.
Ugh...I freaking love this channel!
The writing, the presentation, everything about your videos is beautiful. Can’t wait to see you grow bigger 👊
This man is slowly killing my social skills, I’ll want to talk about his is videos or the ideas from them. And all I get in return is a silence from my friends lol
That eternal fluoride stare...
find new friends
@@badgoy1573😂
Maybe you need to make some new friends who like discussing philosophy and other academic topics! No need to force that convo on friends who aren’t as interested.
Maybe that's why there's so much balony in conversation. Ruthless truth isn't a pleasant topic of gab.
Amazing job not just with the information but the visuals are great. Thank you!
this is genuinely one of the best channels on youtube. the graphics, your voice and your honesty, the obvious research, the sourcing, the topics. genuinely amazing :) thank you for the genuinely top tier content
Kinda silly to use old-timey footage when talking about the 1400s tho. It's a little distracting when the visuals dont match up with the audio
@@tmsplltrs i think it works quite well for the aesthetics of the channel 😖
@@porkyorcy1715 I can agree with that
These videos always seem to come out right when I get out of class, I just chill in the union building listening to these on the couch or while I'm playing pool.
You’re a great teacher… thanks for your work! It’s interesting and important.
I’ve been watching you for a while now, I love your videos, and how much depth and time you put into it. Definitely my go to high videos.
I found this channel today. I’m on my way to watching every single video, it’s quickly becoming a favourite of mine.
Glad this channel exists. I've been following it for a while and I'm glad to say I've added it to my video essay channel collections. Definitely opened me up to reading more. Things like Hemmingway and philosophical writings
Can you share your video-essay favourite channels? I love this kind of channels. I know ahoy, defunctland, solar sands, emplemon and this channel, you have more?
writing and music, superb! great channel dude!!!
excellently presented video, great visuals and very good attention to detail. thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you for putting out such thought-out, grounded material! I loved this video
Hell yeah dude
@@officialmasqq_594 I'm gay
@@officialmasqq_594female I think
Just read "The Prince" and now I'm reading "The Machiavellians - Defenders of Freedom" by James Burnham. It's dense but fascinating nonetheless. Horses killin it with the vids as always.
You might also like The Dictator’s Handbook by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith. Selectorate Theory is basically an independent rediscovery of the Italian School of Elite Theory.
Great! I really enjoyed Populist Delusion and looking forward to The Total State
I love your editing style, just pure class
To be honest this is a really good channel ,I was listening to this video while I was filing at work and this video was super interesting. Keep up the good work my guy 👍
Quite possibly the best channel I’ve come across in years. I hope you blow up man, I can think of no one more deserving.
❤️❤️🐎
While I too do not enjoy considering Machiavelli’s philosophy and certainly don’t live by it, it’s vital to understand for even the most virtuous individual. One cannot expect to recognize and resist the machinations of selfish or immoral people without understanding how they think and operate.
In today’s intensely socialized age, we could all do with a bit more Machiavellianism in our hearts and minds. ❣️🗡🤔
@@BuddyLee23fuck that. I love with the philosophy of "don't be a jerk unless you're being a jerk to people that don't deserve it. Then I'll be a jerk to you."
…and that’s why you get “pimped” 🤡
@@colossusofrhodes1282 who was this even at lol? And who says “pimped” these days? 😂
@@BuddyLee23"Immensely socialized." What's your source on that one, the unibomber?
I can't express how calming and what a relexing effect your voice had on me while watching this video. I couldn't hold back but buy the booki n my local library whilst watching this video. This is just meant to be a little thank you for this video in the form of a comment
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@@HorsesOnYT *do Bukowsky next👍*
Great work. The best video made on the topic!
this channel worth more than one whole Netflix company. keep up the good work.
Most underrated channel
Who gives the rating?
Fr
@@ankuj7808amount of subs and views
Lol dude had no subs few months ago now has over 200k. He deserves each one but to say underrated is not the right words
Good, we don’t want them knowing everything.
This is my fav youtube channel right now
What a mic drop at the end, another beautiful essay, well done
i do like to open up youtube to be greeted by another certified hood classic. i'm really digging the aesthetics on this one.
Just gotta say you have quickly become my favorite yt channel. So nice to actually find honest intellectual thought exploration full of reason and context. Feels like a great thirst being quenched in a desert if faux pseudo intellectuals, armchair psychologists, and political grifters.
Wow this channel blew up. Just a few weeks ago i was commenting weres the algorithm. Well deserved.
Horses is by far my most favorite subscription UA-cam in a while!!!
the beauty of Machiavelli is that he didn't support the ideas that he wrote, he didn't support a cruel monarchy. Machiavelli was obsessed with the Roman Republic, and even wrote a much bigger book on it, he thought that everything they did was perfect in contrast with what was happening in Italy. writing the Prince, he mostly aspired to get as much of a voice in his book (in the Medicis eyes), because it is a very debatable book that gets attention and sparks debate. I think that the Prince was written as a warning and advice. it can help people who struggle too much in society and also signal them the evil people. he did write how to be the most efficient ruler, but not the best one...
Great voice, great content, all around great videos.
Just found this channel and I'm hooked.
Excellent work. Thank you.
parts of his philosophy are so profound, you deserve so much more hype 🙏
You're my new favorite channel. I love these dives into history. Thank you for all the work you put into these
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Bruh... Awesome commentary and synopsis. That's what I'm here for.
Just found the channel. Love the two videos I just watched. Definitely leaving a like and a sub. Keep it up bro!
I think the idea of "virtu" is fascinating in how it can be paralleled to Eastern thought. According to my professor, one of the key tenants of Daoism is de (德).
He translated the term as "virtuosity," and connected it to the idea of someone being a virtuoso rather than to being Virtuous. Someone who is or who acts with "de" is able to do things extremely well, but is also able to make those things look effortless.
I wonder how much that translation of the concept is informed by the idea of virtu...
Im not familiar with daoism but the word virtue has changed a lot under the influence of Christianity, in which the virtuous is he who does not sin. The latin origin is from "vir", man in latin so virtus is basically manliness and it was divided in wisdom, justice, self-control and courage, which were seen as the ultimate skillset that a man must have, and by a man they basically meant a very masculine one, a noble, a warrior. So virtus, virtu, virtue in origin meant the skillset of a great warrior. It was very tied to the concept of winning on others and the excellence in doing so. I think that Machiavelli use of "virtu" revive that concept in a neoclassical and anti-christian way perfectly.
Also that fade in later roman age and virtus, rather than excellent warrior, became a more broad idea of the ability to do the right thing, which became the ability to avoid sin
The Italian word is Sprezzatura, but it didn’t become popular until after Machiavelli’s death. “The art of effortless perfection.”
I'm so glad I found your channel. You're consistently making some of the most insightful, well written, visually interesting videos I've seen in a while. Wishing all the best for you and this channel 💙
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From Uganda and this video deserves over a billion views 👏. Am subscribing
You are easily the most exciting channel on UA-cam right now.
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'Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience who you truly are.'
The way I see "The Prince" is that it is a brutally honest how-to guide for obtaining and maintaining political power. Machiavelli doesn't make any judgement or comment about what you should do with it once you have it. I think the way he saw it was that it was not his purpose or his place, he just had to guide the reader to that position.
Great piece. Beautiful done ✨
Fantastic video as always! Keep up the good work pls.
Your channel is awesome, man. Really great topics and well done videos. Would love to hear you talk about Asimov's ideas.
Wow! just incredible! thanks for all the work you put into this essays! Happy to see the growth of the channel in the last couple of weeks!
incredible that this level of content is free to watch. unbelievable
Dude how can you write this well! The story-telling is legendary.
First time I have head this accurately summarized and analyzed. The schools in the US love to demonize this book without addressing it's accuracy. Great Work
Damn. I love this channel man.
Love your work, keep it up!
Virtu is a word i’ve long tried to translate accurately, as it comprises part of my family motto “Virtute et Labore”, but in George Bull’s Oxford translation of The Prince, it is mostly translated as Prowess, and Fortuna as Luck (or opportunity). When I read The Prince aged 15 once of the parts that really stuck with me was this concept of Prowess and Luck/Opportunity. If one is lucky, then an opportunity may arise for you to take advantage of, but without prowess in that field, the opportunity comes in vain.