The Prince

For some reason I love reading Machiavelli's masterpiece, The Prince. He is ruthless, and yet so deceptively smart that everything he says makes sense. He uses the most perfect historical examples of people that have done things the right way and the wrong way.

"Let no one be surprised if, in speaking of entirely new principalities 
as I shall do, I adduce the highest examples both of prince and of
state; because men, walking almost always in paths beaten by others,
and following by imitation their deeds, are yet unable to keep
entirely to the ways of others or attain to the power of those they
imitate. A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great
men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his
ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour of it. Let him
act like the clever archers who, designing to hit the mark which yet
appears too far distant, and knowing the limits to which the strength
of their bow attains, take aim much higher than the mark, not to reach
by their strength or arrow to so great a height, but to be able with
the aid of so high an aim to hit the mark they wish to reach."

This passage really made me think about goals I have set. I have seen my whole life, that in this world there are leaders and followers. Sometimes I wonder why I try and impress and befriend people that ultimately aren't going to help me be the best person I can be. Be a leader to those around you, and never stoop to a level or a point where you are uncomfortable with yourself. I feel sorry for those people who let others walk all over them. I love history. It is always right.