Machiavelli Strikes Again

The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli

CHAPTER XXII : Concerning The Secretaries Of Princes

(Italics added)

There were none who knew Messer Antonio da Venafro (Rove) as the servant of Pandolfo Petrucci (W), Prince of Siena (United States), who would not consider (W) to be a very clever man in having (Rove) for his servant. Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others; the first is the most excellent, the second is good, the third is useless. Therefore, it follows necessarily that, if (W) was not in the first rank, he was in the second, for whenever one has judgment to know good or bad when it is said and done, although he himself may not have the initiative, yet he can recognize the good and the bad in his servant, and the one he can praise and the other correct; thus the servant cannot hope to deceive him, and is kept honest.

But to enable a prince to form an opinion of his servant there is one test which never falls; when you see the servant thinking more of his own interests than of yours, and seeking inwardly his own profit in everything, such a man will never make a good servant, nor will you ever be able to trust him; because he who has the state of another in his hands ought never to think of himself, but always of his prince, and never pay any attention to matters in which the prince is not concerned.

On the other to keep his servant honest the prince ought to study him, honouring him, enriching him, doing him kindnesses, sharing with him the honours and cares; and at the same time let him see that he cannot stand alone, so that many honours not make him desire more, many riches make him wish for more, and that many cares may make him dread changes. When, therefore, servants, and princes towards servants, are thus disposed, they can trust each other, but when it is otherwise, the end will always be disastrous for either one or the other.

It is important that W cut his losses and let Rove loose. I understand that the liberal masses will applaud and scream, however the issue will be over and rebuilding public image will be easier with Rove gone. Remember, eliminating him from the political spot- light is critical for the administration’s agenda in the following years. All we have to do is look back to Clinton and his legalese doublespeak, to see the detriment of prolonged media interest. If shrewdly done Rove can be blamed for almost all of the “perceived evils” of the administration. Additionally, Libby can also be placed in the line of fire or be kept in the background for future political problems. Most importantly, this must be done before Fitzpatrick concludes his investigation.