It is wise to flatter important people. It is possible to be good in all respects. P.T. Barnum was wrong when he said that there's a sucker born every minute. It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here and there. People suffering from incurable diseases should have the choice of being put painlessly to death.
Most people forget more easily the death of their parents than the loss of their property.
But experiments have shown that reactions to Machiavelli act as a kind of litmus test, delineating differences in temperament that can be confirmed with more traditional personality inventories. True low Machs, however, can be kind of dependent, submissive and socially inept. So be sure to invite a high Mach or two to your next dinner party. All rights reserved.