We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed

We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed

Niccolò Machiavelli, a renowned Italian philosopher and political theorist, is often associated with the idea that great accomplishments are often achieved by those who are considered mean or ruthless. In his seminal work, "The Prince," Machiavelli explores the nature of power and leadership, arguing that in order to be an effective ruler, one must be willing to make difficult and sometimes morally questionable decisions.

Machiavelli's assertion that great things are only accomplished by those who are considered mean can be seen as a reflection of his belief in the importance of pragmatism and realism in politics. According to Machiavelli, a successful leader must be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, even if it means resorting to tactics that may be considered unethical or immoral by others. In his view, the ends justify the means, and a ruler must be willing to make tough decisions in order to maintain power and control.

One of the key concepts that Machiavelli explores in "The Prince" is the idea of virtù, which he defines as the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and to act decisively in pursuit of one's goals. Machiavelli argues that virtù is essential for effective leadership, as it allows a ruler to navigate the complexities of politics and to overcome obstacles in order to achieve success. In this context, Machiavelli suggests that those who are willing to be ruthless or mean in pursuit of their goals are more likely to be successful than those who are more concerned with maintaining their moral integrity.

Overall, Machiavelli's assertion that great things are only accomplished by those who are considered mean can be seen as a reflection of his belief in the importance of pragmatism, realism, and decisiveness in politics. While his ideas may be controversial and even unsettling to some, they continue to be studied and debated by scholars and political theorists to this day.