Century Quote by George Will
“Machiavelli, however, took his bearings from people as they are. He defined the political project as making the best of this flawed material. He knew (in words Kant would write almost three centuries later) that nothing straight would be made from the crooked timber of humanity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The End of History and the Last Man, Francis Fukuyama, 1992
Machiavelli viewed politics as shaping imperfect human nature into workable governance, acknowledging humanity’s inherent flaws.
In simple terms: Politics must work with flawed people.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection, design realistic policies.
Themes
politics
human nature
realism
leadership
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
pragmatic
When to use this quote
- government reform
- organizational leadership
- public policy design
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Machiavellianism
ethical pragmatism
social engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders balance ideal goals with human flaws?
- What policies respect human imperfection while promoting good?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic visions ignore human complexity.
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